System Failure

Happy Christmas you. I hope you have/are having/have had a nice time.

I want to seize the moment to tell you a short story. It’s a true story and one that probably hasn’t just happened where I am, it’s happening all over the place. The story has been cut down somewhat but all the events are real.

There’s a man I know, to be honest I don’t know him that well other than his name and that he’s been sleeping on the street for over 200 nights. He sleeps out of the way, where he doesn’t cause any trouble at all. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t do drugs, he has a job which probably doesn’t pay that well (I don’t know if it does or doesn’t, it would be rude to ask) and he can’t afford anywhere to live.

On Christmas Eve a friend and I went to see him, to make sure he was alright. A taxi driver was just dropping off some mince pies to him when we got there. We asked him how he was planning on spending his Christmas. He said he would walk into the city centre to do some window shopping as he couldn’t afford to buy anything.

After out chat, we left him. Neither of us wanted to, but we had to. We spoke on the journey away about what we could do to help him. We’ve seen him so often, and regularly pop by to check he’s alright, that he’s almost part of our routine.

A quick phone call later and we had our Christmas gift to him sorted. We couldn’t give him accomodation, we thought about food but that wouldn’t last long, so we managed to get him some bedding, a pillow, a sleeping bag and a few extra clothes to keep him warm.

We went back to him a few minutes after collecting the bits and bobs, and gave them to him. He was touched by our gift, although he didn’t want to get emotional over it. You could tell that he was grateful in the way he spoke, which in turn made both of us quite emotional and we had to fight back the tears.

Once again, shortly after this, we left and went on our way.

Sound a simple story doesn’t it.

That’s what happened last night. What I haven’t told you is that we’ve tried to get this chap some help. Of all the people we’ve spoken to, of all the agencies that we’ve contacted, nobody has helped him. The simple reason why – because he has a job.

It seems that if you’re an alcoholic, you can’t work, you don’t want to work, or you simply “don’t fit the criteria” then nobody’s interested in you. I make no apology for getting political in this post. I’m sure there is somebody, somewhere who will complain about it, tell me off etc but the simple fact is, this is a guy who makes a positive contribution to society, he works, he pays his taxes etc yet “the system” can’t or won’t help him. He’s doing his best to try and get a deposit together for somewhere, and save up some money to cover the rent yet nobody is willing to help him.

How is it that teenagers who have no motivation to work and who expect the state to fund them can be given a flat, just like that? Offenders coming out of prison are given accomodation straight away and the homeless with drink/drug problems can get all the help in the world but if you’re homeless and earning a little bit of money you don’t count?

For the first time in a long while, we have both experienced the true meaning of Christmas. Not the commercialised shopping but an act of kindness, of charity to somebody who deserved it and empathy, and at least we can say “We care”.

I wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year, but please don’t forget our man who hasn’t got anybody to share it with and who will be sleeping out in the cold again tonight, and tomorrow night, and the night after etc.

December Snow

I got rather excited last night when it started to snow. Here’s some snow related stuff taken just after 11pm last night.

Here’s a little video of walking down Hove Street South towards the beach.

Christmas Decorations

I love it when the decorations go up ready for Christmas, it does make it feel all lovely and nice. I remember the days when Hove used to be full of lovely lights down George Street, there was a big tree outside of the Town Hall all lit up and looking lovely.

Something’s gone wrong though.

Now, George Street is bare and there’s no tree anymore outside the Town Hall.

Here’s a pic of what we have now.

Outside Hove Town Hall

Brighton have nice lights around the Clock Tower area, even Burgess Hill has them but Hove just chucks a few lights on a bare tree and that’s it.

I can’t help but feel our effort is a bit pathetic again this year.

City TV Services Fall Off Air

TV viewers in Brighton and Hove were left without a service last night tonight as Freeview and Virgin Media signals mysteriously vanished into the ether.

The drama unfolded around 8pm this evening when set top boxes lost their signal. There are still currently problems with cable and Freeview television services, although terrestrial television seems to be fine.

Here in the offices we’re watching a black and white TV set with our feet up on the table drinking Scotch and waiting for your stories.

Users of Facebook and Twitter complained that they weren’t able to watch X Factor, which isn’t really such a bad thing, and were desperately trying to find out what was happening. If you didn’t get to see it, welcome to real life, not stuff that is [probably] a fix [allegedly].

One resident from Hove ,who asked not to be named, said “This is all I █████ing need, all I wanted to do was to lay back and watch the █████ing television. Now I’m █████ing █████ed off and don’t know what the █████ I’m going to do for the rest of the █████ing evening. What a bunch of █████ing useless █████”

Did you see what happened? Leave your comments below.

Update

Television services on Freeview resumed at 10.44pm – just in time for bedtime.