Malcolm Robinson

'Official' look-a-alike.............

Originally estimated as costing £2.4 billion this is now up to £9.5B and rising. It's going to be £1 billion for security! Its will probably top £20B and that's off people who should know! '' The former chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority said it was clear from "very early on" that he was working to a budget of "well over £12billion". But Mr Lemley, who expects that figure to almost double because of problems with the land in Stratford, East London, claimed in an interview that he was banned from revealing the truth.'' The Aquatic centre………£269 million, lets judge it against other NON LONDON buildings! Cardiff International Swimming Pool £30m! Millennium Stadium, including the Walkway £130m Cardiff City 27,000-seater stadium £55m Swalec Test Match Cricket Stadium £12m Leckwith Athletic Stadium £8m International Whitewater Rafting Centre in the Bay £13m The actual build costs to tax payers in these Cardiff based projects was probably around the order of £8-10M.

A Woman was out golfing one day when she hit the ball into the woods. She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap. The frog said to her, "If you release me from this trap, I will grant you three wishes." The woman freed the frog, and the frog said, "Thank you, but I failed to mention that there was a condition to your wishes. Whatever you wish for, your husband will get times ten!" The woman said, "That's okay." For her first wish, she wanted to be the most beautiful woman in the world. The frog warned her, "You do realize that this wish will also make your husband the most handsome man in the world, an Adonis whom women will flock to". The woman replied, "That's okay, because I will be the most beautiful woman and he will have eyes only for me." So, KAZAM-she's the most beautiful woman in the world! For her second wish, she wanted to be the richest woman in the world. The frog said, "That will make your husband the richest man in the world. And he will be ten times richer than you." The woman said, "That's okay, because what's mine is his and what's his is mine." So, KAZAM-she's the richest woman in the world! The frog then inquired about her third wish, and she answered, "I'd like a mild heart attack." Moral of the story: Women are clever. Don't mess with them. Attention female readers : This is the end of the joke for you. Stop here and continue feeling good. Male readers: Please scroll down. . . . . .. . . . . . . . . The man had a heart attack ten times milder than his wife .. Moral of the story: Women are not really smart, they just think they are. Let them continue to think that way and just enjoy the show PS: If you are a woman and are still reading this; it only goes to show that women never listen!!!

Foxy, I can only speak about the ones I have dealings with........

If you really want to know............ https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AseczIbaCr1qdER3ZHE1YmVfaFEtX1VCVEZVVFlrd2c&hl=en#gid=0

Hmmm yes……… It's like all those TV shows where people say they did this and that to their houses, what they really mean is that they got someone to design it for them, someone else to build it for them and someone else to finish it off for them! As for the Olympics we can't afford them, take a look at the Greek legacy……….

BTW Brian, If you are here on Sept 10th there will be Heritage events on in the Market Place morning and afternoon and Sustrans are unveiling the three portrait sculptures around midday in Gallagher Park. Should be worth a visit if you are here………..

Let's bag the Round Table next to the door and hold the inaugural meeting of the Knights of the Shire! We already have a Merlin!!!!!

I agree Merlin and we have to keep up the pressure but if we see the place untidy and we can do something about it why not do it.

Watch that space..........

Foxy, I am the first to complain about council complacency and inactivity but by the same token when we see examples of good practice I think we should applaud them. OK maybe it's just what they should be doing anyway but at a time when budgets are being decimated and moral must be low, seeing any standards improve in Bedders is to be welcomed. I am working with several NCC officers at the moment and I have to say I find their attitudes refreshing and professional and I believe they are genuine in their attempts to help us finally address the inequalities we all feel Bedlington has suffered from for years.

I think there is another side to this one which has to be considered, the Feds willingness to implement yet more QE and also their determination to allow for the dollar's continuing exchange rate weakness. They are far more potentially dangerous than agreeing to lift the debt ceiling at the last minute.

Just for you foxy.............

Seems someone liked what they saw here.............well done to everyone involved. http://www.keepbritaintidy.org/GreenFlag/GreenFlagAwardSites/NorthEast/Default.aspx?parkID=1232

You are right to point it out Merlin, the Yanks could be the straw that breaks the world financial camel's back, but they won't, a deal will be done I have no doubt, even allowing for all the hyperbole and flustering being done by everyone over there including the President. Theoretically the government runs out of money and stops working. Unbelievable, it's happened before to them! Public sector workers just didn't get paid. Several States are technically bankrupt anyway and considering Chapter 7, 9, 11, 13 Bankruptcy. Although by their laws that might not be allowed, Chapter 8 is being touted as a possible route for them to what in reality means 'default on loans'. It's a bit like NCC saying they cannot manage their budget, in that case our central government sends in a hit squad who take charge and sets what it thinks is needed. Think it might need a bit more 'specialised' help, other than that available at Bedlington Magistrates for this one!

Merlin doesn't need to foxy.......others might be doing it for him!

We could always take over Spoons for a night Brian........ Don't see why Bed.co.uk members shouldn't have a get together every Xmas? Anyone up for it?

I take your point GGG but within a month you would have been looking at a 10%+ return even buying at what were historic levels. It is a hit and run jobbie but I think it has more legs.............considering the EU crisis, USA crisis and Chinese crisis!

I presume everyone is aware of this.............. http://friendsofgallagherpark.ning.com/profiles/blogs/new-sports-centre-and-leisure

To answer one of my own questions…. This is what comes up when the magic 1500 is passed, this one being the 'Bring the Metro to SE Northumberland'. This e-petition has now passed 1500 signatures, which is the threshold that requires a report to be produced for discussion at a meeting of full County Council. It is intended that this item will be considered at the County Council meeting on 5 October. Further details will follow, including a link to the report about the issue when it is published on the Council's website the week before the meeting.

I think Rupe & son might be in a bit more hotter water than they think........

Bailey, I presume this is the petition instigated by Councillor Pegg, Mayor of West Bedlington, a week or two ago? Also can you explain the 1500 number needed to go to committee?

I like this.................

Keith I have probably spilled more than you have ever managed to drink...........