Gogwit's Blog

(satire – or is it?)

As loons – especially swivel-eyed ones – are in the news at the moment, I thought I’d give you some interesting facts – completely true I promise you – about the habitat and breeding habits of the bird known as the Common Loon.

• Loons are extremely territorial and will aggressively defend their territory sometimes to the death.

• Common Loons often make wailing or moaning noises but can yodel when defending their territory.

• Most Loons have grey heads and white bellies.

• Loons are slow to take off but once they get going their considerable stamina means they can fly for considerable distances.

• Loons prefer to build their nests on small islands surrounded by water where they are completely cut off from other inhabitants.

• The word ‘Loon’ comes from the Old Norse word lōmr, which means ‘to moan’.

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Looks like Cameron’s mate was more spot-on than…

It’s been quite a day for education. To begin with, a heart-warming and brain-stimulating article by Sir Ken Robinson in the Guardian, on the Comment and Debate pages:

Gove extols creativity, but he has no idea what it is

On the Guardian website this appeared as

To encourage creativity, Mr Gove, you must first understand what it is

The education secretary’s new national curriculum is a dead hand on the creative pulse of teachers and students alike

Creativity is essential to the success and fulfilment of young people, to the vitality of our communities and to the long-term health of the economy. The trouble is that his current plans for the national curriculum seem likely to stifle the creativity of students and teachers alike. Consequently, anyone with a serious interest in student achievement, cultural vitality and economic sustainability should be deeply concerned.

We shouldn’t be surprised when a politician says…

Saturn Is Shaking Its Rings: Scientific American.

 

“Einstein’s planet” becomes first exoplanet discovered using new detection method.

Melissa Benn, education journalist and author of ‘School Wars’, will be speaking at the next
Birmingham CASE (Campaign for State Education) public meeting on Tuesday 11 June 7.15 at the T&G Offices, Broad St, Birmingham (opposite Novotel).

7:15pm
Tuesday 11th June
T&G / Unite offices, Broad Street, B15 1AY

Unite building is accessible with a manual wheelchair but unfortunately the lift is too small for motorised wheelchairs. Accessible toilets are available at the venue.

Female genital mutilation is an abhorrence, yet little to stop it has been done even in countries like Britain.  With the summer ‘cutting season’ upon us, there is an urgent need to move beyond moralising, to finding real, practical ways to eradicate FGM.  One approach would be to have a single-number national phone-line, co-ordinated to cover all aspects of FGM and similar abuse, as the first point of call for everyone whether concerned professionals or neighbours, family friends and neighbours, and even (older) children themselves.

Since this article was written the NSPCC have introduced a free FGM hotline which can be used by anyone, anonymously or by name as preferred:

0800 028 3550, or email fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

With the war moving into its final year, Clarion, along with the rest of the residents of Birmingham, were reflecting on the damage done to their beloved city. An area in the heart of the shopping centre had been particularly badly hit, and a circus and fairground were erected on the bombed site. This provided some well-needed relief from the trauma of war, and provided an accessible venue for the many emerging talents in the city.

 

In 1944, the Choir were proud to present a performance of Professor Edward Dent’s new score of John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera” at the Big Top in New Street, Birmingham, as part of the Brighter Birmingham programme, produced by Tom Harrison, with accompaniment on harpsichord by Katharine Thomson.

Read more about

Birmingham’s Big Top here.