An unknown Scottish Gem

There has been a wonderful exhibition of artwork on the beautiful island of Arran, and it needs advertising.

ALEXANDRA GARDNER

Scottish artist extraordinaries

Biography

Born 1945

1963-1968 Studied at Glasgow School of Art
1968-1989 Lecturer at Glasgow School of Art

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
1974 Lauder Award, Glasgow Society of Artists
1980 Travelling Award to Italy, Scottish Arts Council
1981 Prizewinner, Cleveland (UK) 5th International Drawing Biennale, (Touring Great Britain and America)
1990 Lauder Award, Glasgow Society or Women Artists
1993 Paper Boat Award, Mayfest, Scotland on Sunday

It took quite some finding. Sandie Gardner's work was exciting and imaginative when I first came across it some twenty years ago. Her works of her daughter and some of the larger, luxurious ladies she painted is full of humour and colour. Scotland produces more than bad lager and whisky, bent lawyers and over pompous politicians, Taggart and Billy Connelly. I believe her work is also available at the Portland Gallery in London.

Milliband gaff, or a push in the right direction?

Flit through Sunday news

The families of five British men being held hostage in Iraq are marking a year without their loved ones.

The civilian contractors were kidnapped by armed militants at the Iraqi Ministry of Finance in Baghdad.

Some of their friends and relatives have marked the anniversary with an exclusive interview with the BBC.

Notareargunner wishes the families well and urges the Government to do it's all to get these Brits home.

Bishop: Collapse of Christianity is wrecking British society - and Islam is filling the void

Do they really need to ask why so many Brits have emigrated?

Betrayed: Kirkcaldy sub-postmaster writes blistering letter to PM over closure of thousands of post offices

Why has it taken so long for the electorate to discover that modern politicians seem to be more self-indulgent than their predecessors? Surely noblesse oblige was worth all the cant that professional politicians now fabricate? Within the modern politicians' rhetoric is avoidance and none-answers. What a legacy.

A letter from Zimbabwe

Dear Family and Friends,
Behind every tree, under every bush and around every corner, it seems there is a British enemy waiting to invade Zimbabwe.
"We must maintain the utmost vigilance in the face of vicious British machinations," Mr Mugabe warned as he spoke at his celebration of Zimbabwe's 28th anniversary of Independence.

No one that I've spoken to this week had even the vaguest clue of what a machination is. A few thought it had something to do with machinery or engines, others that it was a mispronunciation of the word imagination. Still others wondered if these mysterious machinations had anything to do with the Chinese ship steaming around looking for somewhere to unload its cargo of death destined for Harare. The ship loaded with 3 million bullets, 1500 rocket propelled grenades and 3000 mortar shells. So we sat on the edge of our chairs this Independence day wondering just exactly where the British are hiding and what their unknown vicious something-or-other means to our daily lives.

Nearly thirty years after Independence the threats and warnings of British plots haven't just worn thin, they've worn out altogether. It is generally agreed that at most there are perhaps thirty thousand white people left in Zimbabwe - a miniscule percentage in a population of approximately 11 million
people. It's way past time for our leaders to stop blaming someone else and accept responsibility for their own deeds and machinations such as those portrayed on the front page of one weekly independent newspaper:
"Hundreds flee Zanu PF Rampage."
"Murder, torture, terror."

It's three weeks since Zimbabwe voted and we are exhausted, frustrated and frightened. As each day passes there is less and less food to buy, more and more reports of people beaten and hiding and still no final election results. Zimbabweans want food and jobs not grenades and bullets. We want our voices to be heard and our votes to be respected. When the South African Transport workers union refused to unload the Chinese cargo ship in Durban this week they showed the way and we thank them for this. Zimbabwe is not at war, it is hungry. Until next week, thanks for reading, love cathy
Copyright cathy buckle 19th April 2008.

Dear Cathy,
Were you one of those not listening to the Rhodesian Army when we were proving what lying, psychopathic cowards the "Freedom Fighters" are? The Katanga were uncivilised thugs then, and is now a legitimate African Government???
Zambia used to survive on the hard work and industry of 6,000 white farmers until the Chinese invested in Zambia's raw materials. Now they will deport the Whites and add to African starvation. And who is to say that Morgan will become a magician and halt African racism and fulfil Zimbabwe's expectations?
Notareargunner.

General Strike in Zimbabwe today?

GENERAL STRIKE:
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has today called for a general strike in Zimbabwe starting tomorrow (Tuesday, 15 April 2008) after the high court refused to order the immediate release of the presidential election results. Take Action!
I receive these disturbing pictures from the following source
Visit our website at www.sokwanele.com
Visit our blog: This is Zimbabwe (Sokwanele blog)
Send an e-card! www.sokwanele.com/sendcard/

As you sit there with a free hand, click on the site and register your disgust. Although the years have past, how can I ever forget the wonderful nights, sat in a Ndebele kraal, sipping Chubuku or Shake Shake with my warrior comrades, watching the men and women dance in the eerie flickering light of the fire, and listening to Cpl Danny Moyo lead the ensemble in impromptu song
"Oh be - u - tiful R A R
Oh be - u - tiful R A R
I will never forget
That be - u - tiful R A R"
Or watch the pride on the faces of the population as RAR marched through the city to the Sweet Banana.

In Scotland 1500 workers are on strike to protect their pensions. In Zimbabwe the majority of the population will not be allowed that privilege. Again America and Britain will do nothing. I remember the smirking faces with horror as British soldiers forced themselves into our messes and thought they could dictate to a proud, professional army a form of defeatism that is endemic in the UK today. Last year I was at a meeting of the North Wales Royal Marine Association where a Lt Colonel from the RMA boasted of his time in RHODESIA. That areshole went away with his tail between his legs when he was publically told a few home truths.
Having fought with both the British and Rhodesian I make this observation. If you pulled out the Brits from Afghanistan and replaced them with the Rhodesian, the Taliban would be showing the Colonials a much higher degree of respect than they do the Brits. And while the Yanks think they can win hearts and minds from their bombers and out of their tanks, they have an enormous shock waiting for them.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for the young people of the UN who are serving in inhospitable places. But to go out before first light, fight all day only to surrender the ground again as nightfall arrives is a pure recipe for disaster. Either quadruple the number of the combatants, or get out.

These ladies is for turning

clipped from www.order-order.com Cast your mind back to last week's U.S. trip. On the flight to Washington Gordon personally briefed the Lobby on the usual off-the-record basis that "No one will lose out." He dismissed Lobby hacks claims that dozens of Labour MPs were set to rebel over the issue, saying: "It is just one or two MPs asking questions." The Mail on Sunday was not on the trip, so was not bound by Lobby terms, it accurately reported Gordon claiming "You're wrong. No one will lose out. Come on . . . you guys have exaggerated it all." Mr Brown was forced to break off from his White House talks to beg Ms Smith not to resign. "You said a Minister was going to resign, but she didn't," Mr Brown told Mr Bradby.

It is almost midday Thursday 24th April 2008. The U-Turn has evolved into a revolution of seismic proportions. Nu Lieber spin is now kicking them in the Arsenal and they are dropping points faster than a Beatles whores knickers.
And fuel is up again, food is almost too expensive to eat, pensions are still being plundered, and St Georges Day was discussed by everyone in the media except the English.
Really! Do I have to become a shirt lifter to get me RIGHTS? Fuk U will make the Snooker Finals?

The Covenant

clipped from www.britishlegion.org.uk Inquests can be very confusing for the families of Service personnel, particularly for those without knowledge of the legal system or the military. Solicitors can be expensive and funding is only available in “exceptional cases” where the family is financially eligible. Interestingly, all cases where someone has died in prison, in police custody or detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 are automatically classed as “exceptional cases” and the need to meet the financial eligibility criteria can be waived.

How narrow is the Covenant. In a period where a 51year old reservist is killed in Iraq, it is interesting to see what can be done for the family.

Because he was a reservist, and not a regular, very little. It is down to the Associations to fulfil the obligation that ought to be the Governments. Fortunately the RAFBF is generous towards its people and will undoubtedly pull out every stop to assist the family. Senior Aircraftman Gary Thompson, who at 52 is the oldest serviceman to be killed on current operations. Graham Livingstone and Gary Thompson were killed by a roadside bomb

British pubs for the demolition men?

clipped from www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk Pub is put up for sale by brewers Thwaites has announced that it is putting The Victory on Caunce Street on the market. The hostelry, which is already closed, has just had its licence reviewed by the council. One of the last good pubs has gone the way of thousands of others, taxed out of existance by massive rates, Broons inability to see these hostels as decent places of refuge and hospitality. I have fond memories of the Vic as my grandmother's family were licensees here, and we were always welcomed. Not too many years ago it was the abode of Junior Johnson, the extrovert Kiwi entertainer who performed on the North Pier for many years, and who gave brilliant impromptu performances in the Grand Metropole theatre bar, often with some of the biggest names in British comedy. Beer is now averaging about £2.40 a pint. Bar consumption is down, home consumption is soaring with a can of chemical crap being sold at less than 50pence for a pint in most stores. Only a politician can empty a pub this fast. Remember Prohibition?

St Georges Day - 2008

William and RAF sorry for Prince's FIVE Chinook joyrides to visit family and friends On last Thursdays Commando – On the Front Line, the troops were in action with no tangible air support, poor casevac procedures, inadequate personal weaponry whilst much needed helicopter support was being used for personal and private pleasure. Put the Bastards in Charge in front of 3 Para and the Taliban.

Gordon flies the flag for St George's Day to celebrate Englishness, as EU wipes the country and the Channel off the map The spin doctors are running out of credibility. This map tells it all. On a day when ITN showed a typical poor English family as a black family of seven…BBC have a debate an immigration with the main speakers a loathed Black political figure and some female dressed as a Herreiro – what contribution from an English person? None! So what value of being a proud English person? This is why it is worth revisiting the Enoch Powell speech of 40 years ago.

Aliens MUST exist, says Stephen Hawking... but they will probably be even dumber than us Yes, they live in self created squalor on estates all over Britain. They can afford drugs, alcohol and tobacco, but a less expensive way out of their own misery, education, is beyond their comprehension. Just try asking one of these Aliens directions to the nearest Job Centre.

Africa again in the mire.

clipped from www.time.com UN: Darfur Conflict Worsening In grim reports to the Security Council, the United Nations aid chief and the representative of the peacekeeping mission said suffering in the Sudanese region is worsening. Tens of thousands more have been uprooted from their homes and food rations to the needy are about to be cut in half, they said.

When the White man lived on this wonderful conundrum of a continent, there was a modicum of civilisation. Even South Africa, the oasis of education, medical research, endeavour, has been infected by the African bug, and I mean something even worse than Aids. A wise Old Boerkje once told me, "Engels man, there is just three things that ruin Afrika, and they are in reverse order, Mombies, goats and kafirs."
I have found no evidence in the past thirty years to disprove this sage.
What is happening in Africa today can only be accompanied with the statement, "who gives a shit?"