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Maggie, You may enjoy this article - http://www.donmouth....h_spartans.html - about the girls who, working in the munitions factories during the First World War in the North East, formed football teams as a morale booster as all the men were away fighting. I can recommend very strongly Patrick Brennan's excellent book 'The Munitionettes', which is often to be found on Amazon. Bella Reay, Blyth's prolific young striker, was my Great Aunt. ** I forgot to add, after a charity match in August 1917 the players were, and I quote from various online sources, "presented with a souvenir brooch from Herrons, a local jeweler." I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has seen one of these; the location of Bella's is lost in the midst of time, sadly.

Daniel, where is this please? I don't recognise it!

That depends what you are looking for, Canny Lass. Few do food these days, bar the Lion. I guess the closest you get to a 'traditional' pub is the Northumberland Arms - cosy, great beer but very expensive; the Black Bull doesn't know whether it's coming or going; the Market Tavern is bland, the Sun Inn equally so, the Grapes, well, seems to have been left to run down, and the Blue Bell equally so. The Monkey I've never been in for years, the Station I can't comment on, and all the custom goes to the Red Lion (Wetherspoons); so, if you fancy a pint, I'll be in the Lion or at the Travellers.

"One last thing though what Industry has grew though private enterprise since the privatization's of the 80's and 90's?" That's really a moot point (and Adam, 'what industry has grew'? Shame on you young man!) as the world of commerce and industry has changed immeasurably in the past twenty, even ten, years. The Digital Age is driving the markets these days, perhaps more so than you may realise. What the markets needed in the 80's and 90's is considerably different to that required today (and this is, in my opinion, why the proposed HS2 is a white elephant of the highest proportions). While one can contend that UK industry was destroyed by 'the Tories' (and no, I'm not a defender of Thatcherism, I veer very much towards the left) it really pays to dig beneath the veneer and have a closer look; you summed it up, Adam, with this line about Swan Hunter - "The problem with Swan Hunter in 2006 was they had poor management, resulting in delays and cost overruns: Then the MOD removed Swan Hunter from any future Royal Navy project meaning swan hunter stopped building ships and lost jobs." Put yourself in the position of the bean counters at the MOD, or any other customer of an industry affected by poor management, delays and cost over-runs: I'm afraid sympathy doesn't come into it - economics does.

With respect, Adam, a lot of the problem in many of those industries lay in areas other than 'the Tories'. Cost is always a factor, and ships are built far more cheaply elsewhere than they are here. I'm no expert in military hardware, but have an extensive knowledge of the motor industry; what killed British Leyland was, for want of a better word, crap products in the face of better quality from overseas. We simply continued churning out poorly built, unreliable cars with out of date mechanicals at too high a price, while our overseas rivals upped the ante and we failed to react.

Well done Brian, I did consider it but left my bets off at the last minute!

A bit late i know, but yes, you can, either at your local bookies or via one of the online services. I wasn't tempted by Brown Panther! ** That's for the UK only, don't know about elsewhere.

Until recently they did. Now it is difficult to find out when the place is open.

No, they provide the original material, and a sub-editor will helpfully mangle it for them. You have me wondering why you might want one, 3G....

There used to be one at the Terriers but I believe the insurance costs make it untenable these days.

That is actually the funniest thing I've seen in ages. There are people who believe stuff like that is real.

No! Please, not naked women, that's ghastly where do I find this comet, then?

My lifestyle, Keith? I'm a clean living boy, me!

Is it black and white with a hint of blue and green, with wings, about 15inches tall and beady eyed? If so, it's just landed in a tree in my back garden. Should I inform NASA?

I wasn't aware this was a secret, 3G! This sort of surveillance equipment has been in use with security services across the land for many years. That one's surprisingly big!

I believe it's owned and run by Jack's son.

This is more than 'just an idea', it's something we should all adhere to. As a self-employed running a local business I know the benefits of neighbourhood interaction; although my product/service is not one that lends itself to the gift/seasonal market, I know of a good few that do. In particular, one young lady who is a friend of mine makes scented candles, very pretty and great gifts for girls/women, and sells them at prices well beneath the prices you find in other outlets. Another manufacturers bespoke greetings cards, very original and impressive; won't put their numbers on here, but suffice to say if anyone is interested in such products send me a message and I'll give you a link.

Malcolm, out of interest, will the 'results' of these surveys be made public? It would be interesting to see how others think.

Also done

Malcolm, An excellent idea, congratulations on your achievement. Not many small towns can boast a ready-made 'brand' image such as this, and it really should be used on a wider scale. Nice to see Janice getting her mug in there!

Don't tell me- Lockey got his tackle out too early!

Happy birthday, have a good one!

Mmm, a clue! It's a sugar sculpture!

Will I need to do me hair for the TV cameras, Malcolm?

Hang on, it's a statue of Keith Lockey! I'm right, Malcolm?