Playing Catch Up

Its a week since I put my thoughts on events. As far as politics goes I've been giving some thought to the likely referendum on electoral reform but I'm planning to write a more in depth piece on this. So I concentrate on a few bits and pieces: the best piece of news is the banning of bull fighting in Catalonia. reading some articles it is clear that this activity has never been mainstream entertainment in Catalonia, but frankly it's a start, and one to be applauded. It's not often that crime stories affect me, but the sentence given to two teenagers who "happy slapped" and killed an aging Asian man in Tooting has. The incident occurred just a couple of hundred yards from where I grew up. An area where I always felt safe as a child. Perhaps that why I've wondered what makes boys attack someone in an unprovoked attack. The death of the man will have devastated his family, the sentences for manslaughter were in no way fitting for the crime. However I'm left wondering why ?

An issue that has interested me came by accident. We drove to Brighton in the week, and on the road into the town centre passed a community garden. In a built up area what better use of derelict land. It seems the garden is in danger from a Tesco development. The area has numerous other grocery outlets, so there is a real question as to whether Tesco is needed.

Here's hoping that the local community's views will be taken into account before planning permission is granted.

A day in Brighton and the chance to relive what an English seaside holiday is all about. A walk on the pier, swerving the amusement arcades, a stroll along the promenade viewing souvenir shops selling postcards that still exhibit humour that would have been dated 30 years ago. A sit on the beach watching a lifeguard struggle to hoist the Red Flag and the chance to reacquaint myself with a deckchair. Lunch of course was fish and chips, but this time with a difference a pub called the Fishbowl offered Indian Fish & Chips , it only seemed right to experiment.

The last week has seen AFC Wimbledon put the final touches to this season's squad , and the squads are off to the West Country for the weekend to play Exeter City (the reserves are at Tiverton). Meanwhile the next home game as against an Arsenal XI . I've been asked to pen an article for the fanzine, so I need to collect my thoughts. Of course tomorrow is the Emirates Cup and we're off to see Arsenal v AC Milan, yesterday saw the release of the new Arsenal home shirt and mine arrived. I went for Diaby on the back, at least there's little chance he'll be sold. The summer's saga over Cesc Fabregas seems to be coming to an end. Wenger has made clear, not for the first time, that Arsenal are not interested in selling, and Barcelona have enough debt to ensure that they can't throw "silly money" at the transfer. Yet once again Arsenal fans have had to withstand rumour and speculation regarding a player. European Clubs seem to be able to operate in this way without UEFA taking any sanctions whatsoever.

The Test match season is with us. England's 1st Test match against pakistan has started at Trent Bridge. Eoin morgan ( England's finest Irishmam) scored a maiden test hundred on the first day. He brought up his century with a straight six, a fine innings. Earlier in the week the T20 quarter finals took place, and the locals will be happy as Essex have made the final four.