Symptoms

Willy, willy, willy ... it can't all be one-sided. The Right slags* off the Left and the Left slags* off the Right ... just as it should be in a mature democracy. Rather than just using bland prose I sometimes use 'extended code' to make my point, eg. bile, pen-sharpening, etc., a device often encountered during political discourse. I modestly consider this to be following in the glorious footsteps of some of the great, and not so great, satirists; think of me as a James Gilray or a Jonathan Swift ... or even Screaming Lord Sutch. *in this context the phrase 'slags off' is code for political banter and point scoring, nothing more, nothing less. A healthy pursuit in my opinion.

pil - I'll leave aside the non-meritocratic and socially divisive arguements and just stick with another point why these vile and pernicious establishments need to be harshly dealt with. The abuse of their charitable status to gorge themselves on tax breaks and VAT weezes needs to be stopped. For example, the Advanced Payment [of fees] Scheme allows for any interest accrued on those fees (being invested by the school) to be exempt from tax because of the charitable status of the school. If the parents had invested these funds themselves then they would be liable for tax on the earned interest. It's nothing but a tax avoidance scheme which benefits both the school and the parents. One of the VAT exemption dodges is where these so-called charitable institutions set-up trading companies to benefit from all sorts of relief, including leaseback and giving rights. These examples are avoidance schemes. I could go on about this venal behaviour by listing more cannibalistic enriching schemes operated by these places .... Finally, about the sharing of facilities and teaching staff ... it's nothing but a con to keep interfering politicians out of the mix. Organising the occasional rugger match with Bash Street Comprehensive on the hallowed playing fields or getting Wackford Squeers to give them a taste of Latin is nothing but a cynical ploy.

willy wrote: "What we don't need is pontificating outsiders telling us we're not intelligent enough to decide what's best for Bedlington." So, my opinions doesn't count and my opinions are insulting (only some are deliberately so), therefore I need to shut up? You're not serious willy, are you? Or is this a hint of kipper policy? It sounds vaguely familiar to me ... let me think???? Oh, yes, now I remember ... somewhere in Europe in the 30s. Info ... Sym no longer lives in London.

Oh, I forgot to remind everybody that those early BossGodBotherers were also the sons of the gangsters/robber aristocrats who killed their way to ruling us and nicking all the land. What better way to keep the 'great unwashed' in order than to frighten them with Big G.

Being a 'card-carrying' member of the so-called 'intellectual left', I don't object to the Kippers, or any other LEGAL political party, being able to advertise here. In doing so the Kippers open themselves up criticism from all the wise folks here and hopefully risk having additional bile tipped over their heads ... so, let's sharpen our nibs and prepare to do battle! (Sorry about mixing the metaphors).

As pil said lots of WW1 records were destroyed during the Blitz in WW2 and many of those that weren't can be viewed online, they often show burn/scorch marks from the fires. Medal record cards at the National Archives are often the only record of WW1 service now available. The North East War Memorial Project (link below) has loads of info about local memorials. http://www.newmp.org.uk/ http://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/search?utm_source=ukniwm&utm_medium=rw&utm_campaign=wmalaunch&from=/ http://www.cwgc.org/ http://www.4thbnnf.com/index.html http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm

HPW wrote: "One thing always puzzled me,WHY was Jesus always shown as a white man in Bethlehem?" The answer is that the BossGodBotherers back when we were emerging from the Dark Ages into the Medieval Period* were all white blokes; it just wouldn't do to show any of the main characters in their fable as being anything other than the same as themselves. *loose code for that general period.

Remember to unplug your new smart telly or whisper in your loved one's ear: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31296188

Pil, I read with interest your reasons for removing your nipper from the state sector and transferring her to a private school, however, the only reference I could find to 'class size' was this general point: "The needs of the individual child are not being met with big classes and non-streaming ...". I'd contend that the significant reduction in class sizes usually found in the private sector, makes a huge difference when looking at achievement . Oh, and let's not forget the power that Headteachers have in these same schools to chuck-out those who don't perform or are naughty; something that's almost impossible to do in the state sector. A powerful motivator for nippers to behave and stick-in. I don't argue against parent making these sort of choices but I'm fundamentally opposed to the private sector being subsidised by the state via things like charitable status and beneficial (unfair) tax arrangements.

I always though that the DISTANCE between street lamps determined the speed limit.

Maggs ... it's all a fatty conspiracy! You know how many fat folks have for decades been blaming their condition on genes (and on jeans if they could squeeze into them), big bones, etc., well this is just another example for not shedding the stones. Make them eat cabbages, I say!

Not just Tony and Sid ... lots of those foul toffs got in (still getting in) on the wheeze. Nominally sign over the ancestral pile, get the NT to do-it-up, get the NT to fund the never ending maintenance but RETAIN the right to continue to live in and enjoy the palatial splendor.

Not content with shipping production from the Toon to 'doon sooth' in Tadcaster the Flems are making the Yankees splutter: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-31196933

Tony wrote: "... symptoms could get a job as Bedders food nutritionist showing people how to eat well for less." Ah, the power to reduce waistlines. Just imagine the scene ... all those skinny former fatties rattling around inside their voluminous pink polyester shell suits whilst skipping down the fruit & veg aisle in Lidl. Power, give me more power!!!

And here's five more minutes especially for GGG: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/31162410

A bit like the Nadine Clinton character (played by Dulcie Grey) in the 1952 film of the Battle of Britain, Angels One Five. She lived in a cottage at the end of the runway and had a lamp lit every night to guide members of The Few back to base.

Ah, so Sismerc is your spy* agent looking over the barbed wire whilst tapping-out a message to you in Morse. * I crossed this out so that those who listen won't be alerted to Sismerc's clandestine activities.

Call the Daily Mail ... they love stories about corruption in local government - especially if the labour Party is involved. As the General Election is due they're more likely to be interested in running a 'stiffing the Left' story. Maggs, a tip - block your mobile 'number display' or use a public phone box when contacting the press.

So it was all of Merlin's progeny saw off Fritz during that last big bunfight? I see Merc's local boys went up last week to chase Ivan away from the Channel.

Many of us share the view Stephen so eloquently expoused in that interview. Three cheers for the Irish broadcaster RTE for transmitting the interview ... let's not forget how much influence the God botherers exert in Ireland. I like Fry and enjoy all his works, he's ALWAYS value for money. As the the original question, ' Is there a God?' He used to be a member of this Forum until and even bigger Big G wasted him via the redmodkillbutton. Aye, the Devil's work!

The Waitrose shopping experience IS a 'life style choice' by those demanding some sort of exclusivity whilst pushing their trolleys so they're usually (always) located in fairly affluent areas. I'm not sure Bedders would be described as affluent by the Waitrose bosses so it wouldn't be considered as a location (ditto Ashington), however, Morpeth would seem to fit the bill perfectly. Yep, I'm sure there are grotty bits in Morpeth but is suspect the perception is of it being a 'nice' middle-class sort of a place. When I lived in London I had a choice of a couple of Waitrose stores nearby ... joy, oh joy when doing the shopping. Wide aisles, polished fruit & veg, beautifully neat and tidy, delightful atmosphere, excellent choice of 'unusual' scoff, excellent choice in the booze section, lovely staff ... oh, and no rampaging screaming brats, no fat folks in their polyester shell suits stacking their barrows with white bread, crisps and biscuits.

Fracking perhaps?

But will it fit in the front pocket of my jeans?

Pilgrim ... you're right about Willy's huge white woof. Joicey (I can't remember his full name) was a friend of my Dad ... they used to go shooting together on local farms and on the range over Ponteland way. I remember his house had a blue, peaked canopy over the front door.

Kia-Ora Orange Squash ... yuk! I have a clear memory of it tasting like paraffin. Vile stuff.