Canny lass

This could prove a bit difficult guys as I,m translating a translation here but I'll do my best. It's important to bear in mind that this, originally, is what I have said, not Moe: Translation for our non Geoerdie speaking readers: 'I know I want to reply but simply don’t have a clue what to say so I will just post some more rubbish because I haven’t got nothing to do again today’. End of translation. Moe Let me start by saying to you something similar to that which I said to Lesmes/LesReid. You are clearly irritated and, from your comments, I understand that you feel you are being shot down. It is not my intention to shoot anyone down. You joined the discussion voluntarily. You have participated voluntarily by ‘liking’ some posts and by commenting others. Correct me if I’m wrong but what I’ve understood so far is that you believe: 1. the word ‘Easter’ has been removed from Easter eggs in Britain 2. The word has been removed to appease non-Christian ethnic minorities I myself do not believe that the word has been removed from Easter eggs and I do not believe that ethnic minorities have influenced the packaging of Easter eggs in any way. I have argued objectively and systematically for that which I believe and have offered evidence in support of it. I have opposed many of the theories put forward by Lesmes/LesReid, again using an objective and systematic argumentation technique. I believe that I have shown beyond any shadow of a doubt that the word ‘Easter’ still appears on Easter eggs. That theory is supported by others. I have even raised a question as to whether or not the word Easter has ever been ‘traditional’ on Easter egg packaging and the evidence, since no one has opposed it, weighs heavily in favour of that it has not. Recently I brought into the discussion the notion that any possible decline in the use of the word Easter on egg packaging may reflect a decline in the Christian faith. Even there, I have supported my theory with evidence from empirical studies around Britain. You, on the other hand, have made no effort to support your own beliefs or the opposing theories posited by others. Neither have you offered any opposition to mine – though you clearly don’t agree. Instead, your argument has consisted of sweeping unsupported statements, name calling, bad language, childish insults and a flagrant display of what can only be called sheer ignorance. However, I’m a patient and reasonable person with a very open mind. Therefore I will offer you the chance to retire from this discussion with what little modicum of decorum you may have left. I invite you to either: disprove (using an objective approach and a language devoid of vulgarities) the theories I’ve put forward, namely: 1. The word Easter has not been removed from Easter eggs. 2. Declining interest in Christianity is reflected in the packaging of Easter eggs OR Prove (again, using an objective approach and a language devoid of vulgarities) the theories which you clearly support, namely: 1. the word ‘Easter’ has been removed from Easter eggs in Britain 2. The word has been removed to appease non-Christian ethnic minorities You may, of course, choose to ignore the opportunity offered and continue on your present course, in which case I will continue to translate your input into the discussion for ethnic minority readers. The choice is yours. PS An apology for your apalling behaviour would not go amiss.

What register would that be, Newbedders? I'm looking for the crescent and I have a family member born there in 1899 at number 4. I'm also searching maps but not having any luck.

Haha! No translation required for you guys. Just think of Marialna at the coffee machine (Project WM2017/268)!

Translation (bracketed text for information only): 'Big MOUTH honey (oh, you affectionate thing) the cap fits stick it on your head, no translation needed.' Sorry Moe, while you yourself may understand every word you utter, there are readers who don't understand the geordie dialect and I think they have the right to know what you are saying and thereby be better able to judge your rhetorical skills. The Google translation service may be quite good but as yet it hasn't mastered Geordie.

WARNING! May contain boring facts and figures. Where were we (life has a nasty habit of getting in the way at times)? Ah yes, the ‘Christian’ tradition of Easter. Now it is upon us once more and approximately 80 million chocolate eggs - with or without the word ‘Easter’ - will have been sold to Britain’s 65.64 million inhabitants (2016). That’s 1.25 eggs per person, whatever their religious belief. To put another way, it’s a massive 61.5 eggs for each and every one of the 1,233,000 persons attending an Easter Church service in one of the Church of England’s (C ofE) 16 000 churches the same year. www.churchofengland.org. However, Christianity in the UK is not the sole domain of the Anglican Church. We must also take into consideration the other major Christian denominations: Catholic, Presbyterian, Orthodox, Pentecostal and Evangelical. I think the question of whether or not the word Easter has been removed from ALL chocolate eggs has been well and truly put to sleep. Eggs are available both with and without the word Easter emblazoned on their packaging (see previous posts). The question remains, however, as to why the word Easter does not appear on ALL eggs. I have previously posited the theory that the word is not necessary – an Easter egg is egg-shaped, seasonally available and easily identifiable to a reasonably well educated Brit. If further proof is needed then it’s to be found in the humble pace egg (you’re not still calling them ‘paste’ eggs, are you?). We recognize a pace egg for what it is and we do that because of its shape and seasonal availability. In my lifetime, at least, there’s never been any hue and cry about the absence of the word ‘pace’ on a pace egg and that despite the fact that ‘pace’ is just another word for Easter (from the Latin ‘Pacha’, meaning Easter). I think it may be only Britain who’s kept the pagan name (see previous posts). I hold fast with my previous theory but would now like to introduce a second theory into the debate. ‘Chocolate manufacturers have long since understood the dwindling religious significance of Easter and adapted their product accordingly’. British society has changed in many ways, not least with regard to religion, and it’s still changing. There’s a plethora of research supporting this change. The UK census started to take up religion in 2001, giving insight into the most recent changes. The British Social Attitudes Surveys (BSAS) 1983-2016 give an even better insight while the publication Church Statistics, with data from 2005-2010 and forecasts up to 2025, is a real eye-opener – for anyone who doesn’t have a closed mind, that is. So, what does all this research tell us? It tells us the following (If you prefer you can read the original long version at https://faithsurvey.co.uk/uk-christianity The Church Statistics report tells us that: · UK church membership is down from 10.6 million (1930) 5.5 million (2010). That’s equivalent to a reduction from 30% to 11.2% of the population. · In England, church membership is forecast to be down to 2.53 million (4.3% of the population) by 2025. · 2005-2010 saw a move away from the major Christian denominations and all noted a reduction in membership. (Pentecostal and some new churches experienced a rise in membership). · Church attendance is down from 11.8% to 5% of the population. The British Social Attitudes Survey (BSAS) demonstrates that 1983-2014: · Anglicism is declining more rapidly than any other denomination. In 2014 only 17% identified as Anglican (a decline of 23% since 1983) · The C of E population has almost halved (16.5million to 8.6 million) · The Catholic population is slightly reduced (4.1 million to 4 million) · People with no religious affiliation have almost doubled (12.8 million to 24.7 million) · Non-Christian religious numbers have increased five-fold (0.8 million to 4 million · 2014, 52% of Anglican Church members, 26% of Catholic Church members and 40% of other Christian church members NEVER attended church for anything other than weddings, funerals and christenings. A WIN Gallup poll in 2014 demonstrates that: · the UK is one of the world’s most IRRELIGIOUS countries of the 65 taking part · 30% of Brits identified as religious · 13% identified as atheists · 53% identified as not religious · Top of the league was Thailand with 84% identifying as religious and bottom was China with only 7% identifying as religious The UK census 2001-2011 shows us that: · Christians born in Britain fell by 5.3 million (10 000 a week!) · Christians born in Britain could, at the present rate, be reduced to zero by 2067 · The 2011 census show a rise in irreligious persons from 7.7 million (2001) to 14.1 million (2011). The C of E has done its very own survey which shows us that: · The usual Sunday attendance at church services in 2016 was 740 000 people · 1.2 million people attended an Easter service in 2016 · Over recent decades church attendance has decreased and continues to decrease · 2006-2016, Easter service attendances have decreased by 17% and Easter communicants by 19% So, maybe the chocolate manufacturers are not ‘removing’ the word ‘Easter’ to sell eggs to the ethnic minorities in Britain. Perhaps they are simply following the trend of Easter’s reduced religious significance within the Christian community. On that note may I wish the 8.6 million strong C of E population, together with the 4.1 million strong Catholic population, a very Happy Easter. Enjoy your Easter eggs. May I also wish the 4 million non-Christians, together with the 24.7 million not religiously affiliated in any way, a very Happy ENFORCED Holiday (I know, I know, I’d rather have that long W/E in the summer as well!). Enjoy your chocolate eggs. To those of you who don’t fall into either category may I simply wish you a very Happy Thing-a-ma-jiggy-me-bob-retail event. Enjoy your eggs any which way.

Translation for our non-geordie members. Sorry it's a bit late. "Wazzack"(sic.) wasn't an easy one: 'If you find that interesting, honey, you are even more of a boring bulls penis* than I thought you were'. *The word "wazzack" (sic), taken in the above context to be 'wazzock,' is originally thought to be the name for a bull's penis. However, it has several other meanings: 1. a daft person 2. one who has made an arse of themselves 3. idiot (used i na fun way and with a degree of affection) I've chosen the orighinal meaning, for several reasons: I haven't seen Pilgrim make an arse of himself thereby discounting 3. I did consider 'idiot' for a while - It denotes a degree of affection (and remember, he was referred to as 'Honey' in the same sentence) but I discarded the notion. I can't agree with 1 either as, on a scale of daft, there are others who are much better achievers. So. by this scientific process of elimination I am left with Bull's penis. I'm sure I will be corrected should it be incorrect. Pilgrim?

I may have mislead you with my post. Ford House I've never heard mentioned. It's St Cuthbert's Crescent I'm looking for. The search is still ongoing but If I find it I'll post here. Perhaps you could do the same?

Any idea which year? It popped up for one of my relatives as well and I think it may have been in the Humford area but I haven't been able to verify it yet.

Nice pictures, Eggy! I've just seen something very similar in the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm.

I might have known that you'd find a song in it!!

... them and the BBC!

That's the best name I've heard so far. Perhaps we should rename all high days and holidays as 'thing-a-ma-jiggy-me-bob retail event'. 'Happy Thing-a-ma-jiggy-me-bob retail event' has a certain something about it that is nearer to reality than Happy Easter or Merry Xmas - and it's so universal. Could be used anywhere.

REALLY? I've said it before and it's worth repeating - 'this site is a veritable mine of information'!

Hope they had the pigeon in red wine sauce!

It was a fair assumption, Vic. You did say that "they were very tasty". Of course, the real culprit could have told you that.

I so hope that's a typo and that you meant to write BRIAN.

People should stop throwing out 'corn'.

Thank you my 'playmate marrow' (you have no idea the pictures that conjures up in my mind)! However, I already own such a fish though his name is Billy. He sings for me whenever i pass "Don't worry, Be happy'. I usually take his advice . Now let Brian have his birthday page back without further disruption! Sorry Brian!

General Melchett would never have allowed Speckled Jim anywhere in the vicinity of Boghouses! He was a noble bird (bit like yours truly).

Happy birthday, Brian. Enjoy the day.

I certainly hope not! His name was Henry!

It was trained to swallow the message in the event of falling into the wrong hands, Vic. You've probably eaten it along with the pigeon!

A couple of days ago I was horrified to see an advert on this site which read (in large letters) "Nice girls, naughty thoughts". What disturbed me most was that my 11 year old grandson had just sat down at the computer about to start his homework. Thinking that I'd close the advert I clicked on the X and was redirected to a message which informed me that I could remove ALL advertising for an annual cost of just five quid. Bargain, I thought and paid immediately. Now, I am not naive and I understand and appreciate that it costs money to run a site like this. I also understand that advertising is necessary to help cover those costs. We can all help keep this site alive and avoid advertising of the type I mention by becoming a support member. So GET YOUR WALLET/PURSE/BANK CARD OUT AND GIVE THE LADS A HAND. As the message informs us - it costs only the price of a Starbucks coffee, a pint at your local or the busfare to church - well, something along those lines. PS you get a pretty orange sticker under your name as well!

BREAKING NEWS .... Carrier pigeon gone missing over Boghouses .... the landlord of the Bishop of Durham public house says pigeon ate a good breakfast of maize and was fine when he left ..... sabotage suspected ........ advises use Wikipedia instead.

Adds a whole new dimension to the word 'wedgie' - a selfy wedgie perhaps?