OK we have slightly longer than 14 hours but time is rapidly running out to help get this man into the White House and save the world for all humankind. Ming the Merciless never posed as great a threat to Planet Earth as does Dubya. Email, phone, IM and fax your friends in the USA to let them know how much we love their great country and how much we fear, loath and despair of their current president. .

Thanks to Sharon Hunter, the hard-working secretary of the Manor Farm Community Association, for sending me some photographs of the community clean-up day last Saturday. We had a great turn-out with lots of local residents, children and staff from Leeds South Homes, Groundwork and Leeds City Council's area management and youth work teams.

Calendar, the local ITV news, even turned up to film us working and do interviews with some of the children, Groundwork and me. Don't know what appeared on screen as I missed that night's bulletin. Have to confess my back was a little sore next day as we managed to move a rather large lump of concrete to the skip. Hopefully the next stage is to paint murals on the walls.

Spent most of my time yesterday on council business. Had a meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Housing Scrutiny Board in the morning, followed up in the afternoon by a ward councillors meeting with Judith Blake and Geoff Driver.

Then at 18:30 it was off to the annual general meeting of the Friends of Middleton Park. This was followed by an informative slide show about the park, given by Steve Joul who was the ranger for ten years. Steve's next event in the park is:

Christmas Crafts
Sun 12th December from 10am to 4pm

Come and make special decorations from natual materials at this free family event.

Meet at the Education Centre, next to Middleton Lake.