As some of you may have noticed, there is podcast player embedded on the left-hand side of the page. You can also access this podcast and its playlist at www.williwycombe.podbean.com.
Coming soon, there will be regular monthly podcasts from the Collected Thoughts, covering the best of the blog. I'll be discussing in more detail some of the stories that have hit the blog over the previous month including news, entertainment, arts and culture and of course, a comprehensive review of everything Wycombe Wanderers F.C. The idea of a montly podcast is still very much in its infancy however please bear with me as I get to the grips with the technology and discover what is feasible.
In the meantime, happy listening and reading and if you'd like to pass comment on the topics covered in this blog, whether vocally or in print, please get in touch and email me at willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk.
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Willi's News Review 1.1
Firstly, please accept my apologies that it's taken a few days longer than anticipated to get the first 'news review' of the year published. And welcome along to Willi's News Review, a condensed commentary on what's been hitting the headlines in the past week or so. It's certainly not going to be exhaustive however I shall do my best to cast my net as far and as wide as possible. The aim is to also highlight a few stories that may have been buried deep in the reams of print and online copy available.
So, now for this weeks news; snow, snow and more snow. The artic freeze that has ensnarled Britain for the past few weeks has been the major talking point. Abandoned cars, icy roads and a never-ending littany of snow tales is becoming increasingly tiresome. Facebook statuses across the land, once charmed by a rare white blanket, are now cursing the prolonged cold snap. 'Fuck off snow' appears to be the message from long-suffering Britons. Spare a thought for the local councils who are under pressure with dwindling salt and grit supplies. We're asking questions about why greater provisions haven't been made despite warnings from the Met Office however how much budgetary consideration can events that happen once every thirty years be afforded? Is there any sympathy out there? No? The cold weather is expected to last into next week though conditions are starting to ease slightly. Ok, let's move on...
Of course, there is a serious side to the effects the bad weather has had with twenty-seven people dead as a result and many more injured or facing severe disruption. Likewise, there are a number of other tragic stories that have made the headlines. The attack on the Togo national football team's bus in the seperatist state of Cabinda in Angola that left three members of their party dead has shocked the world and raised security fears for the rest of the African Cup of Nations competition. Now, under instruction from Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo, the team have left the country and will take no further part in proceedings. Angolan officials were surprised that the Togo national team had decided to enter Cabinda, an area seperated from the rest of the country by the DR Congo. It is also a place of intense rebel activity from the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), the group that has claimed responsibility for the attack.
So what now for African football? Togo's group opponents were supposed to be Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso and they too had threatened to leave but have decided to stay on. Questions have been raised about security in the country, especially Cabinda, a particularly war-torn province where despite a nationwide ceasefire in 2006, insurgents remain. And security in the continent as a whole will be even more scrutinised ahead of the World Cup in South Africa later in the year. The fact remains however, that this horrific incident could potentially have been avoided had Togo listened to CAF, the continent's football governing body, and travelled by air instead of by road. In the words of team-mate Thomas Dossevi, Togo had wanted to "to show our national colours, our values and that we are men".
As campaigning begins in earnest in preparation for a general election to be held in May or June at the latest, Gordon Brown survived an attempted coup last Wednesday. Former cabinet members Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt failed to weaken the Prime Minister sufficiently or garner enough support to challenge his leadership of the Labour Party. Indeed, according to the latest ICM poll, support for Labour has marginally risen. The net result has been a strengthening of support for Brown. He may be considered a 'lame duck' Prime Minister however with the support of arch schemer Peter Mandelson, he remains a defiant and stoical figure, comparing his struggles to that of Nelson Mandela. Mandelson may be trying to loosely disguise the schisms that exist within the Party and perhaps inside the Cabinet itself however it is important to him and Labour to maintain a united front. Despite Brown's unpopularity with the electorate, a change of leader is unlikely to aid their chances at the ballot box.
So, now for this weeks news; snow, snow and more snow. The artic freeze that has ensnarled Britain for the past few weeks has been the major talking point. Abandoned cars, icy roads and a never-ending littany of snow tales is becoming increasingly tiresome. Facebook statuses across the land, once charmed by a rare white blanket, are now cursing the prolonged cold snap. 'Fuck off snow' appears to be the message from long-suffering Britons. Spare a thought for the local councils who are under pressure with dwindling salt and grit supplies. We're asking questions about why greater provisions haven't been made despite warnings from the Met Office however how much budgetary consideration can events that happen once every thirty years be afforded? Is there any sympathy out there? No? The cold weather is expected to last into next week though conditions are starting to ease slightly. Ok, let's move on...
Of course, there is a serious side to the effects the bad weather has had with twenty-seven people dead as a result and many more injured or facing severe disruption. Likewise, there are a number of other tragic stories that have made the headlines. The attack on the Togo national football team's bus in the seperatist state of Cabinda in Angola that left three members of their party dead has shocked the world and raised security fears for the rest of the African Cup of Nations competition. Now, under instruction from Prime Minister Gilbert Houngbo, the team have left the country and will take no further part in proceedings. Angolan officials were surprised that the Togo national team had decided to enter Cabinda, an area seperated from the rest of the country by the DR Congo. It is also a place of intense rebel activity from the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (Flec), the group that has claimed responsibility for the attack.
So what now for African football? Togo's group opponents were supposed to be Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso and they too had threatened to leave but have decided to stay on. Questions have been raised about security in the country, especially Cabinda, a particularly war-torn province where despite a nationwide ceasefire in 2006, insurgents remain. And security in the continent as a whole will be even more scrutinised ahead of the World Cup in South Africa later in the year. The fact remains however, that this horrific incident could potentially have been avoided had Togo listened to CAF, the continent's football governing body, and travelled by air instead of by road. In the words of team-mate Thomas Dossevi, Togo had wanted to "to show our national colours, our values and that we are men".
As campaigning begins in earnest in preparation for a general election to be held in May or June at the latest, Gordon Brown survived an attempted coup last Wednesday. Former cabinet members Geoff Hoon and Patricia Hewitt failed to weaken the Prime Minister sufficiently or garner enough support to challenge his leadership of the Labour Party. Indeed, according to the latest ICM poll, support for Labour has marginally risen. The net result has been a strengthening of support for Brown. He may be considered a 'lame duck' Prime Minister however with the support of arch schemer Peter Mandelson, he remains a defiant and stoical figure, comparing his struggles to that of Nelson Mandela. Mandelson may be trying to loosely disguise the schisms that exist within the Party and perhaps inside the Cabinet itself however it is important to him and Labour to maintain a united front. Despite Brown's unpopularity with the electorate, a change of leader is unlikely to aid their chances at the ballot box.
Monday, 28 December 2009
Focus on 2010: New Structure for the 'Collected Thoughts'
Hi everyone,
As mentioned in a previous post, there are going to be a few changes round here. The Collected Thoughts is to have a new structure which will be reviewed periodically to ensure I'm providing the content people wish to read. News, entertainment, arts and culture and of course, Wycombe Wanderers F.C are all to be 'sectioned' as it were, with regular publication guidelines rather than the random assortment of articles that have been in place so far. So here is a quick run-down on what you can expect to see from the new year onwards. You may detect a theme in the section titles...
Willi's Wycombe
Publication frequency: Every two-three weeks.
Similar to the existing Wycombe Wanderers blogs, there will be an updated blog every two-three weeks focusing on all things WWFC. I'll be giving the exile's perspective on the results, performances, transfers and goings on at the club throughout the season.
Willi's Guide to Glitz and Glamour
Publication frequency: Weekly.
Every week, I'll be providing a brief overview and commentary on what's caught my eye in the world of entertainment. Featuring insights into TV, film and radio, this is the alternative enterainment blog, not the musings of a reviewer or telly addict. I'll be following the shows, stories and people who shape contemporary entertainment.
Willi's News Review
Publication frequency: Weekly
A weekly condensed commentary on the news stories that have hit the headlines locally (to Bournemouth), nationally (UK) and globally. The main stories will be covered as well as some that you may have missed.
WilliWycombe; A Cultural Odyssey
Publication frequency: Monthly
Once a month, there will be an article focusing on a specific arts and culture theme, figure or story. Spanning the worlds of music, language, literature, travel etc, these feature pieces will aim to cover the whole cultural tapestry.
There we have it, the Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special will enjoy a structural overhaul in the comings weeks. I've very much enjoyed writing the blog in 2009 after a somewhat long hiatus in 2008 however it had become a disorganised mish-mash of various subjects and themes. Also, I'm hoping to get a monthly 'best of the blog' podcast up and running. I welcome any contributions, ideas, music that anyone may wish to provide. In the meantime, watch this space and happy reading.
WilliWycombe
As mentioned in a previous post, there are going to be a few changes round here. The Collected Thoughts is to have a new structure which will be reviewed periodically to ensure I'm providing the content people wish to read. News, entertainment, arts and culture and of course, Wycombe Wanderers F.C are all to be 'sectioned' as it were, with regular publication guidelines rather than the random assortment of articles that have been in place so far. So here is a quick run-down on what you can expect to see from the new year onwards. You may detect a theme in the section titles...
Willi's Wycombe
Publication frequency: Every two-three weeks.
Similar to the existing Wycombe Wanderers blogs, there will be an updated blog every two-three weeks focusing on all things WWFC. I'll be giving the exile's perspective on the results, performances, transfers and goings on at the club throughout the season.
Willi's Guide to Glitz and Glamour
Publication frequency: Weekly.
Every week, I'll be providing a brief overview and commentary on what's caught my eye in the world of entertainment. Featuring insights into TV, film and radio, this is the alternative enterainment blog, not the musings of a reviewer or telly addict. I'll be following the shows, stories and people who shape contemporary entertainment.
Willi's News Review
Publication frequency: Weekly
A weekly condensed commentary on the news stories that have hit the headlines locally (to Bournemouth), nationally (UK) and globally. The main stories will be covered as well as some that you may have missed.
WilliWycombe; A Cultural Odyssey
Publication frequency: Monthly
Once a month, there will be an article focusing on a specific arts and culture theme, figure or story. Spanning the worlds of music, language, literature, travel etc, these feature pieces will aim to cover the whole cultural tapestry.
There we have it, the Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special will enjoy a structural overhaul in the comings weeks. I've very much enjoyed writing the blog in 2009 after a somewhat long hiatus in 2008 however it had become a disorganised mish-mash of various subjects and themes. Also, I'm hoping to get a monthly 'best of the blog' podcast up and running. I welcome any contributions, ideas, music that anyone may wish to provide. In the meantime, watch this space and happy reading.
WilliWycombe
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