pilgrim

herself brought some samphire home the other day and said 'here whats this and what do you do with it?' oh dear it grows 2 mile away and is magic with salmon -- and other fish - she was impressed with it though - amazing how much basic knowledge we have lost. I would recommend any book by Richard Mabey to see what is on your doorstep.

50?? just a young thing then!!

The bondagers were a respected and an accepted part of rural living along with the 'hirings' - and were no different from the 'tied' housing associated with so many industries. 'Bonded' labour can be many things -- the requirement in past times of the occupier of the land to provide free service so many days a year to either the feudal estate and/or the church. The name of 'tithe' barns relates to the 10% precept that any producer had to give to the church. Articles of apprenticeship were actually 'bonded' labour within that definition. The concept of full time employment is relatively modern, for example the shipbuilding industry - where the tradesman was employed for that element of his skill and then moved on to another contract when he had completed his particular area of work. Perhaps a bit of research into the Truck Acts might be of benefit, the most wide ranging being introduced in 1887 when Victoria was on the throne and a 'Tory' government was in power. I seem to think that in the two terms of post that the last 'labour' government had they did not address 'zero hours' contracts and spent more parliamentary time on fox hunting than if we should go to war? however they did introduce over 3,600 items of legislation which went a long way to criminalising a large proportion of the population.

no secret -- I blagged a lift on the opossum - last diesel electric - Oberon class - endless supplies of pussers - magic (that was the one that dinged a Russian trawler at the fleet review after the Falklands - although the skipper did have a history of 'dinging' harbour buoys (er check the spelling -- nothing else was implied!!!)-- have an officers tie from the old Arc Royal as well, given to me for being exemplary in drinking - I almost remember being on board lol

there is a long history of 'bondagers' in the county. the men had annual hirings from most village greens and it was all change when folk changed house - but I think he original term was used to refer to the unpaid womenfolk, and the references you see in the electoral roles (although they couldn't vote so it was the census) to female servants. the man was employed and the women were expected to do a proportion of work, as well as keeping the house and children in order.

ref wilmas comment about the helicopter - it was a well documented series of events in Polynesia (it was a helicopter though) and is called 'Cargo Cult'

interesting comment re 'which bible' there has been 2000 yrs of censorship as to which of the gospels were included and which canonical texts were included and indeed the format we take as sacrosanct (the diet of Whitby is a prime example)-- there are many anomalies - the song of Solomon is 'biblical'? and of course as has been mentioned the modern bible - i.e. the new testament was written at best many years after events -- to me the new testament seems to be written to fulfil the prophecies in the OT - there are such huge gaps in the timeline. it will be interesting to see (if ever they are released) what the Qumran scrolls say. In the meantime we are left with the interpretation of 'those that know best' with their own agenda of course.- chucks in a dafty here ... Henry VIII - maligned for topping his wives and the schism from the 'catholic' church -- have a look at a the background.. this is the bloke that commissioned the first translation into English and the new fangled idea of printing so that everyone could read and interpret the bible - rather than being 'spoon fed' what the 'state ' said/thought you should know/believe. He initiated a programme that allowed the people to make up their own minds up, without the accepted 'wisdom' prevalent. Churches were decorated in glorious colours with allegorical depictations - its not 'happy clappy' but I think we are missing out on a lot. Have a look at the context of the schism under Henry - its wasn't just about an heir to he throne - the English wool trade was the biggest earner and of world wide importance - but Alum which was needed for the mordanting process ( to fix the dyes and afore we had aniline dyes) was only supplied from Vatican controlled sources - this led to the surge in chemical/alchemical experimentation and was the basis for the likes of ICI!! to find an alternative. There is a lot more to history than is written.

starting with .. tiger cub - Enfield continental - triumph 6t - Honda 250 - panther (650) - moto guzzi 750 le mans - demso 900 - kawasaki 750 - Harley sportster - Harley chops ( rigid frame 14" overs, drag pipes etc etc )

Maggie re the 'Time of Your Life' -- nice comment - reminds me of the old thing that you have to be 'taught to hate' as it doesn't come naturally

spelling is fine -- i recall her and what a pretty and talented woman!! the modern edith piaf -- although modern is perhaps a misnomer.... anyhows -- May - the time of madness - spring lambs and lunatic hares -- oh sorry i meant politics ,......... i think - al murray - basically cos folk are 1) sick of politics 2) haven't a clue 3) why not? although i suspect a marginal conservative majority but back to the polls within a year. SNP are trying to obscure everything and time it was said -- you wanted out -- you got burned -- so keep out. i think UKIP is actually seen as too radical at present - and i can see why. ( and of course its a bit like the first labour government -- im still waiting to0 see their manifesto!!!) we may live in troubled times --

Just had a thought about this Carolyn. Wooler and the area around in 1878 was mostly inhabited by folk working the land. they were bondaged and moved almost yearly with hirings between farms etc.- can you get the occupation of your grandfather? it might help. I was looking at someone from the same era - a VC winner at Rourkes Drift (Zulu wars) William Wilson Allen, who we think might have lived in one of our old houses at one time. (b. 1844) but I did speak to James Joicey to see if he had any estate records ( Lord Joicey of Ford and Etal - and very nice bloke ) - but the estate records are a bit vacant as it was the turn over of the estate from the Irish Waterfords to his great grandfather - however!!! - speak to Linda Bankier at Woodhorn County Archives as all the estate records went there. (those that were available, but the farm stewards records were mostly destroyed). - if you can visit all the better but take some ID and get a 'readers' pass. (take plenty notebooks -- but pencils only -- no pens allowed!) another tack is to see if any of the records of the Fenton estate still exist -- it was part of the Bowes/Lambton estate but through marriage went to the Blagdon Estate (White/Lord Ridley) but since due to deaths in family I believe it has reverted to the Lambton estate. they most likely will have records at the county Archives at Woodhorn or try the parish records at Durham (although most are on microfiche at Woodhorn). My grandfather sailed for France in 1914 and was gassed in 1916 and repatriated and given last rites etc. he survived - and did his duty in the second conflict but eventually died - basically from the injuries from the first conflict. i have to see an old school friend in the next week or so who might be well placed to dig up some details - remind me if you pick up this mss.

I omitted to add a further couple of points for consideration - how many universities and technical colleges have charitable status ? (note that the various National Union Of Students branches have charitable status as as well) In Scotland alone, the estimated value to the Scottish economy of independent schools is in the region of £446 million pounds each year and provides over 11,200 jobs, I would presume that the figures for England but be vastly greater.

last point first - the 'suggestion' that facilities and staff be shared came not from the schools but from the 'interfering' politicians and suggests to me an admission of failure.( I would like to see the uproar that would result if this was proposed to industry, from the shareholders, the management, and the workforce) I am sure the staff, management and employees of say, ASDA, would be happy to give a couple of hours every week helping out in the corner shop for nothing? A couple of years back the charity commissioners stated that there were too many charities and suggested that numbers were cut by about 1/4 . Schools were never considered as spurious or as tax avoidance schemes. Where do you think any money accrued goes to? oh yes, as you stated to the school and the parents - as a parent we get nothing apart from an education for our child and as these institutions do not have shareholders or a paid board the money indeed goes into the school, in fact it goes to the very place that it is supposed to - for the benefit of the pupils. we don't get letters from this school asking us to buy her textbooks!!! as we did from the academy and middle school. I know that the school also has many assisted places and bursaries for children unable to meet the full cost of fees. So in no way can it be considered 'exclusive'. The most pernicious thing I see in the education system - (apart the alleged radicalisation of some schools in the news recently) is the rush to make schools 'academies' thus taking them out of the control of the education authorities with no oversight of local authorities or elected members. Even more suspect is the ability of the academies to set their own wage levels? how can that be a forward move for the teaching profession? ref; the sharing of facilities, several outside groups use the facilities out of hours. Yes, they get charged a very small fee but they use the facilities because its actually cheaper than hiring a local village hall in many cases. The school even allows the use of its mini buses by two outside groups at the minimal cost of mileage and fuel only and even provided MIDAS training free of charge. Latin is taught at the school but only as ancillary subject after school hours and at no charge. When I was at school Latin was compulsory and I have never regretted that. It has given me a far better and richer understanding of our language and allowed insights into the root and structure of English, bear in mind that our language is our heritage and so much of it has been shaped by the two major invasions i.e. (oops id est - that is Latin!!) the Romans and the French - almost all the words for the meat we put on the table originate from the French. I presume you would argue that languages should not be taught in any school? Our child has just completed a Duke of Edinburgh scheme - she could have done it with the school but chose to do it with an external group. She is going skiing next month, not with her school, which, as most schools do, organises such trips, but with a former school who have invited her to go with them. she has as many friends from other schools as she does at her present 'elitist' school. On a quick recap I think that the numbers of friends whose house she has stayed over at, and who have stayed over at our house must be about equally split between the schools in the area and similarly with other children from her school. A well rounded and broad spectrum of social groups and experiences is positively encouraged by her school and I see no signs of any 'elitism' or 'exclusivity' except in a small number outside the school and that is inverse elitism and exclusivity.

A pyramid is one of the easiest structures to build and attain any height. There is a clear evolution of development from the stepped pyramids and ziggurats to the faced type that we instantly think of as a pyramid. I notice that no-one has mentioned the even more amazing sudden development which started with Chartes cathedral and heralded the dawn of a new age in buildings, and indeed thinking in many fields. Here the stresses involved in the use of stone became understood and directed into the ground with use of the 'flying buttress' and other devices. That happened quite suddenly and was such a radical shift in design that it makes a better case for divine intervention than the pyramids.

Wilma -- exactly!!! a few men with a bit of muscle and a bit of hard won working knowledge can move huge weights -- and of course the stone was trimmed after being set in situ

we have nothing to worry about - most of he rest of the county cant understand the accent so how could he Koreans?? and anyway -- anything we say in in front of the tele isn't exactly earth moving

if this site allows free and unlimited access to all parties how can it be seen to be 'promoting' a particular party?? -- methinks we have the old rant of if its not my view its biased ??

look at the origins of Christianity ( pre Christ -- ok a misnomer but...) the original diaspora of the tribes - there are references to them being outcasts not rebels or persecuted and may relate to ahk en atun and amun ra - I cant lay hands on the original references at the moment (it is many years since I researched this) but there is a strong argument that the tribes were cast out as they were sun worshippers of the old religion. they didn't fit in with the sun 'god' change of perception. there are interesting references to the facts of Judaism forbidding the sacrifice unless done at the central temple which seems to be relevant to the split. daniken is a fraud or being generous an entertainer -- no argument -- he and his co writer latched onto a thread which made them money at a time when folk were prepared to believe any alternative. look at the relics on elephantine island and the route to Ethiopia and the beliefs there. but - why did 'Christianity' become adopted by the Roman empire when it had been suppressed for so long?? I see it as 'Christianity' is the religion of the state - its precepts are that you cannot speak directly to your god but need the intermediary of a priest, ergo an ideal situation for state control. I have no problem with Christianity as it is the basic ethos by which we should live. but its an interesting thought that you can speak to your god and that's ok - but if your god speaks back -- you are mad??? unless its done through the intermediary of a priest? in whatever form or name. we all need belief -- the human race is built on hope - we fail otherwise, and you cannot denigrate past generations for their beliefs. on the point of the pyramids -- Millwrights -- they move huge machines in the present day - they are the 'nowadays' pyramid builders - think on - we use the wheel -- the cheops builders had a better way. too many works actually make a job harder.

let them advertise -- they stand or fall by what they say - as do all the parties -- although I tend towards Al Murray as he cant be more of a joke than the rest of them!!

I think -- now don't all laugh at that... the Orwell view of 'god' being the 'all pervading personality' is a rather nice definition. its only man that differentiates between what they perceive as what 'their' god wants ((and of course their god can be the only true god (deliberate use of lower case there)) - and ergo - everyone else is wrong.. it was once said - when we know everything and can control everything - then we are gods, until then we need god .... Wilma - the commandments are wonderful example of how to survive in a growing world -- obey them and you wont annoy anyone else that might come over and give you a good smacking!! I do like the old testament - much maligned these days - but it contains many 'race' memories - Cain and Abel - Esau and the mess of pottage - it - to me - tells the change of the hunter/gatherer culture to the arable which means it is much much further back in time than we credit it.

some of the early SAS units after the reorganisation deliberately recruited miners - (back to the items on secret bases) but also because they had experience with explosives and other things. they diverged into 2 units - regular - and very irregular lol - the (piss)artists rifles '21' and 23. during eth first world war many miners were recruited and utilised and their story is only now being told because of the 100 yr centenary - Birdsong is worth reading -- and I was surprised that they actually made a decent job of the book when it was broadcast as I really couldn't see how a tv drama could do it justice

a lot of the fusiliers records were destroyed, but it might be worth trying to contact the association and museum at Alnwick castle

so many truths there canny lass - the era of false expectations is beginning to bite now. I sorely feel for the young today. There are very few opportunities in the workplace at the very time when some should be starting work. The apprenticeships that used to exist are no longer there. 'Enforced' education is no way to go forward. We have 3rd and even 4th generation unemployed is some areas now and this partly leads to a general disenfranchisement with society because of lack of self-esteem and not knowing actually what is acceptable. In no way am I a believer in any from of elitism and not suggesting that we return to a 'Victorian' ethos, but I found in many areas that the basic life skills were not being taught. Perhaps the system should actually swing towards 'skills for living' and social skills for integration. (all of which were instilled through the 'old' apprentice system). There were and are some wonderful teachers out there but what is preventing them from getting on with the job? the post by mercury is a wonderful and meritorious example of dedication by a teacher which produced results. as an addendum regarding comments above about private schools - if the state is doing such a wonderful job why was there a move to have private schools provide teachers and tutoring free of charge to state schools?? (I forgot to add about my comments on fences and security - from the court reports it seems children have been more at risk from staff than from strangers over the years!!!)

can understand your points symptoms - class sizes have increased but that is acceptable but at the cost of actually meeting the needs of individuals within that grouping and the movement of teaching to meet the constraints of todays schools. its a no win situation in private schools re 'chucking out' as that would actually be contra-indicative of success ( I am assuming you mean financially ?) and they have an even bigger issue since they have to justify - but cant turn away fee paying pupils -- no win... achievement... we all can achieve -- we can achieve amazing things in our lives which makes us a spectacularly successful species --although that may be our downfall as the ultimate predator.- its about allowing and promoting the abilities of the individual and providing the environment that they can grow in. I did see recently that a labour proposal was to remove charitable status from such schools - interesting... and they would just absorb the children --where? oh of course into the very system that failed them in the first place (that is a personal view from actual and personal experience) I have seen some recent research that does emphasise that class size doesn't actually impact on intellectual development - but class streaming does. and I am a bit bemused by 'unfair tax arrangements' - how does that work?? I pay tax on my income as we all do - I pay VAT on fees -- in effect 20% tax - 20% vat -- ergo 40% tax .. if the child was in state school I wouldn't be paying fees and also no tax how does that work?? and perhaps can you explain what taxes state schools pay? to my mind as a citizen and a taxpayer I subsidise the state system and have no problems with that but also subscribe to a private system -again - I pay twice. and as for charitable status - they achieve this by bursaries and private/internal grants to ensure that children can go there at minimal cost (how strange that the county actually pays for some children to go to that school - and at full cost because they cant fulfil he requirements that they are legally obliged to) I notice you have made no0 comment about the other issues I mentioned - I look forward to your views on those

agree with mercury (am worried now as I seem to agree too often with him) you could drink the 'brown' - even the draymen wouldn't touch 'amber' - or you could always lay aside the snakebite for a serious dose of 'double diamond' or for those hardened 'clubbers' (different definition these days) try a pint of 'mixed' -- fed ordinary and fed special. ,,,,, and for those morning after visits to the 'club' start with a rum and pep - just to settle the stomach!!!