JohnfromUK

Yes, that's how it is round here. Another 'gripe' I have with the council - despite the mildest winter on record, and only very few frosts all winter we (the unclassified road I live on) have had regular copious dressings of salt. It has been applied 4 evenings out of the last 6 (there was a very light frost one night which was also the only night frost was forecast). The salt kills the grass verges which allows vehicles to damage the (un-kerbed) road edges. I was particularly riled one evening as the dog and I were showered in salt as they applied it. They say they have no money, but hardly economise by only applying salt when the forecast indicates it will be needed. I have lost 18" of grass verge adjacent to my garden wall that is now a muddy rutted mess.

There is a part of the community closely associated with caravans .............

Companies like Heinnie Haynes made provision for this a while ago when age checking became a thing. https://heinnie.com/blog/age-verified-delivery-for-knives/

That looks a nice nourishing meal. I love a spoonful of Branston Pickle with Shepherds/Cottage pie.

I can't really recommend anything in particular, but get one with a tough and easily washable cover (such as cordura). One of my previous dogs (15 or more years ago) had a great bean bag type thing, with a really tough heavy duty removable cordura outer cover almost like canvas. I have not managed to fine another as good. I will say that all my dogs have had 'nice' beds, occasionally replaced. They have so pleased when a new bed has been supplied and clearly show genuine gratefulness.

I heard some of the speech and thought at the time he sounded slightly intoxicated, or as if he'd recently had a dental anaesthesia where a 'numb tongue' gives you slightly slurred speech. Yes, I think both are as bad as each other.

/\. Good post.

The votes Labour need to gain are those that waver, but voted Tory last time. What she is saying will appeal to them (that is assuming they believe her). When (and I suspect it is when, not if) she becomes a part of the Gov't, presumably as Chancellor, she may well sing a different tune. One of the strange things about politicians, all flavours, is that they all lie continuously ............ but expect people to believe them.

Slight red herring (for which I apologise, but some may find these interesting). Wnen shooting became popular late 19th century, travel within the British Isles was mainly by train and there was a 'tide' of sportsmen going north in August, and coming south again probably in September/October. The artist George Earl painted these two pictures, which are now in the National Railway Museum. They are very detailed and I find them fascinating (I have prints hanging in the house). Prints are widely available. https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/going-north-kings-cross-station-london-9388 https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/coming-south-perth-station-9389

I think the vast majority of people are very far from 'accepting' this - but it is up to the various 'authorities' to act - Joe public can't .......... and to be frank, the authorities can't be bothered. It's easier to just pass on the costs. As you rightly say - all of us who are honest and pay - subsidise the thieves. No one likes subsidising thieves. For a whole variety of (very valid) reasons listed in the thread above, nothing is done. Unless something is done, then I think things will get worse.

Guard stands right by the door scanner/alarms - and as I say - he's a nice friendly bloke, so easily resolved. Never seen him catch anyone who he had 'trouble' with.

Our local Morrisons, they are bad at erasing security tags. I have had the alarm go off as I have left on more than one occasion. Security guard comes and checks goods and against receipt, apologies and jokes about how often that happens. Nice bloke and I don't mind helping at all, but it does seem a rather regular occurrence as I have seen similar happen to others. It's usually meat (e.g. a steak) as booze has a removeable top clamp thing, whereas meat has a tag they 'erase' I think?

It may be. Underlying all this is the fact that there is a growing resentment that a small (and very well known) minority are causing the vast majority of much of the 'property crime' and local bylaw violations (planning, dog attacks, trespass, fly tipping etc.) and are apparently able to avoid any prosecution or penalty - and are largely seen to be 'tolerated' by police because 'it's all to hard to deal with, so let's just pretend it doesn't happen'. It is a very serious issue because resentment is very widespread and views are strongly held.

A large problem around here; Groceries, meals (pubs and restaurants), fuel .......... basically anything they want .......... For reasons I don't really understand , it seems that prosecution is largely ineffective (i.e. can't get convictions), so seldom done. Being able to elect to have jury trial (rather than magistrate) and having alibis provided by other similar folk is possibly one reason. An alibi, however doubtful seems to give the jury 'reasonable doubt. Lying on oath and the worry of 'threats' is another. The whole subject was raised at a local public meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). I was unable to attend, but someone I know who did said that the PCC was only interested in telling people how well he thought they ("his force") were doing, and 'couldn't talk about specific issues'. I assume worried about being accused of picking on minorities. Same applies on local authority planning matters, where rules are totally ignored and nothing done. Threats can be a reason for that.

Frost free are very good. Wouldn't buy anythiung else now.

Snap. Today it is not actually raining, but still much too wet. It usually starts reasonably easily (Kohler engine), but not yet tried that.

Assuming he is willing, there is no reason why he can't still help on matters you raise. My former MP was good. My present one (same party) is useless. I have therefore contacted; Another (reasonably local) MP on shooting matters - he is an MP known for supporting shooting/fieldsports causes. A neighbouring constituency MP on NHS/local hospital matters (our local hospital is in his constituency) to support him in his campaign to prevent closures to A&E Both were helpful and replied positively.

I think most of us agree with the basic ideas behind the poll tax, but I have not seen any practical way of implementing the fundamental needs in an election of giving everyone one vote that is exclusive to that person and not transferable. As mentioned above, I personally have no objection to needing ID for certain actions. I have used photo ID to vote in local elections. As a person who travels little and of generally 'unadventurous' habits, even I already have several separate forms of physical photo ID, (passport, driving license, SGC, bus pass) and also several separate forms of 'numerical' ID (NI number, NHS number, Government Gateway ID, Unique Taxpayer Reference) and why can some of these cannot be combined and simplified and used in some physical form as an ID card?

Lots of good advice above. I'll just add some 'precautionary' measures as 'reminders' as most are common sense. Many fires start from electrical items. Washers, dishwashers, tumbler driers and refrigeration items are amongst the most common sources, though recharging batteries is catching up rapidly. For non battery fires, having an up to date electrical system - especially the correct 'trips' (these days Residual Current Devices, RCDs) can both reduce the fire risk by shutting off before a fault has led to a fire and also shutting down power making fire fighting less risky from electrical hazards. So, the measures; Have up to date electrical protection. Check them regularly. Have smoke/heat alarms in higher risk areas (where appliances are used, fires/stoves are used, cooking areas and stair wells). Check them regularly - even mains powered ones have backup batteries and the units themselves are 'lifed'. Think carefully where batteries are charged (fit smoke alarms and keep away from combustibles that can cause rapid spread - paper, curtains, fabrics etc.)

It's always nice to remember the past season - especially combined with a nice meal. Pheasant and mushroom casserole (from freezer), bubble and squeak cakes (home made), broccoli, cauliflower and peas.

I'm no expert, but I believe the total raised from the Poll Tax (assuming all was paid) was to have been about the same as the previous 'rates' system raised? It was however to be paid by all adult residents, not just by the 'householder'.

Certainly NI might be a starting point, but part of the difficulty is proving that you are the genuine holder of that NI number. Proving one's ID is an issue. There are apparently a great many driving tests taken by people to are 'paid' to take the test on behalf of the applicant. Fraudulent services are widely offered. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65889217 The UK has become a country of fraud - and the reasons for that are a whole topic and a half in themselves - and just maybe not unrelated! I would love to see this whole issue of having a proven ID solved - and on a personal note - I'd be perfectly happy to have an ID card - but that would raise howls of protest from some people. I do after all have a passport, driving license, SGC, bus pass, NI number, UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) number, Govt Gateway account, so why not an ID card?

Again very difficult because some are not suitably IT/computer literate or have no internet presence. I have at least one neighbour who has (genuine) mobility problems - but has no more IT than an old fashioned BT landline phone. He manages to limp to the polling station. There is no easy answer. LIke you, I like the idea of a poll type tax, but I cannot see a practical way to achieve it. Similarly, I'd be quite happy yo have electronic voting of some form, but it would have to be accessible to all and demonstrably free from risk of fraud - and I can't see how either of those can be achieved.

It's one of those doors that once opened is going to be very hard to close. The medical profession will fight being given any extra work to 'evaluate' people. They only do FAC/SGC licenses by effectively making everyone go private and pay around £50. Imagine the uproar if you had to pay £50 if you were wanting to prove eligibility for a postal vote! Medical grounds for benefits claims also seems to have a lot of 'interpretation'. There was recently a case locally of a (Police officer) whose medically verified 'bad back' meant he was on sick leave from the force (not even able to do a desk job) - but was 'caught' playing Rugby. Ended up convicted of fraud. Local papers have many similar cases of people receiving various medically verified disability/sickness benefits ........ yet working and holidaying happily.

Personally - I am in favour of a poll type of tax where everyone pays their share. But it didn't end well last time and there is no one in Government with the strength of Thatcher, so I don't believe it can happen.