Weggis Says

For context see here.

Redimanager and the team may be “excited” but I am underwhelmed. The fact is that when Red-i was launched in 2007 it had “Neighbourhood Forums” in the form of one for each of the 21 Wards. These forums were not well used partly due to councillors [with a few notable exceptions] not using them to engage with their constituents. The result of the last review was that these forums were removed leaving just the 7 forums based on Area Committees, as sub groups of the borough.

Using evidence and experience to guide decisions does not seem to be a characteristic being used here? This is not a criticism of Redimanager and the team. They know the score, I have discussed it with them at length, I know they understand. The problem is that this re-launch is being funded by a Government grant because they want to encourage “community participation” and are prepared to spend taxpayers money on daft schemes like this one to make it “look like” they are doing something constructive. Redbridge will no doubt get an “Award” too and it will be trumpeted as a success.

The red-i forums are following the same pattern as all other forums. They operate on the 1:9:90 rule.
90% of users are the “audience”, or lurkers. The people tend to read or observe, but don’t actively contribute.
9% of users are “editors”, sometimes modifying content or adding to an existing thread, but rarely create content from scratch.
1% of users are “creators”, driving large amounts of the social group’s activity. More often than not, these people are driving a vast percentage of the site’s new content, threads, and activity.

As of earlier this morning there were 9913 posts on Red-i. 50% of these have come from only 10 users, one of whom has not contributed for some time. 75% have come from 40 users but quite a few of them haven’t been seen for quite a while. Of the most recent 100 posts 80% come from only 8 users and two of them are known to live in the same “neighbourhood”.

Government attempts at social manipulation rarely, if ever, work.

Before and After

Doctor Dick

Thanks to Dopeyf

Parking

Wild Girls Allowed

Photos of the Redbridge group of the London Wildlife Trust exhibition tent at the Seven Kings and Goodmayes Allotment Society Open Day on 31 August 08.

Bogus Callers

Animal Welfare

Dear Business Owner

I am writing to you because you are displaying and/or giving out flyers for the Great British Circus.

I am sure you are unaware of the treatment to animals that goes on there.

The so called Great British Circus, unlike the majority of circuses, still (ab)use wild animals as part of their "entertainment". Following a previous visit by the circus in the locality, there were reports in the local paper where people had witnessed poor treatment of the wild animals.
The training methods involved in producing circus 'spectacles' remain cruel and unusual; the use of concealed spikes, screws attached to walking sticks, hotshots and electric shocks have all been documented as regularly used means of training the animals. Not to mention, beyond the short intervals for performances, animals are generally kept in poor and wholly unsuitable conditions. Even large animals such as lions and tigers are typically kept in small cages both whilst on the road and prior to the show.

It is a shame that wild animals such as lions and tigers are degraded by being circus exhibits and are carted around the country in such an undignified way. This is an outdated form of "entertainment" and surely there is no place for it in a civilised society.

Sadly, by promoting the Great British Circus, you are inadvertently supporting poor treatment of animals. I hope you will take down the poster and stop giving out flyers and help animals have a better life.

Thank you.

P.s.

You can also check out the website for more information http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=249&ssi=10