This "little paper" first appeared in December 1990.

The idea was that a balanced look at the news could help to brighten up the rather dismal atmosphere that existed and at the same time brighten peoples outlook

-and that a paper that gave people a good chance to get their views into print was much needed.

Our aim is still to firmly follow these ideas ---- and I have had a lot of people saying the Paper is much needed. We moved on and talked about sharing good ideas, solving tricky problems and looked at possible changes in the Benefits System to ease the problem of unemployment.

We have also mentioned responsibility towards others. We should be careful not to trample on others on our way "up": as later we might easily need help ourselves.

So where to now, Much in our country is good and we must move carefully. Yet we have a big unemployment problem and this will only increase and further spoil society unless action is taken to improve matters.

We feel that the "Status Quo" - is to do with keeping a balance so as not to upset anyone too much, resisting change and often letting the bad old habits continue. It is this unchangeable approach that makes it very difficult to get real changes made. Many good ideas(which don't quite fit into the narrow limits that are acceptable) are going to waste and in their education good youngsters are missing the chance of interesting careers. This is spoiling their lives and Britain's chances in the future.

The problem seems to be that there is no meaningful dialogue taking place at government level and others have little chance to influence this situation. .......(Excerpted from little paper no 7)

ARCHIVE EXCERPTS

NEWS & VIEWS No1 December 1990

Dear Reader, Those in the media may think they are doing their duty by the public in giving the truth only; however frequent reporting of atrocities and problems tends to 'cause an atmosphere of stress and strain in which,sadly, many people must live.

Happily there exists an awareness and thinking that clears the air and and gives peace of mind and on this line of thought is based "News and Views',' We aim to be realistic and yet can still find many agreable subjects; a story does not have to be shocking to make interesting reading.

World events , the doings of the well known, from where should we look for our "news"; surprisingly, perhaps,we find many of the most interesting stories are those from 'ordinary' circumstances , those which would not usually be reported. We are not saying that all that is printed or shown is uninteresting but that there is a danger of being caught in the media's narrow grip and then thinking that the only worthwhile offering must be about discord and disaster or the high life of the stars.

In News and Views we are aiming for a good balance by reporting events both large and small and giving all who want it the chance to tell their stories .To find out more please see the panel on the back of the paper. We hope you enjoy Issue I and wish you well at Christmas and in the New Year,

Sincerely, N.V.P and Associates.

NICE TO HEAR ** Germany is sending food to the Soviet Union,now threatened by the worst winter since the war. About thirty seven tons of food a day leaves Hanover for Moscow by Aeroflot airliner. The message to the German people was "This is a mission of human kindness which none should ignore " Help is now starting to flow in from other countries too.

** From John Major 'The vital competitive thrust of life has to be matched by a compassionate society." **

Michael Hesseltine asking the Opposition to help sort out the Poll Tax tangle. Can all those bright M.P.s now,at last, begin to work together for the country?

NEWS & VIEWS No2 August 1991

THE MARKET COLUMN "You ask how things are in the market. Well,on the whole, businesswise, they are extremely quite. You might have noticed some traders wearing money bags sporting the inscription 'Market traders do it in the rain.' This in fact infers that traders open their stalls for business whatever the weather. Unfortunately customers are not equally co-operative and during May and June have been spotted huddling together in dry places. Market traders have taken up a new hobby called 'spot the customer'.

Traders are, by nature, an optimistic bunch rather like Murphy - You know, the one who says 'the light at the end of the tunnel is probably the headlamp of an oncoming train.' But we soldier on . We daren't give up and stay in bed ,that is sure to be the one day when the temperature soars to 85' and hoards of sunstarved customers descend on the market searching for ice cream, sun glasses and tea shirts.'

I spotted a customer the other day- or at least I thought I did. It was Evelyn. I'd not seen her for ages; she looked different though, not her usual smart self. She had her pinny hanging beneath her coat. 'Hi Evelyn long time no see. Looking for anything special?' 'As it happens' she replied 'I'm looking for a second class postage stamp. Knowing where she lives I remarked she had come a long way out of her way for a stamp. 'Well ' she says 'you know what the corner post office is like. dead on 12.30 they shut. It doesn't matter if it's a case of life or death, you could even have your foot in the door - come 12.30 they are off for their lunch. So I was running round the corner at 12.25 thinking to catch the post when this bus screeched to a halt at the Side of me. '0i1 love, ' the driver shouted, 'I couldn't let you run like that - hop on. 'You could have knocked me down with a feather. Usually I run within a yard of catching the bus and then the blighter sets off. Well, what could I do? I didn't have the heart to tell him I was running for the post. You have to encourage folk don't you? So I got on. That's how come I'm wandering round here. It's no good looking hopeful - I've left my purse on the kitchen table and I've only got enough change on me for my fare home.' So I didn't make a sale with Evelyn but she brightened my day. I'm beginning to think market customers are just as potty as market traders. Liz Rowe.

NEWS & VIEWS No 3 Summer 1992

Si11y Laws "If they start making silly laws that make it an offence to smack a child then all we are going to end up with is loads of kids putting two fingers up at their parents as well as the rest of society. I think you've got to discipline youngsters and if a good crack across the backside has this salutory effect I see no harm ! You know that probably the number of times I clouted our youngster across her b.s. you could count on the fingers of one hand but she doesn't look upon me as a funny old----!" "I think ,you know, she knew blooming well that before I'd cracked her across her backside she must have been a long way out of line. She looked as if you'd done something to offend her with a big flood of tears, and of course an hour later she'd realised she'd deserved what was coming and she'd come skipping up the hall as if nothing had ever happened! They have this need to know when they've stepped out of line - of course it's no good landing out at them every five minutes and shouting and bawling at them!" A.W.

PARENTS AND CHILDREN TODAY Let me explain. How parents treat children and children parents. The families here are not glued together. As babies children are pit in a room alone ,which makes them independent but it also can seem to them their parents want to get rid of them. This can make a feeling of insecurity and creates a problem because young children need love and affection. Discipline within a secure family and learning to respect others and care for them can, and should be a positive experience. Not that I believe in beating a child; or the father becoming a dictator as this can alienate children and damage their personalities. So we may see children from an early age out of control, shouting and swearing and causing damage to property. There is often no respect for old people and this stems from the breakdown of family values. Many elderly parents are treated with disdain and are excluded from the heart of the family; they might only have one visit a year,at Christmas say. They are given little value and are seen as 'useless' and are just left to wait for the end of their lives to come. To me this is strange - old people should be a part of the family, be treated with respect for their greater experience and allowed dignity. Also respect for parents is very very important and parents have a duty towards their children. Only by taking these principles seriously can society control itself and develop in the proper way. Mohammed M.

more archived excerpts to follow ASAP.