Blog 520 12th March 2026

My life is getting more green-tinged with contacts with people in my 'new' party increasing, but I still cling to my taste for serendipity. For reasons I have forgotten, like why I was a few moments ago in the bedroom, my mind wandered a few weeks ago onto the matter of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. These Martyrs are somewhere in the background of the minds of all respectable lefties but I didn't know anything about them, nor where Tolpuddle was.

On Friday I decided I would benefit from a change of scene and got into my newly MoTed car and decided to head for Tolpuddle. Turns out it is in the middle of nowhere very much in Dorset, so I selected a straw to chew on and headed down the M3. After a couple of hours I found myself in what turned out to be the village of Tolpuddle. This is definitely not a rival for New York, and according to Wikipedia has a population of 420, one pub and one museum.

Lots of Thatch (Mrs Thatch would probably have hated it though) but I parked in the extensive car park outside the museum, as you can see from the pic. The shop was closed but the dual gender toilet was open, which was handy, and very appropriate in a place named after a puddle and located on the River Piddle. The museum was open too, and the free entry had not attracted a large crowd, and in fact I was the only person in the whole place. An ideal opportunity for a bit of mindless vandalism but I decided to read and learn instead.

You will notice that the martyrs appear to be identical sextuplets, but they had different names (and ages) so I deduce that the artist had only one face in his/her portfolio. The story was interesting and it seems they were fitted up by the local nobleman for the sin of asking to be paid enough to eat so ended up in Australia.

The (apparently) good Lord Russell got them home from their Australian holiday (which to be fair sounds to have been a lot less fun than joining the Barmy Army for the Ashes). Some of them ended up in the US of A and some in Essex and at least one heard the alluring tinkle of the River Piddle and returned to Todpuddle.

This was not the kind of museum where you'd spend several hours - a bit more like the Gauging Dock museum than the London Museumof Steam and Water, 2 of the 4 museums in what I regard as Brentford, despite the Boundaries' Commission.

I followed my nose looking for a different pub for a scrap of lunch and went to the local big city, Blandford Forum and found the Crown Hotel which is now trying to lure me back for Mothers Day. It would be more appealing if it was in Isleworth but it was a very nice gaff, and I was pleased to see the house was one run by Hall and Woodhouse who will shortly be opening in Heaven (aka Brentford)

This rather evil looking crow is what my father used to tell me was a carrion crow that was apt to stop for lunch by landing on a sheep and burrowing into her back for a titbit of raw mutton. Next thing I saw was a field of ewes on the outskirts of town.

I considered shouting a warning but my ewe is rather rusty so I decided to check out my father's story with Lord Wikipedia. Looks like he made it up, but it very effectively gave me occasional nightmares for the next 5 decades (I am over it now).

On Saturday morning I canvassed with our Green candidates in the heart of Biddolphland - the estate known officially as the Gunnersbury Garden Estate though by my circle as those Tudory-looking houses by the North Circular. Reaction was surprisingly positive though our canvassing system took a day off, perhaps in solidarity with the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Afterwards I ran into the Conservative candidates. Well 2 of them, because the newly Torified Vickram Grewal, who weirdly saw the light (or darkness, more accurately) having been nominated by Labour in the safe Con seat of Chiswick Homefields causing a Damascene overnight conversion. Ron Mushiso, wearing his greenish hat, assured me he had been courting Vickram for 5 years so it was obviously his honeyed tongue that convinced him. Ron insisted on taking a picture of me with his hat on

Then I let Ron and Jo Biddolph to carry on with chasing shoplifters, no doubt inspired by hie Reformed mate Robert Jenrick who is now spreading his embarrassing presence to a new party. Hope he stays in the headlines whilst his boss is trying to suck up to Trump in Mar-a-Lago but apparently being stood up. Couldn't happen to a more deserving politician.

On Sunday I had my 'collective' surgery, this time with Dan and Katherine. We didn't have any residents at all so chatted about this and that. I observed that it was disappointing that none of the sensible Labour councillors had joined me as Greens like a lot have across London, such as 5 in Brent. Katherine was very clear - even forcefully - saying 'never' and I observed to her equally forcefully that she needs a new leader (well probably nationally as well as locally!) She gave me an old-fashioned look but I was only teasing, as politicians say sometimes.

After lunch I was out in the first stop in Brentford West North of the A4 - Boston Park Road, Eastbourne where Bob Ayres' lair is (he gave me a cheery wave from his doorstep). Still not sure whether he is going to stand as Reform or Restore or whatever right wing sect but he did tell me he was more right wing than Genghis Khan (no relative of our Sadiq). Rather better than I expected in those roads though one man complained I had not got back to him about a disabled space outside his house. He can't walk far as he has had one of his lungs removed because of cancer. Nice man despite that difficulty and apparently he had his operation 15 years ago. I mentioned my recent scan.

Now then, I have had my results back: "your CT scan did not demonstrate any evidence of lung cancer", This slightly hedges their bets but was a good relief. They went on to say I am now too old to be worth scanning again. They put it more politely, but I got the message.

On Monday I met with a woman in Heston who is considering turning Green. Well she has been a stalwart HAG (supporter of Heston Action Group) who do lots of lovely environmental volunteering so I hope I persuaded her.

Later I was at Heart of Hounslow to have a review of my former wart on my temple. It is confirmed as an ex-wart which was another health triumph. In the evening a campaign meeting on Zoom and on Tuesday I cycled out to Feltham for lunch with another Green candidate. He had invited me to his home for lunch which turned out to be lovely Indian food. He explained he was cooking only for me as it is Ramadan and he is fasting until the sun goes down. Very friendly and courteous young man, who will be an excellent councillor when he wins.

Wednesday free until the evening when a brief Green meeting was succeeded by a candidates meeting in Hounslow House. This was partly about keeping safe, given politicians are sometimes at risk for abuse or worse so we are educated by the local cops and the anti-terrorist team. Then some procedurall stuff about the bureaucracy of beinga candidate - what the council needs and when. This is mainly sorted by our agent - a volunteer but very professional who sorts out all this or makes us idiot candidates do the necessary.

It seems Kilroy or his royal cousin was there lurking behind the risk meter. I hear he is actually known as Andrew Mountbatten-Kilroy

Thursday, between trying to catch up with my casework etc and writing drivel for your delectation (and my fun) I met a resident out in the wilds of Boston Manor Park. Is it me or a Microsoft conspiracy that makes me always type Boston as Bostin first try on every occasion? The resident is one of those doggers who walk round the park several times a day with their faithful pooches. I hope that definition of doggers didn't disappoint you. Walking round often he notices things that those who prefer goldfishes or cats miss (I have neither, nor even a monkey). So he pointed out various sorts of mess around the park and other weird things

That one is a weird dog-watering device. Wren would not be proud of the architecture and the fact that it has not provided any water to any passing Rover is because it has rained so little recently, rather than having anything to do with all the gravel and what-nots. The wooden structure next to it is a complete mystery.

This fine machine was right down at the Brent under the motorway.

I suppose it must have fallen off the flyover, but it is a mystery how that has removed its number plate and headlight. Still, good to see it is ready for continental travel, though it says it is limited to 30mph.

There is a notable lack of bins in the park which I will take up shortly and my spotter tells me there is quite a lot of detritus about, especially under bushes where his Fido has injured a foot and a leg on broken glass, the latter making a Vet richer to the tune of £1500 😱

In the canal this day cruiser has seen better days. Better years actually because I reported it more than once last year, though whether it penetrated to the Canal and River Trust I cannot guarantee.

This expedition ended with a bit of a catastrophe. The back wheel on my bike was suddenly blocked. A piece of wood about the size of a cigar had found its way into the machinery. We waggled with the chain, turned it over and failed to solve the problem so we had to lift up the back wheel (mainly my younger and fitter compadre) and manoeuvre it up the quite steep hill under the motorway. Compadre ran off to play tennis and I was left with the prospect of lugging this thing to Brentford centre. Eventually I made it to Brentford Bike Works and the always helpful Jim investigated it for a bit and discovered the problem had nothing to do with the chain or the Heath Robinson designed gear system, but because the wire bracket that supports the mudguard had been dislodged and intermittently jammed against the frame. A few minutes later I was free!

This drama prevented me from visiting a mother who needs better fences to protect her daughter from the A4 - tomorrow probably.

In the evening I had tickets for a quiz in aid of the Mulberry Centre talk@themulberrycentre.co.uk, the Isleworth charity which supports people with cancer in astonishing ways. This was in a big room at the Holiday Inn and it was packed. I am no asset for a quiz team for two reasons: I am too deaf to hear the questions; even if I hear them I don't know the answers. Still, Brentford till I Die performed admirably, not in any way helped by me, though we were pipped from the podium. Big pips in Mulberries, apparently though I am no expert.

So tomorrow we start our weekday evening canvassing and on Saturday afternoon a litter pick starting at the car park behind The Beehive at 2pm. Would be great to get a few supporters: I have plenty of pickers and may have to go down to Hounslow Highways tomorrow to beg some lovely green bags.

Oh, nearly forgot. Our much missed riverside walk from my back door towards Lidl is back and looking great. Well done Fairview, the owners of Printmakers Yard.