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October is here and the beautiful colours of the season surround us, it is a perfect time to enjoy the changing
countryside and appreciate Mother Nature in her autumn glory, and there is certainly plenty to do to keep us occupied
and entertained. We can still take advantage of the last few longer daylight hours before the clocks go back on the 25th
26th of October and British summer time ends. This is a cheerful month of celebrations, and interests and to begin with
I would like to tell you about the coming Pearly Kings and Queens harvest festival, and in case you do not know that much
about them I think you will be surprised to learn more about the true Londoners born within the sound of Bow Bells.
The real Cockneys with their fabulous sense of humour, the Pearly Kings and Queens and the wonderful charitable work
they do.
Their history dates as far back as the 11th century originating from poor street traders who became known as costermongers,
they progressed from barrows, to stalls, to the markets we have today, although their life was hard their sense of humour,
strength of character and kindness to each other in times of trouble has led them to do great charitable work for all of
us giving up their time and raising funds running into millions. The Pearlies have strong and honourable traditions; they
developed a unique style and present themselves in beautiful pearl adorned costume. This first began when because they
were poor and their clothes were so battered and worn they began to sew lines of pearl buttons on them to brighten them up,
until a young urchin boy in 1889 by the name of Henry Croft who was a road sweeper and rat catcher learned to sew,
he collected so many pearl buttons he completely covered his clothes with them incorporating many designs and symbols
one of which was all for charity. This was amazing considering there can be as many as 30,000 buttons each sewn on
individually, and the costume weighs about 30 kilograms or more when finished. He joined the Costers and became a life
long friend helping them in their charitable work.
Their talented showmanship, kindness, Cockney wit and humour is always
very popular. Each borough of London elected their Coster king, and the kings and Queens brought their children up to
inherit their titles. There are many occasions and festivities where anyone can go to meet the Pearly Kings and Queens
as you will see in the given links for the month of October, such as the Pearly Kings and Queen’s harvest festival, and
there are more links if you follow them, please donate generously you will find they are modest about the good work they
do among which of many is helping disabled children. You can read much more about their history as I have given only a
few short details here. www.pearlykingsandqueens.com/history/
http://events.skyteam.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=61763
Do follow Jim’s link to see his tour http://www.pearlykingjim.co.uk/1.html
October 11th is the Muslim Eid ul-Fitre festival the end of the month of Ramadan when there will be much festivity in
Trafalgar Square. www.london.gov.uk/mayor/eid/
October 19th is the celebration of Diwali in Trafalgar Square. The festival of lights celebrates the triumph of good over
evil, Light over dark and a new beginning. www.diwaliinlondon.com/
October 31st is Halloween or ( Samhain ) which dates back to the Celts and is celebrated with lots of spooky connotations,
a time when witchy costumes are worn and children go trick or treating. May everyone celebrate and enjoy sensibly and
consider the sick and elderly and play no nasty tricks. The celebration is a matter of preference among Christians and some
do not take part. It is considered a special time for Pagans as it is the Pagans new year, it is a time to remember
loved ones who have passed on, and be thankful for the year that has past and for the new year to come. It is believed
that the veil between the physical and the spiritual is thin for those who have passed. Bonfires are lit to honour them,
and gifts given to the gods to thank them. www.eparenting.co.uk/halloween/celebratinghalloween.shtml
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Halloween.html
Here are special links for carers who may be interested
October 28th 29th 30th is UK Dementia Congress. This is excellent if you can get there, However as we all know there are
many carers who would like to be there but will be unable because of lack of help, and facilities for them to do so. Hmmmm!
www.counselandcare.org.uk/assets/library/documents/UKDC_brochure_A4_web.pdf
October 1st is older people’s day, and Full of Life Events. Select your area on the map and see what is happening,
you will find various festivities and events taking place and I wish you all a very happy time. May everyone have a
happy and wonderful month in October. http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/fulloflife/
Important letter for carers and all families
As I mentioned to you, following the publication of the National Carers Strategy Review (see link below for summary of the document)
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsand ... /DH_085345
Carers forums are trying to drum up interest in a carers protest march alongside other methods of campaigning, carers in general feel very let down by the findings of this document, especially as Carers Allowance has not been addressed, this is a 10 year strategy but most of us feel that CA was the overriding problem, not only by it's low amount (as a 24/7 carer I get 30p an hour) but that the overlapping rule which removes CA once the carer gets to retirement age has also been ignored.
There are many threads on this, here are just a few - some can be viewed without registering for the forums but if anyone wants to contribute then they do have to join the respective board.
http://www.carersuk.org/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=4958
http://tonyrhodes.f.xaviermedia.com/vie ... tonyrhodes
http://carersvoices.myfanforum.org/PROT ... ut318.html
http://carerwatchdotcom.myfineforum.org/about280.html
by Paula H.
Reply from Pamela
Hi Paula
Thank you for posting this, I am very interested as you know and I would like to put your post on my website where it will remain rather than latest news, I am very happy to add myself to any protest that is helpful to carers who are desperately doing their best to bring their plight to the notice of the government, considering that they are bound inextricably to their caring duties and many times are ill themselves it is obvious to everyone and those in authority that they are victims of injustice, we need everyone to understand that this concerns all families and that we need the support from everyone not just those in the position or situation as a carer, this will affect everyone in the country sooner or later, it is time everyone not just carers realised this, carers may well find themselves in a helpless situation but not a hopeless one if people will in spite of the problems that beset them today give their support to carers now before they may easily become one themselves in a future that can only get worse.
God Bless you
from Pamela
