Canny lass

Can't remember lops but can remember the 'dickies' - and of course the 'Dickie norse' at school (Nurse Crow, if I remember rightly).

Done! Nice to read what 'moving on' and not dwelling on what might have been can do.

And thanks from me too! A very interesting document. There appears to have been a great deal of forethought and planning with regard to Front Street and I personally feel that this is a significant part of the way forward for Bedlington. The town has a great history which could be used to advantage if everybody pulls together to make it happen.

I'm already afraid that we can't compete with the non-EU markets.Just to give you a personal example of why I Think that way let me tell you about my old man's job.He's worked with ship design all his Life. When I met him, 35 years ago, things like steel and Labour were becoming very expensive in Sweden so the Swedes were looking further afield for these two valuable commodities. At that time, my old man was sent to such exotic and far away places as Denmark and even the North East of England in search of these vital requirements. As the years have gone by the search has taken him further and further afield: France, Poland, Croatia, Yugoslavia, India, Korea and China. For many years the prices were rediculously low. However, you get what you pay for and even if the price was low the standard of the work was even lower and many times it had to be re-done - not just once but several times. Despite all this reworking and numerous extra costs to the Company in Sweden they still came out very much on top. But, the Chinese, and all the others, soon caught on to the idea that they too could increase profits by getting the job done better and more quickly. So, they started getting things like equipment and job training written into the contract. This made them just as skillful as EU countries and attractive to even more countries. Prices have increased but even today are nowhere near those of the EU. This type of contract is by no means restricted to the shipbuilding industry. I think it's a trend that's going to continue for a long time to come and the far east is certainly a market force to be reckoned with.

I second that, Maggie and Mercury. We have to remember that whatever we read is always somebody else's choice of facts and there will always be a risk for predjudice and manipulation.

From The history of the Cornish Pasty: " since 2011 the European Union's rules for what constitutes a true Cornish pasty have been much more restrictive: to be a cornish pasty you must have potato, swede, onion and beef wth the filling containing at least 25 percent vegetables and at least 12.5 percent meat. Most importantly, the pasty must be made in Cornwall". I wonder how things stand with our very own Bedlington Terrier. How long Before the EU rules state that it must be concieved in Bedlington in order to use the name?

Try telling that to the Swedish pensioners! No subsidised dental care. No free Health care - they pay for every contact they have with any kind of health care worker. No free prescriptions (until you reach 130 GBP. Then the rest of the year is free). They pay for their food when they are in hospital and also for the ambulance that took them there. No free bus pass (but they do get a reduced rate if they travel outside of rush hours). No heating allowance and definitely no Christmas gift from the government. However, they are well used to it - it's the same for everybody, old and young alike.

Happy birthday Malcolm. Such a shame you had to work though. Never mind - the week end will soon be here. You can celebrate then.

43 Children and only one teacher! You wouldn't see that today! 20 Children require i teacher and 1-2 assistents in my neck of the Woods.

Now that's a very good idea! Pitmatic would be wasted on the majority. I'm sure there are miners all over the UK who would thoroughly enjoy HPW's 'ramblings'. OR and even better, the book written in standard English and including a cd with the narrative related by HPW himself.

As usual HPW, fascinating reading!

3g, I have my own rule that says you should never own anything older than yourself - unless it's signed by Rubens, Renoir or Gauguin.

We Girls must have something to pass the time while the lads are getting their tattoos.

Nice to have met a few of you on my all too short visit. I did wave at the camera everytime I passed that way so I hope I 'met' a few more. even if not personally. Maybe we should have a sign to be able to recognise each other - secret handshake, lapel pin (bedlington terrier, market cross, B for bedders)? The possibilities are endless.

I'm well impressed Foxy! Not only do you remember the date but even the time! Your lass is lucky! Nice to have bumped into you, by the way.

Well, that explains Everything. Still on Windows 7 here so no charms. As for the charmers i Think most of them are on this site!

Thanks 3g. I think I'll give it a go. Foxy, what's a 'charm'?

3g, I'm getting loads of 'pop-ups' telling me to upgrade to Windows 10 'for free'. Should I Believe it?

Quite right Symptoms! Carbide it was. Just me having another 'senior moment' I'm afraid.

Carbine! Now there's a memory HPW. I remember going to the 'store' at Netherton to buy it. They weighed it up in thick, blue paper bags. It smelled awful - as did the cupboard where it was kept at home.

What a grim Picture of Life and poverty. We've come a long way. Thanks Eggy

Good thinking, Maggie!

On the subject of names - anybody know why it's a rag and 'bone' man. The rag bit is self explanatory but where did bones come into the Picture?

I love the colour and style of those flower tubs etc. Gives a nice 'country village' feel to the place. I hope they keep developing Bedlington along those lines. It really is Beautiful. Well done to whoever came up with the idea of including the railings in the scheme.

We certainly don't HPW!