Sunday 13 April: The Duke of Sussex must live with the consequences of quitting Royal life

Posted on by Geoff Graham

An unofficial place to discuss the Telegraph letters, established when the DT website turned off its commenting facility (now reinstated, but we prefer ours),
Intelligent, polite, good-humoured debate is welcome, whether on or off topic. Differing opinions are encouraged, but rudeness or personal attacks on other posters will not be tolerated. Posts which – in the opinion of the moderators – make this a less than cordial environment, are likely to be removed, without prior warning.  Persistent offenders will be banned.

Today’s letters (visible only to DT subscribers) are here.

625 thoughts on “Sunday 13 April: The Duke of Sussex must live with the consequences of quitting Royal life”

  1. Good morning, chums. And thanks, Geoff, for today's new NoTTLe site.

    Wordle 1,394 3/6

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    2. Good morning Elsie and all
      I am stuck on Wordle with the first three letters (at least I think it must be the first three letters), so will go and have a shower!

      Edit: got it now. I've always had a problem with that word – it just seems wrong!
      Wordle 1,394 5/6

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  5. 'Morning All
    Weekend Medley
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    2. Morning, Rik.

      I've nicked the "Internet Stupidity" one, and I can also assert that I am older than all the items on the "I am this old" pictures.😬

      1. You're older than beer??
        Incidentally, wiki says that colour television sets were on sale in the USA as early as 1954.

        1. REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, a Technicolor film of around 1953 which starred James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, showed the father of Dean's character – played by Jim Backus – as owning a house with a colour TV set. Although the US TV set used the Secam system, a much worse system than Britain's PAL system.

      2. Grizzly, you are definitely older than most of today's youth. They wear their baseball caps back to front. Lol.

        1. I vowed never to wear one until I went to Sydney in February 2002. It was so hot in the sun that an Aussie bush hat was too heavy and sweaty, so I succumbed to buying that rounders cap.

    3. The "Stop your whining" picture I find very disturbing. Too close to the truth to be in the tiniest bit amusing.

    1. Morning Johnny. I liked the way this was portrayed on the BBC. There was a march. Lot's of little children being saved by the State. In reality of course it is a pigs breakfast. A single site. The most expensive energy in Europe. Run by Civil Servants. What could possibly go wrong?

      1. Are the people allegedly taking charge cut from the same cloth as those talking of buying the coking coal from Japan when just up the railway track in Cumbria we have oodles of the stuff?

        From Google.

        The UK lost its ability to produce coking coal when Kellingley Colliery, West Yorkshire, closed in 2015 and since then it has been imported from countries such as Australia, the US and Japan.

        Who was running the UK (into the ground) in 2015?

        Hearing date set for proposed West Cumbria Coal mine
        Coal Action Network
         https://www.coalaction.org.uk › 2024/05/09 › wcm-heari…
        9 May 2024 — West Cumbria Mining Ltd's application to extract 2.78 million tonnes of coking coal a year, right up to until 2049, was approved by the …
        People also ask
        Is the coal mine in Cumbria going ahead?
        Plans to build the UK's first deep coal mine in more than 30 years have been quashed. Two campaign groups had brought legal action over the previous government's decision to grant planning permission for the site near Whitehaven in Cumbria.13 Sept 2024

      1. We all new this China thing would end in tears. They should have called it years ago but no they left it for trump to do.

  8. How Sweden’s multi-cultural dream went fatally wrong. 13 April 2025.

    So what has gone wrong? Part of the blame, Salihu says, is down to the social blights common to most of Europe’s more impoverished multi-racial neighbourhoods. Joblessness and discrimination limit many youngsters’ sense of prospects. TV gang dramas, meanwhile, often “highlight the flashy parts of gang life – money, respect, power – but leave out the trauma, manipulation, and tragic consequences.”

    It isn’t. Mass Migration acts like a solvent on the social structure of any host State. It dissolves everything until all you have left is chaos between warring factions.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/13/how-sweden-multi-cultural-dream-went-fatally-wrong/

    1. …until all you have left is chaos between warring factions.

      That situation is what mass immigration of people that are incapable of assimilation into a civilised West is all about. The globalists driving this scheme desire anarchy and civil strife.

    2. It's not discrimination. Get an education, get training – my employer has many Indians stationed in Oslo precisely because they are good engineers and IT folk. As well as Europeans, and even a few Norwegians.
      If you are too wrapped up in being discriminated against and in your self-created ghetto to bother getting an education and so planning for a useful future, then it's your problem. The opportunities are there, take them. Or, fuck off with the whining.

    3. "How Sweden’s multi-cultural dream went fatally wrong."

      "Sweden" never had a "multicultural dream". I have spoken to countless Swedes and none of them wanted what their political leaders — in particular, the Lefty idiot, Fredrik Reinfeldt — foisted upon them over a decade ago.

      1. The Multicultural Dream has also become a nightmare in the UK just as one Blair's nightmare became a Utopian dream for another Blair.

          3. Maybe not but Jo Brand is certainly Russell's mother just as Jim Reeves is Rachel's grandfather. Someone is reworking his old song to "She'll Have to Go."

    1. Barry Gardiner is a regular on GB News. He tries to exude an aura of smarmy bonhomie which takes in some people but does not take in all of us! He adheres closely to all Starmer's policies no matter how absurd they may be.

      He tries not to bruit it about but he is one of the smug Labourites who was educated at a public school (Haileybury) – the school to which Clement Atlee also went.

      (The United Services College in Westward Ho! was where Rudyard Kipling went to school and upon which his novel Stalky a Co was based. The United Services College finally joined the Imperial Service College which then amalgamated with Haileybury and ISC.)

      My first teaching job in the 1970s was in Bideford just a few miles away from Westward Ho which I visited regularly as it used to have an excellent second-hand bookshop.

    2. Barry Gardiner is a regular on GB News. He tries to exude an aura of smarmy bonhomie which takes in some people but does take in all of us!

      He tries not to bruit it about but he is one of the smug Labourites who was educated at a public school (Haileybury).

  11. Hugh Janus
    20h
    "“We have the £2.5 billion fund for steel which we had in our manifesto, that we will use if necessary, so there will be no extra costs to the exchequer that we don’t already have in our plans.”
    The Magic Money Tree makes a long-expected return. Putting the mention of a £2.5bn steel fund in their manifesto means that the taxpayer isn't on the hook for this? She takes us for fools.

    1. I do not feel that a Magic Money Tree is a good analogy. Trees grow and they produce crops every year with no damage to the tree. All it needs is patience, light, water, space and some consideration.

      I tend to refer instead to the Magic Fairy as the dispenser of free money. Such a creature is imaginary, as is the money, but it seems to satisfy my betters.

      I have no respect for any manifesto that pledges not to raise the rate of Income Tax under any circumstances. Those who vote for such a thing deserve to be taken for fools.

  12. Good morning, all. A fine morning with some cloud here and there. Need some rain soon: last year I couldn't get on my vegetable patch until about this time as it was too wet during February and March, this year the exact opposite.

    Has this episode pushed the "hate crime" nonsense over the edge or will the English people not learning Urdu, Hindi etc. be the next escalation towards madness?

    The copper doesn't appear embarrassed by this situation: now, that's worrying.

    https://x.com/jomickane/status/1911167368140628012

  13. Morning all 🙂😊
    Lovely start again.
    Lots of grass cutting planned for this morning before the forecast rain tomorrow or even later today.
    Harry and his Mrs have chosen what they are doing. There are many millions who are much worse off, a shoulder shrug is all I can manage in their favour.

    1. Indeed. I don't know why Telegraph readers are wasting their time and energy talking about this very privileged pair when there are far more important things going on!

  14. Yo and Good Moaning all, from a warmish, sunny C d S.

    We are having the rear door and window of the garage replaced tomorrow, tired old wood for NetZero plastic

    I will have to get the garage tidied. hopefully, I will find the Honda Jazz under all the stuff, that we know will come in handy sometime, that we keep in there.

  15. SIR – At prep school in the 1950s, our history teacher gave us a mnemonic (Letters, April 6) to remember the Royal houses of England after 1066: No Plan Like Yours To Study History Wisely.

    Tony Fricker
    Lindfield, West Sussex

    Your history teacher seems to have been historically-challenged. He has missed out Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the House of Edward VII.
    [Many historians would also assert that the house of Angevin would also merit a place in that list.]

    SIR – My medical training involved many mnemonics, but unfortunately almost all of them are unprintable.

    Nigel Coleman
    Grimston, Norfolk

    A favourite note often written on medical records is 'TAPS'. It stands for Thick As Pig Shit and is often a good warning for other clinicians.

    1. I need a mnemonic to remember the mnemonic… always found it easier to remember the thing directly that a bletheringly stupid phrase, and then try to remember how the phrase related to anything.

        1. Morning, George. All good with you?
          Here, stupendously sunny, and we're desperate for rain to make the place green again, rather than the crispy beige that it is now.

          1. Yes thanks, Paul.
            Similar weather here, but still a tad on the cool side. We’ve got a lot of green and much of mine is still awaiting its first mowing.

          2. The other advantage is to wash away the dust left over from the winters gritting – the grit having been swept up and taken back to the depots. Then, the place will be lovely and clean, especially in time for the 17h May Constitution Day celebrations.

    2. Considering that the House is reset through the marriage of a female monarch, another one that was missed was sardonically expressed by the late Prince Philip as the House of Bloody Amoeba. The House of Mountbatten was an anglicisation of some very Germanic quadruple-barrelled thing linked to the Nazis and best forgotten about.

        1. Indeed, Nursey.

          The House of Windsor is the reigning house of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The house's name was inspired by the historic Windsor Castle estate. The house was founded on 17 July 1917, when King George V changed the name of the royal house from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the English Windsor due to anti-German sentiment during the First World War.

        2. I remember once Richard Stilgoe once remarking that an anagram of his name, much prized by prospective Eurothiasts was ‘Giscard O’Hitler’.

      2. That is mainly true. Mountbatten was an anglicised reworking of Battenberg but the "House of Mountbatten" never existed.

        Soon after Elizabeth became Queen in 1952, Lord Mountbatten observed that because it was the standard practice for the wife in a marriage to adopt her husband's surname, the House of Mountbatten now reigned. When Elizabeth's grandmother, Queen Mary, heard of this comment, she informed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and he later advised the Queen to issue a royal proclamation declaring that the royal house was to remain known as the House of Windsor. This she did on 9 April 1952, officially declaring it her "Will and Pleasure that I and My children shall be styled and known as the House and Family of Windsor, and that My descendants, other than female descendants who marry and their descendants, shall bear the name of Windsor." Philip privately complained, "I am nothing but a bloody amoeba. I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children."

        Many expected Charles III to become the first monarch of the House of Mountbatten-Windsor (adopting the regnal name George VII), but this has not come to pass.

        1. I think the Firm was eager to revive the name George in homage to V and VI. The pressure was taken off Charles when his grandson, now second-in-line, was born in 2013, who was named George.

          One line of thought was over the first Charles having his head cut off, but the Merrie Monarch was not such a bad king – probably a better king than a husband.

          For the superstitious worried about precedents, I pointed out that in the 20th century, a long-reigning Queen led to a VII, which led to a V, which led to VIII, who was catastrophic. Had Charles become George VII, this same pattern would have been repeated with the present Prince George.

          Fate is a strange beast, and I wish to make no predictions, but if Prince George fails to produce an heir and the throne passes to his sister, would she choose Charlotte, Diana or wish to become Elizabeth III?

          4. I thought it was the name of the boat in which Mr & Mrs Rastus educated their two sons. Lol.

          5. Charles II sold England out to France with the Treaty of Dover. He was short of cash and became a French pensioner.

        2. "I am the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his own children."

          Phil-the-Greek should have come to Sweden where children routinely take their mother's surname. How the Swedes ever trace back their ancestry bewilders me.

          1. Caroline's sisters – both of whom live in Holland – have retained their maiden names but their children have their fathers' surnames.

            Caroline took my family name but the Dutch authorities insist on putting her maiden name on her passport. This can be a bloody nuisance as her bank cards, driving licence, resident's permit and the other bits and pieces she carries in her handbag all say she is Mrs Tracey and not Ms Schoon. This once caused us a problem at Manchester Airport when we were flying out to Mianda in Turkey.

        3. The Fall of the House of Usher (Edgar Allan Poe) might have an ominous mesaage for the House of Montbatten Windsor.

      1. That thing pisses me off enormously, and does most female software developers. If you name your sample function 'foo' I shall take that as being short for 'fool' which the writer is.

  16. Morning, all Y'all.
    Lovely sunny night – powerful, bright moon, lotsa frost. Maybe the houseplants won't get put outside today, after all.

  17. Ministers could send the Royal Navy to escort a fuel shipment to Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces after parliament voted to seize control of British Steel to ensure its survival.
    A senior source said the government was considering the extraordinary move to ensure the cargo reached the UK without being intercepted or redirected.

    Quote from F/B

    If the clown Milliband had not stopped the development of the coal mine in Cumbria we would be self sufficient in coking coal, not having to worry about transportation from Japan to Teesside, blast furnaces cannot be replaced to produce raw steel, this steel is needed for the nations self reliance, the gormless ECO mob are quite prepared to see oil and gas, coking coal and many other commodities to travel thousands of miles across the continents increasing carbon, but not self produced commodities in the pursuit of the net zero crap, carry on Milliband and the eco nutters Stop Oil, anti franking, anti home produced Coking coal zealots or anti anything and make us reliant on unstable governments and commodities traders, Reform all the way!

    Couldn't they send the RN to stop the boats crossing the channel? Think about it folks. You’re being GASLIGHTED!!!

    2. I think they think we are stupid.

      The problem is, lots of people are.

      1. They think that what we think is that coking coal is what you do when cutting with a credit card and snorting it.

    3. Never mind, there's always Newcastle.

      "Famous for its coal, Newcastle is the largest coal exporting harbour in the world, exporting 143 million tonnes of coal in 2022."

      Oh, sorry, that's Newcastle, New South Wales.

  18. Good Moaning.
    Being treated this morning to a decadent outing; breakfast at a local farm shop and restaurant.
    Why I find breakfast out to be more decadent than lunch, tea or dinner is a mystery – even to me.

    A list that illustrates a reason for America and Trumps irritation. (Annoyingly, Discus won't accept the graph.)
    There is also a long article, but I will just post the link.

    Insulin prices are far higher in the US
    Price per 100 IUs
    U.S. gross
    $22.68
    Est. U.S. net
    $5.42
    Non-U.S. OECD
    $2.37
    Australia
    $1.90
    Canada
    $3.75
    France
    $2.24
    Germany
    $3.11
    Italy
    $2.74
    Japan
    $3.20
    Mexico
    $2.79
    United Kingdom
    $2.20
    Net US prices minus rebates paid by manufacturersSource: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/04/13/trump-punish-drug-giants-world-will-pay-price/

    1. My lawyer neighbour was ranting last night that Trump is dismantling all the Magic circle law firms and is definitely going to be a dictator. She got very upset when i said i thought it was unlikely. Maybe she is correct. Lol. Or maybe i will have egg on my face.

      1. Your next door neighbour might like to know that Bill Maher, another dimwit Democrat much admired for god knows what, I find him as dull and as dim as ditch water, recently having met Trump and had dinner with him, admits that Trump is a rather nice person, not the demon he thought he was and is a perfectly reasonable human being.

    2. We have had a light breakfast , Moh made scrambled eggs and cheap smoked salmon , we had that yesterday morning , today we have eaten cereal , we usually have 2 meals a day . Will have an avocado later ,as it is with a tiny drop of Worcester sauce . Then will eat at about 5,30, nothing grand , cooked chicken breast and vegs etc.

      1. I prefer the Worcestershire sauce with a tiny bit of avocado.
        But that's just me.

    1. Morning! I expect the Lords got their daily rate and the Commons (and oh, are they common) claimed it on expenses.

  20. Can someone please explain to me why rich foreigners investing in British companies is a good thing, and that rich Brits investing in production abroad is a good thing, and yet British investors in British production for the domestic market is considered a bad thing?

  21. My home computer has made me upgrade to new outlook, which i hate. Websearching tells me i can revert to the look of old (“classic”) outlook by “navigating to the outlook bar” and unchecking some box to “revert to classic outlook”.

    the only problem is, i can’t do the initial first step, i.e. find the outlook menu.

    1. Life is constantly plagued by those insisting that the New! Improved! makeover is better than what was there before, when in most cases, it is considerably worse and imposed as a management decision. By buying up and deleting the competition, in a "free market" system they are encouraged to get away with it.

      Do you remember the old BBC Home Page, which until around 2012 was genuinely improved with each iteration, ending up with a splending and customisable collection of nuggets that were a delight to go to first when booting up. Then James Purnell, the Blairite-made-good, sacked the IT staff at the BBC, replacing them with stylists who ruined it. I remember there were half a million or more complaints, all of which were dismissed by the managers.

      There has not been a decent operating system in Windows since XP, and in Mac since Snow Leopard. Most "security updates" are in fact backdoors for official snoopers that have to be rotated before the organised criminals catch on.

      1. If It Ain't Broke, DON'T Fix It.

        As I pointed out to the puzzles editor when some bored nerd decided to change the print settings on the cryptic puzzle.

      2. I have a 2005 Dell laptop with XP and also a Lenovo laptop with Windows 11. For ease of use, reliability and absence of nagging to upgrade, the Dell/XP is far superior to later operating systems. I yearn for the days of Snow Leopard on my iMac but Apple in its infinite wisdom almost forces frequent updates, all of which have bells and whistles that I doubt that most people never use but which complicate the computer. It weenies have never sympathised the age-old adage of most mechanical or electrical engineers – as others have posted: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

    2. I'm no good at that sort of thing, but…

      Open your email tab. Left click on the cog symbol at the top right of page. You should now be in Settings. Left click on cog symbol on left of page (named general). Left click on Appearance. Scroll down the down page to Themes. Classic should appear.

    3. Typical Microsoft documentation!
      Yesterday I was trying to understand winrt. It is a horrible, horrible Microsoft-produced system of writing C++ code for modern computers, that looks similar to the ghastly hairballs that Microsoft produced in the 90s. The documentation should have a sign over the gate saying 'abandon hope all ye who enter here.'

    4. Should you ever decide to change, LIR, can recommend Google Chromebook – had no problems at all, bought it three or four years ago.

    5. Find yourself a grandson – or any impoverished teenager.
      Bish, bosh – job done.

      1. Grrrrrrrrrr my 20 year old son is just back from Uni. Turns out he does have a girlfriend, who does live in Winchester. No further details.

        He is infuriating. But I have to be nice to him, as he has more spare cash than the rest of us, especially since his sister paid their student loans off last week.

    6. My method, which works, is ignore all instructions and carry on as normal. If you get a choice always decline unless its one of those tricks where no actually means yes because of the sneaky wording. Thus I do not have outlook or "Copilot" whatever that is! I am also mercifully free of all the other weird things that keep popping up and which Microsoft tells me I must have or live such a miserable
      existence that I might as well die. But if you must. Click on the little icon that consists of four little blue squares (ie start) and you will find at the top, a slot that says search for apps, settings and documents. Type in there for the thing you are searching for and it should pop up. Failing that, on the same page below the search function., click on apps and search through that. Also your regular search engine is your friend. You can ask that how to get rid of or add something and then follow the instructions. When you get stuck, ask your search engine again.

      1. Unfortunately (I am trying to cash in my Premium bonds) my browser is now apparently unsupported and NS&I won’t let me log in to their website until I “upgrade” my webbrowser

  22. Good Morning!

    There’ll always be an England, and Frederica visited it last week and writes lyrically and eloquently to remind as what it’s like. Read her A Pocket Full of England and be charmed at the memories it evokes.

    Should we on the Right support Reform, after all the accusations, sniping and what many believe to be bitter betrayal? Please read Should We Continue To Support Reform and let us know, but please keep it polite. It’s a subject that can raise passions. Disagreement is fine, but please don’t call people idiots because they disagree with you. So again, keep it polite and maintain the spirit of free open discussion.

    Energy watch 07.30: Demand: 24.58 GW. Total UK Production: 17.69 GW from: Hydrocarbons 11.7%; Wind 32%; Imports 29.2%; Biomass 4.3%; Nuclear 18%. Solar: 3%.

    We are importing almost 30% of our electricity, when our own gas-fired power stations, which could supply all of that, remain on standby.

    1. There is no known scientific test capable of discriminating between electricity originating from fossil fuels and that which is entirely renewable. If electrons could be used as way of providing such tests there would be a charge for them.

      1. Tell that to the lady who was refusing to be connected to the grid because the electricity was generated by nuclear energy and she was worried about the radiation

    2. There is no known scientific test capable of discriminating between electricity originating from fossil fuels and that which is entirely renewable. If electrons could be used as way of providing such tests there would be a charge for them.

    1. Well I always thought they were the top 5 law firms in the City, but she seemed to be referring to American ones. Unless the ones in the City are also American ones.

      TO be honest, her TDS is so big it’s difficult to take her seriously – although of course she could be right.

    1. scroll down..

      WHAT THIS MEANS:

      → The same Ivermectin they mocked.
      → The same Ivermectin they banned.
      → The same Ivermectin that threatened Big Pharma's trillion-dollar narrative.

      Recap.. The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.
      Five years after the pandemic began, interest in the anti-parasitic drug is rising again as faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar right-wing influencers promote it

    2. scroll down..

      WHAT THIS MEANS:

      → The same Ivermectin they mocked.
      → The same Ivermectin they banned.
      → The same Ivermectin that threatened Big Pharma's trillion-dollar narrative.

      Recap.. The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.
      Five years after the pandemic began, interest in the anti-parasitic drug is rising again as faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar right-wing influencers promote it

    3. scroll down..

      WHAT THIS MEANS:

      → The same Ivermectin they mocked.
      → The same Ivermectin they banned.
      → The same Ivermectin that threatened Big Pharma's trillion-dollar narrative.

      Recap.. The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.
      Five years after the pandemic began, interest in the anti-parasitic drug is rising again as faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar right-wing influencers promote it

  26. Not to be published any time soon in the DT/ST:

    SIR — Despite being 74 and widely travelled I, along with friends from all over the UK, have never come across a Bath Oliver (Letters, April 12).

    I am also bemused as to why a chocolate-covered marshmallow biscuit is called a 'teacake'. A teacake, to most people, is a fruited bread bun best toasted and served with lashings of butter.

    A Grizzly B
    Sweden.

    1. Teacakes = Scotland and its taste for tooth rotting heart glue.
      I agree; a tea cake is larger and lighter hot cross bun.
      Bath Olivers; you haven't missed much. I used to buy the odd packet if we were having friends for a meal that included cheese and biscuits. Weeks later – limp, beige ovals were binned.

      1. Bath Olivers? Oh, you mean dog biscuits?

        I always preferred Spratt's Mixed Ovals for my dogs.😉

      2. I prefer Bath Olivers to other biscuits for Blue Stilton.

        I keep dry biscuits in a practical stoneware jar made for the purpose. (Earthenware made by John Leach in Muchelney, Somerset Levels, grandson of Bernard Leach and a great potter).

      3. I prefer Bath Olivers to other biscuits for Blue Stilton.

        I keep dry biscuits in a practical stoneware jar made for the purpose. (Earthenware made by John Leach in Muchelney, Somerset Levels, grandson of Bernard Leach and a great potter).

        1. I have no idea but it seems to me there are a verity of pastries that are referred to as teacakes apart from what one could call the archetypical teacake, the yeast bun with sultanas which actually seems to be quite rare now although Sainsbury’s has them and I know that Hovis makes them as well.

        2. Other countries call biscuits or cookies teacakes too. Just a regional thing i suppose.

    3. You are completely correct. A proper currant but toasted with oodles of butter is a treat. Caroline will doubtless be making some gluten-free hot cross buns next week!

      However a sweet called Jellymallow used to be one of my favourites when I was a child but it was hard to find unless you went to a specialist sweet shop – the sort of shop Richmal Crompton's William would have loved.

      Jelly with marshmallow encased in dark chocolate:
      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/79b08d791a9facfed0b856c69cfad447fcd485b7e8cce4ea4b5c79ee5d6353d7.png

  27. I'm just listening to Delingpod with Alastair Williams. Williams says that football used to be full of individualists who did mad stuff and now they are all taught the same way and told not to break out of the norm, which makes football much more boring than it used to be. I haven't watched it for about 25 years, is this true?

    1. Yes previously a fairly avid fan, I hardly watch it now.
      Too much back passing when there are obvious players standing unmarked. And pathetic fake claims of injuries including Olympic diving displays. I think that if a player goes down claiming injury they should be sent off the pitch for at least ten minutes for treatment or to aid their health issues and some counselling. Possibly hugs and some sweeties.

      1. Stanley Matthews (who possessed much more footballing talent than anyone in the UK today) caught a bus to the match and then again back home again. After scoring a goal, he would collect the ball from the back of the net and return it to the centre circle, sometimes receiving the odd handshake from a team colleague en route.

        Those ridiculously overpaid prima donnas of today would have been made to look like the chumps they are if Sir Stanley had been able to turn up to play against them.

        1. A great player. His father used to insist as a boy he must stand by an open window every day and take as many deep breaths as he could.That gave him the stamina to play his game in later life.

        2. Pure opinion, and you're not comparing like with like.
          A great player, most certainly, but the game, playing conditions and player analysis are utterly different.

          I doubt many modern players would cope with the type of tackling and pitches that were prevalent in Matthews' day.
          I think his overall records would have been even better but for the war, which stole some of his (and many like him) prime years.

          1. “I doubt many modern players would cope with the type of tackling and pitches that were prevalent in Matthews’ day.”

            I doubt many modern players would cope with the footwear of the time and the frequently waterlogged balls (and pitches).
            Of course it’s opinion; comparing different eras is invariably subjective. I still think, though, that Stanley would have been much better in the modern era.

          2. When rugby balls were made of water-absorbent leather there were far fewer successful penalty kicks and conversions on muddy pitches when rain was falling.

        4. I was lucky enough to be at WHL when Spurs were playing Blackpool must have been late 1950s. He kept playing until he was 50.

        5. I was lucky enough to be at WHL when Spurs were playing Blackpool must have been late 1950s. He kept playing until he was 50.

      2. Having played numerous contact sports I found that kicks sustained playing soccer were amongst the most painful.
        For me, Rugby tended to produce much more serious injuries but seldom the sharp pain caused by a kick on the ankle or knee.

        1. I was goal keeper. Broken fingers a Broken arm even someone’s front teeth in the top of my head in a clash.
          I was more of an athlete and also played competition squash, for about 15 years. Knees and hips wrecked.

        2. I was goal keeper. Broken fingers a Broken arm even someone’s front teeth in the top of my head in a clash.
          I was more of an athlete and also played competition squash, for about 15 years. Knees and hips wrecked.

    3. I'm not a football fan BB but it looks as though it has been institutionalised. Like most victims of this process there is a decline in spontaneity and performance with imposed rigid behavioral norms.

      1. I have also heard sporty people saying that the DEI quotas are such now that inferior athletes are being selected because of DEI characteristics.
        Hard to judge when you’re not an expert. Certainly happens in my field.

    4. I watched Bath City and Bristol City in the sixties. Admittedly the shirts and shorts were baggy and the boots and ball heavy leather with ankle protection in the boots.

      I remember John Atyeo, a prolific goal scorer for Bristol City at Ashton Gate having scored simply picking up the ball for a restart. No wild celebrations or prancing around holding a single digit to the mouth or skidding across the grass on knees then jumping the fence. No mass team celebrations, just humbly got on with the game.

      Atyeo was a schoolmaster and taught mathematics so in those days was an educated man. Other great players such as Stanley Matthews and later Bobby Charlton performed in the same modest way.

      The obscene wages paid to footballers plus the facilities to which they enjoy access is the likely explanation. In days past the players would take the bus to the match carrying their kit, not delivered in some exotic coach and mollycoddled.

    5. I watched Bath City and Bristol City in the sixties. Admittedly the shirts and shorts were baggy and the boots and ball heavy leather with ankle protection in the boots.

      I remember John Atyeo, a prolific goal scorer for Bristol City at Ashton Gate having scored simply picking up the ball for a restart. No wild celebrations or prancing around holding a single digit to the mouth or skidding across the grass on knees then jumping the fence. No mass team celebrations, just humbly got on with the game.

      Atyeo was a schoolmaster and taught mathematics so in those days was an educated man. Other great players such as Stanley Matthews and later Bobby Charlton performed in the same modest way.

      The obscene wages paid to footballers plus the facilities to which they enjoy access is the likely explanation. In days past the players would take the bus to the match carrying their kit, not delivered in some exotic coach and mollycoddled.

    6. It’s funny. I’ve said for years that any talent has been coached out of the players.

  28. I am sure I have seen mention here of macualr degeneration. I am going through my emails and am reading one from my optician, the magnificent John Rose in Kingston. He is a top man. His email linked to a blog on something called Valeda Light delivery system to change the future of Dry Macular degeneration care.

    A New Era in Macular Degeneration Care – Safe, Effective and Non-Invasive
    https://johnroseeyecare.co.uk/2025/03/08/valeda-lds-the-first-and-only-fda-authorised-treatment-for-dry-amd-to-improve-vision/

    In case it is of any use to anyone.

    We found John when we were looking for someone to help with our daughter's eye problems when she was little. John was one of the few people in the UK qualified to help her – basically her eye muscles were wonky and she couldn't focus, and she had to do computer exercises wearing 3D glasses to strengthen her muscles and help her focus. I think he is marvellous. He eats a lot of spinach/kale for the lutein and is positively evangelical about it!

    1. I suspect you are thinking of my posts as well as Phizzee and at least a couple of others. But I think we are all talking about Glaucoma rather than Macular Degeneration.

  29. While I am on the subject of opticians, John (my optician) also is very keen on light.

    "Have you ever stopped to consider how much light impacts your health and overall well-being ? It's a topic I'm deeply passionate about , and one that has profound impacts for optimising your health outcomes. As there is so much information surrounding light, its effects and its benefits that it can sometimes seem overwhelming ; I thought I would send you these powerful presentations.

    The problem we face today is that most people are unaware of the transformative potential of light – not just visible light but specific wavelengths such as UV and red and near infra-red. Many of us miss out on the opportunity to harness this natural, scientifically proven resource to improve our health and vitality.

    Experts like Prof. Richard Weller , a renowned dermatologist from Edinburgh University are uncovering the incredible benefits of UV light on our health. At the other end of the spectrum , thought leaders like Prof. Glen Jeffery and Bob Fosbury both from UCL explore the remarkable effects of red and near-infrared on cellular regeneration , energy and longevity. Their research is eye-opening and , frankly life-changing.

    If optimising your health is a priority , I strongly encourage you to take a few moments out of your day to watch these insightful YouTube presentations.

    The link to the Prof. Richard Weller YouTube Video : Well worth a watch.

    https://youtu.be/5-L9XA__wgs?si=RDJ_Y9uMHdxGHhLn

    The latest presentation from Bob Fosbury and Glen Jeffery both from UCL discussing the benefits of Red and Near Infra-Red light and potential harm from Low Energy Lighting and modern energy efficient glass!

    https://youtu.be/hGtBmVsWjFE?si=Xh2wR8NJlXVC_wA3

    Link to Recent paper from Richard Weller ; Sunlight: Time for a Rethink

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38661623/

    Higher ultraviolet light exposure is associated with lower mortality: An analysis of data from the UK biobank cohort study :
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39094281/

      1. Trump was actually talking about a real method that was used to clean infected blood. But the opposition was to ignorant to know that and thus reduced a legitimate question into farce. Proving, once again, that the left are indifferent to facts or even intelligent questions even when lives are at risk.

      2. Trump was actually talking about a real method that was used to clean infected blood. But the opposition was to ignorant to know that and thus reduced a legitimate question into farce. Proving, once again, that the left are indifferent to facts or even intelligent questions even when lives are at risk.

      3. I found that living in low light conditions was quite eye opening.
        I grew up during the blackout.

      1. Nah, it’s all the white slags tempting all those upright and religious young men with their scanty dress and facial visibility.

        I also wonder how many of the representatives of predominantly white countries are really white rather than Southport stabber “Welsh”

      2. Starmer is a non-entity with no grasp whatever of the world around him. He is blissfully unaware of his own anti-white bigotry and reliant on the votes of immigrant ‘communities’.

        Needless to say, the same immigrants will eventually supplant and replace Labour councillors, mayors, police chiefs and MPs with their own thus rendering the wretched Labour Party redundant.

        That fucking nasal whine turns my stomach every time I hear it.

      1. They caused mayhem and threatened cinema managers when a film which was vaguely critical of Sikhism was about to be shown. Years back. All rioting and waving their "traditional" blades…

      2. IIRC in the 1970s they protested about having to wear crash helmets when riding motorcycles.
        However, they are sworn enemies of Islam.

      3. IIRC in the 1970s they protested about having to wear crash helmets when riding motorcycles.
        However, they are sworn enemies of Islam.

        1. This is Holy Week. It's the big build up to Easter. Now is the time to be wishing people a Happy Easter.

          1. I do appreciate that Holy Week, unlike Christmas for oiks like me, is the more important period in the calendar for committed Christians. I was cutting Starmer some slack just in case he was waiting for the start of the “long weekend”. That said, I wouldn’t be very surprised if he neglected to tweet a greeting in the coming days.

  32. Good morning, all. Late on parade. Below par. Keeping low profile. Play nicely.

  33. How the Boat Race turned toxic
    Suspicion and paranoia between Oxford and Cambridge exploded into row about recruitment of elite-level ‘ringers’ ahead of Sunday’s contest.
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rowing/2025/04/13/how-boat-race-turned-toxic-oxford-cambridge-rowing/

    One of my nieces won two Oxford Rowing Blues when she was an undergraduate in the 1970s; her sister also won an Oxford Rowing Blue ten years later in the 1980s when she was an undergraduate.

    Am I alone in thinking that the Oxford and Cambridge teams in all sporting matches against each other should only contain undergraduates and not postgraduates who are sometimes 'professional'?

    If all the year were playing holidays,
    To sport would be as tedious as to work

    [Henry IV Part 1]

    Sport is a recreation or a break from work. Is not 'Professional Sport' an oxymoron?

    1. Agree re undergraduates.
      Professional sport is an arm of the entertainment industry, so if being a Shakespearean actor is work then so is being a professional sportsman.

    4. It is all to do with the collapse of Christianity and thus the end of a certain sportsman like ethic that evolved from the former. It is why the preservation of Christianity is all important. But people don't want to know that as they revel in a world of self indulgent paganism where anything and everything is OK including the end of ethics.

  35. 'Cargoes'
    Quinquireme of Nineveh from distant Ophir,
    Rowing home to haven in sunny Palestine,
    With a cargo of ivory,
    And apes and peacocks,
    Sandalwood, cedarwood, and sweet white wine.

    Stately Spanish galleon coming from the Isthmus,
    Dipping through the Tropics by the palm-green shores,
    With a cargo of diamonds,
    Emeralds, amethysts,
    Topazes, and cinnamon, and gold moidores.

    Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack,
    Butting through the Channel in the mad March days,
    With a cargo of Tyne coal,
    Road-rails, pig-lead,
    Firewood, iron-ware, and cheap tin trays.

    John Masefield

    2. Masefield was a worthy poet laureate (as was Betjeman).

      The ten-year Pinkoes they have these days are nobbut a joke.

      1. Wasn't even aware that we still have a poet laureate. The recent ones must be a real bunch of non-entities.

        2. Like exhibits at the Tate. They are chosen because they are modern not because they are any good.

          Andy Warhol has had his time.

      2. Well, I had a look at his poetry. It's a guy called Simon Armitage. I believe the contemporary term for his sort of thing is, stunning and brave. And then you think any Tom Dick or Priscilla would do.

  36. Good morning all.
    Now sat at home with a mug of tea after a 3h drive from a layby just to the North of Deddington, and what, for the most part, an absolutely delightful drive!
    Picked up the B3100, formerly the A41(T) from Banbury and being an early Sunday morning, it was almost deserted!
    Went through Warwick, avoided Kenilworth, and the motorways and headed up to the A38 before cutting across to the A515 from Alrewas.
    But what a lot of horseboxes on the road!

    1. It's point to point/cross country ride season. Did you go to the National Arboretum?

    3. In 2023 Bangladesh tried to arrange an extradition treaty with the UK. Nothing was agreed, but if Bangladesh's government starts to request such treaties in other countries, Labour's Ms Siddiq could have a problem; I suspect that the woman is a dual national, and so she would have to be very careful with future visits abroad.

  38. Larf of the day.. read the comments below this belter upload.

    There are many inherent physical differences between black people and white

    1. BTL:

      @crazystarwarsguy1006
      4 hours ago
      In the case of Angela Rayner and David Lammy , there is no gap.

  40. ExFish
    12h
    I see Ed Davey is back on his hobby horse criticising the Tories for their environmental and energy policies.

    Quick question! Who was in charge of Energy and Climate Change during the coalition – 2012 to 2015, Ed?

    Answer! It was the same person who refuses to accept responsibility for the hounding of sub-postmasters…and trousered legal fees too.

    2. Boris Johnson and Ed Davey both try to hide their complete incompetence behind a veneer of buffoonery.

      However, peel off the veneer and you find there is yet more buffoonery and even more incompetence under the veneer.

        1. I had a dog similarly affected, a lurcher, gentle disposition. Would hang over his bowl of food, salivating, but unable to eat. Took him to different vets, decided neurological. Lost more weight, you can guess the rest.

      1. If she remains in Brum, which she will, it is only a matter of time.

        I have met loads of Brummies. I lived there for 5 years.

        For the second city they are very parochial.

        They seem to think they live in a large village.

          1. It was quite diverse when i lived there but now it is over run. Entire areas no longer speak any English.

      3. I have been musing of late that the British public has never looked more ugly, not in my memory, that is. Exposed tattoos worn all over the body, piercings every which way, hair of strange colours in unbecoming styles, clothing all tattered and torn. Elegance, good grooming, tidyness and self-respect are all fading into the past.

        1. Indeed. It’s a hobby horse of mine. I had this conversation with one of the archivists at Associated Press. They bought the British Movietone newsreel archive and I’m always struck by the contrast in the way people looked when just going about their everyday business in the 50s and 60s compared to the just-crawled-out-of-the-dustbin look that seems acceptable today.

      1. Perhaps he thought pretending to be tranny might out-trump the anti-white prejudice?

      2. Perhaps he thought pretending to be tranny might out-trump the anti-white prejudice?

  44. I've just switched on the BBC to watch the Boat Race and I had to hurriedly switch it off again when I saw an interview on the banks of the Thames between two of the most repulsive people in the UK: Dyke-on-a-bike Balding interviewing Saddo Khan.

    WHY?

    1. Who knows? Is it boat race day? I used to have an elderly neighbour, a German lady, who’d always ask me to go down to the gardens near Hammersmith Bridge with her to see the boat race. I lost interest after Ulla died. Palm Sunday today. At church we had a cute donkey called Dougal who was rather vocal and apparently variably cooperative!

      2. Our donkey was called Mary. We covered her ears when the Gospel said it was a colt, lest she felt she should transition 🙂

    2. Who knows? Is it boat race day? I used to have an elderly neighbour, a German lady, who’d always ask me to go down to the gardens near Hammersmith Bridge with her to see the boat race. I lost interest after Ulla died. Palm Sunday today. At church we had a cute donkey called Dougal who was rather vocal and apparently variably cooperative!

    3. Dear Grizz….find David Starkey videos online – you'll either feel better, or a whole lot worse…..

    4. Didn’t the boat race used to be on the weekend before the Grand National or am I misremembering?

  45. I've just switched on the BBC to watch the Boat Race and I had to hurriedly switch it off again when I saw an interview on the banks of the Thames between two of the most repulsive people in the UK: Dyke-on-a-bike Balding interviewing Saddo Khan.

    WHY?

  46. Just had my home and contents insurance renewal – £237 up £100 from last year. Went on the usual comparison sites, best on Moneysupermarket was £164 from Tesco Insurance , that's good I thought but then went on GoCompare and the best was Tesco at £158. So went for that but by the time I'd got the official quote it was down to £138. ie £1 up from last year. I've gone for that but I wonder why there's a difference in Tescos price in the comparison sites

        1. Were you 'arting' Alec….uses a different part of your brain…think the amygdala(?) deals with addiction:-)))

    2. Try Legal & General another time, Alec, for a quote? They are the only ones willing to insure us…..

      1. Tried them years ago Kate – they weren't lowest by a long chalk. Tried NUF but they bounced me as being too old 🤬

        1. We used to be with them too due to a young HK chap who was mustard. You’re only as old as you feel, Alec (what I tell myself, anyway)….are you drawing/painting? I can’t get started…

      1. Don't tell me, tell You Tube. As for myself, I'm indifferent, British English or American English will do.

  48. If only we had a source of the best coal on the planet close to hand, it would make steel produced here a lot cheaper….

  51. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/77f8d66fb567d31e2f15987e25915133c3dda6f8a8bf126630182cb0fb6f220f.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4a15d42e691e76961a5ae2130d9eb4109b37ad9ffa45bb378e5941cef67c7a8f.jpg I would appreciate some help from the more eagle-eyed among you.

    The top photo is of a 17-year old chap, taken as a sepia study, in a studio in 1939.
    The bottom photo is of a 17-year old chap, taken as a monochrome snapshot, in the countryside also around 1939.
    The question is: are they of the same chap or are they of two entirely different people?

    Please let me know what you think and I'll give you my take based on my observations of both photographs.

    5. Not the same person. Lower chap has shallow chin dimple, ears more prominent, less obvious philtrum and narrower eyes.

    6. Not the same person. Lower chap has shallow chin dimple, ears more prominent, less obvious philtrum and narrower eyes.

      1. Thanks to you all for your take on this.

        The top photo is of my deceased (Swedish) father-in-law when he was a lad. The second photo was found on the floor of his workshop when we were cleaning out the property prior to putting it on the market.

        The image on the tiny black-and-white snapshot was far too small to determine who it was but it looked like it might have been him. It was only when I used modern technology to enlarge the snapshot without losing definition that I could see that it is clearly not him.

  52. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/77f8d66fb567d31e2f15987e25915133c3dda6f8a8bf126630182cb0fb6f220f.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4a15d42e691e76961a5ae2130d9eb4109b37ad9ffa45bb378e5941cef67c7a8f.jpg I would appreciate some help from the more eagle-eyed among you.

    The top photo is of a 17-year old chap, taken as a sepia study, in a studio in 1939.
    The bottom photo is of a 17-year old chap, taken as a monochrome snapshot, in the countryside also around 1939.
    The question is: are they of the same chap or are they of two entirely different people?

    Please let me know what you think and I'll give you my take based on my observations of both photographs.

  53. Gosh – we are in the middle of a shower of RAIN. First precipitation for weeks. Won't to any good, of course, but it explains why Gus came indoors!

      2. It's spreading apparently, so much for the early spring sunshine .

    1. Aaargh! My grandchildren have more cognitive awareness than that brainwashed cretin!

    2. Tell you what lass. You go live in a world where there's no farming. In fact, grow your own food.

      No, let's go further and just go away. You're a child who hasn't grown up.

  58. Good afternoon, more chilly soon. Hope you're having a good weekend .

    2. I don't know who this dude is, but I once stopped a car being driven by Dave Berry. I had a lovely chat with him too.

    1. They have also succeeded though. The Left hate that. The state sees no reason why it shouldn't tax those who have more.

      Of course, it refuses to acknowledge the obscene salaries some in the state are paid.

  61. I see that the boat race went ahead then and now that our waste water bills have risen 30% all over a sudden river pollution isn’t a problem for them.
    They have just been advised to have a bath or shower afterwards, as if that never happened before.
    I suppose it is all water under the bridge now.

    1. Was it going to be cancelled on account of the Thames being a bit mucky if you fall in? Honestly?

        1. I do remember back in the 1960s I stayed on the 'Discovery' (moored on the Embankment in London) for a Boy Scouts Patrol Leaders' weekend. Some of the activities were on the water, and one involved rigging a breeches buoy between the ship and the shore and testing it with a volunteer. We were told that if we were to fall into the water, we would have to be taken to hospital and our stomachs pumped, because the Thames was so polluted. My understanding is that the Thames is now much cleaner than it was back in the 1960s, so I'm a bit puzzled as to the concern about the cleanliness of the water now. Have things gone backwards?

          1. When I grew up in Gateshead it was always said that people falling into the Tyne wouldn’t drown but die of typhoid! Now there are otters and kingfishers just outside the city centre.

          3. It was cleaned up substantially since the '60s and it was a model of how a river should be. However, since about the early '90s Thames Water has been being milked by shareholders, ridiculous salaries and bonuses etc., diverting funds from their core purpose. Ofwat has been asleep at the wheel resulting in the sorry state of the river today. So yes, things have gone backwards but will go forwards again eventually!

  63. Wordle No. 1,394 3/6

    🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
    ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    Wordle 13 Apr 2025

    A giggle for Birdie Three!

    1. Well done, me too.

      Wordle 1,394 3/6

      🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
      🟩⬜🟨⬜⬜
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    2. Fun four.

      Wordle 1,394 4/6

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

    3. You are funny

      Wordle 1,394 4/6

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

    4. Well done – unremarkable par here. Come on Rory!!

      Wordle 1,394 4/6

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

  64. Afternoon All! Couldn't get WiFi to work with Nottl till now. Had to sign in three or four times to Cross Country free WiFi.
    Train is on time and we have seats!
    It's started raining.

  65. Hullo, nottlers. Nothing significant has happened, and no recent events are noteworthy. That is all.

    1. What do you mean nothing significant has happened? I'll have you know that I have finally managed to remove the accumulated years' worth of batshit from my balcony drain!

      1. That was 2 hours ago, since then I took a photo of a moose jumping one of my fences, I ‘ll have you know!

        Congrats on the batshit idea.

    1. They are going to get nicknamed 'Lister' if they carry on looking like that. Especially with the ingredients of his favourite kebab !

    4. They are adorable, but wait till they turn 13….my son was literally like the Perry (?) sketch and was a pain in the arse until literally about 2 hours ago (he will be 21 in November and I guarantee you will hear a lot about ot from me between now and then).

      Edit., it’s Kevin the teenager by Harry Enfield…

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLuEY6jN6gY

      1. Ooh! I can’t wait to hear this endearing tale! Will it come in instalments?

        1. 😂starting the week after Easter, when I go to Cardiff to view venues (and, more accurately, visit an old friend from my Birmingham days).

          But it’s the guest list which will be controversial……..

    5. They are adorable, but wait till they turn 13….my son was literally like the Perry (?) sketch and was a pain in the arse until literally about 2 hours ago (he will be 21 in November and I guarantee you will hear a lot about ot from me between now and then).

      Edit., it’s Kevin the teenager by Harry Enfield…

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLuEY6jN6gY

  67. Hey Sue!

    Awwww.

    Have they made the connection between lambs and Sunday dinner yet? 😉

      1. One of the single most rewarding moments in my early days on what I call the farm – but despite it’s large acreage is really still a farmstead – was a customer who said (and I’m paraphrasing here) “The kids ate everything on their plate at Thanksgiving. I think it’s because they got chance to see the produce growing, and the turkeys growing up.”

        1. They certainly aren’t allowed to waste anything! And Speedy and Fuzzy, the chickens, used to get the rest – before the bleeping badger got them!

          1. Yeah, chickens are the single best composters and life-cycle managers on the planet. We lose the odd few every year to hawks, foxes on daytime raids, weasels, and so on. But hanging out with them on a sunny day and watching them work the soil is one of my pleasures in life. Their shit and straw also keeps the winter compost cooking hot!

            Plus. Are tasty…. 🙂

          2. Fuzzy arrived in a bag of chicken manure from the local egg producer. She must have fallen into the bag and ended up at the farm! The egg lady didn’t want her back so she was very happy to stay. They found Speedy from an advert in Peebles and apparently chickens like company!

          3. And thus answers the questions, what came first. The chicken or the compost. Seems like the answer is: A draw.

          4. We thought it was a wonderful story! My SiL said that the look on her ‘face’ when she came out of the bag was a picture! And he’s a lifelong farmer!

  68. BREAKING.. It's official.. Wisbech Police have confirmed "No Crime has been Committed."

    UK Police IDIOT Claimed That Speaking English Constitutes a Criminal Offense!
    This LOL has some legs, as it's now gone viral around the world.

    Andy Osborn (the guy facing jail time) commented on BlackBeltBarrister's vid.. the guy that complained was Nigerian mayor Sidney Imafidon when asked by the Mayoral candidate for Peterborough & Cambridgeshire to speak clearly.. who is partially deaf. [Edited].
    "Who is what?"
    "partially deaf!"
    "Sorry, didn't catch that.. Can you speak up & more clearly?"
    That's it.. you're f nicked son.

        1. He does return some reasonable videos. That a nigerian gimmigrant can be named a mayor is a joke in itself.

        1. Right, so the clickbait headline of, and I quote you: "That Speaking English Constitutes a Criminal Offense!!"

          Is utterly irrelevant to the story, which is about someone saying "Speak English!" to a Nigerian.

  69. That's me for today. A very quiet non sort of day. Be brighter tomorrow. Went out to close the greenhouse and was RAINED on! Very strange sensation!

    Have a jolly evening

    A demain – prollly.

      2. Will you roll, lassie roll.

        Or was that some other herb? I don't know, haven't got the thyme to check it out.

  73. Are you dredding it?

    Sorry.

    The boys will probably think he is a dinosaur when they get to watch that series when they are older. :@)

      1. Don't tell me he is Samuel L Jackson look alike?

        Speaking aside from the bant…

        Men who are going bald look far better when they embrace baldness.

        I think this is a Hollywood thing that men should look a certain way with a full head of hair is stupid.

        Though i can say that with a full bouffant i don't get any leads…………..

  76. I was brought up with 6 pm tea, as was husband. Drives my son (newly back from Uni) mad. But. Everything is ready for the biggest chicken you have seen, now. Just reducing the juices for the gravy and husband is sharpening the knives. We will have finished in 15 minutes of course – we are not known for hanging around.

    1. You've reminded me to make some B o B. Not quite sure how lasagne dropped off the household menu, but it did for some reason.

      1. It is a nice easy meal to make. We tend to chew through one a week. If we're lucky, it lasts two days.

        1. Hey, FA. Glad you like it! My parents (in UK) mention them a fair bit for the reasons you describe.

          Not really relevant for me, being 20 miles from my nearest neighbour, 60 miles from the nearest petrol station and corner shop, 100 miles from the nearest small town, and 400 miles from the nearest city with 50,000 people. I love to grow/raise my own food and I also love to cook – but you bet – I freeze a bunch of base sauces/meals in the Autumn ready for the North Ontario winter!

          1. One of those lasagne trays lasts me 3 meals but my nearest Lidl (and Tescos) is 70 miles away so I go every few months and stock up

    2. I gather it is National Robert's Day, I trust you and all the others have enjoyed your day.
      EDIT
      Strange. It popped up on Facebook, but it seems that it was last Sunday.

      And out of curiosity I consulted the calendar one buys from la Poste (as a tip to the postman).
      This year it's the 30th April.

      Curiosity piqued I looked further, there are other Saint Roberts.

      3. I always enjoyed the collection of sci-fi short stories by Isaac Asimov – I, Robert…….

      4. My “National day” (lol & sic) is at the end of July. It’s totally ridiculous and yet, ever since being made aware of it a couple of years ago, it is sadly enticing enough for me to remember it exists…

          1. Oh my Lord. Not sure last Friday in July and “my name day” ( still lol and sic) are the same day.

            Still, I am a goddess, what more can I say???

    1. When, in 1959, Her Late Majesty and I had a brief engagement (I had started at RMA Sandhurst), on day at 12 noon, the Drill Sergeant said, "Right, gentlemen, you will go to your lunch: I shall go to me dinner."

      Its a CLARSE thing, doncha know…!!

      I'll send for the butler.

  79. Well, there's SWMBO dropped off at the station for train to airport, overnight in airport hotel and a red-eye tomorrow to Gatwick, followed by train to Barnstaple and collection by her Mother. Staying in Instow for the week, with her parents.
    Since she works for the railway authority here in Norway, she gets free rail travel all over Europe. Good perk when it comes to vacations – no expense of hire cars!
    Me, I have work to do preparing the house for burglars builders in a few weeks time, also the free trains don't include me.

        1. Afternoon, pal! Beautiful day up here. Had a bit of a scare about 30 minutes ago as Mrs DC came back with the doggoes and big effing moose turned up. A quick gunshot into the air saw it off.

    1. You will all think me ridiculous but it's almost as if he lied about smashing those gangs.

    2. They should take more ammunition with them, next time. That way they can stay out there.

        1. It’s quicker when I’m drunk, because then I inevitably forget to put the other little things in, you know, the things that you have to store separately, the bits that actually go bang – I forget their name now….

  85. Oscar still ill, Mongo less so but strugging in his own way. Another death at the children's hospice, another little girl in the same place.

    Even Mongo's therapy dog certification has gone up. I f-ing well hate this government. I despise the Labour party and their greed, envy and spite driven policies.

    1. Another death at the children's hospice, another little girl in the same place.

      I guess that's what those places are for, but even reading it at a distance, and knowing none of the cast, I'm still really upset by that. I raise a sad glass to the wee lassie.

      1. The staff have all sorts of training and skills to handle it all, but when you ask… Where's Anna? – as she liked brushing Mongo's ears and you're told that she's dead something in you goes a bit.

        It should – should – give me a better perspective on llife, be more positive, life for the moment but it just makes me angry as the billions wasted on criminal dindus could have gone on more staff, more equipment, toys, games, days out for the kids (and on the other side the old people). But no. We have a warmongering wanker sat in number 10, a greedy, stupid bint in 11 and Lammy, that revolting, racist bloated toad wallowing around the world whinging about this country. I won't even mention Raynor as I think she's walking effluent.

        They all are, from 1997 onward. So little need be done to improve this country and at every turn the state machine makes it worse. From the woman raped by a man in a wig in a women's shelter, to the diversity waving willies around in children's changing rooms – everything that could be wrong, is wrong and worse, the state wants it this way.

        1. Man, I'm sorry about Anna. To be confronted with that message looks like one of the hardest things to cope with, emotionally. Not sure I can offer any comfort, but al least you got to know her some, and she had pleasure petting Mongo. Good lad, that Mongo. Worth his weight…

        2. Hello Wibbling ,

          See this my way , after a childhood in Africa , and my parents decision to stay in Africa with my younger sister and brother, Dad said goodbye finally to the UK when the Harold Wilson tenure became unbearable .. He and Mummy emigrated for good , and implored me to go with them .. I had other plans .. England , my England was safe and secure , no machetes and chanting , no black gangs , no mosques , no giant spiders , snakes , malaria tablets , salt tablets , no, here in Britain meant safety to me .

          I feel betrayed , after all the fuss about Independence in the Sudan, Nigeria , and being evacuated in the Suez crisis, being spat on and and going to school with an armed guard , withstanding heat , power outages , filtered water , ants , fever and the rest .. the UK was mine and I had the freedom to be safe most of the time , and enjoy a teenage life and student nurse training in the RN.

          Africa and dirty Asia have arrived here .. bringing the stench that one used to smell as one alighted from an aircraft in some hot sticky African country , and by God , the neediness of the occupants , European what do you have for me?

          Witnessing the animal killing block in full view of passing traffic , dead bodies of different tribes people that were unclaimed by the roadside , and the indifference of their own people to poverty and black wealth ..

        3. I don't think I can improve on that piece.
          It's the small details that are the most upsetting. …."as she liked brushing Mongo's ears" …. are 6 words that really hit home.

    2. What's the matter with Oscar and Mongo? My pair haven't been feeling well the last couple of days.

    1. His intentional avoidance of a referendum over gay marriage was his death knell. He wanted it kept quiet to force it through because he knew the public would say no.

      Just one in a line of vicious, anti democratic, cultural rapists that started with Blair.

        1. Best thing about Blair for me was he focused my mind: "That's it, time to feck off to the bolthole."

      1. No it doesn't. You waited and waited and waited and bailed it out because if you hadn't your net zero tax scam would be unwound.

  89. I am inclined, nay, intrigued – to know more.

    You should start a Youtube channel.

    1. 🤣🤣 Can you imagine?

      I would have to narrate it in the droning, monotonous voice of a biology student who liked to sit next to me in the bar at college and relate ‘fascinating’ facts about his passion – drosophila (fruit flies, for those who, happily, never suffered his enthusiasm).

      What a thought! 🤣🤣

    1. I like the technology of F1, but don't watch it any more. I watch the videos on the car design and telemetry though, as that side is fascinating. They even optimise the loading times of the software on the laptops.

    1. What weapon?
      Firstborn's place is two up two down log cabin from about 1760 or so – so, older than the USA. About 100-120 square metres.

      1. The handguns are the quickest to get to versus the rifles, so in this case I used the Beretta (B92). (Mrs DC and I both have R-PAL licenses).

        1. Nice!
          Firstborn & I both have .30-06 rifles (rebuilt Mauser KAR-98K, ex Norwegian Army), he has a 12-gause pump gun & I have a s-s, and we both have several handguns. He shoots dynamic pistol (45acp, and my old 9mm P.38 from 1941) and I used to, until I started toppling over and the thought of collapsing with a loaded handgun put me off, so I stopped – sadly.

  94. Heh heh!

    You know the worst part of it? Canada doesn’t make proper wine gums. Or proper Sports Mixtures. Or proper Midget Gems.

    If I had my time over again, I’d eschew the life of a cook and put my time into building Lions Gums, Canada.

          3. Mmmmmmmmmmm

            Bizarrely we were made to make them at school, aged 13. Can you imagine them allowing a gang of 13 year olds the opportunity to deep fry scotch eggs now??

        3. Grizz has a good recipe for those!

          You don't have the excuse that most of us rely on, i.e. that they're too tricky to make!

    1. Look up Roy Jenkin's contribution.
      Blair and the wrecking crew built upon their predecessor's efforts.

    2. I played on two courses near Perth that had a lot of locals around who looked like that. Memorable days.

  97. I know he's a dog. I know he doesn't really know what's going on, but when we come home he bolts off into the garden and sits there for a bit, staring at nothing.

    I would call him and he'd look, but not return. He does if Junior calls, but most often Junior goes to him.

    1. Animals can be very perceptive. It obviously affects him mentally, too. Give the big woofit a hug.

      1. Every sof often I come across a video of a dog left and mistreated and, at my very worst I would never let mine get in that state. They give so much for so little. Well, little being £120 a month in food, bills and pocket money (cash put in their bank accounts) each.

        1. I know. My (now late) Oscar had all sorts of hang-ups and I'm sure it's because he hadn't had a good life with his previous family (who "didn't want him"). He turned out to be a really loving dog in the end. I am Winston's fourth owner – he's only two and a half. No wonder he's insecure.

    2. Animals can be very perceptive. It obviously affects him mentally, too. Give the big woofit a hug.

  99. We buy traditional Cumbrian Pork Pies from Sizergh Barn near Kendal – awesome! (sorry to rub it in…….)

    1. :narrows eyes:

      Funny thing is, GG. I love cooking. I could make them. Except I can't make a good one. 🙁

      1. I made them for my ‘O’ level Domestic Science, and the first egg I cracked for the egg and breadcrumb coating, was bad! The smell was atrocious and it’s the only bad egg I’ve ever seen before or since!

  100. Look, just fucking stop, OK?

    (I jest. I have lots of eggs per day , and I can make them…….
    ….. Unlike Sports Mixtures).

  102. The smell I agree with, Belle.
    After leaving Nigeria in 1976, my next return to Africa was Tunisia in 1993. As I stepped off the flight, that old familar smell of sweat, drains, smoke and whatever hit me, transporting me instantly back to my childhood.

  103. I’ve just called out that list to Mrs DC – she’s more the handgun person with me preferring distance shooting – and she wants a go with the ’41 p38 on the grounds there’s going to be some history behind it.

    1. Walther manufacture, too. AC stamp. I bought it in 1981 when it was only middle-aged, passed to Firstborn here in Norway 10 or so years ago. Exported all my handguns from the UK just before the ban came in to force, and was praised by the local firearms Sergeant for doing so – the ban only pissed folk off, didn't do anything for armed crime.
      SWMBO got to like shooting my 44MAG Redhawk – massive revolver, tiny lady. She could shoot the left bollock off a fly at 50 metres with it, too. Huge respect at the range.

    2. Yes, indeed, C'mon Rory!! I heard today that if he completes the Career Grand Slam (winning all 4 'majors' for non-golfers) he will only be the 6th player of all time to achieve this, and only the 2nd since 1966 – the other being Tiger Woods… immortality awaits!

  106. I made Cottage Pie for my O level DS. I was really only their for the girls, plus the fact I was utterly shite at woodwork and metalwork.

      1. In terms of the food, yup – maybe. In terms of the girls: I got a D minus. 🙂

          1. Heh heh, Sue!

            That was back then. But on re-reading I see how that could be taken a different way!

            I was a failed D minus, then in my 40’s met Mrs DC who is an A+.

            :looks nervously from side to side:

        2. Unlucky.
          I got a triple starred first with HG.
          Good looking
          Good cooking
          Good well I suspect you can guess the rest!

          2. Very sore still, but the French system provides a district nurse to do the bandage changes, so progress is good.
            She’s enjoying me cooking, cleaning, washing and ironing.
            Unfortunately she’s getting even better at cracking the whip!!

            Thank you.

  108. JIM ARMITAGE
    Decline of coal raised electricity costs — and shattered our steel industry
    Port Talbot, Redcar, the dramatic attempt to rescue Scunthorpe: it all comes back to energy prices.

    The events of this weekend have all the ingredients of a Netflix thriller: The Battle of Scunthorpe — how plucky Brits fought to keep their steel mills running.

    It is movie gold dust: chisel-jawed steelmen protecting their Lincolnshire furnaces; police swooping on the Chinese overlords; officers guarding ports to prevent the baddies shipping the goods back to Beijing.

    But for all the justified demonisation of the Chinese executives’ behaviour, there is another filmic moment that should be front and centre in the story. At 11am on March 20 — days before the government’s doomed talks with Jingye to keep the blast furnaces open, a series of explosions shook the east Nottinghamshire countryside.

    With tragic gracefulness, the 190-metre chimney stack at Cottam power station collapsed in a plume of brick dust:

    It was the irreversible end of one of Britain’s last coal-fired power stations, a process of industrial demolition that has left the UK with the highest energy costs in Europe.

    Make no mistake, the crises ripping through Britain’s industrial behemoths — the deaths of Port Talbot and Redcar’s steelworks, the closure of Grangemouth’s oil refinery, the struggles of Staffordshire’s ceramics plants — all trace back to that one factor: the high price of British electricity. By killing off cheap, coal-fired electricity generation, successive governments focused on meeting net-zero emissions targets have crippled energy-intensive manufacturers.

    In the five years to the end of last year, the cost of power for industrial businesses jumped 124 per cent, according to government figures. UK electricity is 50 per cent more expensive than in Germany and France, and four times as costly as in the US.

    Simon French, chief economist at Panmure Liberum, who grew up near the Scunthorpe works, says the decision to switch off coal has been a big policy failure. “It’s the result of a lost decade of industrial strategy,” he said.

    Successive governments, he adds, have not “codified” what products are so important to the country that the taxpayer should be willing to back them up. “For me,” he said, “There are three things: energy, semiconductors and steel. Get those right and you address the principal objectives of national security.”

    STN.SCUNTHORPE_IN_NUMBERS.R
    Britain did not always have this sense of drift. In the early 1970s, steel manufacturing employed more than 300,000 people, producing somewhere in the order of 28 million tonnes of steel a year. The industry had been nationalised by Harold Wilson’s Labour government, pulling together the 14 private companies that made the bulk of production under the name British Steel. But rising energy prices, overcapacity and recession meant it struggled with heavy losses.

    Margaret Thatcher’s government slashed costs, closing the Consett, Corby and Shotton steelworks, halving production, before privatising it in 1988.

    Tony Lodge, energy analyst at the free market Centre for Policy Studies think tank, recalls British Steel was in good shape when ministers prepared the sale: “There was a genuine belief back then that the private sector could grow it. It had been invested in and was efficient. Sadly, what actually happened was a process of asset stripping and offshoring.”

    British Steel merged with Holland’s Koninklijke Hoogovens in 1999 and was renamed Corus Group, before undergoing plant closures, new owners and splits.

    Today, UK steelmakers produce 5.6 million tonnes a year and employ 37,000 people. Having once been a king in the court of global steelmakers, Britain makes only 0.3 per cent of the world total, compared with China’s one billion tonnes, or 54 per cent, and the EU’s 7 per cent.

    “The Tories are split. Either they’re saying, ‘We should be the neoliberal party’, or they’re of the view, ‘We have to be more fleet of foot and defend our key national assets’.”

    Historically, the party was also divided over how Britain should behave towards China. The George Osborne-David Cameron era embraced Beijing as a trustworthy sugardaddy. But, prompted by a sceptical Washington wary of President Xi’s expansionism, that excitement rapidly moved to fear.

    Theresa May ejected Huawei from Britain’s telecoms infrastructure, China was kicked out of the Sizewell B nuclear power project and the Chinese tech company Nexperia was ordered to sell its majority stake in the UK’s biggest microchip factory.

    The behaviour of Jingye, Scunthorpe’s owners, does nothing to soothe concerns that Chinese companies are opaque at best — policy tools of Xi’s politburo at worst.

    SUNDAY TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JAMES GLOSSOP
    Jingye was not simply trying to shut the Scunthorpe plant — it was reportedly preparing to profit by moving Britain’s rail production to China. As well as making rails, Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces are a big supplier of the steel that goes into buildings and the girders that help bed windmills into the sea. In other words, two of the key drivers of the future economy.

    That said, there will be questions over what message an effective seizure by politicians of a private company owned by foreign investors will send to the world. Rachel Reeves has declared Britain “open for business” in the hope of drumming up billions of investment to boost the flagging economy.

    So far, such deep-pocketed funds seem relatively unworried. Executives at one of the biggest Canadian investment funds and officials in Qatar — a huge investor in the UK — made clear their continued confidence in Britain. One Qatari source said: “We invest in Britain for ten, 15 years or more. This would not put us off at all.”

    However, the government’s action will exact a toll on the economy as Reeves begins planning her June spending review just as the steelworks requires bailing out. French said: “This was the right thing to do, but it is going to cost the country for a long time if it goes down the route of public ownership. So, what is she going to stop to fund this? Will it mean fewer schools, fewer prisons?”

    Scunthorpe could, however, increase in value over the years if the government finds a way of reducing energy prices. Britain’s exit from the EU means it should be easier to subsidise the electricity bills of heavy industries — a demand factory owners have been making for years. And if plans to accelerate renewable energy come to fruition, such subsidies might only be needed for a decade or so, as the nation basks in Ed Miliband’s paradise of free, green power.

    Ironically, Scunthorpe is close to the vast Hornsea and Dogger Bank wind farms in the North Sea. It is a big if, but if the storage capacity and infrastructure can be built to capture enough electricity to keep Scunthorpe running, its energy bills could one day be cheaper than Europe’s.

    Advertisement

    Besides, not all nationalised enterprises are a drain on government coffers. Sheffield Forgemasters, maker of steel parts for Britain’s nuclear submarines, was nationalised in 2021 and has secured new orders since from the UK and US military.

    Lodge argues that the Scunthorpe site is so big it could be extended to make hulls for navy ships. For that to happen, it would require serious taxpayer investment at a time when Trump’s tariffs and Britain’s sickly economy mean there is no spare cash in the tin.

    It might all turn out all right in the end, but a finale in this movie with a glorious future for British Steel feels a little far-fetched for now.

    And still Bacon Butty Miliband wants to send us even further back into the Stone Age, all the while India and China are building more coal fired power stations.

    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/its-the-end-of-coal-that-shattered-the-steel-industry-qlhvrbssh

    1. And, just for completeness, the other three being Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus……

    2. And, just for completeness, the other three being Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus……

  111. There is something deeply wrong with a group who, rather than getting off their backsides and working just treat other nations like their own toilet and shat all over the floor then leave the mess for others to pick up.

    No one wants them here. They bring nothing to this country but the diversity were forced on us and our country is the worse for it.

    1. What puzzled me during my sojourn in India, was that even the most upmarket apartment buildings were often surrounded by trash. One of the Indian execs I was working with, who had lived in Europe and Japan, said the attitude was that the "peons" (his word) employed by the building owner will pick it all up, so why not just toss it all out the window.

      Maybe helps to explain why many western "multi cultural" cities look so awful. That and bin men strikes in Britain's case. Incidentally, we don't have that problem here. Our bins are emptied by private contractors – no local authority involvement. Up to seven bins or black bags every week. No sorting required. And free large item pick up as long as we let the company know there is something big to pick up.

    2. What puzzled me during my sojourn in India, was that even the most upmarket apartment buildings were often surrounded by trash. One of the Indian execs I was working with, who had lived in Europe and Japan, said the attitude was that the "peons" (his word) employed by the building owner will pick it all up, so why not just toss it all out the window.

      Maybe helps to explain why many western "multi cultural" cities look so awful. That and bin men strikes in Britain's case. Incidentally, we don't have that problem here. Our bins are emptied by private contractors – no local authority involvement. Up to seven bins or black bags every week. No sorting required. And free large item pick up as long as we let the company know there is something big to pick up.

  112. There is something deeply wrong with a group who, rather than getting off their backsides and working just treat other nations like their own toilet and shat all over the floor then leave the mess for others to pick up.

    No one wants them here. They bring nothing to this country but the diversity were forced on us and our country is the worse for it.

  113. "Starmer has ‘lost control of borders’ after record small boat crossings. Shadow home secretary hits out at PM after 656 migrants reach UK via Channel on Saturday, taking this year’s total to more than 8,000."

    "Sir Keir Starmer has “lost control” of Britain’s borders after the number of small boat crossings surged to a record high, the Tories have said. A total of 656 migrants crossed the English Channel on Saturday, taking the number of those crossing this year to more than 8,000. It is the worst ever start to a year and the total so far is 46 per cent higher than at this point in 2024.
    Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the Prime Minister’s pledge to crack down on the gangs lay “in tatters”. He said: “This news underlines what we all knew – Keir Starmer has lost control of our borders."

    Dear Mr Philp, You are wrong. Starmer hasn't " lost control", he never had any control in the first place. Mind you your lot didn't either.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/13/starmer-lost-control-borders-record-small-boat-crossings/

    1. Neither has he ever wished to have control.
      Remember that many Labour seats rely on Muslim voters.

          1. Not sure that’s right, there are still huge numbers of thicker than pig shiite non Muslim voters who support Labour

  114. When most countries in Europe are now closing their borders what do our idiots expect?

    1. They don't expect anything. They just don't care. It's not their money, not their problem. They get police protection. They don't have to go home on a bus full of diversity savages.

  115. The Uniparty IS “the gangs”. It’s all deliberate. There’s probably a procurement department in Whitehall ordering the rubber boats, motors, life jackets etc.

    1. Give all gimmegrants exactly what they would get if they were white British and claimed asylum in Afghanistan.

    2. It's been suggested that at least one reason for the allowance of ever higher numbers is that boat people will vote Labour. Not sure about that, they can claim benefits, stay as long as they like, may or may not even bother voting. Could it be incompetence? Deliberate policy? I don't believe so. It has to be because Starmer and associates just don't know how to tackle it, turn away from the problem, pretend it's not really there so it can't be a problem, can it. Fingers in ears 'lalalalalalala'. I don't think any other party in Government would act any differently either. Could be trouble ahead.

      1. How many years do you have to be physically present in the UK, without any credentials or rights of residency, before becoming entitled to a vote?

        1. I didn’t know, David, so I searched online. If born UK and registered would definitely have a right to vote. I recalled PE covering Tower Hamlets a number of years ago, seemed like the men were all voting on the females behalf. So then I looked up how to register to vote. Seems like all you need is a NI number. That raises further questions – is the number ever checked to be legit, are they easy to obtain, what’s the procedure? Can someone else really vote on your behalf if they have your NI number, and is that all they need? If you find out further, let me know please? Thanks, Kate x

      2. "As it stands, around 5 million people living in the UK are barred from voting, just because of the papers they hold", says the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, which suggests that you cannot simply arrive on a rubber dinghy from France and influence the outcome of general elections. Unsurprisingly, the JCWI goes on to say, "We think this is unfair. We believe everyone who makes the UK their home should have the right to vote, so they get to have a say in decisions that affect their lives." However, as it stands, merely being physically present in the UK does not grant automatic voting rights. There are hurdles to clear, even in this easy come, easy go country.

        https://jcwi.org.uk/resource/migrants-rights-and-the-general-election-2024/

        1. See my reply re NI number, presumably fairly easy to obtain if you tick the ‘are you permanently resident UK?’ box. What’s the betting Labour will become our permanent government (together with the CS whom I’v e thought for quite a while are our permanent government). Have been mulling over whether or not to vote again, this seems to put a tin lid on that.

  116. As April 15th approaches, been doing my taxes, so dug out my faithful 50th Anniversary HP calculator, presented to me by HP after presenting at one of their computer sales conferences back in the 1980's. Being HP, it still works perfectly.

    1. Probably the only electronic device left on the planet where you can type 8008135 and snigger without having it go down on your permanent e-digital file.

    2. Probably the only electronic device left on the planet where you can type 8008135 and snigger without having it go down on your permanent e-digital file.

  117. I'm turning in now.

    I have been 'working very hard' a political misnomer, in our garden but unlike them I have actually achieved a lot.
    Short now under control grass and no invading weeds.
    And it's good night all Nottlers. 😴 sleep well.

  120. Evening, all. Back now, but shattered. Had church this morning (Palm Sunday where I was reading and holding the bible for the Palm Gospel) which was longer than usual because the Passion Gospel is dramatised. Didn't have time to stop for coffee, so rushed home, sorted the dogs (i e cleaned up), took them for a walk to empty, got changed and drove off to a long meeting followed by a meal.

    Harry needs to make up his mind; either he wants privacy or he wants a royal title and all that goes with it. There's no such thing as a (taxpayer paid) free lunch (although Starmer's doing his best to ensure he gets one).

    1. Errr…

      :flashback to Diving Naked into Snow with Only Slippers on for Citizen's charity drive on GP:

      1. Lets face it mate, falling over into snow is something you find easy.
        *runs away*

      2. Lets face it mate, falling over into snow is something you find easy.
        *runs away*

  123. @Kj200. – the oatcake recipe (not mine)….but will take the credit!

    DERBYSHIRE OATCAKES
    INGREDIENTS
    4 oz (114g) porridge oats
    4 oz (114g) strong flour
    1 teaspoonful salt
    ¼ oz (7g) dried yeast [or ½oz (14g) fresh yeast]
    1 teaspoonful sugar
    9 oz (255g) water
    9 oz (255g) milk
    1 tablespoonful lard (or butter)
    INSTRUCTIONS
    Put the flour, oats and salt in a bowl and mix.
    Weigh out the milk into the jug and half the water. Add the remaining water from a recently boiled kettle so that it is tepid.
    Put the yeast and sugar in a small bowl and about 3 tablespoons of the milk mix. Stir the mixture and leave for a few minutes until bubbly.
    Mix the yeast with the remaining milk and stir into the dry ingredients.
    Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and leave to activate for an hour.
    Melt the lard in a frying pan over a medium heat.
    Pour in a large ladleful of the mixture and swirl the pan so that the base is evenly coated.
    Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes and bubbles start to appear on the surface.
    Loosen the base with a spatula and flip the oatcake over for a further 2 minutes.
    Slide the oatcake onto a plate and cover with greaseproof paper to stop the next one from sticking.
    Cover the oatcakes in foil to keep warm and repeat the process for the remaining oatcakes.
    Note: Whizzing up the oats first in a food-processor makes the batter smoother.
    What is the difference between Derbyshire oatcakes and Staffordshire oatcakes?
    Oatcakes from Derbyshire are thicker than the Staffordshire ones, which use more water in the batter mix.

The Derbyshire ones were traditionally eaten hot at breakfast and the Staffordshire oatcakes were originally sold to mill workers as a hot snack at the end of their shift.

    1. My oatcake recipe..
      200g oatmeal
      1 tsp salt
      2 tsp pumpkin seeds
      2 tsp sunflower seeds
      1 tsp dry parsley
      150ml water
      Put the seeds through a blender, empty into a bowl, add the rest of the dry ingedients and mix. Add the water and mix until it's a paste . Roll out on a board until the mix is about 3mm thick. Cut into 50mm squares. Brush a shallow baking tray with olive oil and lay the squares on it with about 6 mm spacing. Place in a preheated oven at 210C for 22 min
      TIP I make a bit of oatmeal flour in the blender to aid rolling out and also make a bulk supply of blended seeds

          1. I thought pumpkin seeds might be too hard for that – I’ll give it a try. Thanks!

        1. Only if you pretend never to have heard of BO
          err, perhaps I should rephrase that.

      2. Lol i am one of those who knows not what a bath oliver is.

        But i do like a proper bath, of an evening

  125. They're nice with some crumbly Cheshire cheese Kate , quick to make and dirt cheap. I usually make 3 times this much at a time (I have 3 trays) and utilise the whole oven. They also keep for weeks in an airtight container. BTW the cooking time is for a fan oven.x

    1. Thanks Alec, one of my fave cheeses (Blue Stilton is No.1 will try that with more or less any food). The oven is a fan, I have full confidence in him (I can burn fresh air). He has an Air Fryer, too, which he likes very much (present from me :-D) I wonder if the bix will freeze, will try in an airtight container.

        1. Thanks Kathie…I thought dairy was a no-no for singing?! Lovely to hear your voice, as ever 💕

          1. If you’re sensitive to it, dairy can overthicken mucus, yes, which can be a problem. Luckily, it never affected me. 😎

            Think of me next time you revel in some delicious Stilton!! 🤣

          2. I always think of you whenever I hear anyone singing (except myself or the dog, that’s a treat we don’t need). Hopefully someone will again record you singing, walking down the street….not hinting or anything….have the loveliest day Kathie x

          4. It’s a bit grim…apparently La Nina due to end soon, so wet weather may give way to typical cool Brit summer..yay..always something to look forward to x x

  126. The Master's is really heating up.
    Come on you Brits.
    And better yet, come on the English.

    1. Well, yes, It would be great for Justin Rose to win it – he's such a nice bloke – but Rory winning is watching history being made, and that's what sport is all about….

  127. Thought for the day
    Might Miliband's mob ensure insufficient coking coal can arrive at Scunthorpe to keep it powered up and cause the complex to collapse?

  128. Angela Rayner has called in the Army to tackle the Birmingham bin crisis.

    https://x.com/True_Belle/status/1911534652852179279/photo/1

    The Local Government Secretary has used formal powers known as Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (Maca) to summon Army experts after a strike by bin workers, which has lasted over a month, left more than 17,000 tons of waste rotting in the streets.

    It is understood a small number of military personnel with operational planning expertise are offering logistical support to tackle the crisis. Sources said there were contingency plans in place to scale up the number of soldiers involved if necessary.

    Jack Rees
    3 min ago
    Our proud British Army whose battle honours are of such imminence, are now insulted by having to clear up filth from a malfunctioning state.

    Comment by Benjamin Button.

    BB

    Benjamin Button
    3 min ago
    Get the hotels full of boat people to sort out this mess. Wouldn’t hurt them to do something for their bed and board. This is not the army’s job. edited

  129. Right, chums, my bedtime approaches. So Good Night to you all, sleep well, and I hope to see you all early tomorrow.

        1. His ability to mix shots from the Gods with the sort of dross I used to hit (I dont bother with golf anymore) is just amazing.

    2. Going to watch the last hole. Another glass unfortunately. I'm rooting for for the English Rose.

    1. They are planning summer riots, are they?
      Funny, summer riots didn't used to be a regular feature of life in Britain. I wonder what changed?

  135. That was both as thrilling and tense as golf, or any sport, for that matter, ever gets. I'll say no more.

      1. I couldn't agree more. I was delighted with the outcome but, had it gone the other way, I'm fairly sure I would have been just as pleased. A great effort by the runner-up.

        1. At one stage late on there were three players at the top; I would have liked any one of them to win. The third player was Ludvig Åberg, a local lad from here in Skåne. Unfortunately he imploded in the latter stages and fell away to finish –6.

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