Friday 1 April: A smart meter playing dumb and ushering in a 350 per cent increase

Posted on by Geoff Graham

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680 thoughts on “Friday 1 April: A smart meter playing dumb and ushering in a 350 per cent increase”

  1. Happy birthday Dear Nottle. Happy birthday to us! And not forgetting Geoff of course!

    1. Four for me too (should have got it in three 🙁 )
      Wordle 286 4/6

      ⬜🟨🟩🟨⬜
      🟨⬜🟩⬜🟨
      ⬜⬜🟩🟩🟨
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

      1. It is just down to luck when there are several variations to the final word with just one letter change in the same square

      3. I should (could) have got it in four.
        Wordle 286 5/6

        🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
        🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
        🟩🟨🟨🟨⬜
        🟩⬜🟩🟩🟩
        🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

  5. The beatification of Jamie Wallis. Spiked 1 april 2022.

    In a statement issued yesterday, Wallis revealed he has gender dysphoria. He also revealed that at the time he crashed his car last year, he was suffering from PTSD, after having been raped: ‘A few months back, in September, I “hooked up” with someone who I met online and when I chose to say “no” on the basis that he wouldn’t wear a condom he chose to rape me.’ And he has also been the victim of blackmail following a ‘close call’ in 2020, when he was ‘outed’ after someone sent compromising photographs to his father and other family members. Gender dysphoria, rape, blackmail. It’s hard not to feel sympathy for Wallis.

    The response to his statement is quite revealing. It shows how much society has changed in a very short space of time. Back in 2019, when Wallis was first elected to parliament, he was profiled in his local paper as a married man with two young daughters, then aged six and three. Go back a couple of decades and Wallis would be fending off the scandal of an extramarital relationship.

    Wallis has been at the centre of other scandals, too. In 2020 the papers exposed his stake in a ‘sugar daddy’ website offering ‘students’, ‘single parents’ and ‘people short of money’ the chance to be ‘sponsored’ by wealthy ‘executives, international businessmen and diplomats’.

    But yesterday, praise was lavished on him. Boris Johnson applauded his bravery during Prime Minister’s Questions. Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat declared: ‘This is a very brave statement.’ Fellow Tory Andrew Bowie said: ‘Incredibly brave of you to post this mate. Proud of you. All power to you.’ Labour’s Wes Streeting was not to be outdone: ‘Sending you love and solidarity from the other side of the Commons. This is hugely courageous of you to share.’

    To be fair to Wallis, he doesn’t actually claim to be the nation’s first openly transgender MP. He has left others to do that on his behalf. His statement says he wants to be transgender. Of course he does! All that praise and glory, without having to achieve anything.

    The truth is that this man is a fantasist and liar of the first order. He is deeply disturbed and that he is an MP speaks volumes for the institution. Their praise is that of the inhabitants of a lunatic asylum for a fellow inmate.

    https://www.spiked-online.com/2022/03/31/the-beatification-of-jamie-wallis/

    1. When morality and common sense are regarded as fuddy-duddy, trouble is not far away. Strangely, the New Puritanism seems not to criticise conduct like his.

      ‘Morning Minty.

    2. Frankly, his conduct disgusts me, and the sympathy that I feel for him suffering from gender dysphoria does not overcome that disgust for his extremely unbecoming conduct.

      1. Morning BB. Does he actually suffer from Gender Dysphoria? His statement simply says that he wishes he did!

        1. Hello Minty, I think he means that he wants to transition. I’ve never seen anyone announce it in public before it happens, but I suppose MPs are a level above the general population in their desire to make themselves important.

          1. I think he means he wants to do whatever he wants, when he wants and sod his family and constituents.
            And then make himself out to be a ‘victim’ when people are less than enthralled at his degeneracy.

          2. Anne, this is absolutely standard behaviour in my experience. The family will be guilt tripped into a positive reaction, but it won’t be enough. It never is. A few years down the line, having soaked up and taken full advantage of all the help offered, the sufferer will be talking on Twit about how their evil fascist family dropped them when they transitioned, but they have gained a community…
            Personally speaking.

        1. I like the way you added cutting people’s internet to his list of transgressions!

    3. I would suggest that any and all the bad experiences he has had, rape, blackmail etc., he has brought down on his own head by leading the type of life he has chosen.

      Perhaps, one day, he may see sense.

        1. The Lords and lunatics were prevented from voting.

          Why is he in the Commons, voting on behalf of (and probably without consideration for) his constituents?

      3. Basically, he put it about and got more than he bargained for.
        I wonder if he was trawling through Grindr while in the same room as his daughters? Ignoring them over the dinner table, mayhap.

    4. The MP is quite beardless for a bloke. Did JW actually give birth to those two children?

      1. This is what really gets up my nose.
        All these bloody politicians back slapping each other and trying to beat each other in the woke, virtue signalling stakes…. has one – just one – of these self-regarding fools thought about Mrs Willis or the two little daughters?

        1. They are not in a protected characteristic category…so no.

          They are also probably white…so double no.

        2. It’s just another example of how skewed their priorities are- they wouldn’t recognise reality if it hit them in the face. With all the problems people in this country are facing, the fact that they can devote so much to this and all the trans nonsense shows that they are clearly insane.

  6. ‘Morning, Peeps.

    SIR – All that my smart electricity/gas meter is doing, instead of giving current consumption levels, is showing a message extolling the merits of a having a smart meter. Consequently I have unable to update my last reading (January 1) before April 1, as recommended by industry experts.

    So the projected fixed rate is now almost 350 per cent higher than last year, despite my currently being in credit. I don’t look so smart now.

    Jeremy Burton
    Wokingham, Berkshire

    Apparently most of the suppliers’ websites failed to cope yesterday, but surely a reading sent in within the next week or so will be picked up and processed in due course?

    1. The websites failed because the businesses, all of them, set themselves up for what was identical to a “denial of service”attack. A denial of service attack is when some stroppy group cooperates to send emails to the same address in huge numbers at the same time. Such attacks are often automated and sometimes used as a basis for demanding money to cease doing it.
      No one in any of these high tech, internet connected businesses, seemed to realise that they were inviting the “attack”.
      None of them had the idea to set the increases for different dates according to groups of customers, quarterly billed, fixed tariff etc

  7. SIR – Statistically, peak electricity demand in the United Kingdom occurs at 5pm on the second Tuesday of January. The Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng’s ambitious 50GW of solar capacity will contribute precisely nothing to meeting this demand, as it will obviously be dark then.

    Ceri Phipps
    London EC1

    Come along now, Ceri Phipps; we are talking about a politician here. Naturally he will be oblivious to the obvious!

  8. SIR – The Government plans to go ahead with the Sizewell C nuclear power station and five more similar power stations. This will commit the county to a vast expenditure with little return.

    To use nuclear power is a good idea to cope with the variations of renewable power but to use a design which has failed is sheer stupidity.

    The French design has been used in three power stations so far: the Finnish station has problems, the Chinese station is not working and the French one has teething troubles, and the cost over-runs are staggering. The British example at Hinkley Point may be successful, but we don’t yet know.

    The obvious answer is to use the smaller power stations being developed by Rolls-Royce which would have a much smaller environmental footprint, can be built on existing brownfield sites and will cost far less.

    They are also very likely to work.

    Ken Ward
    Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire

    When such important strategic decisions are taken late in the day there is always the temptation to adopt something other than the tried and tested. The trick is to undertake long-term planning, something in which recent governments have failed abysmally.

    1. “long-term planning”? I looked up Webster’s Political Word and Phrase Dictionary, but it’s not there.

  9. SIR – I received my first Covid jab most efficiently as part of a cohort between the ages of 70 and 75 at the Grandstand on Epsom Downs.

    Following reception I was asked whether I was pregnant (Letters, March 31) and replied that, despite some effort in that direction, no positive signs, whatever they might be, were apparent.

    What’s going on?

    James Nuthall
    Epsom, Surrey

    You may well ask, James Nuthall!

  10. SIR – I am a 68-year-old man. I am over six foot, solidly built and look like a man.

    While queuing for my Covid jab in a car park, a young gentleman came down the line with a clipboard, asking questions. He got to me, identified my name and asked if I was pregnant.

    With a sincere gaze, I said I was. He didn’t know what to do.

    Stuart Moore
    Bramham, West Yorkshire

    SIR – Does a tweed jacket and tie mean nothing any more?

    Lt Col Dale Hemming-Tayler (retd)
    Edith Weston, Rutland

    That’s more like it, chaps…ridicule is about the only response left to us!

  11. SIR – Yesterday I was advised by a BT engineer that another consequence of swapping copper landlines for fibre-optic cables (Letters, March 31) is that if the existing cables are not in ducts, BT might install telegraph poles to make the job cheaper.

    We must ensure these ugly poles are not added to areas (like ours) where the existing lines are underground.

    Ken Turrell
    Norwich

    What an idiotic idea. Have they learned nothing from the damage caused by storms? Perhaps they should have a chat with the electricity distributors…

    1. An engineer writes (c. Bill Thomas): Telegraph poles are utilitarian, but as they bring the benefits of electricity and telephones to our houses, they cannot be considered “ugly.”

      1. Good morning BB2 & all.
        It could be a joke about immigration from eastern Europe. “Ugly poles”

      2. The real reason is to provide mounting points for the 5G network everywhere.

        1. https://www.qorvo.com/-/media/images/qorvopublic/blog/2017/small-cells/base-station-types-table_960px.png?la=en&hash=BC322A232A18EC2A0177E447245B526C3A1CB0CD
          These are the available cells that a 5G operator can build into their network. They will want to implement their network at the lowest possible cost, so femto and pico cells will be used for high density spots with many users, like shopping centres.

          The interests of private companies have up til now, not been identical to the interests of government.
          When these two groups join forces, that is known as fascism.

      3. Gives the birdies somewhere to perch after they have grubbed out the hedgerows.

    2. Years ago, when we lived out in the sticks, the electricity board became fed up with huge ploughs cutting the cables, so they put them on poles instead.
      We regularly lost power whenever there was a thunderstorm.

  13. SIR – Geoffrey Robertson is spot on (“Partygate offenders have no right to anonymity”, Comment, March 31).

    The public concern is real and openness should prevail. But the bigger issue is that this whole business is not being handled by the police or the Government in a transparent way.

    Sue Gray’s report should be issued, unredacted, now. Fixed-penalty notices only show that laws were broken. What needs to be established is whether the Prime Minister lied to Parliament. If he did he should resign.

    Michael Robinson
    Onston, Cheshire

    It is pretty clear to most of us that he did, but perhaps now is not the time. Let’s see what the electorate thinks on the 5th of May. I suspect that quite a few Conservative councillors are going to lose their council seats as a result of Johnson’s conduct. I don’t think the vaccination programme is going to save his bacon any longer.

    1. What needs to be established is whether the Prime Minister lied to Parliament. If he did he should resign.

      Dream on Mr Robinson!

    2. On the subject of ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ this BTLer has got it about right:

      Michael Geddes
      1 HR AGO
      GARRY MAY
      The editorials in the DT are invariably in line with my own views and that is a major factor in my continuing subscription. Yesterday’s DT view of partygate was no exception.
      There is an obligation on those who introduce, and uphold, the laws of our nation, to be at the forefront in the promotion, justification and obeyance of those laws. How could it be otherwise!?
      Lockdowns were a perfect example of the high and mighty preaching unremitting demands on us all to provide unquestioning obedience, irrespective of the unnecessary, the idiotic, the lack of clarity or the absence of appreciable benefits in many instances.
      If those who initiated restrictions, and who currently impose fines or licence removal for speeding are themselves guilty of disobedience of the regulations, then yes, they should be sacked. Why? The failure to respect laws by their initiators/upholders/punishment administrators is indicative of not only the most gross hypocrisy, but a clear expression that either they do not deem the laws as really necessary, or that they should not apply to themselves.
      There was a time in Britain when those in government held the law in high esteem, took responsibility for their own personal behaviour in that regard, and who were prepared to show contrition and/or step down. Many of those who inhabit these pages will be well aware of those long past times when honesty, integrity and self respect were in vogue.

    1. Who has dipped Tigger in bleach? I much preferred him in yellow and black stripes. Lol.

    2. A birthday we share with the RAF (Royal April Fools as they were known when they were created).

  15. War-mongering headlines in today’s Telegraph – very much in vein with April 1st.

    Live Russia-Ukraine latest news: US declares Putin’s war a ‘strategic failure’

    Russia forced into humiliating retreat from Ukraine airport key to their battle plans

    Vladimir Putin threatens to cut off Europe’s gas supply on Friday

    …and here’s the killer

    UK will send long-range weapons to keep Russian troops on the run in Ukraine

  16. Good Moaning.
    Bit parky.

    I’m sure all the right boxes were ticked.
    Mr. Lambert’s family should have claimed they collected him from a dinghy on the Kent beaches.
    This man gave the best years of his life so smug little shiites in their taxpayer funded non-jobs, could treat him like this when he was at his most vulnerable.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/04/01/war-veteran-forced-nursing-home-council-refused-help-care-costs/

    “War veteran forced out of nursing home after council refused help with care costs

    Dementia sufferer overpaid tens of thousands of pounds for care when Merton Council should have been contributing to fees

    By Gabriella Swerling, Social and Religious Affairs Editor

    1 April 2022 • 6:00am

    John Lambert joined the RAF in 1942 at the age of 18

    A Second World War veteran was forced out of his nursing home during the pandemic after the council refused to help pay for his care.

    John Lambert, who died last year aged 96, overpaid tens of thousands of pounds for the care he received between May and December 2020, when his local authority should have been contributing to his fees.

    Mr Lambert, who had dementia, was forced out of his nursing home when he ran out of money after his local authority failed to fund part of his care.

    Weeks away from an eviction notice

    Merton Council in south-west London did not tell his family how much it would pay until August – by which time he was months in arrears and a few weeks away from being served an eviction notice by his care home.

    Instead, it repeatedly tried to move him to cheaper care homes, despite being told this would be “very unsettling” and traumatic for him, and that his relatives would cover the difference in fees.

    His family used his remaining savings and state pension to pay off the debt but could not afford to continue paying for his care in full so he moved into his daughter’s flat.

    They brought a case against the council, supported by the RAF Benevolent Fund, and were later refunded more than £45,000 after an ombudsman ruled that the council had breached its duty of care to step in.

    Merton Council said it accepted the findings and apologised to the family for the undue stress caused by its errors.

    His daughter, Jane Lambert, said the family had felt “lost and frightened” and were “appalled” that the council wanted to move her father, who was frail, could not walk and had fallen four times in one month.

    She said: “It’s scandalous that at the heart of this is our 96-year-old dad, who never owed a penny in his life and did charity work until he was 90, and was never in debt. And Merton should be ashamed.”

    Receiving the eviction notice “was one of the worst days of our lives”, she added.

    Mr Lambert joined the RAF in 1942 at the age of 18, serving until the end of the war in the Bomber Coastal Command, flying Lancaster bombers and Sunderland Flying Boats in North Africa, the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

    He moved into his private care home in 2017 when he was 93, covering the then £1,400-a-week fees in full from the sale of the family home.

    Under the current system, which is being reformed, when residents’ assets fall below £23,250 the council starts contributing to the cost of their care.

    However, instead of setting out how much it would pay, the council decided to move Mr Lambert to a cheaper care home – but did not assess the potential risk in doing so.

    The care home told the council it would be “very unsettling” for him to move, but the council responded saying the home’s fees were too high and it would only pay the “going rate”.

    Mr Lambert lived with his daughter until August 2021, when he moved into a nursing home in Richmond for round-the-clock care, and died last November.

    A council spokesman said: “The council wishes to apologise again to the Lambert family for errors on its part and any undue stress caused as a result.

    “This case was dealt with via the Local Authority Ombudsman. The council accepted the findings and has put in place the agreed actions and recommendations of the ombudsman as a result.””

    1. And where now are those who cocked up? (Promoted?) What a way to treat those who gave so much.

    2. 351781+ up ticks,

      Morning Anne,
      Horrendous, a swift change of council is called for via
      demanding an EGM before
      more odious issues come to light.
      People power will work the referendum proved that.

    5. Was anyone from Merton council sacked for their incompetence? All these agreed actions and recommendations – was that to buy a bigger shredder?

      Someone must pay the price for this incompetence.

      1. They won’t. A better paid sinecure will really show them how naughty they’ve been.

    6. This is such a horrible and hate filled action.
      This is almost a carbon copy of what happened to an old chap in North London, Burnt Oak. The was around ten years ago, also ex armed services he had spent years and much of his savings paying for home care and the b*st*rds in Brent council took his council house and home from him and shoved him into a cheapjack care home. Where he subsequently became ill and died.
      The problem is many people from foreign parts have infiltrated our social services and council departments and quite frankly they have no respect for anyone out side their own social cultural and religious parameters.
      When my sisters and I moved my mother from her flat in North west London, Barnet council robbed her. And the Nigerian ‘carer’ she had in each day to look after my father until he died, also robbed her. And she was robbed twice by intruders via the front door who knew exactly what they were looking for and where to find it.

      1. There are occasions when I wished I didn’t follow current affairs. This is one of them. Cry the beloved country.

    7. Sounds about par for the course. My local authority were a pain in the neck. If MOH hadn’t died, I would have been bankrupt I’m sure.

  17. Good Morning all and a Happy April Fool’s day to one and all!
    Sunny and overcast by shifts so far this morning with a chilly -2 on the outside thermometer and another splattering of snow to shew that Winter Resurgent has not yet lost it’s tenuous hold on the weather.

    1. ‘Morning, BoB. Snow flurries on yer sarf coast, too! I trust that the ‘climate emergency’ will return with all haste…

          1. The window-cleaner arrived in the middle of the snow-storm, waited but it didn’t relent, so he scurried off again.

            Now the sun is shining.

          2. The window-cleaner arrived in the middle of the snow-storm, waited but it didn’t relent, so he scurried off again.

            Now the sun is shining.

    2. ‘Morning, BoB. Snow flurries on yer sarf coast, too! I trust that the ‘climate emergency’ will return with all haste…

    3. ‘Morning, BoB. Snow flurries on yer sarf coast, too! I trust that the ‘climate emergency’ will return with all haste…

    4. Talking of April Fools, here I am enjoying the snow, wind and rain and frolicking around in my birthday suit in the cold and damp. End of April Fool, and here is the truth: I have come down with a terrible cold, throat is as sore as Hell, and I have spent most of the past two days in bed with the Central Heating on full and sucking on throat lozenges. I even had to cancel a meal out with friends last night, which is unusual for me. I have no appetite, but am forcing myself to the odd bowl of soup, scrambled eggs, etc. I know I shouldn’t reveal my April Fool (first sentence in this post) until after mid-day but I can’t wait that long before going back to bed for another long sleep. See you all tomorrow. Keep well and enjoy the day as best you can.

        1. The Master (Mr Harry Lime) thanks you for your kind advice, Doctor Thomas.

          1. Did you save any damsons from crumble making to knock up a bottle of damson gin?
            That would clear your tubes.

      4. Covonia Oromucosal spray gives some relief from a hacking cough and sore throat. Second best is Chlorosceptic throat spray.

        Get well soon.

      5. Get well soon Elsie, so that you can frolic around in your birthday suit next time the sun puts in an appearance.

      6. Hope you feel a lot better tomorrow Elsie. Hot brandy with lots of Lemon and a good sleep. Haven’t needed to do that for years but I’m convinced it helps.

        1. I’d upvote you, young Grizzly, if I only knew what Gan canny meant! Lol.

      8. Get well soon Elsie, my cold hasn’t gone after 2 weeks of antibiotics so I sympathise.

        1. Urine infused with primrose petals and then boiled up with a spoonful of Bovril is far more effective a cure. Try it.

        1. Thanks, Conners. Throat much better tonight, and I actually enjoyed a meal of stuffed peppers with rice and minced beef as a change from soup, soup and more soup.

  18. Headline in today’s DT:

    England’s male cricketers could be replaced with women’s team after winter of disasters

    And today’s date is…

    2. The report is written by Al O’Florip and it quotes an England fan, Olaf Pirlo, as describing the plan as “a joke”.

      Anagram experts, where are you?

  20. Good morning, all. Happy month – pinch and a pinch etc. Grey, gale blowing and cld.

  21. 351781 up ticks,

    Morning Each,

    1 April: A smart meter playing dumb and ushering in a 350 per cent increase

    Will the electorate majority ever acknowledge the fact they are returning to power the same type very dangerous treacherous politico’s ALL encapsulated in a party operating under a purloined party name, the genuine Tory party being long defunct.

    Early doors this morning the news interviewer asked “will people die consequences of this energy self inflicted crisis and the answer in short was, YES.

    1. Wrong question. Deaths are inevitable. Far simpler: “Caroline Lucas. Your moronic energy policies will ill people. How many peopple are you prepared to kill for your demented vision? 10,000, 100,000? A million? At what point are the deaths you and other green tyrants wanting merely a statistic?’

      She’ll prevaricate, lie and squirm, but once punched in the face a few dozen times she’ll answer. Then she’ll say she doesn’t care how many die for her demented ideology. You see, she really, truly doesn’t.

      1. 451781 up ticks,
        Morning W,
        I stand aside, old shaky could not have penned it better.

  22. The MR has quite a good idea for an April Fool.

    Face masks compulsory on zebra crossings.

    I complimented her!

    1. Talking of which, Bill, I wonder how many of the daft councils, hospitals, etc., know that their virtue-signalling, by over painting Zebra crossings in rainbow-hues, renders them illegal.

  23. Welcome to the Free Speech Union’s weekly newsletter, our round-up of the free speech news of the week. As with all our work, this newsletter depends on the support of our members and donors, so if you’re not already a paying member please sign up today or encourage a friend to join, and help us turn the tide against cancel culture.

    British Bill of Rights

    Justice Secretary Dominic Raab announced plans to replace Labour’s Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights in an interview with the Mail, saying: “Effectively, free speech will be given what will amount to ‘trump card’ status in a whole range of areas.” What this might look like in detail remains to be seen; the Mail pointed out that the Government’s disregard for free speech in the Online Safety Bill needed revisiting, but concluded that “this blueprint for Britain is a fine start”, urging Boris Johnson to “use it as a launchpad to prosecute a ferocious ‘war on woke’.”

    In the Press Gazette, the Society of Editors said that the balance between freedom of expression and privacy needed a “reset” and made a number of requests, including adding a need for privacy claimants to prove “serious harm”, as is the case in defamation cases, and the protection of individual journalists from SLAPP libel actions. You can see our response to the government’s consultation about reforming the Human Rights Act here.

    Heneghan ban underlines risks of Online Safety Bill

    Carl Heneghan, the Oxford Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine, was temporarily banned from Twitter after sharing an article about a study he was involved in that concluded Covid deaths may have been overestimated. Twitter, apparently of the opinion that a professor of evidence-based medicine did not qualify as “authoritative”, suspended Professor Heneghan from the platform, telling him: “We require the removal of content that may pose a risk to people’s health, including content that goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information.” Heneghan was reinstated after a public backlash. The FSU’s Toby Young said: “The suppression of dissenting voices will only get worse once the Online Safety Bill becomes law. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube will treat it as a green light to increase their censorship of anyone who doesn’t fall in with the woke agenda.” Big Brother Watch’s Silkie Carlo tweeted that “Nadine Dorries’ Online Safety Bill is going to put online censorship like this on steroids”.

    Law: Holbrook wins appeal and Lords consider anti-SLAPP laws

    Barrister Jon Holbrook has won his appeal against the £500 fine he received for tweeting that “free speech is dying and Islamists and other Muslims are playing a central role” in response a Muslim journalist’s demand that Charlie Hebdo be closed in the wake of Samuel Paty’s beheading by an Islamist. The Bar Standards Board had found that the tweet “would not only cause offence but could promote hostility towards Muslims as a group”. However, on appeal, the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service ruled: “For the expression of a political belief to be such that it diminishes the trust of the public in the particular barrister or in the profession as a whole will require something more than the mere causing of offence.” Holbrook, who had been voted out of Cornerstone Barristers after tweeting that the Equality Act “undermines school discipline by empowering the stroppy teenager of colour”, said that he had been sanctioned for “crimes against woke ideology” and that the sanction process “erodes democracy”.

    As the Lords communications and digital committee met to examine the impact of SLAPPs on investigative journalism, media law expert Amber Melville-Brown asked whether the UK would benefit from introducing US-style anti-SLAPP legislation, and concluded: “They might prove a welcome free speech protection for responsible publishers, but present a slippery slope to irresponsible reporting by the reckless; sham claims might be thrown out, but genuine actions might also be deterred. It’s all in the balance.”

    Education: institutional thought-policing and problematic mugs

    The Yorkshire Examiner revealed that the Batley Grammar School teacher, who received death threats after showing pupils an image of Muhammad in an RE lesson, is still in hiding. MP Kim Leadbetter said it was “completely unacceptable for the teacher to have been forced into hiding and his family put at risk”. Last year, the FSU reported the charity that doxxed him, Purpose of Life, to the Charity Commission, which issued a formal warning. At Colchester Royal Grammar School, a teacher was suspended this week for carrying a mug with images of Jesus and Muhammad from the satirical Jesus and Mo cartoon series and is currently under investigation by the school.

    The Economist reported on activist charity benchmarking schemes in British universities, of which Stonewall is the best-known, and the ideological demands they make of students and staff. Sixty per cent of UK universities now have anonymous reporting schemes, so-called “snitch portals”, with a similar proportion signed up to external equality, diversity and inclusivity schemes. FSU Advisory Council member and Cambridge philosopher Dr Arif Ahmed described one requirement – that universities collectively foster gender ideology – as opening the door to “institutional thought-policing”. The Economist said that, while the “planned Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) bill is supposed to help”, the dominance of benchmarking schemes meant that “such policies will not do much to change campus culture”.

    David Miller, the Bristol University professor who was fired for making statements about Jewish students and the University’s Jewish Society, has lost his appeal. In terminating Miller’s employment, the University said that, despite a QC finding that his statements did not constitute unlawful speech, he “did not meet the standards of behaviour we expect from our staff”. Miller now plans to take his case to the Employment Tribunal.

    At Glasgow University, academic Joanna Stosztek called for a colleague, who described the war in Ukraine as “a panto”, to be fired. Alan McManus is currently under investigation by the University.

    Putin plays the culture wars

    Putin weaponised the culture wars, comparing Russia to JK Rowling as a victim of “progressive discrimination”. In a televised address, Putin said that the West was “trying to cancel our country” and said that institutions which had removed Russian ballets, music and arts from their programmes were “trying to cancel a whole thousand-year culture, our people”. Rowling didn’t disappoint in her response, tweeting that: “Critiques of Western cancel culture are possibly not best made by those currently slaughtering civilians for the crime of resistance, or who jail and poison their critics. #IStandWithUkraine.” She linked to a BBC article on jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

    Nonetheless, Putin succeeded in setting a hare running, harnessing the worst people on Twitter to gloat at the official Putin-adjacent status of Rowling and the right-wing press. In Spiked, Tom Slater said that “it is hard to think of a phrase more fitting than ‘useful idiots’ to describe the blue-tick wonders who wet themselves with excitement this weekend in response to Putin’s comments about JK Rowling and cancel culture”. In CapX, Helen Dale looked at how the media’s handling of Covid led to a collapse in trust, where it “showed itself to be at least inaccurate and sometimes untrustworthy”, and argued that there was “an information crisis backing onto a military crisis” ready for Putin to divide and conquer.

    Big Tech’s social credit cartel

    Influential Big Tech investor David Sacks told Bari Weiss’s Honestly podcast that he believed America was sleepwalking into a social credit system, saying that it “conditions the benefits of society – economic benefits, the ability to spend your money – on having the correct opinions. If you don’t, then your ability to participate in online platforms is diminished or curtailed entirely.” Sacks observed that the original ‘anything goes’ openness of the Internet had been turned on its head and the big platforms now operate as a censorship cartel: “They all implement the same policy with regard to censoring speech. They all kick the same people off their platform.”

    Elon Musk polled two million followers on Twitter, saying: “Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?” Seventy per cent said no, leading Musk to ask if a new platform was needed.

    Democracy vs nonsense

    Tom Stoppard asked how expressing your faith in Enlightenment values had become a kind of heresy in the Sunday Times, concluding that identity politics threatened his long-held assumption that reality was the ultimate check against untruthful and nonsensical speech: “But no one, not even Lewis Carroll, saw identity politics coming. Carroll’s Humpty Dumpty has maybe had the last word. ‘When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less,’ he tells Alice. And that includes pronouns.”

    In the Times, Matthew Syed took a more upbeat line on the noise and discord of the Western political sphere, writing that, despite the “hostility and rancour”, he found himself “marvelling at the system we call democracy”: “All that anger, all that freedom to express it, all that potential to spill over into violence, and yet democracies continue to bumble along.”

    Pullman resigns from the Society of Authors

    Philip Pullman resigned from his post as president of the Society of Authors after standing up for fellow author Kate Clanchy, who was cancelled by Picador after she had been wrongly accused of racism. Pullman said, in a written statement to the SoA: “I realised that I would not be free to express my personal opinions as long as I remained President.” The SoA’s committee had obliquely attacked Pullman in a statement about its commitment to social justice; Dames Marina Warner and Carmen Callil quit in protest at Pullman’s treatment.

    Author and lawyer Helen Dale tweeted that the SoA had been “hollowed out” by ideologues and that she had left because it was “useless” and “a shell of its former self”, adding a shout-out for the FSU: “If you’re a writer and you want an outfit that’ll actually have your back, there’s always @SpeechUnion.”

    Author Kat Rosenfield, writing in Persuasion, described the shift in American literary censorship from the formerly dominant conservative right to the left. Rosenfield concluded that, despite the bleak state of affairs in the ultra-woke literary community, “there’s also reason to be optimistic: the fiercer the pressure to conform, the more powerful the creative eruption when artists finally decide to break free”. And Swift Press, the independent publisher that acquired Clanchy’s work after her cancellation, announced that it was launching a new imprint, Forum, aimed at “challenging groupthink”.

    Don’t Say Penis, and other gender news

    Keir Starmer, asked whether a woman could have a penis in an LBC discussion of swimmer Lia Thomas, floundered, saying, “I don’t think we can conduct this debate.” Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner also fudged the question on Sky, saying: “When we debase it to whether or not… what genitalia you’ve got, I think all that does is damage people and it doesn’t help us go forward on some of the real issues that people are facing.” MP Wes Streeting finally came to Labour’s rescue, telling FSU Advisory Council member Julia Hartley-Brewer that “men have penises, women have vaginas”, for which he received applause.

    In the Spectator, James Kirkup spelled out why that Starmer’s squeamishness around biological sex is a problem for Labour, arguing that the key conflict of interests in the trans debate centred on the historical existence of spaces where women could feel secure from the threat of rape. Isabel Hardman said that, while the trans debate was toxic, it could only be resolved by politicians being upfront about their own position and the trade-offs at stake. In the Telegraph, Suzanne Moore said that in conflict zones, where rape is used as a weapon of war by invading armies, “everyone knows what a woman is and if you don’t see the price women pay for that, then you are truly blind”. In the Mail, Sarah Vine made a similar argument; in Spiked, Brendan O’Neill said “from now on let’s just state it clearly: ‘People with penises are men. All of them. The End.’”

    Consequence culture at the Oscars

    Presenter Chris Rock livened up the Oscars, previously described by Toby Young as a “snorefest of non-stop virtue signalling”, by making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald hairdo, prompting Will Smith to slap him. Amid the maelstrom of pearl-clutching and bad takes that ensued, Eric Boehm said in Reason that “Chris Rock won the Oscars slap fight”, admiring Rock’s professionalism in getting on with his job as host without calling for security or punishment: “The restraint and good humour demonstrated by Rock should be a role model for those who want to defend free expression from bullies on the right and the left – and from whichever side of the culture war ends up claiming Smith.”

    In the meantime, the Academy is set to disqualify any films that don’t adhere to their labyrinthine diversity quotas from the Oscars from 2024.

    Event: Why Free Speech Matters

    Please join us in for a members’ event on 21 April 21 in Edinburgh where internationally renowned free speech advocate and author Jacob Mchangama will be introducing his highly acclaimed new book, Free Speech: A Global History from Socrates to Social Media. The evening will be hosted by Toby Young, General Secretary of the Free Speech Union; Toby’s Spectator review of Jacob’s book can be found here. Toby and Jacob will be joined by a distinguished panel to discuss the importance of free speech and how it can be defended today. Tickets can be booked here.

    Free Speech Nation with Andrew Doyle: audience invitation

    FSU members and subscribers are invited by comedian and FSU Advisory Council member Andrew Doyle to join the live audience of his television show, Free Speech Nation, broadcast on GB News on Sunday evenings. Sign up for free tickets here – go to ‘Current Shows’ and scroll down for Free Speech Nation.

  24. Putin ally warns agriculture supplies could be limited to ‘friends’ 1 April 2022.

    April 1 (Reuters) – One of President Vladimir Putin’s allies warned on Friday that Russia, a major global wheat exporter, could limit supplies of agriculture products to “friendly” countries only, amid Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.

    The conflict in Ukraine is of secondary importance to the World Economic War now being waged. Gas, food, oil are the weapons being employed. This is not one that the US can afford to lose since the Dollar Hegemony is at stake! There will be considerable casualties along the way. No mercy will be shown; Nottlers, the Poor, both Foreign and Domestic; anyone not on the list of preferred victimhood. Anything should be expected!

    https://www.reuters.com/business/putin-ally-warns-agriculture-supplies-could-be-limited-friends-2022-04-01/

    1. It does seem odd though, that on the WEF’s list of predictions was the end of US economic dominance, and then hey presto! the US freezes Russian assets, precipitating the end of the dollar as the world’s reserve currency, and fulfilling the WEF prediction.

      I can only see two possible explanations; either the US thought Russia would be quickly crushed, or else they knew that the game is up for the dollar, and have organised its demise, believing that to be better than letting it crash in an uncontrolled way.
      I tend to believe the latter, as the organised collapse of the dollar and euro, followed swiftly by the goldless pound, will allow them to put the West on CBDCs and other digital currencies.

    2. This idiot can’t even tell us what a woman is and he seriously expects anyone to vote for him and his shower.

      1. Indeed. But – looking at the range of wanqueurs on offer – for WHOM does one vote?

        2. I wont vote in the next election unless their is a Reform Party candidate. But that isn’t likely, this is Conservative territory almost 100%.

          1. Same here – our eco-freak, leftie libturd “Tory” would get a majority even if the Tories were wiped out.

      2. 351781+ up ticks,

        Morning JR,
        The sad thing is they do support & vote for the mass uncontrolled immigration
        paedophile umbrella coalition party’s
        lab/lib/con ,without who’s input we could never stay in this shite bog of a country.

    3. It really is astonishing. Has anyone actually said to Starmer – ‘You’ve talked about the cost of energy and inflation. You would then scrap the green taxes on energy and fuel duty? As these hit the poorest hardest.? Would you then scrap fuel duty? Reverse the NI hike? Scrap the upper and higher rates to make tax fairer?

      Of course he wouldn’t. He continue with yet more socialist bollox and make the country even worse.

    4. Is that poster a spoof?
      Vote Labour, with a picture of the biggest reason not to vote Labour right next to the slogan?

      1. 351781+ up ticks,

        Afternoon BB2,
        The biggest reason NOT to vote for any of the lab/lib/con coalition is the importation of foreign paedophilia artist in the past and ongoing today 1/4/2022.

        Such an electorate as ours have proved time & again to be highly dangerous to children.

        Lest we forget rotherham, rochdale, etc,etc,etc.

  26. Anyone struggling to submit their meter readings should note that EON Next is accepting readings via the Tw@ter private message system.

    (Automated Message) Hi there, thanks for getting in touch.

    To help us solve your query that little bit quicker, can you please send us the below info. We are really busy at the moment but we will be with you as quickly as we can!

    Your full name
    Your full address & postcode
    Your email address or account number.

    If you’re getting in touch to provide us with a meter reading, please pop this into your message back to us too. We’ll make sure this is added onto your account for 31st March 2022 and will message you back to confirm once it’s done. We’re really busy right now but please don’t worry if you don’t hear back from us today, the readings will still be added.

    1. Octopus is charging the old rate until Saturday, so there are a couple of extra days to submit.

  27. Good morning all…

    SIR – I am a 68-year-old man. I am over six foot, solidly built and look like a man.

    While queuing for my Covid jab in a car park, a young gentleman came

    down the line with a clipboard, asking questions. He got to me,

    identified my name and asked if I was pregnant.

    With a sincere gaze, I said I was. He didn’t know what to do.

    Stuart Moore

    Bramham, West Yorkshire

    “He didn’t know what to do”.

    Therein lies the stupidity of it all.

    1. Like the Midwives of Belsen Shrewsbury and Telford, he was only obeying orders.

          1. Ahem. You men would not be so quick to joke about childbirth if you had done it!!

    4. The UK has fallen under a compliance culture. Every aspect of life seems to be subject to mindless box-ticking where the tickers don’t have a clue why they are doing the ticking and whether what they are doing is actually important.
      Unfortunately there are numerous areas where it genuinely is important that the questions/procedures are followed to the letter, but because so many aspects are needless bureaucracy people let the important things slip.

    2. They’re brave, but the kind and caring Left will throw excrement at them to demand they stop stating the truth. Government will then blame the ladies for being inflammatory.

    3. Looks like a hate crime to me. Cancel them. Better still, burn them at the stake.

    4. So many MPs with their knickers in such a twist, that the knot has totally closed the anus, rendering them incapable of their usual form of speech.

  30. This is a new age of chaos, famine and disorder. 1 April 2022.

    Almost inevitably, economic turning points tend to be more obvious with the benefit of hindsight than they are at the time, but even the blindest of observers couldn’t fail to notice that we are in the midst of just such an earthquake right now.

    More than 30 years of disinflationary forces have given way to a veritable tsunami of inflationary ones, with potentially far-reaching implications for cross-border migration, labour market bargaining power, the size of the state, the public finances, corporate profits, and much else besides.

    Grown complacent on the idea of permanently low inflation, Western governments came to believe that almost any economic problem could be fixed by simply turning on the central bank printing press. For a while it seemed to work, spectacularly so during the pandemic when burgeoning, war-time-like government deficits were monetised with apparent abandon. Pound for pound, the Bank of England matched the great outpouring of debt issuance with purchases in the market, such that today the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street owns around a third of the national debt.

    We were not alone. Virtually the world over, each economic shock has been met with another lorry load of new money – around £25 trillion of the stuff since the financial crisis alone.

    But that age is now over, and with its passing comes the grim realisation that it was not a cost-free exercise after all. With each further uptick in inflation, and with each increase in short-term interest rates as the Bank of England belatedly attempts to turn the fire hoses on resurgent inflation, debt servicing costs mount further into the stratosphere – a staggering £83 billion next financial year, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, or more than four times higher than the pre-pandemic level. This would make it the fourth largest item of Government expenditure after the NHS, the state pension and education.

    But all of this is just detail. The bigger picture looks more worrying still. Spanish inflation in March was almost 10 per cent, and even in Germany, pathologically averse to rising prices after the last century’s two hyperinflations, inflation was 7.6 per cent. Lest you think the UK is getting off lightly, with an inflation rate of “just” 6.2 per cent in February, best not to gloat; we’ll soon be up there with the rest of them.

    One thing we can be pretty sure of, given how hopelessly wrong-footed policymakers have been, is that inflation will peak higher and prove a deal more persistent than currently anticipated. Already, forecasts are being urgently revisited in light of China’s decision to reimpose strict lockdowns amid a renewed outbreak of Covid.

    Beijing arrogantly believed it led the world with its zero tolerance approach to Covid, but its vaccines have proved largely ineffective, and unable to admit its self-proclaimed “gold standard” might have been wrong, it is now stuck with it, exacerbating shortages in global supply chains and further adding to the inflationary pressures.

    The price of virtually everything is going up, but particularly concerning is food. This is tough enough for the poorer elements in society even in advanced economies, but in the developing and third world it is particularly acutely felt and is nearly always politically destabilising.

    Back in 2007, the soaring price of corn caused a full-blown riot in Mexico City; the so-called Tortilla Crisis. Exacerbated by war-induced crop failure in Ukraine, we can expect much worse this time around, including famine in some parts of the world. This in turn is likely to lead to a fresh migration crisis on Europe’s borders over the next several years.

    In Germany, the cost of weaning consumers and industry off Russian oil and gas is forecast to be anywhere between 0.5 and 6 per cent of GDP. The range is so large because there is no prior experience of such a rupture, so it’s basically just guesswork.

    The case for an immediate boycott, even if Putin doesn’t impose his own ban, is powerfully made in some quarters on the basis that the short, sharp shock approach at least has the merit of getting the adjustment over and done with quickly. Ultimately, Germany will survive the end of the co-dependency much better than Russia.

    Industrial rationing next winter, with many factories forced onto short working weeks or extended holidays, is widely regarded as inevitable if the present standoff over Russian demands for payment in roubles persists.

    In the end, there is no getting away from it; the imported nature of today’s inflation, given wings by the easy money policies of the last 20 years, is going to make us all poorer.

    Who takes the brunt of this pain – capital or labour – has yet to be properly confronted, but with the labour market so tight, my guess is that the hit to corporate profits will be bigger than to wages. In the public sector and the utilities, we can also expect a resurgence in union activism.

    No two decades are the same, but the parallels with the 1970s grow stronger by the day. As then, we’ve largely ourselves to blame; too many years of papering over the cracks has left us cruelly exposed.

    If there isn’t an actual war it will still feel like it!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/04/01/new-age-chaos-famine-disorder/

    1. How can the writer talk about “More than 30 years of disinflationary forces?”
      Do they think we haven’t noticed asset inflation?

      1. If inflation was really so bad the Elite and sensible countries would be invested heavily in Gold.

        They aren’t.

        1. Good morning Janet and all
          It just shows what a load of idiots are in charge of he asylum.

      2. In practical terms? There is no alternative: the state must be cut. The green taxes must be scrapped, fuel duty cut. Medium term a program of building gas and nuclear power stations. One of each a month, for the next 6 months.

        Paid for by ending foreign aid and significant cuts to government spending.

        They argue they can’t, that it would all be caught up in law – They have the power to do this, they just don’t want to. They’ll happily let things like foreign aid and repealing the climate change act be caught up in courts by lobby groups for decades.

        The state likes this mess. It is very happy with the state of the economy, wiht the rate of taxation, inflation, debt and waste.

        1. It’s pay back time ….
          We all knew it was coming but nobody listened to the the
          sirens….did they.

    3. Hang on – the suggestion that it is only the company or the worker who takes the shock is daft.

      The state must. It’s the source of the problem, after all. Company and worker are the same – both private enterprise. Neither caused this mess.

      Neither of them hiked taxes to make goods unaffordable. They didn’t deliberately not build reliable power plants. They didn’t demand farmland be covered in solar panels. They didn’t give money away to foreign warlords. They didn’t pay companies set up a day ago to not work. They didn’t waste 37,000,000,000 on an app. I didn’t see Joe Soap trying to tax the motorist off the road. Nor did he want to hire ten thousand diversity troughers.

      The group who should hurt are the statists. Each tombstone to failure employs more people than IBM does globally. It must be the one that suffers. It’s not our fault. It’s theirs!

          1. ,,,and no means of firing them for incompetence, at least not until 2025 or thereabouts.

            The big question is, who or what is capable of replacing them?

    5. Amazing how we non-experts could foresee all this happening: well, apart from predicting Putin going tonto, which has merely hastened matters.

    1. Interesting that Daniela Nadj assumes that the “right kind of migrants” will be a certain race….

    2. Yes, we do want the right kind of migrants. The ones who don’t want to kill us – not Muslims, basically.

        1. This has been going on for some time. The hyper odious Ken Clarke has been a disciple of Schwab for decades.

    1. On Twater today. Zelenskiy says Russia is amassing forces for “powerful” strikes on Donbas, Mariupol and in the Kharkiv direction

      Anyone listening to RT would already know this from days ago. The Russians have made no secrets about their intentions. And does he seriously think that the people of that area want anything to do with Ukraine anymore, after the previous government and his government has bombarded them ever since he came to power.

  36. All the stories about what is happening in the Ukraine are propaganda – and to be taken with lorryloads of salt.

    However, I do find it funny that Russia is complaining about the Ukrainians actually attacking a target INSIDE Russia!

    Not playing by the rules, eh?

    1. The first casualty of war is truth.

      Personally I think Zelensky and Putin did her in long before they started shooting.

      1. Zelenskyy is an actor, he doesn’t know what the truth is. You can see it in his preposterous demands that the West intervene on the ground. That the freedom of Ukraine is more important than gas and oil. Sure as if we would sacrifice our economies for a rump state.

    3. Good to know that political hypocrisy is universal – part of the human condition.

    4. Bill, you can watch RT without being censored on this link. I gave it below but , all the same, here it is again. https://odysee.com/@RT:fd/RTlivestream:8
      I would suggest to you that what comes out of Russia is not propaganda. As I have already said. They keep making their intentions abundantly clear and, at the same time they act on them. But the only way you are going to get verification of that is by listening to what they say on RT and then waiting to see if what they claim unfolds. I think you will find that there is no deceit involved.

      For example their “retreat” from Kiev etc, is no retreat at all. What they are going after is the One hundred thousand troops around Donbass, they intent to crush them in order to be able to control that entire swath of territory because, at the moment, due to the presence of the Ukrainian troops, they only control 50% of the territory that is Donbass, they want to take it all. And, as I said, they make no secret about it. The people who are trying to twist information is the West and Ukraine. That is the reason why all Russian sources of information have been silenced. They want to keep the West ignorant and worked up into a war frenzy. Because the truth would pull the rug from underneath their feet. The reality is that Russia has already won and with the defeat of the Ukrainian forces in Donbass, they will have mopped up. That is what our government and others don’t want you to know. They backed the wrong horse and are now walking around in the manure they created.

      1. I think RT will not publish anything that doesn’t advance Putin’s cause. But they tend to sway people’s opinions by highlighting stuff the West would rather not talk about, rather than outright lies, is my impression. They won’t talk about stuff that makes Russia look bad either. So you have to look at what they don’t say, as much as what they do say.

        1. That goes without saying. But at the moment most people hear nothing at all about what Russia is saying. But, as I keep saying, you can verify what RT says just by waiting and watching. And, so far, I have not caught them out. And it is a fiction that they only show Russia in a good light or have people who are friendly on RT. Yesterday I listened to an American going hammer and tongs against the Russians and he was blasting out the usual propaganda. If you want to listen to that I will send you the link.

    1. That’s obviously an April fools joke. More land in the USA is devoted to the production of meat than to anything else.

      1. From the paper itself:

        NOTICE
        This is an April Fool’s article and the FDA ban on real meat is a fictional scenario. A
        primary reason why we post April Fool’s articles is to act as warnings. We want to wake
        people up to see what could happen if actions aren’t taken to protect and preserve
        freedom.
        Over the years, many of our April Fool’s “jokes” have come true, including our fictional
        prediction of adult vaccine mandates and internment camps. This isn’t a coincidence.
        This is planned, and you can see it happening around you. The future of your personal
        and medical freedoms has not yet been decided. The ending will depend on you.

        1. So I was right. But would you believe that more land in the USA is devoted to the production of meat than to anything else? Because that isn’t an April fools joke but it does indicate skewered priorities.

          1. Bill Gates is buying up huge tracts of land in the U.S. Obviously to grow alfalfa and mung beans as that will be all we are allowed to eat once cows are canceled.

            Good morning.

          5. Do you want a small wager that that map isn’t skewed to reflect the presenter’s prejudices?
            There will be lots of areas of double counting.

        2. No, it won’t (depend on us). The state will simply enforce it with no recourse.

          I’m sure Amuhricahns will think their gu-huh guhnz will protect them but they’re forgotten that the state has drones, tanks and missiles. Why bother facing your enemy when youcan just shoot him – notwithstanding the endless laws it will change to make such ownership illegal, the statist controls imposed to prevent you living your life in any fashion whatsoever.

      2. A normal sossage is a splendid item. But rare these days. I still hanker for the ones that came back when we sent our annual pig down to a father and son farm slaughterer in the Torridge. “D’ye want chops or sossidges?” And they had their own herbs, with lot of white pepper…. happy days… pass the whichity grubs..,…

    3. The .pdf the article links to is very interesting in that whilst it may be an April fool the references within in it, itemised at the end, are to genuine articles/studies.

      Over the years, many of our April Fool’s “jokes” have come true, including our fictional
      prediction of adult vaccine mandates and internment camps.

  39. Compare and contrast services .

    Yesterday afternoon, the MR ordered cat food. The firm supplies very good quality stuff at 60% of supermarket prices.

    Free delivery. Was here at 10.30 this morning.

    1. I’ve just started a regular delivery – every 8 weeks – of Spartie’s special sensitive tum and skin dried food.
      Again, cheaper than the shops.

      1. Don’t worry, pretty soon we’ll all be stuffed as government begin ‘food shortages planning’ to be replaced with vouchers. It’ll last 30 or 40 years.

    5. What do you feed them on, Bill? Our elderly Lily is getting very fussy and will only eat what she likes. Trouble is her likes and dislikes change…..

    6. Do you never visit my old neighbours, Tom and Karen Van der Louw, at their pet foods business in Melton Constable?

  40. “Covid is yesterday’s cause of fear, and therefore no longer required – not now that there’s a war on. It seems safe to predict that once the war is over, the next thing to fear, and for which sacrifices will have to be made upon the public altar, will be along as promptly as an efficiently run bus. My money’s on Lockdown for the Climate. The outriders for that stunt are already there, of course, with yet more calls to work from home rather than driving into work, and leaving the car parked all day Sunday – for the good of the planet.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW5KlbHyFOY

    1. Excellent Neil.
      Nobody i seem to know understands what is going on as well as you seem to. But the media will never ask your important opinion.
      Most people seem to be blinded by the light of the MSM.
      And if i may, just a reminder. We already know that Macaroon is a W ⚓. As are the majority of other world leaders these days.

      1. Oddly enough, one of my neighbours, whom I met in town, bent my ear about how bad things were and people would surely be up in arms about the way things were going (I didn’t start it, for once!). I said everybody seems to be happy to be controlled and when told to jump just ask how high. He agreed and said he got really angry about it.

    1. April fool ?
      I can’t open twitter any more it blocks access after a few seconds and advises me to sign up……….

    3. OK, good showing. I’m glad they can take a joke.

      Now, about the Warqueen’s season ticket….

  43. A friend of mine told me ‘…My missus is SO pissed off with me again.
    Last night, while she was asleep, I gently removed her Tampax and replaced it with a party popper leaving the string hanging out.
    I’m telling you… That woman has got NO sense of humour.’

    1. Actually Eddy, it is frightening. If they remove Biden on the grounds that he isn’t up to it. This lunatic becomes the Vice President and Harris the President. The West will cave in around its ears!

      1. I don’t think she actually becomes the Vice-President as such, she is next in line of succession until the new President in conjunction with the houses appoints a new V-P. There is a clear distinction between “acting as” and “becoming”
        Even with divided power I doubt that there would be significant delay in appointing one.

        Even so, I agree re the dangers if that lunatic became acting President.

        1. But we already have a lunatic acting as president! Will we know the difference?

          1. Probably not, except that Pelosi is a particularly vindictive piece of work, worse even than Biden.

          2. She doesn’t sniff young childrens hair? Or touch them while their parents smile?

          4. Given Biden’s/the Dems’ SCOTUS nomination, I would not be at all surprised.

        2. If that was done after the mid term elections, then the next vice-President will be a Republican.

          1. Nope, the President appoints and the Houses would confirm, the precedent would be such a potential disaster that even the most MAGA wouldn’t countenance it because it would be used against them in due course.

          2. Section 2 of the Twenty-fifth Amendment provides that “whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.” So it would be stalemate. It would have to be a Republican because after the mid term elections they will hold both houses.

          3. I disagree.
            It is too serious to run as you state.
            If they really did go along those lines then what is to stop any President being impeached and then the V-P etc etc until a new President is selected whom the voters did not actually elect.
            Are you seriously suggesting even the dolts in the Houses don’t realise that that is the way to a dictatorship.

      2. I did wonder whether Trump’s lawsuit against Hilary is a means of removing her from the running when the Presidency comes up for grabs. Perhaps I am being too suspicious, but it will certainly rule her out, I would have thought.
        My money’s still on President Obama (Michelle).

        2. Michael run by his husband ?

          https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=early+photo+of+obama+and+michelle&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dearly%2bphoto%2bof%2bobama%2band%2bmichelle%26form%3dANNTH1%26refig%3de88498de1813441ab209f2a973a3c012%26sp%3d1%26qs%3dUT%26pq%3dearly%2bphoto%2bof%2boba%26sk%3dPRES1%26sc%3d2-18%26cvid%3de88498de1813441ab209f2a973a3c012&mmscn=vwrc&view=detail&mid=4884295FBD8F470934ED4884295FBD8F470934ED&rvsmid=4BDD85D623C064811E8E4BDD85D623C064811E8E&FORM=VDRVRV

      3. I guess so JR it seems the deeper one delves into US politics the worse it becomes.

        1. I, for one, think the US electoral system mitigates against democracy.

          What’s wrong with counting the votes in idividual states and the winner is…

      4. All planned for Kamelarse to become President. I thought that it would have happened sooner. Maybe they are waiting for some silly error of Biden’s as an excuse to remove him. Declaring war on Russia kind of thing.

        1. It’s so that she gets a chance at two full terms, on top of her stint as stand in.
          If she starts before the mid-way point she can only stand again once.

  46. Dear NoTTLers,

    Some people yesterday were showing concern over True Belle’s absence from here – we have had a couple of chats, and she and her OH are still getting over their bout of covid. Although she has written a little bit on various forums, she is not really feeling her usual NoTTL sparkly self, and is just taking a breather from the world and its ills (we can moan a lot can’t we?!)

    So she’ll be back with us very soon, and all is well.

    2. Good to know, Lass.

      Please send them both our wishes for their speedy recovery with love and hugs.

    1. Instead of training the current crop of horses, why not recruit gay horses instead? No need for re-training.

      2. Just make sure their hooves are painted in rainbow colours to match the riders’ nail varnish.

    2. Someone call PETA. The horses are obviously distressed at all the virtue signalling.

    3. Those rainbow supposed crossings are illegal.

      They are no longer crossings where you are obliged to stop if someone is crossing – please do your best not to hit them, it could damage your car!

      1. But you’ll get done by the rainbow plod! Unlike the yoghurt knitting, sandal wearing tw*ts!

        1. He (the rainbow plod) wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on, even if it were multi-coloured.

      2. As recently demonstrated in BC where a cyclist has just received a bill to repair the car of a motorist that had run him over.

        As insurance in BC is operated by the province, they have the lawyers to enforce the claim.

    4. Next time the council complains they need more money… and the next time the police say they need more money….

      The state is awash with waste. This is a tiny example of it. This is why must be culled.

      1. Hammersmith & Fulham council spent £27k on banners all around the borough declaring. “We ❤️ the EU”, to be followed by, “Stay Home, Save Lives”. “We squander your money on our lies” would be so much more appropriate.

        2. https://www.grammar.com/math_vs._maths
          Math vs. Maths

          Both “math” and “maths” are abbreviations for the word “mathematics”, the complex science that studies numbers and shapes. We can’t claim that any of these abbreviated forms is right or wrong, because they are just shorter versions for the full noun (“mathematics”). Whether you prefer adding the last “s” or not is a matter of personal choice and culture, according to how you’ve been educated in school and how you have seen it spelled more frequently.

          9. I always thought that ‘Math’ is American; ‘Maths’ is British.

            Tom Lehrer – the brilliant and brutal satirist – used to teach ‘Math’ at Harvard. I do not think this verse in My Home Town was autobiographical and, as far as I know, he did not supplement his income by selling pornography to his pupils.

            The guy that taught us math
            Who never took a bath
            Acquired a certain measure of renown
            And after school he sold the most amazing pictures
            In my home town.

            However did wrIte a song about the delights of ‘New Math’:

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIKGV2cTgqA

  50. 351781+ up ticks,
    May one ask is the continual blocking of an individual denying him / her / it access to the views of others.

    Does it infringe in any possible way with free speech on an open platform.

    Makes one wonder if they, the deniers suffer truth shyness for past actions it they are tory ( ino) hard core members that will explain a great deal.

  51. Oh dear, the woke are at it again, removing gender specific terms from the laws in BC. We are wondering how they will manage the Dike Maintenance Act.

    This from a province that still has a law on the books that bans asians from owning property.

  52. How financial woes have tormented the Duke of York for years. 1 April 2022.

    It is hard being a prince when you haven’t actually got very much money. Having grown up living in palaces and castles and with servants at his beck and call, it is fair to say the Duke of York has struggled to adapt to life in the 21st century.

    Living beyond your means with a spendthrift wife usually results in some form of financial difficulty.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/03/31/prince-andrew-net-worth-much-settlement-explained/

    2. My father always gave the case of John Gilpin’s wife as an example of an admirable spouse.

      You will remember that when they were planning an outing to the Bell at Edmonton to celebrate the anniversary of their twice ten tedious years of marriage Mrs Gilpin packed some wine as she knew it would be cheaper than having to buy it at the Bell.

      John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;
      O’erjoyed was he to find,
      That though on pleasure she was bent,
      She had a frugal mind.

    3. Wasn’t he some sort of business envoy to Arabs and other assorted despots?…and he’s still broke?

      1. Afternoon Phizzee. I once saw his wife recieving one million pounds in cash on TV for access to him. It was hard to believe that it was the only time it had been done!

  53. Thought for the day…

    What’s the most ethical thing about being a vegan? Is it

    A) driving up the price of staple foods in poor countries with their
    insatiable appetite for quinoa and lentils, pushing the local people
    further into poverty and hunger.

    or

    B) posting virtuous social media messages on their i-phone, made in a
    factory by suicidal slaves.

    Answers on a piece of recyclable hemp paper please.

  54. And folks, today i have had another letter from the NHS telling my my appointment has been cancelled. But they only sent me the almost identical letter 12 days ago. But i think i’m on top of it now. It is They who have lost the plot.

    1. They are just trying to drive you mad Eddy. That comes out of someone elses budget.

      1. It might just be an old girl friend Phizz, all the letters are coming from Erdington. Where C.L. use to live. 😉
        If so i’m flattered.

      2. You know, what they do to you almost makes you feel like that’s what is happening, doesn’t it? Because you aren’t well you do start to doubt your own reason and start thinking that maybe your just neurotic. When I was told yesterday I had a urine infection, I actually argued against what I was being told because I had already been tested twice. It was only when she went into detail I finally believed her and the wave of relief. Seriously, it was as if someone had told me that I wasn’t insane. It really is a diabolical system in which half the time you doubt your own sanity and half the time you feel they are gaslighting you and your dealing with a bunch of sadists.

    2. Imagine a world where they didn’t get paid unless they did the work. That’s put a bomb under them.

      1. That is the virtue of the American system. It is amazing how fast they respond when you are ill. Free market in which you can just walk off if you aren’t happy and get another doctor.
        A friend of mine went in for his annual check up and happened to mention that his father had died at 36, his current age. They asked him what from, checked him out and was in surgery that night for a triple by pass. He is now healthy and my age.
        Delboy36 Also has a storey about how fast they are if your problem is serious.

          1. No, all you need is medical insurance, which is generally much cheaper than medical bills!

          2. But without it – as, I understand, large swathes of Americans are included – loadsa money or SFA. Certainly not the instant treatment to which your earlier post referred.

          3. As I said, I have used both and both responded promptly. And it is illegal for hospitals in the US to refuse help if needed, insurance or not.

          4. As I said, I have used both and both responded promptly. And it is illegal for hospitals in the US to refuse help if needed, insurance or not.

          5. As I said, I have used both and both responded promptly. And it is illegal for hospitals in the US to refuse help if needed, insurance or not.

          6. Ex employer is offering retirees health insurance, some are being quoted over $2,00 a month for coverage. Not what I would consider reasonable.

            Note just one company and a few examples.

          7. Actually no, that is a myth perpetrated by those who support the NHS. Most people in the USA are insured via their place of work. And Public Health care is as good as the NHS. I have used both.

      1. Where do you get the ‘colour chart’, Mola?
        My site – NYT Wordle – doesn’t provide it.

        1. When you’ve found the correct word, click on the bar chart symbol at the top right of the screen. This will bring up your statistics. (I think this pops up when you find the correct word but this lets you do it post game) Now click ‘SHARE’ and it says your results have been copied to your ‘Clipboard’. I access the clipboard when I’ve opened a Reply box here on Nottler by pressing the Windows button and ‘v’ at the same time (works on Windows 10 at least). Up comes the Clipboard and I double click on the picture, like this.
          Wordle 286 3/6

          🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
          ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟩
          🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

          1. Wordle 286 3/6

            ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
            🟩🟨🟩🟩🟨
            🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
            Got it; thank you Mola!

          2. You will see that I had a a Morecambesque 2/3 – ‘All the right notes in the wrong order’ 🙂

          4. Oh you mean like this?

            Wordle 286 4/6

            🟩⬜🟩⬜⬜
            ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
            🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜
            🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

          5. That looks odd, richardI_. Why would you not put the 2 correct letters where they belong in guesses 2 and 3, is it some sort of tactic I can’t see?

          12. Phew, I was right. It’s an interesting game/pursuit isn’t it, but just logical.

          13. IMO there is a certain element of luck to start with – the first word is vital. Pious is usually good for elimination of letters not in a word (or to uncover an “ou” combination or a plural), but not as good for showing letters actually contained in most words.

  56. Did you see?
    Last night TV BBC 2 –

    ‘How to Sleep Well’ …. Michael Mosley.

    After 40 mins I was none the wiser and promptly fell asleep!

    1. Those who were in perfect health before their vaccine have encountered too much ignorance and scepticism when seeking medical help. For some, their general practitioner has refused to engage, to the extent that they are made to feel gaslighted, with their physical pain being dismissed or explained away as mental illness. How insulting and humiliating is that and how at odds with the principles of the national health service?

      Bold underline mine.

      The NHS moved away from its principles decades ago.

      1. Cynic! I think he’s quite brave to raise it as an issue and he probably will persue it.

        1. It’ll never become law, though. For a PMB or 10 minute Bill to become law, government support is essential.

    3. Chope is my MP and the only politician in 60 years to knock on my door to canvass my vote.

    4. Interesting and I believe that our ills here have been exacerbated after we had the two AZ jabs last year. And a senior specialist NHS nurse told MH that it was a good thing he had not had the booster as it gets into your circulation, then the liver and does harm.
      The stuff we are both experiencing, although different, has become worse since the late summer of last year.

      1. I had the two AZ jabs – really only because I was still hoping to have my trip to Kenya last year (I finally went last month) – I think I dodged a bullet as I had no side effects unless my stiff shoulder was one. That’s more or less ok now. I declined the booster and two jabs were enough for travel requirements. I definitely won’t be taking any more.

        OH had the booster as he was persuaded by the surgery to have it. He has had Pfizer each time but seems to be ok. I don’t think the prostate troubles had any bearing on the jabs. He’s decided not to bother with the 4th one.

          3. I think that is true. They look like the “liver spots” that old people had when I was young. They come and go.

          4. Do you mean those nasty red, subcutaneous bruises? So far I seem to have escaped those. I assume those are leaky bloodvessels.

  59. It is bizarre seeing people who well know that the government here and in the US lie whenever their lips move over the virus, the injectates and related wokeist cant, persist in believing the BS narrative on Ukraine. Since 2014 the right-wing cabal that the west put into power at the Maidan has been intimidating and then assaulting the Russian-speakers in the east. At least 15,000 (UN figs) were killed by eastern Ukrainian forces during that 8 years. In February the Ukrainians
    prepared a full scale operation in the Donbass, and it was the interception of that intention that brought forward Russian
    intervention. Nearly all the military action has been in the Donbass to remove what Russia, reasonably enough calls the Nazi Ukrainians who until then infested it. On the basis of their performance to date, the Russian military can only be criticised by those who seek great civilian casualties and escalation.

    In the meantime the west does its best to remove any media output that tells any story but its own twisted rubbish. It has not succeeded

    1. For goodness sake. This is absolutely insane. Let’s waste money overseas, while we’re cold and miserable here.

      I hate this government. It has got to go.

  61. Interesting ongoing case:

    The former head girl of a private school has been accused of faking the will of her old headmistress in a bid to inherit her £4.2 million estate.

    However, Leigh Voysey, 42, says Maureen Renny, former head of the independent fee-paying Barn School, left her £1.65m seven-bed detached house to her – rather than her family – to save it from being sold to developers.

    Mrs Renny’s sprawling home, Hill House, in Much Hadham, Herts, was until 1998 the site of The Barn School, which Ms Voysey attended as a girl, starting as an eight-year-old in 1987.

    She claims that Mrs Renny had “always favoured her”, giving her the best parts in class plays, and that she “reconnected” with her old mentor by chance, while working as a carer, during the last three years of her life.

    Ms Voysey, a mum-of-one, says the elderly former head asked her to write out a will and organise a friend to sign it on Mrs Renny’s behalf in September 2019, as she feared that her beloved former school building would be sold to developers if she left it to her blood relatives.

    Ms Voysey claims Mrs Renny decided to leave her everything, cutting out cousins and the children of her stepson, who had stood to inherit under a will made in 2016.

    Mrs Renny’s relatives are now fighting the former head girl’s bid to claim the fortune in London’s High Court, accusing her of fraudulently faking the 2019 will.

    Documents lodged with the court set out how Mrs Renny died, aged 82, in January 2020, four months after the new will, leaving her £4.2m estate to her former pupil, was allegedly made.

    A previous will from 2016 divided her estate between her cousins Gillian Ayre, Angela Eastwood and Susan Vickers, and the children of her stepson, Thomas and Katherine Renny.

    Kate Selway QC, for the family, said: “It is the defendants’ case that the 2016 will was the deceased’s last true will.

    “The 2019 will is invalid because it was procured by the claimant’s fraudulent conduct.”

    She added: “The deceased never signed the 2019 will. The 2019 will was completed in the claimant’s handwriting and allegedly witnessed by two friends of the claimant who were not known to the deceased.”

    Ms Selway also stated that Mrs Renny lacked the capacity to execute the will and did not know or approve of its contents, even if it wasn’t faked.

    She had a stroke in July 2019 and subsequently was recorded in carer’s notes as “talking gibberish”, confused about money, vulnerable, delusional and “largely living in the past”.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/04/01/ex-head-girl-faked-headmistresss-will-inherit-42m-estate/

    If I were in judgement, the first thing I’d like to know is about how often the family met or contacted the deceased.

    1. It does sound, however, that the old lady was no longer capable of making a rational decision.

    1. Just looked it up because it is one of those books that people say they have read but haven’t. The ending is self and other flagellation, an orgy, guilt and shame and suicide. Huxley wrote about the ending: “[John] is made to retreat from sanity; his native Penitente-ism reasserts its authority and he ends in maniacal self-torture and despairing suicide.” Sounds like a weekend in Liverpool.

        1. It’s actually time for my yearly spring reading ritual of Wind in the Willows.

    2. Did it for O level, didn’t like it and can’t remember the ending! Sorry Plum.

      1. Didn’t do it for O level – decided I had better things to read and never changed my mind.

        1. I much preferred the Brontes, Austen* and etc. I did enjoy The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene which I also did for O level.
          * And still do.

          1. We ‘did’ The History of Mr. Polly for ‘O’ level.
            The Pardoner’s prologue and tale for Chaucer and Henry V for Shalkespeare.

          2. Having taken my O Levels a year early (i e in four years, not five) we were spared English Literature. I did French and Russian Literature instead.

      1. Forewarned is forearmed?
        Abraham Tucker used that form of the proverb in The Light of Nature Pursued, 1768: “Knowing that forewarned is forearmed.” Tucker was something of a specialist on the subject – just five years before, he had published a treatise titled Freewill, Foreknowledge, and Fate.

        1. Have you ever read any Ann Patchett books? Bel Canto and State of Wonder to name only two are very good. She writes well.

    6. I read Brave New World as an undergrad, some sixty years ago …
      I don’t recall the ending; the entire novel is dystopian to say the least, sweetie x.

  63. Remember the Evergreen container ship that ran aground last year in the Suez Canal? There is another one, from the same company, stuck in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay, attempts to get it free have so far failed.

      2. Did you ever listen to “Navy Lark”, I was drawn to Leslie Phillips and his “left hand down a bit…..oops”

    2. The container ship apparently missed a turn leaving Baltimore, causing it to end up in the shallows off Pasadena, Md., where it remains. That’s right: A 1,095-foot ship called Ever Forward has been lodged there for nearly three weeks. Efforts to free the ship so far have been unsuccessful.21 hours ago

      https://youtu.be/UZP2wmY8Ucc

    2. Someone posted a new rule on the US golf rules Facebook group this morning to the effect that golfers are only allowed to lose three balls during a round.

      A lot of people took it seriously.

  65. The CEO of Germany’s multinational BASF SE, the world’s largest chemical producer, has warned that curbing or cutting off energy imports from Russia would bring into doubt the continued existence of small and medium-sized energy companies, and further would likely spiral Germany into its most “catastrophic” economic crisis going back to the end of World War 2.

    Company CEO Martin Brudermuller issued the words in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper just ahead of German officials by midweek giving an “early warning” to industries and the population of possible natural gas shortages, as Russia appears ready to firmly hold to Putin’s recent declaration that “unfriendly countries” must settle energy payments in rubles, related to the Ukraine crisis and resultant Western sanctions.

    According to Bloomberg he mused that while “Germany could be independent from Russia gas in four to five years” it remains that “LNG imports cannot be increased quickly enough to replace all Russian gas flows in the short term.”

    BLT Comment is spot on!

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/97de6c1a49529cb9db22ec73ae6f5ac7614a4d698541a1f4eb40cfa284b22da9.png

    1. Look on the bright side.
      If Germany goes, the Euro goes and the EU will probably follow.

    2. President Putin is definitely a chess player: we are in the makings of a Rook endgame.

    3. Apparently another coal fired power station in Germany is being shut today. It might be a dirty lignin burner but even so, what a stupid move.

  67. According to the Express:
    ” Boris Johnson has quietly given the green light to sell a major Welsh microchip factory to a Chinese owned firm, in what appears to be a betrayal of a key Brexit pledge.
    The Government has decided not to block the sale of Newport Wafer Fab, the UK’s largest semiconductor plant, to Nexperia, a Dutch subsidiary of the Chinese technology company Wingtech. Semiconductors, also known as microchips, are a critical component of electronic devices, including smartphones. A major controversy broke out after Nexperia attempted to buy the plant last spring.”

    If true, I am not surprised. Nothing surprises me about that incompetent, traitorous blob.

    https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1589904/brexit-news-boris-johnson-china-welsh-microchip-factory-controversial-sale?utm_source=express_newsletter&utm_campaign=politics_evening_newsletter2&utm_medium=email&pure360.trackingid=8611c329-d857-4d30-be4b-88746d9fa5d5

    2. I get the plant being sold, but are the jobs going as well?

      CPU fabs are hideously expensive to build. Comically I suppose we won’t have enough energy to run it, so hey ho.

      1. A petulant thug who would be a decent rugby player if he didn’t cheat, argue with the ref and deliberately foul opposition players.

          2. I confess to having watched NFL games in the past, especially the Super Bowl but after moving to WV 12 years ago, I found more interesting stuff to do!!

    3. It seems that the highest and mightiest cannot define a woman, would you hazard a guess at defining a real man?

  69. That’s me for today. Lots of sun – 30ºC in greenhouse – but lots of snow flurries – and, above all, a very strong, and unpleasant, north-easterly wind.

    Should be calmer tomorrow – and sunny – hope to have a bonfire.

    Have a jolly evening, shivering.

    A demain.

  70. ‘evening all, Tin Tenting in sunny but v. chilly N.Devon. Today we revisited one of the area’s most tranquil and restoring destinations. Marwood Hill Gardens – beautiful landscaping and a cream tea to die for – I’m not admitting to the disposition of the jam/cream.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a51074e9f7a13823e0fecb65ff2eb89b827a1175dd6054099279a89be2378300.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/865d3ed0e7206cbd76e70f96dd685ef3e62dc16f54fe88089f5b9bf8b10234d7.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ebf37409b0ccbbaff2bf13dad4a75417876a2eee06bd3b6a21f9f348c742e714.jpg

    1. Gotta love Devon. Friend Dianne is now happily ensconced in Topsham. It’s a bloody amusement park, compared to her last place in Woking. She does walking, and has covered much of Dartmoor. And a significant birthday ‘do’ next month, just outside Dulverton.

    1. AI would be very welcome. It would do away with the useless fools in government permanently. Having got rid of their egos, waste, incompetence and stupidity we could re-organise society into a rational, information based, data led environment.

      Morons like Boris wouldn’t exist, courts wouldn’t be backed up with endless pleas from career criminals, gimmigrants wouldn’t be allowed ot land here – you name it, we could improve it.

      2. England have drawn just about the easiest possible group in the soccer world cup.

  76. I really don’t like Russell Brand but he is incredibly popular with a following of millions of people. So I have been trying my best to listen to him and he does make sense, I just wish he would tone down his presentation. Watch this and see what you think about what he is saying.
    This Is A F*cking Disgrace
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI6JcPnbZYQ

    1. He suffers from verbal diarrhoea and unpleasantness – his mother’s genes …

        1. Jo Brand (A long-standing NoTTL joke, by the way)

          If that name means nothing (as it may well) google it.

          1. It does. She is another of those BBC types, supposed to be a comedian that when you listen you don’t even crack a smile. I have never come across a BBC comedian that made me laugh, they are all humourless bores.

          2. Foul-mouthed, leftie. remainiac, over-weight, unfunny. Shoo-in for beeboid “comedy”,

    2. I agree that his tone of voice and manner can grate but he does talk sense and his acting in this video made me laugh. I don’t care for his accent but I can hear every word very clearly.

    1. Ackshally, tweeter, hospitals are very UNSAFE places. Full of diseased and infectious people – and lots of patients, too…

      1. It might be interesting to know the patient:non patient ratio in any hospital at any one time.
        A moving dial over the door to A&E showing patients to staff in the whole hospital would almost certainly show patients in second place most of the time, and certainly 9-5 M-F.

          1. Errr…
            This is the NHS you are referring to.
            Fewer staff on duty at the W/E therefore you’re expected to survive.

          2. You may think that – I suggest that you DON’T try it for yourself.

            I have new blood-thinning tabs. I am delaying starting them until Monday, because I want to be able to contact a doctor FAST should the tabs produce unpleasant side-effects. If I took one today – I might have to wait 12 to 18 hours at A & E (providing I have enough money to pay for the carpark).

            Clap, eh? Not I.

  78. I am only here because Cook is dreadfully slow this evening. If only skilled staff were easier to come by…

    (I can only say that because she never looks at NoTTL…!!! – In fact she is a remarkably good and inventive chef).

  79. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during an overnight speech Friday that he has demoted two of his own generals, describing them as “traitors.”

    The leadership shuffle in the upper echelon of Ukraine’s government comes as its war with Russia stretches Friday into its 37th day.

    “Today another decision was made. Regarding antiheroes. Now I do not have time to deal with all the traitors. But gradually they will all be punished,” Zelenskyy said.
    “That is why the ex-chief of the Main Department of Internal Security of the Security Service of Ukraine Naumov Andriy Olehovych and the former head of the Office of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Kherson region Kryvoruchko Serhiy Oleksandrovych are no longer generals,” he continued.

    Zelenskyy didn’t explicitly say why the generals were demoted, but said, “According to Article 48 of the Disciplinary Statute of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, those servicemen among senior officers who have not decided where their homeland is, who violate the military oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people [in regard to] the protection of our state, its freedom and independence, will inevitably be deprived of senior military ranks. Random generals don’t belong here!”

    This highlights a problem. This is essentially a civil war that in Ukraine you cannot be sure of the loyalties of anyone in the government. I would bet a large proportion of officials are pro-Russian.

    1. Just sounds like a need for an East and a West Ukraine. Got to be better than the current situation.

    1. Notable that he talks about financial security and makes the point of confiscatory taxes. That’s the real danger – the state robbing you.

  81. Finally, my moments of fame. It you are watching Patrick Christys on GB and saw his ice skating segment- I was on the ice with him. Yes, moi, the penguin! 😉

          3. I could get to the Bottom of this but will simply accept the Quincequonces.

          7. PS.
            get your Snout out of this before you’re Starveling and eating Mustardseeds, like a Moth eaten Pease pudding

      1. I understand that the North East part of Britain is still rising as a result of Ice-Age glaciers having disappeared and as a consequence, the South East of England is slowly sinking.

    2. During the storm of 1953, the article makes no mention of the storm ‘surge’ that happened at the same time, flooding not only parts of Kent but most of the East coast, even north of Great Yarmouth.

      I remember, as a 9 year old, being taken by my father to view the devastation of the Lowestoft sea defences. Hugh blocks of concrete tossed all over the place, as if by a giant’s temper.

      Never under-estimate the power of Mother Nature.

      1. As I already pointed out too to William the lie is in the pretence this is from “climate change”. The reality is that ice melting from the last ice age has enabled Scotland to rise as the south of the entire Island sinks. It has nothing at all to do with climate change. It is a slow process that has been going on for thousands of years and was known to be happening long before the chatter about climate change started. Any geologist knows that this process is going on.

      1. 351781+ up ticks,
        Evening WS,
        Will it endanger any of the illegal invasion force?

      2. The reality is that as the ice melts from the last ice age, Scotland rises and the south sinks. It has nothing at all to do with climate change. It is a slow process that has been going on for thousands of years.

  83. Well, to the very few fools on Nottle, may most of your April be merry.
    To the rest of us, may it get better than March
    Good night.

  84. Bugger!
    Catching up with the comments and got white screened when I tried to upvote someone!

    I’m spitting bloody feathers. It seems that the Van is going to need £6,500 worth of repairs, so Direct Line is writing it off and offering me £4,500 as the value.
    I may have the option of buying it and doing sufficient to keep it on the road, which, as the damage does not affect it’s road worthiness, I’ll probably take.

      1. As I have no plans to sell the thing, the main repair that NEEDS doing is to ensure that the rear door, which I managed to open this afternoon by means of a bloody big kick from the inside, are adjusted so the lower catches where the floor is buckled actually engage.

    3. Yo, Bob. I had a similar thing a few years ago with Direct Line. I had an elderly Megane Scenic, and – as I turned right into a minor road, some dopey tw@t in a Ford Ka turned right out of it. But misjudged. Damage to his car was quite severe, as I now expect from any Ford (don’t ask). The Scenic had a slight dent in the rear wheel arch, and lost a hub cap from that wheel. Which I retreived. I was happy to ignore the whole thing. We were both insured with Direct Line. As his insurers, they then pursued me into having the Megane assessed. I responded that it was “worth bugger all, was barely damaged, and I wasn’t bovvered”. But they persisted. “We need to assess your car for the damage”. My response was that, it was so old they’d write it off, despite the damage being merely cosmetic. “No we won’t”, they said. “Any decision re. writing off is entirely yours”. So I let them take it away for assessment. Whereupon they reported it as Cat C and wrote it off. Utter Bar Stewards…

  85. Oh dear:-

    Trans-Identified Male Who Took Female Seat in German Parliament to Speak on “Women in Politics”

    Germany’s Green Party has chosen a trans-identified male member of parliament, Tessa Ganserer, to speak at an event highlighting women in politics. Ganserer, whose real name is Markus, was elected to Germany’s Bundestag in September 2021, taking a seat that was reserved for female political representation.

    The event, titled Women*. Power. Politics, uses an asterisk throughout its description to indicate “all women are welcome,” by which they are clearly referring to Ganserer, who is a man.

    “Time for new perspectives, time for more women* in politics and business,” reads the event’s tagline.
    https://grahamlinehan.substack.com/p/trans-identified-male-who-took-female

    This, apparently is him:-
    https://twitter.com/BeardedBob7282/status/1509994172433977351

      1. She should have dressed in Lederhosen.

        Living proof that ‘women’ have penises. The same condition applies to Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ahern.

  87. I sometimes enjoy Susan Calman’s programmes but the “Cruising With …” is a step too far – the ship is an abomination – a tacky, awful “High de High” on sea.

  88. Just finished watching again ‘The Big Trail’ with John Wayne in his first starring role, 1930, a talky. The acting is a bit wooden and the story is basically the
    format for future westerns but the scale of the film is epic. Gawd knows how many animals and humans died in its making.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8vJ4R8mkVY

  89. Evening, all. Where to start? Oscar’s dew claw was in-growing so he had to have a trip to the vet (more expense!). My electricity supplier emailed me to say not to bother sending in my meter reading as the website couldn’t cope. I was due to go to a remembrance service in Shrewsbury this evening, but the rug that I bought the other day was due to be delivered at the time I needed to leave,so I knocked that on the head and stayed at home. The rug is down (it looks magnificent) and I’ve put the books I had to move back in the bookcases – except that I have a lot of books left over! Why is it when you take things out and put them back, they never fit?

    1. I wouldn’t be too bothered about a spare book but I would be concerned if I had left over bits after repairing the brakes on my car.

      1. A spare book? I have dozens! I can’t think why they won’t all go back in the same place! Admittedly, I have tried to rationalise the arrangement so that subjects are together now.

        1. Ah, unless Oscar has been drooling over them and causing the paper to swell, I have no idea. Our bookcases normally end up with a horizontal row above the vertical books after we double up the rows.

          Things wil become equally difficult for us (we hope). We are trying to move back into town and downsize, nothing will fit.

          1. I do have horizontal rows above the vertical books as well. For some reason, I couldn’t double up the rows, so that’s probably where I’ve gone wrong.

  90. I am hanging on by a thread tonight. Cannot stand anymore of the constant bullshit being pumped out all the time by the media and the so-called government.
    We are going to be in dire straits here, no not the band; we have little money and we are both unwell.
    So what is next? Just to die quietly? Which is what they bloody want.

    1. That’s what they want. Hang on in there, BigSis & OH. You’re not alone.

      PS: I liked Dire Straits before they became popular. Less so after…

    2. I don’t know what to say, Ann. I’m avoiding all the media and, as far as possible, the government. My income has gone down (considerably), my tax take has gone up and my bills are rocketing – not helped by Oscar who is keeping the vets in luxury all on his own.

    3. Fade away quietly, preferably with a touch of covid/ cold/ flu so that you can be included in the right statistics.

      I second the advice from HC – don’t watch the news. My wife may insist on the cbc news being on but I just Blick it out and read a book.

      1. Richard, I don’t watch the sodding news! But I do like to have some idea of what it going on. The Beeb and other channels are ignored by me.
        I can recommend the Neil Oliver podcasts on YT about the distant past.

        1. I am at the point of not wanting to know, when the missiles start flying overhead is going to be enough warning for me.

    4. Lottie, do as we do and do not watch any “news”. We haven’t for probably very nearly 2 years now. Very rarely saw any of the daily updates from Shitty, Unbalanced or anyone else. There’s too much doom and gloom. Have a snifter or two. Sod the lot of em I say.

      1. See below- I don’t watch the news but I do read the papers so I have some vague idea of what’s going on.

        1. Clearly that’s where you’re going wrong; the papers are as bad as the TV. I have been reading (don’t laugh – they are magazines available in my favourite cafe) Mindful Living and one about Spiritual Healing. I don’t believe a word of it, but I do practise mindfulness. Don’t know that it helps, but it can’t do any harm (and it’s all the NHS was prepared to offer to help me deal with my pain – it’s worse than useless for that).

        2. I haven’t read a newspaper for some years now. The only thing I miss is they were good for lining the compost bin in the kitchen.

    6. At least write all this down for your family.
      A former colleague of mine had two pieces of writing from a Victorian ancestor, who had worked in a mill and attended creative writing classes. They were just ordinary anecdotes but as you can imagine, very precious to her descendants.
      Maybe it will take your mind off it a bit – and your talents clearly lie in that direction (some of them anyway!)

    1. G’night Conway and all who are still awake. Just got up coz can’t get off to sleep. Again! Sleep pattern seems all up the creek. One good night then a bad one. Don’t know why, no particular reason.

      Come downstairs just for something to do. Have listened to some Mellow Magic but …

      1. Good morning.
        Make sure your bed is comfortable and at the right temperature. Don’t drink coffee or stimulants in the evening. Try slow breathing exercises to calm and settle you. Helps to calm and clear the mind. Turn off the lights. Have a cup of warm milk or cocoa. Try a herbal sleep aid. You can get them from the pharmacy.

        My Bill is in the post. :@)

        1. Might try a herbal drink. Like to get into a cold bed in cold air, well, if not cold at least cool. Most frustrating. Then the next morning feel yuk and the temptation is to stay in bed to try and catch up on sleep. Ah well. Worst things happen at sea as they say! Your bill will be attended to instantly. Thank you!

          BTW good frosty morning all. The lovely magnolia in next door’s garden has been caught by the frost. Sad.

      2. The worst thing you could do, apparently is to lie in bed and toss and turn. Far better to get up, make a drink and read/listen to music. When I can’t sleep, it’s usually because the pain is keeping me awake. I can only take really strong pain-killers (i e the sort that actually work) if I haven’t had any alcohol, so the choice for me is drink or drugs 🙂

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