Sniffing at the sector's luggage
Gentlemen who lunch
Social Animal managed to bluff its way in to the leaving do for CIH policy director John Perry last week at the Council of Mortgage Lenders' plush offices in Savile Row, London – but was too late to catch Office of the Deputy Prime Minister director of housing Mike Gahagan, who was also moving on to pastures new. He had departed hastily to lunch at a top London noshery with none other than the deputy prime minister himself.

The meal, in thanks for the department's work on the Communities Plan, would appear to have been the start of a marathon stretch of lunches and farewell dinner invitations for Gahagan. Could this have something to do with his remaining ambition – to get involved with a market renewal pathfinder? Not a bad chap to have on your side if you're trying to prise more money from ODPM coffers.

Praise the lard
"I spent a lot of time navel-gazing over the Christmas period," admits Tim Weedall of Barnsley-based B&N Housing. "Unfortunately, the time came when I couldn't actually see my navel, so I decided I had better lose some weight." Together with 13 colleagues of "varying navel-visibility levels", he has formed Abflab 2000, a slimming club with the aim of collectively shedding 250 lbs – that's equivalent to five large catfish – by January 2004.

Barnsley confectioners' loss is charity's gain, as the intrepid slimmers are gathering sponsorship for their efforts.

Anyone feeling excess weight in their wallet – or a spare stick of celery – should call 01282 457825.

Fishy business at L&Q

Swimming serenely across the meeting room whiteboard was a large blue fish with a trail of bubbles coming from its mouth. Some artistic soul had added a large set of bright red lips. Can you do any better?

Send your works of artistic genius to the usual address – with or without the board attached.

Monsieur, you are really spoiling us
Max Steinberg, the Housing Corporation's director of investment and regeneration for the North, revealed hidden talents at a gathering of European housing professionals in Liverpool last week.

Much to the chagrin of his monolingual countrymen, Steinberg ignored the script and delivered his speech in French.

Unfortunately many of the French contingent was unable to make out what he was saying: they were already wearing earphones through which they expected to hear a translation. After much confusion, Steinberg's offer to do the whole thing again in Spanish was politely declined.

If music be the food of love …

For those of you keen for this June’s Chartered Institute of Housing beano in Harrogate, there’s a little taster to whet your appetite three weeks beforehand. York University professor and Joseph Rowntree researcher Steve Wilcox will be flying the flag for housing in an annual barbershop chorus competition. Wilcox has previously brought harmony to the sector through his role in jazz outfit “Derek and the Dipsticks”. However, my spies tell me barbershop singing is Wilcox’s real passion and if he is slipped a tenner or two he may perform at the final night party of the CIH bash. You have been warned.

Source

Housing Today