Sexual offences claims

Tonight we heard, on the BBC news, that the enquiry into one of our leading singers is being extended. The singer concerned has denied any wrong doing.

I do think all concerned (accused  and accusee) should remain anonymous until the result of any trial is known. Only if the accused is found guilty should the guilty person be named. It must be awful to be dragged though the mill of public hate or doubt if in the end they are cleared of all charges. If found guilty then the accused should get deserved justice/punishment. If not guilty then the accused should walk free and not with a tarred reputation.

Certainly some people now coming forward have genuine cases that have a right to be heard.  However, some cases are historic and are very doubtful.

Morals were different in the 1960s and early 1970s. It is wrong to judge in 2015 morals of the long past. If we are talking about serious sexual crimes, and the evidence is good, then the cases should be heard. When I started work back in 1970 many girls got wolf-whistles and bottoms touched - this was the norm back then. Morals are different today.

HIV game changer?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31622337 .

At one time the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was a death sentence.  Now, with new drugs, more people are living with HIV and not dying. There is hope.

Anglesey Abbey

This afternoon we did (yet another) visit to Anglesey Abbey for a winter walk. The snowdrops looked magnificent all over the place. Although some daffodils are now dying, most have still to come out. Aconites and hellebores look good.

I have come to the conclusion that it is better to be disabled in a way clear to others than have a disability that cannot be seen easily. At Anglesey Abbey there were quite a few people who were clearly disabled. My wife says when I walk you cannot tell I have a disability. Inside I still feel like I am drunk, I tire easily and I still feel wobbly when walking.  My voice is still poor and swallow of thin liquids is poor.  Most people think I am fine now. I am still a long way from that although I still feel I am making slow improvements.

See http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey/ .

Round Church, Cambridge

See http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

My other blog on East Anglian churches was updated today to include "The Round Church" in Cambridge, which dates back to 1130AD and is one of the oldest buildings in the city.

Market stability?

The FTSE 100 closed about 37 points higher today, an all time high.  The pound is worth 1.365 euros. Apparently the Greeks have reached agreement with their creditors for a 4 month delay in debt repayments.

It remains to be seen if this is the end of the Greek crisis or just a postponement of the inevitable?

Stroke after-effects

It is now 17 months since my cerebellum brain bleed. Recovery is much slower than I was expecting or had wished. Although my eyes, ears and limbs all work, there are a few things that may be effects of the bleed. These include a slowness to recognise spelling errors: sometimes it is the next day I spot the error. Also, my short-term memory seems to be somewhat worse. Overall, my intellect is fine.

Technical experts?

This afternoon, we had a visit from an old friend Chris who now lives in the Cotswolds but who used to live in our village.  She was being helped by my wife to send a Facebook message to another friend. Chris is certainly no IT wizard, bless her, but she and her husband Pete have hearts of gold which is far more important.