Ning Nang Nong

Yesterday, the Greenacre Writers held a walk with a difference - The Walking Writer Workshop. Organised by myself on a donation basis to fund my PhD.

Writers at Finchley Golf Club for refreshments

A walk from West Finchley along Dollis Brook and up to Swan Lane Open Open Space. Along the way we stopped for readings and writing, advice and reflection. We turned off mobile phones and had periods of silence where we listened to the breeze in the trees and concentrated on the senses. Luckily there was no sound of rain. (I packed two umbrella's just in case) Mike, our walking guide and local knowledge guru organised a short break at the splendid Nether Court House, home of Finchley Golf Club, for refreshments and writing.


After our break we continued along the brook. There is a new cycle path that has been laid running alongside the Finchley Lawn Tennis Club (although the lawn disappeared years ago), and some of us continued the walk along here. Unfortunately the path isn't quite finished yet. The bridge to the other side has not been built yet so we crossed the brook via stepping stones across the water. 
We continued (a little late after our detour) stopping opposite where Spike Milligan used to live. Zaahiri, delightful daughter of Murni, one of the Greenacre Writers, read one of Spike's poems.

On the Ning Nang Nong

Where the Cows go Bong! 
and the monkeys all say BOO! 
There's a Nong Nang Ning 
Where the trees go Ping! 
And the tea pots jibber jabber joo. 
On the Nong Ning Nang 
All the mice go Clang 
And you just can't catch 'em when they do! 
So its Ning Nang Nong 
Cows go Bong! 
Nong Nang Ning 
Trees go ping 
Nong Ning Nang 
The mice go Clang 
What a noisy place to belong
is the Ning Nang Ning Nang Nong!!

Lunch was at the lovely Redwood Cafe in the Swan Lane Open Space where delights such as venison stew or beetroot and goat's cheese toasted sandwiches were followed by delicious courgette and lime cake or healthy portions of carrot cake.

Mark, Irving, Zaahiri, Mike, Zaki, Murni & Charlotte

After lunch we had another treat when Zaki, Murni's son, read what he had written earlier at the golf club:

"I flew to the peak of the evergreen tree, the tree that waved to me every day. Whilst the tree waved the wind would whistle the tube larks liked to sing. The reflections in the water would dance like the humans did: soft, smooth and steady.

The mellow sound of the wilderness and the crunching of gravel by other forest animals made music in my ears. Rhythmic tapping of my woodpecker friends and vibrant colours of humming birds seemed to create a harmony amongst the animals."

What an amazing piece of writing at such a young age. 

Mike organises walks for the Finchley Society. If you fancy joining us, you can find the details  of the latest walk here. We're hoping that some writers will come along and produce some poems or prose on the walk and read the results at Oakhill Park, the final destination where we finish for tea and cake.

The Walking Writer

The Walking Writer workshop is all about nature and writing. Many writers including Virginia Woolf, Ernest Hemingway, and Frank O'Hara used walking as a way of stimulating their writing. Walking is not just good for the physical body; it is good for the mind too. For William Blake and William Wordsworth, walking was a way to leave the outside world behind.

We will be retreating from the busy everyday into our own particular creative worlds with an emphasis on sight, sound, smell, touch and hearing and there will be some readings.We will be writing and walking in the wooded areas of Finchley. We will meet at West Finchley and make our way down to the beautiful Dollis Brook where we will write among the trees. You will have a chance to discuss your latest writing project, make new writing friends or meet old ones. We will stop for lunch at The Redwood Café in Swan Lane Open Space.

Where and when:

18th October, 10.30am West Finchley Station, London N3

The Walking Writer Workshop: 

 As a way to fund her PhD; Rosie Canning is offering this workshop on a donation basis. Rosie is hoping her PhD will contribute to changing the outcomes for Care Leavers by challenging stereotypes and the public consciousness.  

Click here to reserve your place:

               

Photo © Mike Gee

A Letter to my Father from a Child of the State*

Dear Father,

I realise we've not had contact for many years, thirty-eight to be precise. Though I did see you twice after I left home at sixteen, so it's more like forty years really. 

Do you remember my eighteenth birthday?

(Of course, I understand, you've dealt with thousands and thousands of 18th birthdays, yes okay, you're right, I understand. No! I'm not upset.)

You gave me a cheque for 15/- (that's 75p in new money) and a tea set.

(No, I don't know what happened to the tea set. I moved around too much)

I thought you might at least write and ask how I was doing. 
Well, I'll tell you:

I've always worked apart from the odd occasion when I was homeless. I regret to say I was on benefits for a while but to be honest, I saw this as you supporting me from a distance, even though you never signed any of the letters yourself.

There was one in particular, the one where all my benefits were stopped and that week the children really did starve. It was signed by somebody called Harry something-or-other. I've racked my brains going through all the aunts and uncles I met during my 16 years in your care but cannot remember him. Was that really you? Using a pseudonym?

(I certainly don't hold you responsible for me being homeless and pregnant at seventeen.)
I guess it was about six months after I left Blueberry Road, I'd been living in a bedsit, well that's what it was called. I got behind with my rent and was asked to leave. I stayed on a friend's sofa for a few nights but after a while, I just felt awkward.

I did phone but you were busy decorating my old bedroom for somebody new. 
I have managed, not always very well, and I do remember people commenting on how skinny I'd become. It's not as if I didn't know how to cook but I couldn't afford to buy the food, so I ate custard creams instead.

I don't want you to feel sorry for me, I'm just trying to explain how difficult life was. It's not difficult now. I'm a successful member of society. In fact, I'm notorius. I have become a campaigner for children in your care and care leavers like myself. I'm not sure if you're proud of me or not. In fact, I'm going to parliament this Thursday; to visit the home of your father, my grandfather. I imagine he won't be able to hear what I say because of course, he never invested in a hearing aid. Whatever is said, will probably fall on death, I mean deaf ears.

I imagine you read about my antics in the local newspaper. (Yes you do read the papers. I remember seeing piles of them on your desk when I visited you at the Town Hall. Remember, we sat in silence for hours. You wouldn't speak to me because you thought it would force me to talk about my feelings.) 

I'm still here. If I had moved away, I would have missed you more than I already do. Have you missed me?

We could meet for tea like we used to. In the Wimpy Bar in Muswell Hill. Remember? You never had anything to eat. It was a game we played. I always had the same thing, bender, beans and egg. (No, I never had the tomato)

I suppose you're wondering why I'm writing to you after all this time. It's not easy you know, writing this letter. But I have nobody else to ask. My real parents (yes, I found out), my real parents are dead.

Anyway I will just finish this letter very quickly by...it's such a difficult thing to do - to ask for help. I want to go back to university. I want to investigate what happens when children leave your care and how that is portrayed in fiction. I’m also going to write an autobiographical novel, like the social novels of Charlotte Brontë or Charles Dickens, possibly challenge your ‘state’ quo. I want to illuminate the voiceless, the marginalized children of society. The research has a literary purpose, a social purpose, which will comment on what happened to us in the seventies and is still happening in society now; it is an important story that needs to be told.

(You say that changes things, if I'm writing autobiographical stuff?)

Well, I just thought I'd drop you a line.

If you do want to help, even at this late stage, you can find out more about my research here.

Yours sincerely,
A child of the state


*A child of the state was first mentioned by Lemn Sissay at the event TedxHousesofParliament.

A Versatile Blogger

Thank you to Lindsay Bamfield for nominating me as a versatile blogger. I always enjoy reading Lindsay’s blog because she writes about writing in an informative, interesting and intelligent way.  

I've heard that to be a really popular blogger, it is better to concentrate on one subject. This has always been a problem for me as one of my blog articles explores: Writer? Activist? Writer? Activist?

I did not have a clue what I was doing when I first started writing a blog as you’ll see if you have a hunt through my old posts. I know I am supposed to concentrate on writing, and only writing, but my activism occasionally takes over. Why not have two blogs? Yes this would be the answer. But then that would take more time!

So as I’m not a number one blogger, or the Queen of Bloggers, like my first nominee Emily Benet, I feel I can get away with a bit of a mishmash or versatility! 

At the heart of my mishmash is passion. I often write when I feel passionate about something. This can include:

• ·         Libraries - I’m a Senior Library Assistant and books have always been very important in my life.
• ·         Books – A writer must read a lot to be a good reader. It is about learning the craft.
• ·         Care Leavers - I’m the Social Media Coordinator for Every Child Leaving Care Matters (ECLCM)
• ·         And of course Cats – lots of writers have cats. I have two, Muffin, who has a pathetic squeak and Waffle who is a killer; they occasionally get a mention.

My next task as a versatile blogger is to tell you seven random things about myself and then nominate another fifteen versatile bloggers, who are invited to do the same. The idea is of course to introduce our readers to blogs they may not have visited.

Now seven random facts...

1) I have a pink china cat that I won in a race when I was ten. It has a chipped ear where a friend dropped it on some stairs and a chipped foot where another friend dropped it on some grass – both times I was moving house.

2) I have a grandaughter who is twelve and grandson who is two.

3) I have my morning Jasmine tea in the same cup everyday. It has a picture of Queen Victoria and used to belong to my daughter, also Victoria.

4) I have written an autobiography and am now writing an autobiographical novel.

5) Reading fiction saved my life when I was growing up in the care system.

6) I have been with my current partner for 14 years the same amount of time I was married.

7) I’ve accepted a place at Southampton University to do a PhD in Creative Writing even thought I don’t have funding. I do however, have a lovely supervisor: Rebecca Smith.

Here is a list of writerly, and readerly blogs that I enjoy who I have nominated:

Lisa Cherry website and passionate ramblings

Angel Strand sexy writer

Dovegreyreader Avid reader

Emily Benet Queen of Bloggers (I think Emily was nominated a couple of years ago)

The Literary Pig Fiction writer (Nominated by Lindsay too!)

Jenni Fagan Writer and Care Leaver

Alice Elliot Writer

Joanna Penn Writes thrillers and non-fiction for authors

DaisyYellow A slightly different blog

Fellow Greenacre Writers:

Katie Alford Newly published author

Anna Meryt Memoir writer and poet

Helen Barbour Almost ‘perfect’ blog

Mumpuni Murniati A mystery reader

A very active blog from the famous Finchley fishwife Mrs Angry, who lives in the Tory run London Borough of Broken Barnet

Last but not least, a campaign blog from Every Child Leaving Care Matters who are persuading Government to let those young people in residential care stay until 21 the same as their foster counterparts.

Happy Reading!

Press Release from Education Committee

Into independence, not out of care: 16 plus care options 

Publication of the Committee’s Second Report of Session 2014–14.

Ban the use of B&Bs for looked after young people and regulate all ‘other arrangements’, say MPs.

Young adults should not be forced to leave care before they turn 21, should only be provided with regulated accommodation and should not be placed in a bed and breakfast, argues the Education Committee in a report about 16 plus care options.

Launching the report, the Chair of the Education Committee, Mr Graham Stuart, said today:

“Looked after young people moving towards adulthood deserve a well-supported transition to independence rather than an abrupt push out of care.

“We launched this inquiry because we were concerned about the level of care and quality of support provided for older adolescents. We have now been persuaded of just how serious the problems are in this area and our report sets out the steps that must be taken to improve 16 plus care options”.

“For too many looked after young people, their ambition to move to semi-independent or independent living at the age of 16 or 17 results in them being placed in accommodation that is neither safe nor suitable.

“The lack of regulation and inspection for the range of accommodation used is shocking. We urge the DfE to consult on the introduction of a regulatory framework for all accommodation that falls within the catch-all term ‘other arrangements’.

“The DfE asserts that B&Bs are not considered to be suitable. Far from being merely unsuitable, this kind of housing is frequently both threatening and frightening to a young person. Their continued use shows that the current guidance is clearly inadequate.

“The DfE should consult urgently with local authorities to determine a reasonable timeframe for the outright ban on the use of B&Bs for looked after young people. In the meantime, the message is plain: B&Bs are not suitable and should only be used in extreme, emergency situations and even then, never for more than a few days”.

“While we strongly endorse the current Staying Put policy, it applies only to looked after young people living in foster care.  Yet those in residential children’s homes are often the most vulnerable and in need of extended support. We recommend that Staying Put be extended to residential children’s homes so that all looked after young people can benefit from the much needed stability this policy brings”.

The report also calls for:

·         The DfE to ensure that looked after young people approaching independence are fully and effectively informed of their rights and entitlements and that they are given a genuine choice of accommodation.

·         Clearer and stronger guidance to the effect that local authorities consider, as a first option, carers and professionals with whom a young person has an established relationships as a Personal Adviser.

·         Changes to guidance on ‘pathway planning’ specifically to include relationships with siblings.

·         Local authorities to report to the DfE on their use of B&B accommodation for looked after young people.

·         Leaving care services to be extended to the age of 25, without exception.

·         The DfE to remind all local authorities of their statutory duty to postpone any unnecessary and disruptive placement change during Key Stage 4.

·         A duty upon local authorities to ensure that a young person’s transition out of care is postponed until after the end of an academic year following their 18^th birthday.

·         The DfE to issue explicit guidance on young people’s right to stay in ‘other arrangements’ until they are 21.

·         The DfE to examine models of Staying Close and, if they are shown to improve young people’s outcomes, issue best practice guidance on such models for situations in which a young person’s preference is to Stay Close rather than Stay Put.

The report  is available here: www.parliament.uk/education-committee 

Committee Membership is as follows: 

Mr Graham Stuart (Chair), Conservative, Beverley and Holderness

Neil Carmichael, Conservative, Stroud

Alex Cunningham, Labour, Stockton North

Bill Esterson, Labour, Sefton Central

Pat Glass, Labour, North West Durham

Siobhain McDonagh, Labour, Mitcham and Morden

Ian Mearns, Labour, Gateshead

Caroline Nokes, Romsey and Southampton North

Mr Dominic Raab, Esher and Walton

Mr David Ward, Liberal Democrat, Bradford East

Craig Whittaker, Conservative, Calder Valley

Specific Committee Information:  educom@parliament.uk / 020 7219 1333

Media Information: Hannah Pearce: pearcehm@parliament.uk / 020 7219 8430 / 07917488162

Committee Website: www.parliament.uk/education-committee

Twitter: @commonsEd  

Watch committees and parliamentary debates online:  www.parliamentlive.tv