Failure is the Key to Success

The UK government released new rules today, clarifying the application criteria for Gurkhas who wish to settle in the United Kingdom.

The government had originally denied the automatic right to settle here to any Gurkha who had retired before 1997, but this was overturned in the High Court last year. The judge, Mr Justice Blake, said the Gurkhas’ long service, conspicuous acts of bravery and loyalty to the Crown all pointed to a “moral debt of honour” and gratitude felt by British people. He ruled that instructions given by the Home Office to immigration officials were unlawful and needed urgent revision.

The Gurkhas have served all across the world in the defence of our Country for nearly 200 years. Over 45,000 died in the two World Wars as part of the British Army. They are still fighting in the British Army today.

The governments new rules mean that permission to settle in the United Kingdom for those who retired before 1997 may be granted if they meet one of the following:

• Have spent at least three years continuous lawful residence in the United Kingdom during or after service;
• Have close family settled in the United Kingdom with whom you enjoy family life within the meaning of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR);
• Received a Level 1-3 Award for gallantry, leadership or bravery for service in the Brigade; (Level 1: Victoria Cross; Level 2: DSO/DCM, DSO/DCM Bar, IDSM (India Distinguished Service Medal); Level 3: Military Cross, Military Cross Bar Military Medal, Military Medal Bar, Jangi Inam)
• Completed 20 or more years’ service in the Brigade;
• Have a chronic/long term medical condition which is attributable to, or was aggravated by, service in the Brigade.

Continue reading » Gurkha veterans betrayed by UK government

Tags:Gurhka,Gurhka Justice Campaign

Last night we went to The Stables in Wavendon for the first of our three trips over the next couple of months. Neither of us had been there before, so we didn’t really know what to expect. Following their directions on the website, it was really easy to find and the car park was quite large, although we were there about 45 minutes before it started, so I don’t know how full it gets. It is a smart modern looking building, which has a spacious entrance area. When you go in, there were tables down the right hand side before you get to the bar area. On the left is their shop and then the reception desk is past the first entrance to the Jim Marshall Auditorium. It is carpeted throughout the reception area and really looks smart as do the uniformed staff. We got a couple of drinks at the bar before looking around the CDs in their shop. While we were looking around the shop, Jo spotted someone we know from the Dunstable Music Centre, and so we went and chatted with him and his wife before we went in.

Just a brief aside on the history of The Stables.

Wavendon Allmusic Plan Ltd (WAP), a registered charity, was founded in 1969 by the world-renowned jazz musicians Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth, with an aim to provide a centre of musical activity which would break down barriers between music genres and introduce music to as many people as possible regardless of age or social background.

The vision was realised with the development of The Stables Theatre, in some outbuildings at their home, as a venue for concerts and education activities. In October 2000, the new Stables Theatre opened its doors on a 398 seat auditorium which now presents over 200 concerts and over 200 education sessions each year.

So about 5 minutes before it was due to start, we went through the entrance to the auditorium and made our way down to the front row. We had seats one and two and were sat about 5 foot from the stage. The stage was only slightly raised, about a foot, so you felt that you were almost on stage. They weren’t fully booked for the event, only the main seating area was full, the side areas weren’t used.

Continue reading » The Mandolinquents at The Stables

Tags:Gerald Garcia,Hilary James,Richard Collins,Simon Mayor,The Mandolinquents,The Stables

Before Easter, the Dunstable Music Centre had it’s end of term concert. I play bass recorder in the recorder consort and we played a couple of pieces at the concert, Scarborough Fair and When I’m Sixty Four.

I have finally got around to putting up a piece of our work, so here it is.

Scarborough Fair & When I’m Sixty Four

Tags:concert,Dunstable Music School,music centre,recorder consort

Last September we managed to get a Ridgeback MX24 bike off of Ebay for our son. We were originally looking for the smaller MX20, but a MX24 became available, so we took the chance that it wouldn’t be too big. It was a bit close last year, but at it’s lowest settings was rideable. This meant we all had Ridgeback bikes; my daughter had the Ridgeback Melody that we had got early in the summer.

Continue reading » Bike and Kites

Tags:Red Kites,ridgeback Harmony,ridgeback melody,ridgeback MX24,The Five Alls