On the move

Hi all,

Just a quick note to say that the Lichfield Blog is moving to a new home at http://thelichfieldblog.wordpress.com.

The move's designed to give us a bit more flexibility and may be the start of some pretty exciting times for the site - keep 'em peeled!

See you there!

Come on in, mind the step

Just a quick note to let you know that I won't be adopting some strange cyber ventriloquism act over the coming weeks, but that a few new faces will be joining to The Lichfield Blog's ranks over the coming days.

I figured that I offer only one opinion on Lichfield (even if it is the right one), so it's time to open up the floor to other great Cathedral City chaps and chapesses to offer up their views.

I'm sure they'll introduce themselves as they come on board, so please be nice to them (and me!).

Cheers!

(if anyone fancies joining the merry band, visit my Twitter page)

It's a crying shame

Here's a new job that might be right up your street - Lichfield needs a new town crier.

Now I'm not too sure what the qualifications are, but this is one tradition which I'm all for keeping (unlike the Bower Queen).

If Lichfield fancies itself as a historic city then a town crier is a must.

But just who could we get to ring the bell and call us all to order?

Bower Queen is nothing more than a modern day freakshow

It's my favourite time of the year - the search for a Bower Queen is underway.

Of course, I'm not interested in who actually wins, nor am I running for it myself (although I'd fancy my chances all told!).

No, I'm more interested in the voyeuristic nature of the contest, the snapshot into the lives of deluded young girls and the pushy parents sitting behind them who fuel this desire for 'stardom'.

But what are the real benefits of being Bower Queen? To be recognised as Lichfield's premier young woman and the glory that goes with it (for glory see page 17 editorial complete with fuzzy photo in the Mercury)? Or is the desire to be ridiculed by your peers and have half the population of Lichfield chuckling at you? After all we are a nation who love to laugh at those glorious failures who haven't a hope in hell of achieving their dream. And for Lichfield, the Bower Queen battle is like the great early bits of X-Factor watching the talentless crash and burn.

As if the Bower itself wasn't an outdated, cringe-worthy embarassment, the Bower Queen is the icing on a stale cake. In the same way you laugh at those all-American youngsters with their glitzy outfits aiming to be beauty queen in Winkelstinkeltown, U S of A, so Lichfield applauds this modern day circus sideshow by allowing it to happen.

Isn't it about time Lichfield let Bower Day and the Bower Queen die a painless death instead of dragging it into public view every year for us all to point and laugh at?

When will churches join the real world?

Over time on this blog, you'll probably realise that I'm a bit baffled by many things. It's fair to say that religion is one of these.

So it's with no surprise that I read in the Birmingham Mail comments from a religious man which have no relevance to the real world.

The story regards talks by the Diocese of Lichfield on plans by the Church of England to standardise fees for services across the country. At present the initial service fees are standard, but at a regional level, churches are able to add extra fees for things like bell ringers, flowers and heating etc.

The quote from the Archdeacon of Salop, the Venerable John Hall said:

“I question the sanity of wanting to take over from parishes something which they have dealt with adequately for centuries.”

I'm sorry Mr Hall, but that isn't washing with me. Churches have been found out. There's no problem with extras being charged where applicable and yes, if you need to hire the choir then there is a cost associated. But the Birmingham Mail report talks of heating being an extra.

HEATING?!?!? When I go to Morrisons I don't get charged £20 for my shopping and then have a fee added for heating. Why should churches be any different?

The Diocese of Lichfield, like so many other religious institutions, need to get with the real world if they're going to prosper in increasingly sceptical times. And at a time when finances are stretched, surely the churches have a duty to their congregation to be up front about costs?

Streethay - the place that time forgot

As misleading topic headers go, this one's probably right up there.

I'm not talking of the place of course. In fact, the residents seem quite friendly (apart from those who seem to have missed the parking safety section out of their Highway Code).

What I'm actually miffed about is the Streethay Village section of the Alrewas and Fradley with Streethay website. The site is a continuation of the glossy mag that comes through the door on an infrequent basis.

It's a commendable idea and could have been a good way for parish councillors to interact with the people they represent.

However, it's not gone un-noticed that the site hasn't been updated for quite some time. Now if I wanted to play mischief maker I'd say it hasn't been updated since the tails went between the legs of some Lichfield decision makers and the ridiculous 24-hour use of a new industrial unit site was approved, despite promises that it would be opposed.

Obviously, it's more likely that the people behind it just can't be bothered to update it.

However, that's a pretty feeble excuse. I'm one man and a dog and I manage to update this site on a more regular basis than they do. Given that they have greater access to information than I do, I think it's fair to say that the site is a pretty poor show.

There's not even an opportunity for discussion (surely the point of such a site?) as the Guestbook gobbles up posts and dumps them into a black hole waiting for approval. I've had tax rebates quicker than comments published on there.

There is some good news on the events front though. After all you can all join me in my Tardis and journey back to December 21 to attend the forthcoming Streethay Carol Concert.

If those who can't handle the responsibility of handling this site, how's about they hand it over to the people in the area who a) have time to update it, b) have an interest in updating it, and c) have the interests of the area at heart - not just an interest when it suits.

The future of Lichfield's railways?

A story from the Mercury's website has pricked my interest. It's discussing the campaign for an improvement to rail services and facilities.

As someone who commuted on the cross-city line from first Lichfield City and then Lichfield Trent Valley into Birmingham, I couldn't agree more about the need for improved facilities. Trent Valley in particular is desperately in need of a major makeover.

Given that Trent Valley is the link between two rail routes, it's chronic that their aren't disabled facilities, meaning wheelchair passengers aren't able to use two of the three platforms. Add to that a massive lack of shelter when the wind and rain inevitably batters the platforms and you have a station which makes you think Dr Beeching might have had a point!

The article then mentions the re-opening of the Lichfield to Brownhills and Walsall line. In truth I never thought the line would re-open, but with the works on the new estate opposite ToyTown it seems they're putting a bridge in place in order to ensure the line remains intact - a lot of trouble to go to if the line being reopened wasn't being given real thought.

Put simply, Lichfield needs rail investment if it's to continue to grow and open up opportunities for the residents.