Which side of the fence are you on at Dale Farm Lollipop?

Although the feud between Basildon Council and the Dale farm gypsy residents is far from over, the High Court hearing has begun. At proceedings Judge, Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart said he does not expect to deliver a judgement on the injunction until after the weekend. But added that any travellers living illegally on the site should be treated with dignity and any evictions carried out in a sensitive and sensible way. According to sources at the High Court, the legal battle over the Dale Farm evictions is likely to continue into next week.

According to my Lollipop though, a decision should be made today at the courts.

“I don’t understand why they’re carrying this eviction battle into next week sis, it’s been going on and on for ages and I’m not even that bothered anymore.”

“It’s not been going on for that long sis. Bailiffs arrived on Monday to remove residents from the farm in Essex however an emergency injunction ordered by the judge meant travelers could stay at the site for a few more days. And now the hearing has finally begun.”

“Really, because I heard this has been going on for ten years,” replies Lollipop. As I scroll through the BBC’s latest headline on the story I realize that as usual as my sister’s right.

The site has been open since the 70s when it was just a scrapyard and then bought by Irish travellers in 1996 from the owner for £122,000. Planning breeches were soon reported to council and after a sharp fall in numbers at Crays Hill School nearby as non travelling families removed their children from the school, Basildon council began to take action in 2005. After a reprieve and several protests, only now does it seem that the site will actually be shut down.

“You see, they should just end all this right now.”

“And how would you end it Lollipop? Who would you side with if you were the judge?”

“Well, it is an illegal site, so I would have to rule on the side of the council and give Dale Farm residents enough time to pack up and leave, even if I do feel a tad sorry for them.”

Whichever side of the fence you stand on at Dale Farm, you have to admit this eviction has gone on for far too long. Whether the gypsies have the right to stay or not, this is people’s lives the judges and Basildon council are contemplating. Instead of going over legal documents and reports a decision must be made that effectively ends the tension at Dale Farm for their residents so they can move on with their lives without Bailiffs breathing down their caravans. Yes. The garishly dressed gypsy families are costing the council and the public approximately 1.2m a day due to continued delays, but they’re still citizens. So like anyone else they deserve a fair decision and they deserve help no matter what the outcome. “Isn’t that right Lollipop?”

“Whatever, I’m much more interested in London Fashion Week, the pictures are amazing!”

“Hasn’t it finished now?”

“Yeah but the outfits were incredible, if only I could afford Burberry!”

“You’d be even worst then the Kardashian sisters if you could afford Burberry, Lollipop.”

“I know it would be amazing. They made an appearance at the New York Fashion of course sis. I can’t wait to watch the new series of Keeping up with the Kardashians.”

“Well I’m sure I can, Lollipop.”

 

Latest news from The Telegraph

Bailiffs were expected to begin clearing Britain’s biggest unauthorised travellers site today, bringing a ten-year legal battle to a close.

But two new applications for a judicial review have been lodged at the High Court and a judge indicated that he would not rule on whether to extend a current injunction before next week.

If granted, the new submissions could draw the process out for several more weeks and send the costs soaring.

Mr Justice Edwards-Stuart expressed some exasperation that proceedings had not yet reached a conclusion and warned both parties that the hearings must not be used as “yet another springboard for delay”.

He also urged both sides to proceed “with dignity” and said that any evictions must be carried out “in a sensitive and sensible way”.

 

 

 

How can we stop internet trolls Lollipop?

Ever since facebook and Twitter took over the internet Lollipop and I have been obsessed with social media. Not a day has gone by where my sister hasn’t checked Justin Bieber’s Twitter since following him online. “He follows me to sis! In fact he’s been following me for over a year now, how amazing is that?”

“He follows loads of his fans Lollipop, so it’s not a great accolade.”

“Well I think it is, and so what if I’m always on Twitter. You’re never off facebook or blackberry messenger.”

“I know, we’re both self-confessed social media addicts.” I reply. However when the news starts reporting on internet trolls and social networking crimes, is when we realise how our once harmless addiction can become dangerous. Sean Duffy, who targeted facebook tribute pages and posted videos on YouTube taunting the dead and their families has now been jailed for posting offensive messages on the internet.

The Guardian stated that the chair of the bench, Paul Warren, told Duffy: “You have caused untold distress to already grieving friends and family.

“The offences are so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified.”

The case apparently served as an illustration of the “harm and damage” that malicious use of social networking sites could do.

The case is also making headlines on the national news as Duffy was the first UK man to be jailed for trolling whilst the victims families sat just inches away.

“What was it exactly that he did sis?”

“Well one particular victim was Natasha MacBryde, 15, who died instantly when hit by a passenger train near her home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. The day after Natasha’s death in February, Duffy posted comments including “I fell asleep on the track lolz” on the facebook tribute page created by her brother James, 17. Four days later he created a YouTube video called “Tasha the Tank Engine” featuring her face superimposed on to the front of the fictional engine.”

“That’s disgraceful.”

“That’s why he’s been jailed for 18 weeks. But he does have Asperger’s syndrome and apparently lived a “miserable existence” drinking alcohol alone at his home in Reading.”

“I’m sorry but that’s no excuse. The victim’s families must have been devastated by such comments.”

“I know, which is why more needs to be done by social networks to stop such crimes.”

In a recent statement facebook argued, “We are absolutely clear that there is no place for trolling on facebook. It’s against facebook’s rules to intimidate or harass others, and we provide everyone with the tools to report such content.”

Yet despite such rules and regs, trolling is clearly still a problem for facebook users. Social network giant need to survey and monitor groups more regularly so people aren’t susceptible to such forms of cyber bullying. Due to facebook’s popularity perhaps they believe they can overlook such serious crimes by not changing their policies. Today the courts showed how serious an offence trolling is by sending a man to prison. Now facebook need to show how serious they are about preventing trolling. They must do more than ban one man from their site and other social media but bring other internet trolls to justice.

Lollipop and I showcase our lives on Twitter and facebook as do millions of others and yet were not even protected by the creators from online offenders and bullies. As the internet grows so must our methods of privacy and security.

“Yeah, but really sis, this story isn’t going to stop you from using social media no matter how angry you are.”

“I know,” I sigh.

Social media networks are part of my life so I’d find it hard to give it up over this one debate, but maybe it’ll make people think more about the implications of our growing addiction to various networks.

“Never mind sis, Justin Bieber has just finished recording his Christmas album, he tweeted: “thinking about starting christmas early…like november. #newmusic.” So excited!”

“Yes Lollipop, I’m thrilled.”

Back to school or back to the gloom Lollipop?

 

Returning to school should be a daunting prospect for most teens, especially my Lollipop. Not only will she be in her final year but she’s also top gyal. Head Girl of her entire school and piers. As usual she seems quite calm and actually wants to go back so she can finally get her GCSEs over and done with. I, however just can’t stop quizzing her about it.

“I can’t believe you actually want to go back, I would love to have a six-week holiday off work.”

“I was getting bored though, sis. Watching daytime TV or window shopping around town with my friends can get boring after the sixth week.”

“Not for me it wouldn’t. Although I doubt I’d be window shopping despite my spiralling overdraft.”

“You have no will power sis.”

“Aren’t you worried about taking your GCSEs and doing head girl duties at the same time.”

“Not really. It will be a totally new experience. I’m just going to treat it as a learning curve and hopefully I’ll excel.”

“Really? I’d feel pressured and tense if it was me.”

“Cheers sis, I feel so much better about going back now,” sarcastically replies my sister as she goes over her homework.

Even when reading the recent headlines on this years GCSE results, I felt tense. Although GCSE pass rates have gone up for the 23rd year running, it means getting A and B grades are the norm and is now what Is expected of our teen population.

Nearly one in four (23.2%) of entries scored at least an A grade this year, up from 22.6% in 2010.

Plus, nearly seven in 10 entries (69.8%) were awarded a C or above, according to figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ).

My Lollipop hopes to score all As and A* grades this school year, which seems almost crazy for me to hear. I was happy that even got two A* marks.

“It’s what my expected grades are sis, if I don’t get the results I’ve basically failed because I didn’t get what was expected of me. I’d be so upset.”

“Why? You would still get to go to college or do an apprenticeship. It wouldn’t be a disaster, Lollipop.”

“I just want to do well so I can be ready for my A levels .”

“What about an apprenticeship? Have you ever thought about that?”

“A little, only when mum mentions it. But I don’t even understand what an apprenticeship is.”

“You basically earn while you learn sis. A business takes you on and you gain qualifications and vital work experience with them. It’s quite limited though. Maybe you should only do one if you know exactly what career you want.”

“Well I want to be a top fashion journalist, so maybe I should consider it.”

“Maybe, at 16 you are ready to start work.”

“Well I don’t feel ready for working life just yet sis.”

Education editor Jeevan Vasagar also believes 16 year olds aren’t ready for work either In the Guardian he recently called for GCSEs to be scrapped for 16-year-olds. He argued that “they perpetuate the idea that 16 is the gateway to adulthood”.

“The idea of a school certificate at 16 implies you’re ready to start work. But employers are increasingly sniffy about taking on teenagers, the perception being that those who quit at 16 must be the rump. Youth unemployment is a problem now, but it was rising in the boom years, too.”

So perhaps starting work after school isn’t the best idea for my Lollipop and other growing teens. Whatever decision she makes or however this school year pans out for her could change her future. To tell me she isn’t feeling under pressure at all either sounds crazy or very composed.

Aren’t you going back to education as well sis this year?

Yeah I’m starting my NCTJ Multimedia Diploma and surprisingly I’m more nervous then you are.

I know everything’s starting up again and the years going by so fast. Can you believe it was a year on Wednesday since I saw Justin Beiber in concert  New York at Madison Square Gardens?

He won a VMA award as well last week for best male video, He looked so gorgeous!”

“Yes, If only I was six years younger,” I say, rolling my eyes at Lollipop.