NickS

Ask at his school if they can order it for you. VAT rules mean that if he buys something that is used for his studies and "can" be taken into school, the school purchases on his behalf and does not have to pass on the VAT to you as they claim it back (I am assuming a state school here). The same applies to musical instruments so yes to a laptop, tablet, violin or guitar but no to a desktop, laser printer or grand piano. If they do not operate such a scheme they should do so as it is helpful and not to do so is, frankly, laziness. They can charge a nominal admin fee of about £10 to cover costs. A big screen can seem an attractive option but less so if he intends to lug it about. I have changed from a 15" to 11" for that reason.

When the same product is squirted up where the sun doesn't shine, it is EEE-up.

I can see the "transport hub" arguement but otherwise I think it would make more sense to spread the love a little. Bottom line is that nobody, except the airline industry, wants another runway anywhere, least of all when that brings them extra noise and congestion. There are things that can be done to help, and some that have already been done. Incoming air traffic is managed from much further out and better use of speed control means fewer aircraft being put into a hold. Arrival and departure routes are looked at to provide alternatives so that unless you are very close to the ends of the runway, not everything will go over your head. Aircraft are generally quieter and have much better climb characteristics so they can be much higher more quickly although there is an issue with separating arrivals and departures but better planning can remove most of this.

Maybe the dogs are a bit short sighted.

SP, you will find a lot of teachers (the huge majority in my experience) are genuinely dedicated to doing the best for the kids. As in any walk of life, it is the few incompetents that make headlines - compare it with the bad press when a gamekeeper is caught illegally killing predator species or a police officer taking bribes. What is needed in education is high quality leadership from whom young teachers learn their trade, not theorists and yes men. They need to have the strength to stand up to "new" initiatives that have already been proved to be failures, stick with what works and ditch anything that does not benefit the kids. Oh, and I am always happy to be bought a beer!

I have been teaching for more than 25 years and I don't flatter myself by thinking that it is not just what happens in the classroom that benefits kids. Think back to your own schooldays and the best memories will be the trips and visits, team games and activities that come to mind (ok, and when Mr S set fire to the bench when demonstrating energy conversion using a steam engine) and we are loosing that. Pressure of exams and league tables ("loss of curriculum time"), fear of perceived risk, fear of upsetting anyone, cost-cutting meaning that teachers have less "free" time so it is difficult to get lessons covered if you are out.... all these things leave me wondering why I bother trying. Saturday sports was pretty much killed off in the Thatcher years when teachers started to be treated like drones rather than professionals. If you tell the people you employ how useless they are, the best decide to go elsewhere, particularly in times of economic growth. A young colleague and I have run trips on a Saturday to try bring some of back but that isn't always possible although we do target those kids whose parents often cannot do that sort of thing. We are also lucky that I can get financial support so nobody misses out if they cannot afford it. I love my job but I am getting tired, both physically and of constantly being told that everything wrong with society is our fault and that nothing we do is good enough. Fortunately, there are some very smart, dedicated young teachers, like my colleague, ready to carry the baton for the next generation.

It's easy - weasels are weasily recognised as stoats are stoatally different.

Some time back, darts was suggested. Any "sport" where the competitors are two fat blokes isn't really a sport. Sumo wrestling on the other hand.....

I would like to see an extended school day with a 90 minute "lunchtime" during which time the kids have to get involved in some kind of activity. I really don't mind what that is - sports practice, clubs, Scouts, CCF etc. They need things that teach them the skills that they don't learn in a conventional classroom. It would also alleviate the problem of trying to run a winter sport in the dark. Bring back the competitive house system and encourage everyone to give their best (whatever that may be) and work as a team.

As I teach a subject with a high practical content (electronics and systems & control), I don't know how it would be delivered remotely. Kids don't always ask when they need help and develop an ability to look busy without actually producing any meaningful work. That is when you need to be vigilant and proactive if they are to be able to Reach their potential. On the other hand, I am of an age where redundancy would simply initiate an early retirement so there is an upside.

The problem is that there are too many people who are incapable of thinking of anyone but themselves. This is just another example of grab anything you can - an example that comes from the very top, whether it is expenses, unearned bonuses or making a quick profit by insider dealing. The people who do this will have no empathy, no consideration about anyone else's feelings and are unable to relate what they do to how they would feel if it happened to them. All that any of us can do is to bring up our kids properly, show others that we are not like them and hope that some of it rubs off. We feel for those parents just because we are not like that.

Thanks. I really feel for parents faced with a decision like that and I would certainly not condem them, whatever they decide.

We are in a bit of a state of limbo at the moment. I hope that those responsible for the negotiations are up to the job and don't just look out for the wealthy. Protecting the interests of ordinary working people has never been high on the political agenda and I hope you will forgive my scepticism that it will be now. I realise that an economic downturn affects us all but a small change has a much greater effect on those on low, fixed incomes.

When my wife was pregnant, were told that, from the scans, it was highly likely that our son would have Downs Syndrome. There were further tests that would confirm this but they could trigger a miscarriage. We had already lost several babies at various stages and right away decided that we would deal with whatever we were given but I can absolutely understand how others may not have felt the same way in the circumstances. The only people qualified to begin to understand the potential effects are the parents themselves. The next few months were difficult but he was absolutely fine. Seeing him now, a fine young man, about to start his second year at Oxford, I am pleased that we never even considered the option. Had things turned out differently, I may be wondering if we were right. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I would never judge those who have to make very difficult choices.

Thanks all. I got hold of some nasty looking cleaning crystals that warn you to wear gloves, goggles and full NCB suit so hopefully that may shift it. Failing that, plenty of ideas still to try!

Thanks for all the suggestions - both helpful and PW standard! The drum, detergent drawer and seals are clean and I have got hold of some pretty heavy-duty washing machine cleaning powder so will try that on a very hot wash. Leaving the door open is a PITA as it is built in with a unit door that covers it. I never have been a fan of built-in appliances since they cost a lot more to buy and a pain when they go wrong.

We have a washer dryer that is decidedly whiffy in a mouldy sort of way. The waste pipe isn't blocked and in all other respects it is fine. Any advice about how to give it a good freshen up? Nick

I doubt whether any fuel emergencies could not have been handled by Southend, Luton, Stanstead, Gatwick or Heathrow and only a blind or terminally stupid ATCO in LCY's tower would have given anything permission to land but you are right about the legality. The Civil Aviation Act 1982 makes it an offence to trespass on a licenced aerodrome, with a fine of up to £1000. What is worrying in this case is that it took six hours to shift them.

Yes - pointless grandstanding.

Peaceful protest can and has disrupted the lives of ordinary people. Take the suffragette movement or protest marches and rallies as an example. Peaceful means non-violent rather than non-disruptive. Disregarding the "cause" in this case, you have to admit that what they did grabbed far more publicity than it would have got if the six of them had just have stood outside the entrance with placards.

The right to peaceful protest is one of the cornerstones of our democracy and happening to disagree with what they are protesting about does not invalidate that right. There are times when I wish people would get out on the streets more to protest about absurd planning policies, corrupt expenses claims and ineffective policing.... I do this from the comfort of my armchair. In saying that, when you protest to bring about change, it is helpful if those you are protesting to have some idea what you are protesting about. I have no idea what their objective is and I doubt that many people do. Pointless grandstanding.

I agree that CCTV would be better but he is looking for something he can use right away and there is a issue with getting a power supply to where it is needed.

A guy who lives nearby has had some unwelcome visitors - a break in and assault. He is convinced there is a connection with some other goings on and wants to monitor anyone or any vehicles approaching where he lives. Not having used one myself, at what sort of range would movement trigger the camera? Would a trail cam be suitable for this (he wants something unobtrusive that he can hide) and does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.

Most tap breakages occur when you bottom it in the hole. That is why a blind hole is more of a risk than one that goes right through. I was on a tanker, a VLCC when some numpty did that to an M24 tap when clearing the bolt holes for the tank washing machine. The ship had to have all cargo tanks certified gas free and we got a few days in Piraeus, near Athens, whilst a spark eroder was used to get rid of the bits. The whole process took a week and cost a lot more that £20!

It depends how critical the bolt is. As long as you can get a starter tap in there without crossing the threads, that is your best option. If not, and there is enough metal around the hole, you could drill and tap it the next size up. The third option is to drill and tap it for a heli-coil or similar insert, thereby retaining the original bolt size.