A Day Off, The Friendship Evening and the Morning Star

Is their ever such a thing as a day off in my line of work? There was the usual wave of emails about Street Angels. I love the shifts and patrols - last Friday was a fantastic display of how we can help so many people. The problem is managing the volunteers - they sometimes seem more interested in bickering, complaining and vying for influence then getting on with the job. Very frustrating when all else is going so well. I have decided not to try and sort things out ever by email. It is either face to face, telephone or nothing. I'm looking forward to our 1st anniversary party, a historic benchmark for Bradford which shows that despite the problems, hundreds of Christians believe that the church really can make a difference to our city.

The Friendship night for Asylum Seekers is entering a new phase. We met with two asylum seekers and dealt with their horrendous stories - but decided not to meet again til January. Frankly, the students involved have been burnt out by the horror of the things they have had to deal with. They need a break. This government has done terrible things to those seeking sanctuary, and terrible things to those who have had to deal with the shocking treatment given out to so many, including small children.

The Morning Star Supporters meeting was the last item on my day off - it was a motley affair, 4 odd blokes (myself included!) hoping to encourage many more to read a daily paper that defies the system. It seems hopeless, shops don't want to know, people seem to be happy to read dross even in the so called quality papers. I hope it still keeps coming out, for the sake of democracy, peace and socialism. The Morning Star has transformed my life over the last two decades, keeping me informed about the realities of the world without being compromised by corporate advertising or the views of the elites. Long may it continue to be a radical and prophetic voice.