Steve Monaghan musings

 As people fall out fuelled by people 'fanning the flames' remember there is a bigger picture. While you challenge a decision by someone, you probably don't know, in a state that is democratic many other people are going about their business. Their business includes - ripping you off financially - making autocratic decisions that effect your life - fencing off pieces of land they claim to own - charging you an over inflated price claiming things cost more but do they really Yesterday I did a charitable thing. During that event I encountered charitable people who gave me free drinks, I received donations from people I don't know because they agreed with the cause. However, there are homeless people on our streets, people who cannot afford to pay rent or buy food, people on low incomes. These people seem to give generously. None of this is new. For 62 years I have watched nothing change. 1M unemployed, 600,000 homeless, 10% in poverty, etc. etc. Its not because the curren...

 Slightly more than four weeks since my last blog. So what's been happening? Training continues to increase, average 43k running per week, 30k walking a week all helping to create a 'machine'. I continue to do a basic tai chi daily, parkrun or 5k on Saturdays, started doing club road challenge and club fell challenge. First race Totley AC, Tigers Trail, I was reminded I won 1st vet 60 last year, which I did not expect. This year was about getting round due to feeling not 100%, a bit slower but finished. During this month I handed over a race I created in 2018, Higham Hill Race, near Alfreton in Derbyshire. The new organisers, Alfreton Youngsters Umbrella Provision AYUP, who benefitted from the race income will continue to offer a 4 mile, hilly, mainly off road event annually just after the clocks go forward.  I am also due to handover Chesterfield CAMRA Chair to allow more training. So from June I will be focusing on the BYU a bit more. Specifically, more strength training,...

 So this Saint of the country I was born in He was a Christian? He was a peace loving human? He always fought dragons? He was also born in England? Anyway the point is YOU support  an immigrant being your patron saint. No irony there, then. So when you're flying a flag please check your source of information. Unless of course you intend to support Great Britain built on the toil of immigrants both home and abroad, including Europe. Then fly your flag. Acknowledge we created slavery, we built wealth for some off the backs of many. No you cannot pretend it's all lies. You can lie about a country's endeavours in a favourable light, though. 1966 and all that. Meanwhile, immigrants have won the world cup more times than you have had English Breakfast. Really England is a nation built on half truths, incorrect perceptions and slavery.