Best British Spirit

I headed down to Cockermouth today, provided 4x4 cover as part of St John’s continuing support following the flooding this week.

Being a 4x4 crew, we were just based at the Emergency control centre ready to respond to any calls beyond landslips or other difficult terrain. There weren’t any, so I hardly turned a wheel all day.

But what was really apparent was how the community came together.

Popping into one reception centre, there were books, lots of well-cooked food, flu injections from the local GP surgeries, and a waiting list of volunteers wanting to help out.

The local Sainsbury’s provided food to the Emergency Service workers – some who hadn’t been home since Thursday. What I found particularly moving was the family that came up with a tin full of biscuits – originally intended for the Christmas Light Switch-on today. Instead they fed several tired firefighters and a group of cold and wet police officers. Together with a couple of ambulance people :)

Everyone in the area knows someone who’s been directly affected by the flooding. But, community spirit clearly lives on.

So far this morning …

… three things have gone wrong, including a complete change of plans for the weekend and my mobile dying (thankfully I kept the one it was meant to replace, 6 years good service without a major problem – now I need to find the receipt to see if it’s 12 months old yet).

I’ve only been up for less than 2 hours. I should have stayed in bed.

Standby for action

As you may have gathered in the news, it’s a bit damp up here at the moment.

Not great shock to learn that my phone has been receiving texts most of the day requesting 4x4 ambulance crews, people to help at rest centres (for those evacuated from houses), relief crews and so on.

I can’t really take a day off work at the minute because I’ve got urgent things to do – but I said I was available this evening to go to a rest centre.

Finished my 4pm client meeting, and left the office early to get going. Jumped into the car and turned on Radio Cumbria (the only time it’s acceptable to listen to BBC Local Radio is during crap weather). Didn’t get far before I heard the traffic news, realised that Cockermouth (my intended destination) was pretty well cut off, so turned around again.

Bit annoying being sat here unable to help, but I’m not risking getting stranded in my little Corsa when the roads are, at best, “passable”.

I doubt though that major incident(s) will be stood down for the next 48 hours though. Best not drink then.

Those that are affected by the flooding – good luck, and hope that the weather doesn’t continue as is expected so we have at least some respite.

Fizzle’n’Die strikes again

Monday morning – Asp receives a trial bundle for a trial he’s pencilled in to sit behind counsel for on Thursday. Asp photocopies bundle to send to counsel.

Monday afternoon – Trial gets unexpectedly adjourned

I’m meant to have trial on Friday. I daren’t read the file until I get the waiting area, see counsel, our client, the other side and their witnesses, and know that the judge hasn’t got swine flu or something…

Litigation – It Changes every minute

Hearing tomorrow.

We are waiting on the other side to finish doing what they want us to do. In the circumstances, we suggest an adjournment.

They don’t get back to us. Gets to 2 O’Clock.

Hearing is in a court nearly 100 miles away, so if we need to go ahead with it, it’ll be cheaper to instruct some more local solicitors as agents.

Check the Law Society website. Find some local firms who do litigation, find one that looks suitable.

Phone them, ask to speak to their litigation department.

Start speaking to a solicitor. Explain what the case is about.

“… so it’s in your county court at 10am, listed for 20 minutes, and my supervisor has just wandered in shaking his head so I assume the other side have now agreed to our adjournment yes they have so thanks for your time but I don’t actually need you now!”

Spotted!

Ever wondered what happened to Réné from Allo! Allo! ?

(MotoGP Valencia 2009 – Ben Spies’ garage)

Totally Different

Two duties in 24 hours, and about as different as they come.

Saturday night was Northern Town’s big fireworks display. Managing half the field, and nothing happened – which is great because I was just able to watch the spectacle. Which is was, matching the music and colourful and full of bangs and what you expect and enjoy. The bonfire was a bit weird though – the theme being love. In the heart in the middle of the castle were two heads kissing. Or so they were meant to be, they were more banging heads.

This morning was, of course, Remembrance Sunday. I’ve said before that I didn’t join SJA to march – but I was honoured to be asked to lay the wreath on behalf on the adults this year. Full refinery was worn including cap and (someone else’s) jacket, and I was proud to lead two Cadets who were presenting the wreath on behalf of the Cadet division.

Things didn’t go completely smoothly – everywhere conducts Remembrance Services slightly differently (if St John process throughout, just lay the wreath, who marches when, orders etc etc), and this was my first time in Northern Town – so there was an element of suck-it-and-see. Not helped when my Divisional Superintendant decided she wasn’t feeling too good, so had to fall out leaving me and the two Cadets on our own with no expectation of what was going to happen. But, it went as well as could have been expected, and I hope that we put on a smart performance (I’m not normally one for the whole Red Cross / St John battle ground, but the wreath layer for the BRC was in her jumpsuit and Hi-Vis jacket. Sorry, that’s just not appropriate, and didn’t befit the occasion at all) and represented the Brigade well.

I understand the medical staff were busy with collapses and the like, and whilst I love being hands on I wouldn’t have swapped positions with any of them for the world. The least I can do to show my respect is stand on parade in the cold.

Lest we forget.