dippyhippy

Well....I haven't had one.....but there again, I don't usually get an Admag! What a complete waste of money. Our money! Tell me Bobby......did it have nice pictures??? Which month did Patricia represent??? Was it a bit bland....or did they dress up???? Or was it perhaps, a tasteful scene depicting thousands of shoppers trudging around the OLM?? Details, details....I want details!!

This really isn't good enough. It isn't much of a stretch for anybodys imagination, to think a shop which has sold dodgy cigarettes, may well sell dodgy alcohol, and the repercussions for someone who consumes this could be very serious. I am disappointed in this decision, to put it mildly.

What a brilliant thing to do - they certainly have my vote!

Sad news. I have just returned from the funeral of Jane Oates - legendary landlady of The Brit. She was a wonderful,warm and caring individual, who spent much of her life making other people happy. I have so many fond memories of Jane and Al during their years at The Brit.....the sing songs, the lock ins, the amazing New Years. A terrific couple, who made everyone feel at home. The Brit was never the same once they had retired. The turn out today was standing room only, and the wake held at the pub, where for so long she had served us all from behind her bar, a real tribute to her. Jane truly was an amazing individual.Her loss will be felt by many. They don't make landladies like her anymore. R.I.P Jane.....I shall raise a glass to you tonight.

Ah, I see. Thanks for letting me know that Glenda. I still think it's extremely important that councillors make it their business to follow this up,and find out the outcome for this group of people. It may be that others within the council are watching this thread, and waiting to find out if any sort of protection has been offered to these employees. Perhaps if they have that reassurance, they too may feel they can come forward. Something tells me this is not an isolated case......

Grrrrr!!!! Working hours again!!!! Anyone would think they don't want folks to attend! If only this could be filmed........! Not that it matters, because I shall be hard at work - unless it's a weekend - but what date,Chris??

Good Grief Megilleland! Could this mean that The Mendacious Oddities are under covert surveillance?? Cambo could have been right all along......that chap who tried to muscle in on our gathering at The Commercial really WAS spying on us! My paranoia has just hit an all time high. This calls for red wine.....and plenty of it.

Absolutely,Megilleland! We are all equal.....but some are more equal than others......and some seem to be beyond the long arm of the law! Has a judge ever been summoned in a case such as this, or does some legal gobbledy **** prevent it from happening?? It seems to me that the legal system when questioned or challenged in circumstances such as these, closes ranks, to protect itself and those within.

Thanks for the update,Megilleland. Are you actually allowed to summon/subpoena a judge?? I don't recall ever hearing this happening before.

I am so pleased that this is moving forward, after stalling in September. When, where and what time will this meeting take place?? Please don't let it be during working hours, as they so often are, - folks need to be able to get along to this one!!

I have no knowledge of the people involved in this, but perhaps her age was a consideration??

Good grief. Where is the compassion, the care.....the common sense?? I am at a loss as to why this wouldn't be deemed "special circumstances." If the children usually have good attendance, then this surely should have been granted. I understand that it is at the discretion of Head teachers what constitutes "special circumstances." Perhaps they could be asked to clarify what reasons they would consider fell into this category.

Hi Chris, once again, thanks for the response. It is heartening to see that at least one councillor is willing to listen, and engage with a debate as sensitive as this. I suspect that many others have read this thread, but for whatever reason, have chosen to remain silent. Talking about, and acknowledging that we do indeed have these problems is a good first step forward to stopping bullying in any form from continuing. I completely agree, whatever form bullying takes - it is never acceptable. And to those who don't believe we have an issue, I would say open your eyes, listen to your staff - sticking your head in the sand and hoping it will all just go away will not work!

My feelings are, that this is a great scheme - I honestly feel it will make a real difference, and I wish them all the luck and love in the world. What I keep banging on about - perhaps it's my age! - is the fact that it happens again and again and again!! The folks who have addiction problems will always have my sympathy and support - their lives and issues are incredibly complex. My gripe, if you like, are the ones who regularly go out, and do not view the fact that they get so drunk they can be a problem/ nuisance or even danger to themselves.....or others, as an issue. They need a wake up call, that it is NOT acceptable! And it isn't doing them, as individuals, any good either! Campaigns about binge drinking and the like seem to fall on deaf ears.....perhaps a fine might make them think twice?? That said.....I would help anybody who needed it, regardless of circumstances! But I am a soft touch!

Oh Dear Lord. That is not good. What a complete and utter mess. It wasn't that long ago that some of us were saying what a huge improvement that paint job had made. It transformed the look of those flats, and must have pleased the residents no end. It must be very difficult to feel any pride in where you live, if it is left looking like this.

Really interesting letter, thanks for the link Roger!

Hi Chris, it's me again! Just a thought, but I will be cheeky and pick your brain! I posted a few days ago, that there is talk of a new management role being created in this department, have Unison offered up any view on this development to you, seeing as how some of their members may still be facing the chop?? I realise you may not be privy to this, and if so - no worries, but as they say, if you don't ask you won't know! Sorry to lumber you with even more questions, but at the moment, it seems you are the only Councillor willing to talk to me!! (Note to self......put Chris on the Xmas card list!!) Many thanks for your time......and I hope your weekend is more relaxed than your weeks been!

(Hence the "no other factor" bit!) Hi George, good as always to hear your thoughts, Folks can and will always call ambulances when they need help - the point is.......sometimes they need to be made aware that the problem they have is actually of their own making! Perhaps once they have sobered up, and the night on the tiles ends up costing them an extra £100......they might think more carefully before hitting the sherry next time! Believe me when I say, there are well know faces on the circuit, who do this time and time again - they are not addicts,(whose needs are far more complex) they are basically young(ish) and foolish, "weekend warriors" as perhaps we all were once. The difference being that these days it seems to be the norm to consider using ambulances as a taxi service. I am only suggesting that it would perhaps be an idea to try to instil some sense of personal responsibility in them. Modifying their behaviour, if you like! I am not saying this is the answer.....it's just a suggestion - I wholeheartedly back this project, I just feel that aiming to make folks take responsibility for their actions could and perhaps should, be a part of that. Just my thoughts....!!!!

Hi Chris,thanks so much for clarifying that, and being the ONLY councillor to respond! I truly do appreciate it! I shall still pm other councillors, as I do believe that this whole situation does require monitoring closely. It sounds as if you have had a very busy week! Once again,thankyou!

I can see you are still logged on to this page.....could I just get that assurance??? I intend to ask other Councillors the same question! I honestly feel that the more who are taking an active interest in the outcome of this, the better. Another thought......were you answering the questions from my post(225)?? In which case your answers would tally up as..... Yes.....councillors are keeping a careful eye. No.......the staff involved have not been made redundant.(Which would be brilliant news!!) Could you just clarify????

All I want, is an assurance that the group of folks who have already endured so much, have someone who is keeping a careful eye on the situation. Could you be the one to provide that?? It would mean a lot to these good folks!

Hi Chris, firstly - thanks so much for your reply, but....... Yes, you have forgotten that elections are looming, and No you are not bothered???Surely that can't be right, Chris???(That's a weak attempt at humour, by the way - I do realise you meant it the other way around!) Can you elaborate on your thoughts?? As the ONLY councillor who has grasped hold of this series of questions, I would really love to hear just a little bit more......please??????

Hi Bobby. Depressing isn't it?? However! I am not going to stop asking awkward questions just yet! A look at the members list, tells me there are several councillors registered to this forum. I intend to message them all individually. Have they all forgotten that elections are looming?? Are they not bothered about the outcome of this whole sorry saga?? I don't know - but if they don't respond to my politely worded request, then I guess I shall have the answer to that question at least.

Agree completely, Cloudberry. I would hope that Councillors are going to start jumping up and down about this. Serious discussions about alternatives really do need to take place. And there ARE alternatives! The reasons why they are so keen to push this through so quickly are not at all clear to me, so I am thinking that Two Wheels has probably hit the nail firmly on the head in his post above.(101.) This council have wasted so much money, saddled generations with debt, let's not allow them to add to it without making very sure that they have got it right. That means looking at ALL the options. A short term fix,is never the way to solve along term problem!

Yes Ubique,I also mentioned the possibility of some sort of fine system. If an ambulance/A and E is required, and the reason is purely down to the amount of alcohol consumed, and no other factor, then maybe a short, sharp shock which hits the pocket, might make those repeat weekend offenders think a tad more carefully!! Getting rat arsed, to the point of requiring emergency assistance, is not making best use of our already overstretched frontline resources! There are many folks who have issues with alcohol, but it is the binge drinking weekend warriors who are the frequent abusers of our emergency services. A line needs to be drawn between what is an accident, what is an emergency and what is a self inflicted drunken stupor which could so easily have been avoided, if a little self restraint could be shown by individuals!