Out on patrol with the Devon & Cornwall Police

Posted on by Pauline Giles

I think people are tough on our services, berating them, calling them rubbish, saying they are ‘as much use as a chocolate fire guard’ that was the last comment someone made to me.

Since stepping up and becoming the Cornwall Councillor for St Blazey, I have learnt a lot. When something isn’t done to someone’s liking there’s blame, and the public aren’t backward in coming forward in this department!

I spent a very wet and windy Friday evening, out on patrol with the Police in nearby St Austell. It was the night the tail end of a huge storm, it was dark, the rain was coming in sideways and getting from the station to the squad car was pretty wild.

I went out with a Policeman called Ian, we called at a house where a resident hadn’t turned up for a pre-arranged interview at the station. We got back in the car, had a debrief and I remember saying ‘thank god we are out in the car tonight.’

Within half an hour that all changed!

A call was put out, a young boy of 8 was missing, apparently, he had called at a house, told them he was from Plymouth, and he was lost. The homeowner said come in and we’ll ring the Police. This frightened the boy, and he bolted.

All we had to go on was, he was 8, he was from Plymouth and he was wearing a burgundy hoodie.

At first we did a sweep of the town in the car, after that, in order to cover ground, check bushes, hidey places, doorways, leave no stone unturned, we needed to be on foot.

By 7pm, I can honestly say I was soaking wet from the thigh down. My shoes were squelching and as I marched along waving my torch, I looked down and saw bubbles forming through the material of my shoes.

With no sign of the boy, more officers were drafted in, which Ian explained was procedure. A lost minor was an extreme cause for concern, everything else had to be put on hold in order to find the child as soon as possible.

Something was troubling me, had a child been reported missing in Plymouth? Why didn’t we have a name? Was this genuine, or a hoax?

The fact that this child had stated he was lost, and the alarm raised, he was considered a high risk and a priority incident. This was enough to set a full scale search going, as Ian rightly said, if it wasn’t taken seriously and the child was abducted or died, the consequences for all concerned would have been catastrophic.

Initially, the search took up all of St Austell’s resources (5 Officers) plus 2 armed response officers, there to bolster men on the ground not to fire a gun, I might add.

This was escalated through the evening, with Officers being drafted in from other towns plus a dog handler and force support group, totalling another 13 PCs. In addition to this, 2 specialist missing person offices were brought in, and two senior officers, who ranked either Inspector or above. This made a total of 24 Officers! In addition to this several call handlers were manning the radios.

Questions were being asked! Did he come by train? Go check the station, he might have gone back there, even the trains about to depart for Plymouth were halted and checked to ensure the child was not on board.

This represented the extensive resources required for what is classed as an emergency incident, while this was going on, there were no Officers left to go to small incidents.

And there lies the problem, whilst the majority of the public were at home tucked up on a very wet windy evening, whilst the local boozer reported a fight, and a woman danced naked on Carlyon Bay beach, something pretty major was going on.

All these people all went to bed oblivious of the fact that for 7 hours, some 24 Officers (and me) were out in that weather, combing graveyards, checking back alleys, all very concerned for the welfare of a little boy.

I knocked off at midnight, soaking wet, freezing cold and troubled that there was no sign of this little boy.

The Reality……………

The next morning, I rang the Station for an update. They had managed to locate the child, he was in foster care in St Austell, his family home was in Plymouth, he had lost his way back to his foster carers home.

On running away from the people on their doorstep, he found his bearings, went home, had his tea and went to bed, oblivious of what was going on outside.

It was Social Services who pieced it all together.

24 Officers, 7 hours, a happy ending, yet I receive complaints about our Police on a daily basis.

No one knows what happened that night, but what if it hadn’t ended so well? The public would have been up in arms, and the facts I have shared with you, in their defence, probably still wouldn’t have been released.

Things like this go on routinely, they’re dealt with and no one is the wiser.

I have the utmost respect for the Police, the Officers I went out with, the job they do. Just because its not plastered all over Social Media, it doesn’t mean they’re not out protecting us all, we could do well to remember that.

Oh AirBnB where have you been?

Posted on by Pauline Giles

So I’m sitting on the terrace of my beautiful 5 bedroomed house in Cornwall, with bills to pay.

I feel very lucky to live in such an amazing house, the terrace is upstairs, and overlooks Duchy woodland full of stunning walks which I often explore with my dog Cody.

A friend popped in for coffee, which invariably turned into a gin as it was after 2, and thats acceptable right?

‘I don’t know why you don’t join AirBnB and rent out one of your bedrooms, I bet people would love to stay here, great location, off road parking, stunning view, why not give it a go?’

That night I consulted with my partner, ‘Pauline, your a great host, fab cook and you have a lovely home, do it.’

So that night I sat down and constructed a page, with trepidation I hit the button, I was live! Three hours later, my mobile phone pings, I have a message, my first booking! The next day, another!

It felt like wishy washy’s here, bedding stripped, washed, ironed and back on for the next guests, but there was a definite spring in my step, the house was alive and the appreciation from guests, the compliments on its decor AND my wonderful breakfast was positively thrilling.

I now have a lady staying for a week, another challenge, she is a celiac, and as part of the service, I offer a cooked meal at an extra cost.

Planning what to cook, whilst also feeding the rest of the tribe took some thought, no matter what I looked at, it seemed to contain wheat!

A bag of wheat free flour from the supermarket opened the options, finally settling on chicken, ham & mushroom pie, roast potatoes and vegetables, followed by blackberry & apple crumble and cream.

My guest was suitably impressed that I had gone to so much trouble, stating that the usual option was salad and fruit salad, so eating what the rest of the family were eating was a rare occurrence.

I have to say, it gave me an insight to how hard it must be for a celiac to dine out, everything is cooked with, or thickened with flour! Options were sparse and most restaurants don’t event cater for such a thing.

Soooooo my first attempt at wheat free pastry wasn’t the best! perhaps had I known that it wouldn’t brown like ordinary pastry I wouldn’t have cooked it quite so long, but hey! The crumble was more successful, but everything was edible which was a triumph.

Customer service is the key to everything in business. Ensuring whatever product or service you are supplying is presented in its best possible way, gives people confidence in it and will often result in repeat business, which is what we all want in business right?

So why do big corporates think its acceptable to put the office junior on the frontline phone? The first point of contact the public has with their company! Someone with little training (not their fault) with the expectation that they’ll know just who it is the phone caller wants to speak to.

I digress, but pertinent to the point!

Putting yourself up to serve the public, means you (in theory) intend to give the client the best possible experience you can, for the payment you receive. If the need for money out ways that idea, then AirBnB is not for you. You are on show, every guest is asked to give feedback, a rating, which will invariably impact on the amount of future booking you’re going to receive.

For me it is easy, I love to please, the gratitude from my current guest, that I had actually gone out of my way to make her feel included both at dinner and in the household, is thanks enough.

Most people have 5 weeks off from work per year, they want to enjoy that time. If I go away and stay in a grotty hotel with sullen staff, it impacts on my overall enjoyment, I want exceptional service, so why shouldn’t I give it?

So AirBnB has breathed new life into my home, I have met some lovely people already, who tell me they intend to return. The world is a big place, the chance to meet people from all over the world, share stories and make friends is within our grasp with AirBnB.

I know when I am planning to go away for long weekends in the UK, or travelling the far flung countries of the world, I shall be looking to book within a community that I now belong, and hope that with whomever I stay, they will want me to enjoy their house as much.

And the bills? they’re paid, and what a great way to do it!

If you’re planning a trip to Cornwall and need somewhere to stay, come make a booking, we’re over £40 cheaper than a local budget chain hotel and your stay will be a lot more pleasant.

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/12441945?checkin=26-08-2016&checkout=27-08-2016&guests=1&s=UsWLJnPV

 

 

 

When status gets in the way of truth

Posted on by Pauline Giles

Last night I went to the cinema to watch The Big Short, documenting the global collapse of the economy.

On Monday I watched a documentary about Eva Kor, an 81 year old Auschwitz survivor, her and her twin sister were among the “Mengele twins” who were treated as a human guinea pigs as part of notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele’s cruel experiments at the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp.

Eva publicly forgave 93 year old Oskar Groening, Aushwitz’s official administrator and book keeper. He diarised what went on in Auschwitz, saw the atrocities that went on, but even though he was uncomfortable (and I am sorry that this is not maybe a strong enough word) with what he saw, he never spoke out.

I am not siding with him, merely looking at why people lower their gaze and let things happen because of the repercussions it could have on their own lives.

Two totally different subjects, but whose combination has led me to give great thought to the human psyche.

The Big Short, showed the power and greed of people, and how they will ignore truth, knowing what they are doing is illegal yet they continue to offend because it gives them money and status.

Maverick traders Jamie Shipley and Charlie Geller went to the Wall Street Journal and ‘spilled the beans’ to one of their journalists. This was a massive story, what journalist wouldn’t jump at a scoop like this? Yet this reporter wasn’t even interested in researching what he was told and dismissed their findings, because ‘he had worked hard to make connections’. His status was more important than the truth!

How many hundreds, nay thousands, knew the truth but neglected to say something in order to fill their pockets, selling mortgages for fat commissions, or were they just naive enough to think that the bubble would never burst.

These were intelligent people, surely they must have considered the repercussions, the total devastation that their actions would cause.

The Journo of the Wall Street Journal was in a position to blow the whistle on what was going on, but chose not to for fear of not being heard and losing his lifestyle. And there lies the problem, fear of not being believed.

I have chosen the opposites of the spectrum to compare, yet this could be attributed to millions of scenarios a day globally.

People will not speak out when they obviously know that what is going on is wrong, because those higher in the food chain, (and usually who are in on what is going on), would shout them down, ruin their life and the story would never go to print!

How many men went to war innocent? Were brainwashed that what they were doing was for the common good, but secretly knowing that if they spoke out, they would probably be shot.

I believe the majority of people are good, they just get caught up in a situation where, in order to preserve their own family/lifestyle, it is best to turn a blind eye, because a lone voice won’t be heard.

I think of all the poor children in homes abused by people in power, whose voices weren’t heard, whose lives have been completely messed up because of what has gone on. Feeling totally hopeless because no one would listen.

I feel angry with those in that position, who knew they held the power and used it for their own gratification.

Jimmy Saville got away with it because people turned a blind eye! People and organisations who profited from their affiliation with him, who kept quiet at the expense of the innocents!

Perhaps what is needed is a whistle blower, someone appointed by the Government, who would listen to the little person, research their allegations and report to a wider panel to ensure there is no hushing up!

I have often heard people say, ‘What’s the point of saying anything? no one listens!’ Is this the attitude? Are we allowing those at the top to rule our world for the better or indeed the worst?

Who reading this now, has something on their conscience, knowing that what they see isn’t right, yet say nothing for fear of reprisal?

Perhaps George Orwell was closer to the truth than we all thought, I read the book in the early 70s and thought it was a class thing, ‘All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others’

It is not always those at the top who manipulate the system for their benefit, using the children’s homes as an example. It is the power that sets them apart, not always the wealth.

I have had my say, who will listen and make change is out of my hands, so the very sentence I have used for others now applies to my writings. What’s the point of saying anything? No one listens!

But you have read my article…………….

So perhaps if we all exerted the little power we have, we could make change. I’d like to think so.

Social Media is the key to a successful business!

Posted on by Pauline Giles

So many people make life hard for themselves! They put up barriers, tell themselves they can’t do something, reject someones ideas and all manner of other things, but they are their own worst enemy!

This is the 21st Century, people are still living by 20th Century rules! rules which hold them back, and don’t allow them (or others) to grow.

With the advent of Social Media, which is growing rapidly every day, we can talk to people and do business with them all over the world! Family who emigrated many years ago are now accessible to loved ones by the click of a button!

I wonder what my Grandparents would have had to say about such things, indeed my Mother at 82, is somewhat bewildered by the whole thing, but loves nothing better than being able to see her beloved granddaughter on skype, even if she thinks her entire face has to fill the screen (which, at the other end, is somewhat scary)

I wouldn’t say I am the most proficient with IT, but recently I have rolled my sleeves up and created two websites! Yes me!!!!!!

Embracing the unknown, not being afraid to accept change and running with new ideas can be so joyful, I know when I hit the button to set my website live, I was like a 5 year old child at Christmas!

People who do not accept change, in the main, do so through fear, fear that they are going to look silly if they don’t understand, or won’t listen to the arguments for!

I was recently talking to a business who doesn’t use social media in their business, their reasoning being, ‘they don’t need it’ After a lengthy conversation and a look at their business bank account, it was evident that they did!

Here are some interesting facts that I shared with them, that made them change their mind!

Pinterest has over 70 million active users worldwide, 68% are women, 32% male, if you make bespoke clothing where you can upload your designs and hit a worldwide market that vast, why wouldn’t you do it?

Google+ Is social networking built around growing your circle, there are a staggering 925,000 new users every day! and currently 400 million active users.

Instagram is a social sharing site of pictures and 15 second videos, use hashtags and write a lot more, then attach it to your twitter account, this way there is no restriction on the amount of characters used, AND your sharing that content with not only their 150 million active users, but the 560 million twitter ones too!

With 240 million active users, Linkedin is the business orientated social networking site, which many businesses looking to employ someone will look. 79% of its users are 35 and older.

Twitter has 560 million active users worldwide, its largest penetration being in the US, 5,700 tweets are sent every second! It is a great way to interact with celebrities and share your views about television programmes, world affairs, literally anything, and by added a hash tag, gain followers with similar interests all around the world!

The biggest player is Facebook, with over a staggering 1 billion users worldwide! Users ‘share’ 2.5 billion pages of content per day!

And the great thing is, you don’t have to be a whizz on the laptop! Creating content once and sharing it to all your Social Media sites via sites like Hootsuite, allows you to spread your business globally with the touch of a button!

For the more flambouyant amongst you, why not give youtube a go! With over 1 billion users every month and 4 billion views per day, if your clever enough to make a video clip which goes viral, your business could become a million pound business over night!

So who thinks they don’t need Social Media in their business? Food for thought hey?

Don’t let your self limiting beliefs hold you back, if you are in a rut with your business, this all bewilders you and you are thinking, I need this, but I don’t know where to start, contact me! You’ll be a social media genius and increasing your business within weeks!