Two Rectory Eagles Restored!

Sutton: St Nicholas Church – Where Stone Eagle’s Dare! (13.9.2025)

Why did a Sutton Town Planner come up with the idea of a) demolishing the Old Rectory (which should have been a listed building), and b) placing the Gate-Eagles on two-plinths jutting-out of Council Flat walls? Was this an example of Free Masonry gone mad – or madder than their usual schemes? I spent about 15-minutes talking with a local historian in St Nicholas Church, Sutton, during an exhibition of the stain-glassed window and various stones. He told me that the Rectory Gates were originally in West Street – but the eagles ended up on the main road situated on the exterior walls of the new Council Houses – now named “Beech Tree Place” – effectively around the corner in a different street.

Pick Up Thy Bed and Walk!

UK: Homeless Carpenter Moves “Mysteriously” Around South London! (2.8.2025)

A new study by homelessness charity Crisis found that among older low-income earners, one in five feared homelessness in their retirement, and many say they cannot afford to stop working.

“A generation once thought to be safe from our housing crisis is now increasingly being swept up in it and at real risk of homelessness,” it concludes.

Francesca Albanese, executive director of policy and social change at Crisis, told Sky News: “Most people are thinking they will go into later life with savings and security, and actually the cost of housing alongside lower wages is meaning that for lots more people that just isn’t an option.”

‘You don’t change the person you are’

Daniel has a bag system. A carrier for dirty laundry, a rucksack for clean, and a small essentials bag on top.

We pass Croydon College, where he obtained his City & Guilds carpentry qualifications, and go to the public library where Daniel charges his phone and uses computers to apply for work.

Baby Black-Bird Rescued!

South London: Baby Black-Bird Rescued! (22.5.2025)

As Gee has worked in Rescue-Centres many moons ago – she was able to do a full assessment of the bird’s fitness – and this bird passed with flying colours! We teach our pets to be kind to one another and so the cat had not bitten the bird in any place on the body (we think it is a female Black-Bird). The wings were intact, the feet strong, the beak sharp, and the temperament calm and attentive. I held the bird for about 30 minutes whilst the bird calmed down, stood-up and sorted itself-out. Gee then took the bird outside to near where the cat caught the bird – and it stood on her hand for a few seconds, gave a squawk and away it went! This bird flew safely into a high tree and we hope it will now have a good and long life!

Paper Letter - St Albans Road - Sutton

Sutton Council: 20mph Speed Zones and a “Loose” Definition of Democracy! (6.2.2025)

Apparently, everyone in our street received this missive from the London Borough of Sutton Council (LBS for short). I had heard rumours that a 20mph zone might be coming to our local area. However, at no time were we consulted about it in anyway. Now, according to Sutton Council, the consultation has been completed – and it is all going ahead. Really? Throughout the UK this policy has been greeted with a general sense of pure hatred. It would seem that driving 20mph is no safer than driving faster – and that the real motive behind this policy is simply to raise extra revenue in fines for Local Councils (a Tory initiative that Labour has not stopped).

Sutton Friends of Palestine - 2024

South London: Sutton Friends of Palestine – March! (29.6.2024)

Of course, we support the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) – and I often translate their Arabic-language articles into English translation. I have no idea what the internal politics are for the Sutton Friends of Palestine – as all these groups are affiliated to this or that orientation. As matters stand, this group formed-up in the square outside of the Waterstones Book Shop. I over-heard that they would soon be marching through Sutton High Street. We tried to acquire a leaflet – but was told that there were none – but we could “purchase” a badge – which seems a little lax. Leaflets can and do travel far and wide. We are Veterans of protest marches in the UK – most through Central London and involving millions of people! The anti-Israel marches have usually attracted huge numbers – primarily of Muslim people and their supporters. Perhaps half of this group were Muslim people.

Buddhapadipa Temple - Wimbledon

Wimbledon: Buddhapadipa Temple & the Family of Geese! (29.5.2024)

It possesses a modest park with a small body of water, a mansion house and a temple complex. Indeed, we have visited here many times in the past. As with all such temples – it is free to enter – and no-one interferes with acts of private meditation. On occasion, the robed-clad monks (Bhikkhu-Beggar) might be seen walking through the grounds. As all animal cruelty is strictly forbidden, the local wildlife tends to behave in a much more relaxed and content manner – as if each animals perceives the “Dhamma” (Teaching) that is being practiced. Whatever the case, such an environment allows children to develop a caring attitude of respect for all animals – just one of the reasons we take our children to such places!

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