Well done 12th Mechanised Brigade

I for one was very proud of 12 MB assisting in the release of two captured soldiers recently. I believe our British Troops are the best in the world. No exeptions. And their behaviour and discipline in combat is unsurpassed. We also have the best trained officers in the world, and some exeptional commanders in the field.

It is so easy for people in the safety and comfort of their armchairs to level critisism at our troops without the faintest idea of what the situation on the ground is like and with no idea of what it is like to function under fire, let alone make good split second dicisions that will result in the loss or saving of life.

Having spent a few moments with this Brigade (picture is me borrowing one of their off road vehicles), and knowing many of them, I just want to say well done, thank you for what you are doing. It is a thankless job, and no-one else could do it better.

My Lydia is a copper!!!

Not only are the police looking younger, my daughter has become one! A scary thought! Yes there is a WPC Clifford on the loose. They cant be accepting people in that young surely?

I am very proud of her. She has always wanted to be a policewoman. And I am delighted she has not chosen to go into the traffic section!! ( I am down to just 3 points at last).

She is going to be a good policewoman. She is strongminded and very determined, but Lydia has a big heart and is very compassionate. Having said that, don't mess with her, she will take no nonsense. And I will be treading carefully if I am out wandering in her patch when she is on duty, in fact it will probably be safer for me to ask permission first.

I am horrified at the abuse they get these days. And it seems the hand cuffs are on the police more than the criminals. The paperwork she has to complete is horrific. All to protect who? The police? No! The victim? No! The law abiding public? No! All to make sure the criminals rights are protected. The only people that love all the paperwork are the criminals and their well paid Barristers (sorry sister in law - well paid Barrister not criminal by the way). Now there is a scary thought, arrested by daughter and cross examined by sister in law!

Anyway. Well done Lydia, and keep safe out there ... its dangerous. And most people just don't appreciate the scum you have to deal with so often. Yet we expect the Police to be perfect, all of the time, while so easily excusing frequently the appauling behaviour of criminals.

Tribute to Ted

I have just been devastated by some tragic news. My good friend Ted Grant died suddenly last Sunday whilst at church with his family. His funeral is Friday 11am 16th September. He will be buried close to my father in Redan Hill Cemetary, Aldershot. He was only 58 and has a wonderful family. Fine sons and a lovely daughter, all of which he has seen married to wonderful companions.

We worked together many years ago when his boys were teenagers and my girls were todlers. We ran a scout troop together 12th Aldershot, he was the Group Scout Leader and I was the Scout troop Leader. he always told me that anyone that aspires to be a politician immediatly disqualifies themselves from being a good one.

We climbed Snowdon, Ben Nevis, Three Peaks and other mountains together. He held the towel while the boys and I did eskimo rolls in our kiyaks, came up from some wet pot holes we were exploring or some other wild activity we got involved in.

My mind is packed with fond memories of our shared experiences. Everytime I saw him, he would greet me with a smile as warm as a summers day in the hills where he loved to be. he was a tall man, but never aloof. He was a quiet man, but never afraid to speak up when things were not right. He was a very clever man, and yet a very simple man. He always managed to say the right things at the right time. He was never happier than when surrounded by his family and friends, which are many.

We will all feel a void.
If you knew him, you could not help loving such a man.
My regret is that I never told him how I felt about him.
How wise the person that said "A rose to the living is of more value than a wreath to the dead"

His legacy however lives on in the lives of his sons and daughter, one sees Ted just looking into their eyes, and seeing lives that are filled with same compassion for others, and that same love of the outdoors.

Thank you Ted for wonderful memories, and making my life here all the richer for having rubbed shoulders with you.

Back from the most fantastic Holiday in France

It doesnt get much better than this. Flying free as a bird surveying the beautiful landscape below, wind in your face, sun on your back, 1000 feet below you and miles of space above you.

The picture is of me with my French wing flying over Le Reole in Bordeaux at 7am in the morning. The sun gently evaporating the clouds which are rolling back to welcome a new day. Its great to be alive.



I have to say, the French could not have been more delightful and friendly. I was warmed by their genuine hospitality and warmth. While out on a flight several of us had to land in a field unexpectedly. In Britain this is a tense moment, not because of any flying danger, but you just are not sure how the farmer or land owner will react. I "landed out"(as we call it) twice while I was in France, the first time the farmer came out to us, unarmed and offered 8 of us breakfast with him. The second time the landowner came out and warmly greeted me. Everywhere we went I found the French to be very warm and friendly. So for the record...I think the French are great and cannot wait to go back.

This sport is one of the cheapest forms of flying, the parawing and engine cost about the same as a reasonable second hand car (more reliable I must add) and with a good instructor, and serious practice you can be up flying in no time.

Here I am landing with my trusty French ITV Tepee Wing and faithful German engine, on our last day of flying in France

If you are interested in learning more about this sport called Paramotoring or want to see more pictures visit our club web site http://www.footlaunch.co.ukootlaunch.co.uk and learn more.

Selected to represent Empress Farnborough

Empress Conservatives strengthen their team

Empress Branch Executive is pleased to confirm that Councillor David Clifford has been selected to stand as the Conservative prospective candidate in Rushmoor Borough Council’s Empress Ward in 2006.

David Clifford joins an expanded and very formidable Empress team alongside Cllr. Patricia Hodge, Cllr. John Wall and Cllr Pat Devereux, the Ward’s County Councillor. This new team has almost 40 years of local government experience.

David, who lives in Empress, has had a distinguished career in local politics, serving as Rushmoor’s youngest Mayor in 1999. Very energetic and enthusiastic, David is keen to see more young people engaged in local politics. He currently chairs the Borough Services Committee. This Committee’s priority now is to scrutinise community safety and the local Police.

Branch Chairman, Adam Jackman said “This selection shows the Conservative Party in this area is not only strong but has a good depth of experience. We are now able to expand our team of councillors from three to four which will enhance quality of service and expertise. We now have a formidable team to fight the 2006 Borough Election campaign”

Councillor David Clifford said “I am delighted to have been selected to fight the seat where I now live, and represent Empress Ward at Rushmoor. I look forward to working with Mrs Pat Devereux our County Councillor and my fellow Ward Councillors John Wall and Patricia Hodge for the good of local residents. We will be a great team, and I cannot wait to get started.”