Hello, Good Evening and Welcome

Those were the words of David Frost, when he used to introduce his various TV programmes and in this first blog, I would like to welcome those of you foolhardy enough to read my ramblings.

Why am I doing a blog?

First and foremost, I am doing an expert blog for Hodder Education in the new year and want to become well acquainted with this type of social media before I have to commit myself to a wider audience.

Secondly, plenty of other geographical colleagues are doing similar things but none at an independent school like mine.

Thirdly, it seemed like a good idea.

I wish to something in the style of the Living Geography Blog ( http://livinggeography.blogspot.com/ ) written by my friend Alan Parkinson (fomerly of the GA) but with more of a emphasis towards independent schools. Also with my current workload its likely to be less frequent than Alan's blog.

Finally, the name @Lodgemeister - my twitter name - please follow me.

Half Term

Half Term is quickly coming to a close and I have been busy wearing my alternative hats as author, GA Consultant and Chartered Geographer.




This shows Everton in 1950. Note the rows of terraces.

  



 

I had some good news from Philip Allan to say an article I had written about the Rebranding of Liverpool beyond the city centre earlier in the year in conjunction with Dr Janet Speake would be published in February. This article is a follow up to the article that appeared in February 2010 and looks at how the regeneration that occured in the city centre as a result of 2008 - Capital of Culture has now spread across the city and in various locations regeneration is planned largely as result of private finance (mainly Tesco!!!) The bad news is that they need photos so I have spent a couple of days in various locations taking pictures of areas in need of renewal (see above.)





Welcome to Everton

  



Boarded up houses in Anfield. The uncertain future about the football ground has meant that there are many houses like this.



Wednesday was spent in Sheffield at the GA in a meeting about a new venture that the GA are developing in conjuction with a video production company and I am on an advisory board that is also developing resources. More about this as things develop.....

Time in the week was spent looking at the RGS-IBG's proposals for the new National Curriculum. I have been invited on to a working group by the Director of the RGS to consider what should be taught and at which key stage. Ironic really, when we don't really teach the National Curriculum.....



A view of Everton taken in 2010, the terraces have long gone



My final geographical act this week was to escort my eldest daughter on a university open day to Liverpool Hope this morning. She wants to do Geography but was rather dismayed when I monopolised the conversation with the members of the Geography Faculty. However, it does look an interesting course, though Leeds Met remains her first choice.