The women who clear Sudan's minefields

Jamba Besta had planned to be a secretary, hoping to find work in an office as her homeland of South Sudan emerged out of a 22-year long civil war.

Instead, the pregnant mother heads an all-female team of de-miners, removing dangerous explosives from former battlefields.

"I never thought I would be doing this," says Ms Besta, welcoming her six-woman team back from the danger zone they are clearing.

"But it shows those people who think that women can't do jobs like this that they are wrong."

The team's members say they work better as an all-women team - supporting each other against often critical comments that de-mining is work only for a man.

"We live and work away from home all as one team, so it is good we are all women together," she says.

Sudan's north-south war - fought over ideology, religion, ethnicity and oil - ended more than four years ago.

Some two million people died in the war, and its bitter legacy of landmines and unexploded ordnance continues to kill and wound.

Please read the full story here

By Peter Martell
BBC News, Bungu

Advisory to all residents in high rise properties like Chalcots

The Secretary of State has asked the Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, Sir Ken Knight, to provide an independent overview of progress with the fire investigations at Lakanal House, Havil Street, Camberwell on Friday 3 July. Sir Ken will report back to the Secretary of State on progress and emerging findings as a matter of urgency.

Sir Ken’s Terms of Reference for his report include the fire safety matters applicable to this building and operational procedures and practices undertaken by London Fire Brigade at this incident.

Until this work is complete I would appreciate your authority offering some reassurance to tenants.

There are practical measures that you could take such as reminding tenants how to protect themselves from fire, this includes having a working smoke alarm and regularly testing it. If tenants are concerned they can contact their local FRA and the Fire Kills website http://firekills.direct.gov.uk has plenty of up to date fire safety information.

Primary School "Working Group" UPDATE 8th July '09

NEW SCHOOL provision of up to 90 Children for 2 years.

A new school site has been located in the Gospel Oak area. Reported by Richard Lewin "that the Council is proposing to lease and adopt an existing school classrooms in Courthope Road, NW3 for a 2 year period. The building can provide places for a maximum of 90 children and meets the required standards for school classrooms".

During this "Working Group" meeting all these proposals were discussed, although some concern was indicated at this provision possibility, the general feeling was of positive progress.

It was noted that a more hopeful air was present with these developments.
Some discussions were made on subject of policy and process in the admissions criteria. The waiting list has reduced somewhat but there are still a large number of parents with children totally "unplaced".

I am to provide a more thorough update later next week, but I thought I blog this wonderful news, which should give a lot of hope now for parents in the Belsize, Swiss Cottage and Hampstead areas.

Schools in Belsize

There are currently no LEA nursery or primary schools in the Belsize ward, all local schools in the ward are "private" and places are in BIG demand. In neighbouring wards ALL LEA primary schools have a never ending waiting list. The Belsize ward has around 8000+ population of which the Chalcots alone represents nearly a "quarter". This is a major issue for all residents. There are good "Independent Private Schools " but with places also being in high demand and fees ranging upto £3795 per term, clearly is not an option for all residents.