Who’s to the Rescue?

The fire in Walworth on the 25^th of March highlights how crucial it is to have a fully active fire service. Where the fire happened is home to The Cuming Museum, a library and several council offices. It is also about half a mile away from my University, London South Bank.  The London Fire Services are effected by a 14% cut in funding over two years equating to roughly £45 million, subsequently leading to planned station closures. In Southwark Borough there are four stations. It is proposed that Southwark station itself is closed, alongside a reduction of resources at Peckham Station and temporary closure while new stations are being built at Dockhead and Old Kent road. This means all four stations will be effected.

Holding the much-coveted position of Mayor of London, you may ask what is Boris Johnson to do about these cuts? Well, instead of finding additional resources to fund the fire brigade, he is favouring cutting Londoners council tax by 1p a day.  Which would you prefer, a substantial fire brigade or money off your council tax bill? Considering the economic difficulties faced by many across the capital at the moment, it is likely some may be tempted by this offer to save the pennies. After all, it won’t happen to me, will it?

Understandably, in times of austerity cut backs need to be made however cuts affecting public services tend to generate much public outcry. At the last check Southwark Firestation (@savesouthwark) had 1,036 followers. This could be because, as my five-year-old cousin said, “doctors, firemen, police and vets are superheroes”. Maybe she has a point.

In 2011/2012 the London Fire Brigade (LFB) attended 5,584 incidents in Southwark alone. Not just keeping the residents of the Borough safe, but all of those who commute in daily, such as myself, my father and many other people I know. For example, a few weeks ago I was at university desperately trying to submit a group essay when the fire alarm sounded in the Perry Library. Everyone was evacuated in the usual ‘fire-bell-frenzy’ and within minutes a fire engine arrived. Luckily it was a false alarm; nevertheless you can’t help but question what would be the case if it was a critical incident and the proposed cuts went ahead?

The fire in Wansey Street this week also proves how the Boroughs are not always able to work independently. According to the LFB’s website 120 firefighters and officers attended the blaze, accompanied by 20 fire engines from other under-threat-stations such as Kingsland, Peckham, Whitechapel and New Cross.  Thankfully, as far as I am aware there have been no reported injuries but again you can’t help wondering, ‘what if?’

The thought of cuts to the fire service is frightening. As are cuts to any public service.  It is claimed 4 in 10 children in London are living in poverty, yet the government behaves as if it has no money to fund services to assist them.  An inquest was concluded this week surrounding the tragedy of the Lakanal House fire in 2009, where amongst others, three children died. Surely this is a warning more money needs to be pumped into emergency services, not less? Yet, maybe there really is no money in the public pot. So are already vulnerable children being put at more risk by cutting the emergency services?  Furthermore, fire brigades across the country invest a lot of time in assisting vulnerable adults and children with learning disabilities with fire safety in the home, as well as in the community. If the cuts are made, would the time for this sort of assistance dwindle through no fault or choice of each of the stations? This may be likely, but what else can be done to prevent such cuts? It’s hard to make many viable suggestions; every plan appears to have a pitfall.

There is currently a consultation conducted by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority on the draft fifth London Safety Plan. The Southwark Public meeting will be held on the 14 May at City Hall. For the other public meetings, a full list is available here.

However to end on a positive note, the rescue teams which attended the Walworth blaze this week managed to recover 500 artifacts from the museum. Perhaps all is not lost after all…

Time Thus Far

Hey there,

So since I last blogged I have handed in over 10,000 words and been on a university trip to Pecs, Hungary leaving me with barely any time to breath or sleep for that matter...

However, Pecs was brilliant. By far the best trip I have ever been on. The town itself was not what I was expecting at all, it is a lot larger and the centre is far more beautiful than I ever imagined. The university was beautiful too, to get to the canteen you had to go down some steps under a stunning ceramic tiled dome with a skylight at the apex. Quite unusual, but a lovely environment to learn in.

Central Pecs, Hungary

The course was also fantastic. We had long days but the lectures were worth it, covering topics such as asylum, trafficking, state surveillance, organised crime and terrorism to name but a few. You'll be pleased to hear I passed the course and received a certificate (yes I still get excited at the grand old age of 21 about receiving a certificate).

Views from the University

I met some WONDERFUL people whilst out in Hungary.  As you already know I love cultures and languages and thanks to the course I have worked along side and made some fabulous friends from places such as Northern Ireland, The Netherlands, Croatia and Hungary.

On the other hand, home is certainly where the heart is and it's great to be back with my family, including the woofs. On Tuesday my mum and I took my sister to Euston so she could go to Manchester to visit my Granny and Aunty, which lead to in impromptu visit to Westminster Cathedral where mass was being held. It is by far a hidden London treasure, the Cathedral is so beautiful and for £5 (or £2.50 concessions) you can go up the bell tower which has STUNNING views across London. Much cheaper than the shard, and the money goes to a more deserving cause in my opinion. On this note, what are your thoughts on the new Pope Francis? He seems quite unique, so far anyhow.

Bell Tower, Westminster Cathedral, London

Take care,

The Learned Rose x

Life in the Fast Lane

Work and play has left Learned Rose exhausted this week!

I have a lot of university deadlines coming up, so I've been trying to study as hard as possible in what feels like a short space of time. I have two essays due in for Citizenship and Combating Crime in the EU and my project proposal is due this coming week so fingers crossed it gets approval because I am so desperate to start writing it up. I am planning to do it on the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, hence why I am trying to refrain from writing too much on here about Breed Specific Legislation until it's done. Despite all the provoking articles in the news at the moment, such as this one: http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/378170/Mastiffs-and-other-devil-dogs-must-be-banned-say-MPs (Notice how the article doesn't mention exactly which MP's believe this? Why does the government still believe that stereotyping a dog by it's looks will reduce dog attacks?) Anyway, enough on this matter as I could go on for hours and I'm a tad short on time.

In order to motivate ourselves, my friend and I decided to experience a bit of the high life this week. Firstly, a trip to London Fashion Week on Monday, which was pretty amazing. It was quite an experience, even the clothes people wore just to go there where rather 'cutting edge'. We felt a little out of place in our LBD's! Then, seeing as the Primrose bakery is so close to Somerset House it would have been rude not to pay a visit. I could not resist the red velvet cupcake, it was so delicious. After this we strolled across to Chelsea for a quick lunch at the Bluebird before dashing back for our Land Law lecture.

The week was mainly work based, with a fleeting visit to Weybridge and taking my little cousins to see the butterfly's at Wisely Gardens. It is so beautiful there and it's lovely to see the little one's faces when they are trying to match each butterfly they see to the ones pictured on their information sheet.

Friday was where the real fun was had. After a long day of hard work behind a computer, a friend and I put on our glad rags and headed to Mayfair. Mahiki was the desired destination and we were pleased to be allowed in on such a busy night when so many in front got turned away. The cocktails there are exquisite, if you get the chance try the 'Wiki Tiki' it is deliciously fruity. The bar staff are fantastic too, very friendly and certainly know their cocktails!

Unfortunately for me it's back to the grindstone now, but not before I've gone to my friend's house for a dinner date! We've known each other 17 years now and we still haven't run out of conversation. I'm taking the puppy too so he can play with his sister while we have a girly gossip... perfect Sunday? I think so (minus this morning's migraine but that's another story).


I hope to catch up more this week but this time about some (non dog related) issues I've read in the press. The Pryce case has taken my notice, what are your thoughts on Juries in the UK? It's been interesting to compare the jury system over here with the Pistorius Case in South Africa...

Anyway I really HAVE to go now,

Take care,

The Learned Rose x

Bad Blogger Turning Good

Surprise surprise, look who's back!

As you can tell I have not blogged in a very long time, atrocious behaviour some may say. A lot has been happening in my crazy country world although now I am back and on top form, that I assure you.

In these last few months I have been a busy bee. The last year of university is certainly as strenuous as I thought it might be, however last semester I took some fantastic topics that kept me engaged and focused and this semester looks like it will be much the same.

A few weeks ago my 'Citizenship and Combating Crime in the EU' module held a fantastic day, including guest lecturers from Rotterdam. This module also includes a week trip to Pecs in Hungary for which I cannot wait! It will be hard work with 9-5 lectures yet the topic is so inspiring that it leaves you eager to learn as much as possible.

There has been rather a few things going on recently in the political sphere which have caught my eye. I will be sure to be blogging about these issues so I hope you will be interested to hear my views on each topic.

Briefly before I go, I have to tell you about our new addition. His name is Ramos and he is a rescue puppy from DDA Watch. As a family we are 'failed foster parents' because we spent some time fostering this adorable little pup and his two siblings. However, in the words of my father "he's just too attached" so now we have another bounding bundle of joy running around the place. His brother and sister also got loving homes, with his sister going to one of my oldest and dearest friends, meaning that puppy play dates happen in abundance!

Seeing triple?

Speak to you soon,

Take care,

The Learned Rose x

Post Exam Catch Up

Dear Readers,
I am ever so sorry but I briefly stepped into oblivion during the past two months, all thanks to the exam period. I only had three exams but alongside my migraines and a thirst for good grades, revision soon over took my life. However, the next three months are -to an extent- responsibility free, meaning I should have plenty of time to update you on the things I may come across.


So firstly a bit about the 7 days holiday I have encountered so far...
I have certainly been a busy bee. I have been out with friends more time this week than I have been out for the past two months, I have thoroughly enjoyed the odd Pimms or two, not forgetting making some homemade Sangria. 
I have also taken my sister out for some pampering, which is even more special when you consider she can rarely leave the house due to her ME. We had the ultimate girlie day, getting our hair cut in the salon, having a nice lunch and buying some new make up. My sister and I are big into our make up and we like to have a range that we can share, however with my sister having my mothers mediterranean tone and myself having my fathers pale skin, finding make up that suits us both (barring foundation, of course) can be rather difficult. Although, it must have been our lucky day as a lovely lady from the Bare Minerals counter in House of Fraser gave us some great advice and found us some amazing products, without being pushy in the slightest. If you are also interested in make up, this brand is fabulous, in my opinion. The brushes are soft, the colours are very suitable for creating day to night looks and so far they have been very kind to our sensitive skin. We purchased the Get Started Complexion Kit in medium and the Get Started: Eyes, Cheeks and Lips Kit in light to medium, so we have a nice collection to keep us going until our next splurge. It is needless to say that we went home with a very sad bank account that day! 
Furthermore, here in the United Kingdom we have been celebrating the Queen's 60th Jubilee, which has been a ball. I was not exactly expecting it to be hugely interesting seeing as I am not really a royalist and have been brought up in a manner that treats España as home but we had a lovely street party. I can safely say this will be the first and last time the Union Jack will hang from our porch, however it has been fun joining in with the community spirit and was certainly fun while it lasted. Also, I am thankful for the double bank holiday, which we spent down at Goring Gap beach with our four woofs... Yes you heard it, four! We also have a new addition to the house hold, a tiny chiwawa called Osito, who is the cutest, most confident 'Little Bear' you will ever come across! There is no need to worry though, big pup is still the only 'Princess' in my life and she is loving going on our regular runs and she is the most perfect company as you pound the village streets.


On that note, there has been some great advancements in the 'dog law' world. At the end of May a Judicial Review was heard at the Royal Courts of Justice. Here, the lawfulness of a Defra decision was questioned. The outcome of which resulted in a verdict that allows exempt dogs who can no longer live with their registered owner to be able to live with another registered keeper. This means that it is therefore now legal to have a registered owner as well as a registered keeper of an exempt dog. This news pleases me greatly as I feel it brings us one step closer to ending Breed Specific Legislation. Furthermore it relates to my property, equity and trusts module as the High Court specified that this would not amount to the exempt dog being gifted and there would be no transfer of ownership. I love property law and dogs, exempt or not, therefore this ruling is like music to my ears, I am just slightly disappointed it did not get more media coverage.


Anyway, I shall have to love you and leave you as I have Afternoon Tea to book and to find some suitable shoes to wear to Polo at Guards,
Take Care,
The Learned Rose x

The bank holiday waves breaking at Goring Beach

Follow @Learned_Rose

Dangerous Dogs, Media Monsters

Today’s society is constantly bombarded with images of dangerous dogs, which 'maul' the vulnerable, yet is this a fair, unbiased portrait of our pet pooches in modern times?

There are 24 Acts of parliament relating entirely to dogs. The most commonly known is probably the Dangerous Dogs act 1991 (amended 1997). This act was introduced as knee jerk legislation due to public outcry after the media reported on a spate of dog attacks, gaining a high profile.

Some may argue the problem with this act is that it clearly introduces Breed Specific Legislation. Section 1,1, straight out bans certain breeds of dogs (Pit Bull Terriers, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero and The Japanese Tosa, if you were wondering), or a dog whose characteristics give you the presumption that it was breed for fighting.  However the most provoking part of this legislation is noted in subsection three. This gives the state a right to seize and destroy the dog. Of course the Act sensitively approaches the situation by using words such as "destruction".

1,146 dogs were seized in London in 2009. A vast quantity of legal breeds and crossbreeds can result in an “illegal” dog; this highlights the issue that the Act can never achieve its aim of wiping out dangerous dogs. The owners of the seized dogs are faced with lengthy court costs and a great deal of emotional pain as they try to save their pets lives. However if the police want to act upon The Dangerous Dogs Act Section1,3, b –destruction of the dog- they will have to gain permission from it’s owners first. Why? Simply, because dogs are the property of their owners and it would be a criminal offence if they did seize it without permission.

Fair enough you may say, “these dogs are dangerous!” Let me put it in a different light for you: You get accused of looking like you are going to start a fight. However the sole reason for this presumption is your height, muscle build, and the size and positioning of your ears. Nothing else. Now does it seem quite as fair?

A recent survey was carried out on 6,000 dogs owners, taking into account their dogs temperaments towards different aspects, such as other dogs and strangers. Which dog came out as the number one most aggressive…(Drum roll please)… The humble Dachshund, or ‘sausages dogs’ as I know my cousins like to call them. Much to media surprise the Pitbull terrier came number 8, behind Chihuahuas, Jack Russells and Border Collies.

So I ask, is public opinion merely based on media spin? I remember as a child the media warning against unruly Rottweiler’s (which came number 15 in the survey if you were curious) and before little old me came along my parents remember a public anxiety against German Shepherds (number 17).

Canine and animal welfare organisations largely believe that no type of dog is inherently dangerous and that it is through responsible ownership that, as a society, we can reduce incidents involving dogs. Statistics show that the number of finished consultant episodes attributed to being bitten or struck by a dog have risen quite dramatically over the past 10 years.  Hospital episode statistics show in 2007-08, nearly 700 of those aged between 10-19 had to have finished consultant episodes after being ‘bitten or struck by a dog’. Yet, if you look to the 1997-98 statistics, the same age group drops to around 350 people. These statistics do not name the breeds of dogs; yet they do clearly show that after the amended Act came in, the figures of dog bites has risen sharply. Surely this visibly shows that it is not the type of dog that is the issue but that as a society we are being less responsible owners?

Therefore, next time you pick up a paper and see the shocking headlines about the latest victim to be mauled by a vicious dog, it might be worth thinking about the responsibility of the owner, not the type of dog which attacked. After all, once the media is finished persecuting ‘type’ dogs and continues to ignore owner responsibility, why not try and guess which breed will come next? My bet is on the toy poodle.

......So there you have it; Sorry for it being rather 'law' based, it was for the Law Society newsletter, as you may already know. If you wish for further information, please contact the relevant charities, for example DDA Watch does some excellent work (and they also have some adorable dogs looking for their forever homes too!) Please feel free to leave your comments also, I am greatly interested in your views.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, 

Kind Regards,

The Learned Rose x

I Love My Dogs, and Your Dogs, Oh and that Dog Over There...

Hi There,

From my introduction you may have got a few clues as to my interests in life, and one BIG thing in my life is my love for my 'Woofs'. We have three, you see, and I can't bare the thought of the many dogs out there that are cruelly treated or have no forever home. However, as a law student (something I failed to acknowledge in my introduction) I feel dismayed at the legislation in place with regards to 'Dangerous Dogs'. I could sprout on about it all day, but instead I'm going to post the article I wrote for my Law Society Newsletter, entitled 'Dangerous Dogs, Media Monsters'.

Please feel free to leave your comments or views,

The Learned Rose x