https://vimeo.com/163562207 The Coal Exchange, which stands proudly amongst its peers, has long been left to fall into disrepair. The building is battered and worn after years of decay. When people talk about this building, they will often talk of its past grandeur and place in history as the centre of the world’s controversial coal industry. The building ensured the flow of funds were channelled through her hallways, providing thousands of families with the means to feed and clothe their children. In many cases, what was seen as the centre of their community would also be the very reason to shorten their fragile lives. Whatever your thoughts are on this magnificent building, good or bad, you cannot deny it plays an integral part of the ancestry of Cardiff and wider-Wales. Many of the UK’s listed buildings no longer serve their original purpose, and developers do not wish to go into the detail that is required to save them. What they would prefer to do is sit in their ivory towers, looking no further than the plans strewn across their desks, with their fleet of advisors who serve to sterilise their new structure. This is not our intention. Signature Living and I intend to keep this building as close to the structure as possible. We certainly will not be changing any of the exterior walls, apart from re-engaging them with the building. It is widely known the rear of the building has had to bear the ingress of large amounts of water over many years, which has caused her wooden joints to not only rot, but to disengage from the main structure. This, along with the roof, will be the first of the tasks we set out to complete, as timing here is of the essence. With a listed building, such as The Coal Exchange, it is essential to preserve the structure as was intended when first erected, whilst ensuring it is self-sustaining – with the latter, arguably, being a primary aim for the building. Further Reading http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/pictures-show-just-how-wrecked-11192088 http://lawrencekenwright.co.uk/coal-exchange-closed-business/ http://lawrencekenwright.co.uk/plans-return-coal-exchange-former-glory/ http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-04-08/cardiffs-coal-exchange-to-be-200-room-luxury-hotel-and-events-venue/ http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/how-cardiffs-coal-exchange-look-11152558

British Red Cross is eager to sell our Knutsford War Memorial to McCarthy & Stone, which has stated it will sign the final document as soon as it has Cheshire East Council permission to DEMOLISH our Knutsford War Memorial. In the centre of commemorations for those who lost their lives during the Great War, our Community's Knutsford War Memorial, is being put up for sale for DEMOLITION, by the British Red Cross, which documents seem to show, was paid £275,000 to move in during 1995. (Yes that transaction is the wrong way round. We should all hope to buy our homes in such a way) British Red Cross has, I understand, not paid rent for that property during the subsequent 22 years. Nor has it paid any money to buy it. In any case it was not for sale. Some time ago (6/7 years?) it removed the (NHS agreed?) elderly day services and the nursery. The Community of this area has certainly NOT agreed - and not been consulted - about this proposed taking for demolition of its own community property. Knutsford War Memorial - our community-built-and-paid-for, war memorial - needs to be returned into the hands of the community which raised the funds pay for it.. and subsequently to extend it, for use of the local community. No Secretary of State for Health - nor any of his subsequent NHS Agents - had the right to take our War Memorial. Its all in the title - 'Health'. There was - on the other hand - a duty, when they ran our hospital, to preserve our War Memorial and to allow ongoing access to our War Memorial.. until it was returned, fully, to the hands of this Community in and around Knutsford. This Community has never been approached nor has it agreed to sell our War Memorial, which is the physical recognition by this Community of our war - and other - losses over the last century of wars.

The Hove Museum is an integral part of the culture and community of Brighton and Hove. It is part of the lives of the residents of Brighton and Hove and thousands of visitors too. It is a beautiful and historic building which houses an eclectic mix of exhibititions which enrich and enhance the lives of all who visit it. The Gardens are equally integral and are used by hundreds of residents each day for picnics, dog walking, children's games and quiet time. The Commmunity will be irreparably damaged if this is taken away.

Shame on them for trying to cash in on the success of Park Runs. How can they compare jogging in a park run on a public footpath to providing a serviced football pitches for a Sunday league teams. Their community is doing something to keep fit & all they can see is ££££ signs. This is the equivalent of asking people having a kick about on a Sunday afternoon (jumpers for goalposts) to pay for the privilege. Park runs are great for all communities. both for health and community spirit.

Max was abducted by his Mother and taken to Poland in August 2015. Despite High Court orders in both UK and Poland demanding his return he has been taken into hiding and there is no traction in his recovery. They have limited funds, nowhere permanent to live, Max is removed from School and society and his welfare is clearly at risk. The Polish and UK Government and Authorities appear to be ambivalent. We need Mr Cameron to honour his public promise and personally intervene to ensure that Max is located and returned to the UK. Follow us on facebook at #bringmaxback

Dance Tunnel is one of the most forward thinking small nightclubs in London and arguably the best nightclub full stop. It was announced today that the club will be closing in August due to Hackney Council’s overbearing licensing conditions that do not allow the club to open beyond 3am except on very rare special occasions. A 3am closing time means that the club is not financially viable. The club mostly makes its money at the bar (promoters usually take the door money). It only fills up after 12. Two hours is not enough time for the club to make enough money. I live close by on Brighton Road. I own my house with my partner of 10 years. I’m nearly 30, my friends are getting married and having kids. I have a professional, serious job. And I absolutely love going to the Dance Tunnel. The perception of nightclubs as dens of vice, frequented by an underclass of drug addicts is what appears to be driving Hackney’s strict licensing laws. But this is absurd. Normal people travel long distances to see DJs that have traveled long distances at the Dance Tunnel because it’s such a great place. They come to dance and forget about work, not to cause trouble. The ethos is unlike any other club in London. People go for the music. Everyone is friendly. The door staff even once took care of a chocolate bread and butter pudding that I had in my bag. The owner, Dan Beaumont, owns an ever growing number of small businesses in Hackney and further afield. Voodoo Rays, his pizza place above the Dance Tunnel, is expanding to Croydon. The Council should be supporting entrepreneurs like this. Instead, he will have to literally take his business elsewhere. I get that residents don’t want people puking in their gardens every weekend. And I can even sort of understand the policy of not granting new licenses outside “the strip”. But to force the closure of such a significant cultural asset is crazy. It makes me really, really sad. And angry. Because it doesn't make sense. The aggro on the street, the smashed bottles, the angry neighbours...these are, in part, a result of clubs closing at 3am, turfing everyone out at the same time, when people aren't ready to go home. Let them stay open a bit longer, and people will go home of their own accord, quietly. When they're done. So Hackney, please, please take another look and don't let this young but beautiful institution close. It's 100% in your hands.

The Forest of Dean community are about to have one of their most precious facilities stolen because of a wrangle between the council and a local academy over funding. Currently the leisure centre and pool hosts football clubs, indoor and outdoor netball, squash, group exercise ,tennis childrens' and adults' swimming lessons, aqua aerobics, Cinderford and district swimming club and a host of other activities. It is a jewel of the community continually hosting thousands of people hours on a regular basis for wholesome and healthy physical activity and social interaction: *Come see our swimming club members both young and old swimming their hearts out *Talk to the coaches who dedicate so much of ther lives to volunteer for us *Hear about masters swimmers who are soon to compete in european championships at the london olympic aquatic centre *Learn about swimmers who regularly compete in county and national competitions *See the social benefits of exercise and club membership it will do your heart good and help you to understand what is about to be lost as there is nowhere in the area with spare pool time or facilities to accommodate our club. without cinderford pool so much will tragically be lost. It absolutely breaks my heart to realise that short term and short sighted political and financial decisions can take all of this away for ever. If the district council and local mp mark harper allow this to happen they have clearly lost sight of their prime responsibility to maintain and care for the longterm health, fitness and welfare of our local community We deserve better from thoes who are paid to serve us

Call on Cardiff Council to halt its attempts to transfer ownership of this important piece of Cardiff’s heritage to hotel company Signature Living. We need to fight to protect the historic integrity of a national icon. Any building in any city could become a home for this 'proposal.' Once this building is gifted to dubious developers, and the work carried out, it will be taken from the nation forever, with all profits made going to Liverpool. Signature Living’s owner was barred by from holding any company office for 8 years by court order. They have little interest or experience in renovating a building of this significance and will strip it of its character and most of the jobs it creates will be minimum wage zero hours contracts. Its financial methods leave it vulnerable to collapse and there is a real risk that the Coal Exchange could be left in a far worse state than it is in now. Despite concerns raised by local MPs and AMs, Cardiff Council justify this short sighted insensitive decision by saying the Coal Exchange is derelict which it is not. Signature Living specialise in hosting parties and accommodation for stag parties and hen do's and have been quoted as saying that they take the hen and stag parties "nobody else wants." The building although promised to be restored to full conservation standards, will succumb to daytime and late night revellers stumbling to find their way back to the 'hotel' becoming a nuisance to local businesses and residents. This building was built by the backbreaking work of our forefathers and made our nation famous globally. It belongs to the people of Wales, not developers whose main priority is to financially benefit not only from alcohol sales, but also claiming BPRA on a building they don't own. The company hasn't even acknowledged the 35 companies already in the building, almost 70 residents or the efforts action group Save the Coal Exchange who are maintaining this building. There has yet to even be a full survey instructed by the company, but yet they have plans that are all based on artist impressions. Stephen Doughty had a meeting with the developer who said that he would do "as much as the council would let him get away with" and that in fact, the building will be one third residential, one third serviced apartments, one third hotel. Their entire business model is based on BPRA which is being abolished this year due to developers exploiting it as a tax avoidance. Stephen Doughty has also said that the developer said they could turn it around in record time as they would "bring our own team in" yet they have publicly said they will use local labour. In a Wales Online article dated 12th April 2016, Signature Living was quoted that the 200 bedroom hotel "will bring 100 jobs and apprenticeships to Cardiff Bay, and another 60 jobs will follow when it opens in 18 months time." Then in an article on Wales Online dated 17th April 2016, Signature Living was then quoted as saying "there will be a restaurant on site and at least 200, and possibly as many as 300 rooms - some of which will be serviced apartments." Signature Living were also then quoted as saying that "the new Coal Exchange could be open within 8 months because he (Lawrence Kenwright) employs each team himself". So does that sound like local workmen? Or a team he's bringing in to "deliver the building in half the allowed time given to us." This is a grade II* listed building that will require CADW accredited surveys and craftsmen to carry out ANY restoration to the facade and hall. Really? This whole building, in 8 months? Another thing taken from the Wales Online article dated 17th April 2016. Is the fact that Signature Living can be quoted as saying "the project will not be funded by public money. We fund the process from investors from all over the world." But in the very same article Signature have admitted to using the BPRA (Business Premises Renovation Allowance) scheme, for his initial kickstart of funds. I'd like to point out that this is claimed as tax relief for the development of derelict buildings from the HMRC. SO if it wasn't claimed, that money would STILL be in the HMRC's possession. Meaning - IT IS PUBLIC MONEY. As it has been taken FROM the HMRC pot. THERE IS A SECRECY OF PROCESS. LACK OF TENDER FOR THE BUILDING. LACK OF COMMUNITY GUARANTEES. NO CLARITY REGARDING SPECIFIC USE. SUSPECT FINANCIAL MODEL. More info on BPRA as a tax avoidance for developers http://citywire.co.uk/new-model-adviser/news/hmrc-kick-starts-crackdown-on-commercial-property-tax-avoidance/a797955 Cardiff South & Penarth MP Stephen Doughty's concerns http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/mp-raised-serious-concerns-over-11160631 and http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-04-14/should-40-million-cardiff-coal-exchange-hotel-project-go-ahead/ And a Private Eye article about the developers: http://codphilosophy.co.uk/sections/fishy-business/2014/09/class-act THERE HAS BEEN A CALL FOR A FULL PUBLIC ENQUIRY OVER THIS BY STEPHEN DOUGHTY MP. IT HAS ALSO BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT IT WILL BE BROUGHT TO PARLIAMENT IN WESTMINSTER ON 20TH APRIL AT 11AM. IF NOTHING WAS UNTOWARD, THEN WHY HAS STEPHEN DOUGHTY MP CALLED FOR THIS? WE WANT AN OPEN, DEMOCRATIC, TRANSPARENT PROCESS WITH THE COUNCIL CONSULTING THE PUBLIC THE WHOLE TIME WITH NO UNDERHANDED DEALS BEING ANNOUNCED AS "DONE." SURELY IT IS IN THEIR INTEREST TO AUCTION THE BUILDING FOR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, RATHER THAN LET IT GO TO RECOUP FUNDS OF £177,000 (WHICH WAS £1.2 ORIGINALLY). Transcript of Stephen Doughty's Westminster debate: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-04-20/debates/Hocdebdt20160420scrlgtghs_2Cwesthalldebateod3ticardiffcoalexchange/CardiffCoalExchange BBC: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-36093246 And Wales Online article: www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/call-halt-redevelopment-cardiffs-coal-11216462

Following the overwhelming success of England’s women at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada last year – with semi-final viewing figures peaking at 2.4 million on the BBC despite an 11pm kick-off, and with the third-place playoff victory against Germany drawing a peak of 2.5 million viewers despite a 10pm kick-off – it's time that our women get equal broadcast coverage on free-to-air television as their male counterparts. Given that the women took England to their highest finish in a World Cup competition since the men won in 1966, we should be celebrating their sporting achievement, and the massive rise in popularity in women's football, both professional and at grassroots level, over the past decade.

As the once vibrant fleet has now long gone it's about time something was done to remember them. Many ship's and men were lost, far too many. For every one man at sea they created jobs for seven ashore. Certainly a big and vital boost to the local economy. Other Ports around the country have erected Statues, Plaques and preserved ships in memory of there fishermen... surely Aberdeen can do the same ? You at least owe to past and future generations......

Not only is it going to mean the loss of 4 local jobs, but it will be a great loss to students that use this vital centre of learning.

The Brain family having invested their life savings to make a life in Scotland, have been informed by the UK government that they have to return to Australia. The Home Office have given them 28 days as of Friday 18/3/16 to leave the UK, or face deportation and bans on re-entry. This, and the plights of many other families placed in the same deplorable situation, demonstrates very serious shortcomings in UK immigration policy, that people who are here and are making a contribution to our economy, and who want to stay and live here, are being forced out. Over the years, successive governments have implemented a range of measures to repopulate the Highlands and, thankfully these are slowly bearing fruit. Gregg, Kathryn and their 7 year old son Lachlan Brain have done nothing but contribute positively both personally and financially to the UK. They paid over £35,000 for Kathryn's degree, and have paid over £40,000 in taxes during their time here. Both were employed in jobs that took some months to fill before they were employed. They have kept their end of the bargain. Now, without right to appeal, their passports have been confiscated, their right to work abolished, and the Home Office have threatened to freeze their bank accounts and cancel their driving licenses. They do not deserve to be treated like criminals. All they want is for the Home Office to deliver what was promised when they sold everything they owned in Australia to come to the UK - a two year post-study work visa, giving them the opportunity to establish a working relationship with an employer, and a chance at a longer-term visa. Living up to what was promised is not too much to ask.