I had a fascinating lunch with David Richbell, whom I had met when he spoke at the CMC Conference. With the conversation ranging from Mediterranean Hideaways to Inter-Faith Mediation, and levels of accreditation to Skype phones, we barely had time to eat. It was very affirming to speak at length with a successful and established mediator who has no legal background. Hopefully the first of many.
Talk Mediation
This morning I wound my way down Middle Temple Lane (an unobtrusive passageway off Fleet Street), to meet Suzanne Lowe, the founder of Talk Mediation. I had met a couple of mediators who work with her at the CMC Conference, and arranged to meet up with Suzanne when she passed through London. Talk Mediation runs an assistants panel, which I may join. Although I won’t get paid work, it will.. Read More
Critical Moments In Mediation
Today all the volunteer mediators at Camden Mediation Service were invited for a day of top-up training. Community mediation can be very unpredictable, especially as emotions tend to run very high when the disputers may have their home or sanity at stake. We started with general chat & an ice-breaker, for once meeting on our own terms with fellow mediators… An quirky bunch of like-minded do-gooders! Unbeknown to any of.. Read More
Mediation Conference
The Civil Mediation Council (CMC) held their Annual Conference yesterday at the Birmingham Motorcycle Museum. After catching a 6.30am train from Euston, I arrived in good time to mingle with a large sample of the country’s civil mediators. There were about 250 people from all over UK, some working for high stakes and some for community mediation projects. The day was split up between conference speakers – prominent figures from.. Read More
Regents Park Labour Ward Chair
Today was the Regents Park Labour ward AGM, where branch officers are elected. Our esteemed chair Nick Smith has recently been selected as Parliamentary Candidate for Blaenau Gwent, and was no longer available to continue in the post. I had spoken to Nick last week, and he suggested I put myself forward – but I wasn’t sure how well I’d be received as I’ve only been involved for under a.. Read More
I don’t believe it..!
Listening to Jonathan Ross on Radio 2 today, I heard him discussing politics with his guest Richard Wilson, who I always loved in the hilarious role of Victor Meldrew. He was on the show because of his current play, Whipping It Up, based around the concept of an opposition party winning the next election by 1 vote. In which case it would be the whips vote to ensure everyone voted.. Read More