Christopher Doyle

What? Is this seriously your opinion? You really think you should vote blindly, without understanding any facts, lead on by fiction and propaganda, for something you understand nothing about, rather than accepting you don't understand what the hell is going on and staying out of the whole thing? This kind of thinking is what scares me most about the whole deal... Having the choice of a beheading or a mutilation, dressed up in fictitious facts and unfounded claims all there to trick you into a false sense of security, believing you know what you are actually voting for... ..when either choice is still a messed up version of a reality that only serves to feed the rich and those in the know, and leave us normal people with a raw deal and made to be thankful for it. Tell me this: If I was to turn around to you now and say "Right. Now. From my house, I now own everything, and you need to pay me 20% of anything you grow, trade or earn." Would you let me do that? Strange... its what we do Every. Damn. Day. And we're happy about it. We don't have the information to understand what goes on in this country. They make sure we don't have it, and when we ask for it they confuse us with false facts and lies to cover what they are doing. And why shouldn't they? everyone in business does what they do to get the most out of their time. That's business. And this whole mess is just one big business. Every member of parliament goes into the job saying they will change things, and most never do. Because they see it can't be done. They stagnate trying to get through the red tape each member before them has put in place to make in impossible to change the true cause of the problem. Then, after all is said and done, they want us to vote remain (or those looking into their own future do) so when they retire, they can follow the footsteps of Blair the rest of the previous prime ministers, and get a job in the EU paying much more than they got in office. Every piece of information we receive from anyone of standing is their opinion on how they can make the most money from the result. And frankly, anyone who thinks differently, in my eyes, is being blinded by their wool, and falling directly into their trap. Vote remain? great. this group of people get richer. Vote leave? Awesome, the other group get richer. For us in the working class and below, it won't make a blind bit of difference what we choose. Hell, we don't even understand the choice we've been asked to make. It's as simple as that, or as complex as you want to make it.

I'm going to upset the apple cart here: I'm not registered to vote. Reason? I honestly and truly believe it won't make a single bit of difference if I vote or not. I have no reliable way of knowing the outcome of either vote, (I certainly don't believe any of the drivel spouted on the TV and newspapers and online and in leaflets posted through my door.) and therefore don't have the relevant facts I need to make an informed decision. How can I say this? Past experience. Too many times have these people told me things will happen when they get in office, then brought up an excuse as to why it didn't. (I don't have any examples, and no longer care enough to research any. We all know its true.) and then just go on to do whatever the hell they like anyway for the next 4 years. These same people are now trying to get me to decide if we should be in or out, and spouting all this bullshit at me based on their own opinion and facts that can be written several ways to back up several completely different stories, and I've had enough of it. And frankly so have many MANY other people. I'm not voting because I honestly couldn't care less if we are in or out (Even though in the poll above I voted to leave. If a gun was to my head, that would be what I voted) And frankly, until they put a "None of the above" on the ballot papers during the elections, I refuse to be a part of it. I'm just going to do what the rest of the masses are doing, and refusing to turn up until I have an option worth voting for. Why else is there such a poor turnout? Those who want to make a difference are simply voting for the opposite party of the one they definitely DON'T want in, and where is the use in that? All that happens then is the 2 losing parties (by overall vote) club together to become a party that wasn't on the ballot paper, wasn't voted for, and wasn't wanted. When shit like that can happen, where is the point in a majority system? (Sorry I brought up elections in an "In Out" vote discussion, but it was relevant as to my reasoning.) If the country turns to shit because I got to a point where I refuse to care, and didn't vote, I don't see that as my failing, I see it as a failing of the system.

I gotta say, I was bored to tears reading through this till that little gem turned up.

There has been lots of calls for a "ride in his honour" on Facebook, with a recent date set being retracted till the family decide what they want to do. Whilst lots of people signed up for the unofficial date, it has now been taken down. Should anything be organised within the groups I'm in, I'll try to remember to update the people here who are not following the biker groups, so you have the chance to attend either on a bike, or to watch as they go by. I'm sure it'll be quite a day if the family do decide to allow it officially, when they are feeling up to it. Whilst it is a terrible tragedy, The man went out doing what he loved. Not many of us will have the opportunity to say they lived life to the full when the reaper comes for them, like this man can. Either way, It was still too soon, and my thoughts go out to his family, especially his son, who will undoubtedly be inconsolable right now.

I love the ;-) Its the universal sign for "Whatever I just said may have been offensive but its fine now I put a smiley wink after it". On that same note though, I still can't believe people are still worried about global warming. My son asked the sensible question a few years ago when he was 10, and people were talking about global warming. He simply asked: "If there wasn't any natural global warming, wouldn't we still be in an ice age?" No idea where he got it from, he probably overheard it somewhere, but it certainly made me think! It was one of those: "He's right you know!" moments, like the story of the child why suggested letting the tyres down a little on a bus that had become stuck under a bridge... Back on topic, Do you know how it was caught? Is the rope going into its throat, and used some sort of massive "hook and bait" method? or was it shot and hung up to show its size off?

Has there been a change in bulb perhaps? Running in period? I agreed at the begining, the lighting seemed very poor in comparison to what was there before, but either a change has been made, or I'm just used to them now, as walking the dog 'round my mothers estate (up by Red House Farm) it seems to be bright enough now. Is that just me getting used to the lower light levels? or was a change made? Where I live, I have a light right outside, so I feel your pain High Pit Wilma! Hevier curtains did the trick though.

For those in dire need, there is one located at the shop on the site of the old "Ridge Farm Pub" too. Its been a lifesaver for me several times now, although it is also often out of cash. ...I sometimes wonder if that's a ploy from the shop owner, forcing a "cashback" transaction for those who didn't plan well for their Thursday night tipple... ...Probably not though!

Seriously? I heard about a charge a while back, but it never seemed to come to anything. I hope NCC has cameras up in secluded spots, because I know of many MANY people who will not pay like you did. Why they want to charge people for disposing of rubbish properly is beyond me.

I never did get my R6... other priorities came up. I do now own a YZF 750 though

I always thought it was because it made you "as sick as a dog" At least, thats my late teen memories of it, and me thinking i could manage double figure count bottles of the stuff in a short period of tie. Never hurled that much ever!

On the other point, after a VERY quick google search, the nearest competitors for shortest seem quite long!

It is. No need for a check later, google makes sure you can see all you need to from your armchair xD https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.131883,-1.599652,3a,75y,21.71h,83.77t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1smtm4fhMNRpD5k3GDqP9vbg!2e0

Pretty much yes. I took the liberty of looking up the relevant section of the road traffic act and promptly stopped reading. (you need to learn the language to understand that crap!) On another site i found this, which pretty much says what you are saying, and confirs no 30 sign would be needed if lit. If you are unsure of the speed limit on a particular road where it is built up and there are streetlights, assume that the speed limit is 30mph. If the speed limit is above 30mph there will be repeater speed limit signs placed in regular intervals. The law does not allow Highways Authorities to place repeater speed limit signs in a 30mph area where there is a system of street lighting, lit or unlit. http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/advice_centre/casualty_reduction_partnership/speed/know_your_speed_limits.aspx so, depending on the section being lit, you "may" have a loophole?

I think i know why you would think so, but the thing you are referencing is more of a "rule of thumb" than a law. That is, if you are thinking about the "oh, whats the speed limit here? lets look for clues. Street lights? assume 30 unless otherwise stated (at regular intervals). Dual carriageway? 60 if lit? 70 if not?" I asked this question of a traffic cop who kindly stopped me to remind me to put on my seat belt, and no. Since we are in a 30 zone, its 30 limit. There would be no excuse for doing more by stating the dual rule, since that's an "advanced" tactic, and a rough guideline at best. Doing so would get your arm bent for "driving without due care or attention" for not noticing there was no national speed limit or "no stopping" rules in force on entry. you "may" have a case to insist a "30" sign is displayed at a certain point to remind you, but it wouldn't get you out of the ticket.

Lazy and sloppy coding we have to remember is 15 year old code. this is Java that was created, then updated, then updated X 10, based on code that was made to disable windows 95-98SE systems on FAT32 code. Surely java has moved on from that? It seems not. Its still based on the same foundation. the thing is, new tech is great, but it has to have some kind of reverse compatability. renewing the code from scratch is of course a brilliant step, but still does alienate those who use older tech. I know people still who use XP machines. A decision needs made, Start over and code from todays standards or honour old tech and make it compatible.

Lots of rumors as to why, the most believable for me being the "old systems" thing, whereby code was put into place that reads something like "If system = windows 9* then don't work" This was to identify computers running windows 95/98, where the * just includes anything after the 9 as being part of the detection and allowed. re-writing this code, which is basically obsolete now anyway, would be more trouble than its worth. Easier just to skip it and choose 10 as the next in line. Personally i am hoping they were well into development for windows 9 when windows 8 was maturing, and they realised how much of a pain in the ass it was for users to navigate windows 8 on a non-touchscreen device, so they scrapped it xD

The way mobile networking is taking steps, I doubt there will be a need for "to the home" wired connections in the near future. Some people can get a faster connection on their 4G mobile device than they can wired already!

Like who? Not a great lot of choice out there from what i've seen. They all seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet, just in different octaves.

We had similar troubles years ago with AOL. I had used my AOL address for years, and for everything, till a better deal came onto the internet providing market. Thinking nothing of it (as AOL provided free email accounts too) we cancelled properly, and moved over, just to find our email was locked out. If i was not to exaggerate, I'd be willing to bet it took 2 years before i was finally allowed access to that email as a free user, so i could switch it over to my new address with all the bits and pieces i was a member of. I always use one of the free sites like google now. I couldn't even begin to guess what my current provider provided email address is!

If whoever sets these rates would stand up and actually look at the Town, and more importantly care about what they are looking at, we could be onto a winner. We've tried the "big brand" route, Perhaps now its time to lower the rates, lock out the bigger companies for the majority of the lots and allow small businesses a chance. It certainly wouldn't do unemployment any harm, and with more people working, and less claiming, it has to be a good thing long-term... Right?

I think i could spare some time for a bit of that!

Not much info directly there Malc, want to expand a little on whats needed done?

Perhaps with the demise of Tesco, the market could move back to the car park and return to the decent sized market i remember as a kid? Or are there other factors and reasons for it being kicked to the front of the street?

Well, I just hope someone now looks at it and thinks "Welp, Tesco is out of the picture, perhaps we have a chance again..." Bedlington NEEDS to reduce their rates and allow small businesses to thrive here. Lets not follow the curve, lets bend our own way and become a small business nursery? I just hope something is done with the huge old building next door now, even if its just knock it down and put something nice there.