About Alison

A feisty mother earth type, who has an opinion about everything I would like to think I use my "chopsy" attitude to throw some light and perhaps a new slant on current social and cultural issues.

Since I moved to the country for a quiet life I have been lucky enough to create a more healthy more relaxed environment for myself. I love country life, Family, Friends, Horses and Dogs. I also love, photography, writing/chatting and connecting with others.

Please have a look at a collection of my photos blog,

http://i-clickphotos.blogspot.co.uk/

or join in on my chats here or on my otherblog

http://talesofamiddleagednovice.blogspot.co.uk/

which follows my efforts to learn to ride and care for horses in my 50s! or just follow me on Twitter and I will follow you back (if you are a real person) on @alisonbarton1. Enjoy and talk to me.

Thursday 16 February 2012

Closing buildings opening something new

There seems to be an attempt to drum up hysteria about the closure of Police stations in the Forest of Dean and elsewhere. Is it justified?

What do we want from the Police? How does the presence of a building frequented by Police staff and possibly open to the public help us?

I would say calm down everyone who is worried. Surely its not where the police station is, that protects us, it’s where the police activity is that makes an impact.  A building is no good if it is closed and the phone outside doesn’t work or no one answers. A police station can’t help or add anything to the quality of Policing when there is insufficient staff on the desk and you have to wait in a queue to be seen by an enquiry officer who then has to phone the control room for a Police officer to travel to see you or meet you at home later.

Also when you pass a police station and see three four or more marked police cars parked outside don’t you wonder what good the police officers are doing being “indoors,”

Better to have good communication and timely responses. The community needs staff who can be directed through proper analysis of intelligence. A building soaks up money not only to heat, light but other needs, equipment cleaning repairing all this before any money is spent on staffing it.

So I want to see our police officers out on patrol, using their cars as mobile offices. Well managed phone lines where calls can be graded and the appropriate response or advice given. Not everyone wants to or is able to go to a Police station.

Just closing a Police station and freeing up money is not the answer, managers need to manage, motivate and respond to the community. They have to support and direct their staff, as every day dawns renewed energy needs to be given. No building can provide that.

Alison x

Tuesday 14 February 2012

Wanted-more time in the saddle- Forest of Dean/ Monmouth



I am re connecting with my love of horses now I have more time. I have been having lessons with the marvellous Hayley Rogers at Redbrook. I am concentrating on flat work and want to develop my aids and that wonderful relationship with the horse I ride. Unfortunately two lessons a week is about the limit of what I can afford. All things horses is expensive and I know it can seem a cheek , to those of you who commit so much to the care and schooling of their horses,but after reading a blog re someone who wanted someone to execise their horse as they had moved on to bigger and better things I thought well if you don't ask!
I don't have land and I just cannot afford my own horse, but I have time a love of horses and riding/school work and intend to continue with my lessons..
So is there anyone out there who would like someone like me to help exercise/school their horses. I dont mind hacking out too but would love to work with someone and their horses. I will be honest I do not want to muck out too much etc. Perhaps I'm crazy asking but please dont be offended I jut love riding.
Alison x