The Shocking Voice of Barbara Hepworth

The introduction to BBC2's 'The Culture Show' held sufficient promise that I wanted to see all the pieces in the show. A feature on Hepworth at Wakefield included some b&w footage with the artist talking over it in shocking tones of received pronunciation. An interesting sound to emanate from a face not considerably different to that of Tracy Emin. Even more interesting then to see (and hear) Emin herself later in the same programme; a calming and articulate voice emerging from the familiar, barely handsome, features. Another feature on London's much evolved 'ring of steel' shocked too, by revealing security in urban architecture well beyond buildings and in to the detail of planters and seating.

Rather more prosaically, we took my Mum to the newly opened branch of Dunelm Mill at Titchfield. A homeware heaven no doubt but I decided to soothe my shopping allergy in the car with James Patterson while Mum & Greg negotiated the opening day crowds in what is a rather cramped shop. [The space is large but the displays are a bit tightly packed]. We went to complete more paperwork on our new car and will welcome it to the driveway on Thursday of next week. We are very pleased with our choice and the service we have recieved (so far). The evolution of the car industry pleases me less. For many years it has been the practice to launch models, albeit in their different variants, with as little specification as possible. The various levels then gain accessories and upgrades as the model ages. Our own experience shows us the cynical fashion of today. We have chosen the top specification Meriva (SE) but it still lacks several things we would like but can obtain only as extra-cost options. This then I call the Ryanair model of car sales although it is by no means confined to Vauxhall (GM). The customer is sucked into a vortex (good Vauxhall model name I would say) wherein headline or even OTR prices fail to reflect the more probable price.

I was very thrilled when my cousin drew my attention to this evening's (Portsmouth) Evening News which has published in full a recent letter of mine on QA parking charges. This is the text of that letter:

I was disturbed and angered to read the lead story in The News (9 May) on forthcoming increases to parking charges at QA Hospital. Whilst reluctantly accepting that Carillion is acting within the PFI contract, I want to highlight the following cynicism within what they do on the ground. This I hope will add weight to any protest movement as it inevitably gathers support.

The number and style of warning notices around the site - of a type now increasingly common around the country - are not conducive to the well being of patients, their carers or visitors; they are inappropriate to a hospital environment. I can confirm from personal experience that Carillion are far more enthusiastic about (potential) enforcement of penalties than they are about servicing or repairing broken machines which force people to traipse unnecessary distances around a large site in order to comply with payment regulations.

Ticket machines do not give change or accept cards. However, the tariffs are consistently set in 'odd' amounts. This is a carefully calculated strategy to take advantage of the many people who will not have the right change and will be forced to overpay. This is particularly unfair in the A & E area which probably sees mostly unplanned visits by people who are already distracted and distressed. Machines which accept cards should be introduced immediately and/or a simplified tariff structure designed to optimise payment opportunities and not Carillion's undisclosed profits.

Regardless of the above, Carillion should be compelled to reveal their profits, justify them in terms of costs and overheads and, if necessary, adjust charges to fair levels. Their comparisons with other area car parks are irrelevant and unfair as a hospital is a uniquely stressful environment usually visited not by choice but of necessity.