Margaret Carey Foundation

Whilst writing my last post I came across a charity which offers interesting opportunities for prisoners to engage in projects that provide them with skills and that provide much needed support to those in need. The extent to which such charities or workshops exist or actually run in the increasingly over crowded prisons of today, I do not know. All I know is that I don't believe prison is the answer to today's ills. Brandishing everyone with the same brush is I am sure most would agree a crude form of self regulation for society. In the same way that one would not use a detention system in school time and again for every student if it wasn't working, surely society should look at the way it deals with apparent criminals.

Some might say that locking people up and forgetting about them will not solve society's problems. It will merely exacerbate them. Reform and genuine engagement and care are what cause change. Punishment may result in obedience and submission but genuine care, education and opportunity  have been shown to motivate people to change.

Writers' Forum and Educational Writing

Those keen writers among you may well subscribe to or buy the magazine Writers' Forum . Well, in the May edition, which is out now at W H Smiths, there is a two page spread on how to break into educational writing. I am happy to say I'm one of four writers who features here, having been interviewed about my educational writing. I'm really happy with how the article has turned out.  Although my blog isn't listed, my linkedin presence is which will point people towards here.

As my advice says, for those wishing to break into educational writing- don't expect to make a living from it and make sure you enjoy it.

Having had some less than happy news recently, I was pleased to see the article in print and hope it's a sign of more positive things to come for everyone.

Animal antics

Well it's been some time since I last wrote, so I thought it was probably about time that I did. A couple of weeks ago I went into London to watch a play which had rave reviews and was described as quirky and funny. As it turned out, the play wasn't really my cup of tea. In fact out of five stars I'd probably give it one if that. Lots of people were there and it was a sold-out show more or less and quite a few spectators were laughing, but I think I and the two people I went with must have had a different sense of humour to them. I won't name the show but what I will say is that it consists of two men dressed as if they are going to bed. My advice if you are considering going is DON'T!

The evening was not a complete loss as an executive decision was made to leave. It's one of the few times I've actually left a show midway through. A lovely meal followed but the  highlight of the evening came when I spotted this rather unusual sign near a building site.... yes.. look again... Pied Piper springs to mind...

... which led me to consider the sorts of signs there are for strange wildlife in the UK and perhaps in the world. It seems to me that a sign consisting of a bridge with a number of rats on it is highly unusual and I for one have never seen one before. But then I came across this.....

And this... which just goes to show you learn something new every day.