I’m Having Some Of That

Back at work and on the bike today. It didn’t rain on me, although I assume it will later.

Nottingham has won another award. The new Amenities Building at Nottingham University’s Jubilee Campus has won second place in the Carbuncle Cup, as the second worst new architectural design in Britain. Thanks to Nottgirl at Nottingham Is Crap for bringing this to my attention.



I imagine the council must be gutted that the University have outdone them but the University does specialise in buildings like this. It’s not that bad and Jubilee Campus is a big improvement on the old Raleigh site that was there before.

The council have been trying so hard to win an award like this, with among other things the new Contemporary Arts building and of course the Market Square. There’s also some fantastically disgusting stuff on the Science Park. Oddly Derby didn’t get nominated; take a look at the new bus station they are building there. That ought to win next year's prize.

After work I head to the pool, in the rain. I get wet but consider myself just below the 'soaked' threshold, which would have caused me to skip the swim and head home to dry off.

I need to go to the Leisure Centre to get signed up for this new Change4life scheme that L has told me about. Change4life is the Government's £275 million campaign to encourage the nation to ‘eat well, move more and live longer’. Nottingham City Council’s part in this is that they are pushing a new gym promotion. If you go once a month for a year you get £50. I’m having some of that! But surely this doesn’t apply to existing members... seems it does. L already goes almost every day, but they still said she was eligible and they let me sign up too. £50 is a good deal you see because I’m already a member and get free use of the gym but I only tend to go to the pool. Now all I’ve got to do is do thirty seconds in the gym once a month and bingo £50. We really ought not to be eligible but I suppose it's about time they rewarded us for keeping fit.

They also only seem to be advertising it inside the leisure centres, so they’re not likely to pick up any new members. If they put it on some big billboards they might but then they’ll be inundated, the students will know a good thing when they see it. £50 per gym member is a lot to pay out.

As it turned out the pool was really quiet, in fact it was one person per lane with a load of kids in the ‘fun pool’ bit. Where was everybody? They’re usually stacked up to the ceiling on a Wednesday lane session. Perhaps I’m wrong, perhaps the scheme is working already and they’re all in the gym earning their £50.

Doggo’s summer vacation is now over and he’s back at school tonight. I think he really appreciated the break and does really well tonight.