Julian Grail committed suicide by jumping off the Tamar Bridge in the early morning of April 17th of this year. These things happen you might say, but this man did it because, according to newspaper reports, he could, no longer bear to be involved in immoral Council decisions. He worked in the Chief Executive's office of Plymouth City Council as a Planning and Performance Officer. His wife told the inquest that her husband had a very strong sense of fair play and he began to think those principles didn't sit alongside the job he was asked to do. She added, he was party to things that he thought were immoral. Sometimes huge amounts of money were involved. A spokesperson refused to comment on any suggestions of 'immorality' at the Council.
Time to put the claimed transparency of local government to the test me thinks. A public enquiry? Or is that too transparent - for some? My sympathies and condolences go to Mrs Grail. Men like Julian (men with principles) are needed alive. (The newspaper report of Julian's death can be seen at http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/SUICIDE-MAN-BLAMED-IMMORAL-COUNCIL/article-352029-detail/article.html )
We saw Jill's mother Molly off on the train this morning - she'd been with us for a week and was returning to Wells via Castle Cary. The train (Penzance to Paddington) was five minutes late. We quickly assisted Molly to her seat and pushed her small amount of baggage onto the rack as there was no room for it by her side or feet - and then the carriage doors locked automatically. I was trying to work out how to reopen the nearest one before the train left with us on it when a young lady said, ' You have to lean out and push on the handle' - I pulled the window down, leaned out, stretched down and grabbed at the handle. I managed to stop myself falling onto the platform as the door swung outward and wondered how someone who was infirm (or short) would manage in the mad rush of the train leaving to do the same thing (always assuming they had a young lady by their side to instruct them). Molly arrived safely.
Last stages of conservatory remodelling. I have to finish it today - I want to get on with final edit of Messenger.
Publishing Contracts 101: Beware Internal Contradications
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It should probably go without saying that you don't want your publishing
contract to include clauses that contradict one another.
Beyond any potential l...
2 years ago
2 comments:
best of luck to you on your project... we're awaiting the Nice Men who will come to measure for our new countertops! a conservatory sounds delightful...and your mention of wells brings back memories of an open air production of twelfth night my school and a neighboring boys school did for the benefit of the restoration of the cathedral there... it was quite amazing for this little yankee to perform in front of the great cathedral.
Wells is a very quaint place. In addition to Jill's sister and their mother living there, my nephew Matthew is operations director at the Crown Hotel, a characterful old coaching inn, in the centre of the city. Glad to be able to stimulate past memories for you.
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