dippyhippy

Absolutely Bilbobobby! It will be very interesting to compare last years festive season statistics, with this years. It's always good to have some evidence based figures to back up the good work which is being done. Perhaps if the numbers back up the hope that this scheme will have a positive impact, and reduces the huge demand for 999 and A and E , continued funding for this may come from partner services.

Well.....here I am, still waiting patiently! Councillors, all I want to know is, are any of you keeping an eye on WHO is being made redundant?? Are the bullied staff amongst the latest cull?? That's all. A simple yes or no will suffice.

Hi Denise, Do you mean the group which have lots of brass players....trumpets etc. and also two accordion players?? If so,they are fantastic aren't they?? There is also a chap who plays either outside Lloyds Bank, by the Coffee Cart,or by the Black and White House. He sings and plays guitar to his own backing track and also seems to operate - by foot - some sort of beat/rhythm machine. He also writes his own stuff! I was so impressed with his music, I bought a CD! It's brilliant!!

You see, me being me, I would have thought that given what has been going on at this store, this would be refused. But I am equally as sure that this will not be the view taken.

What a brilliant report. Well written, and it truly captures how life changing whistle blowing can be for individuals. Michale Paduano, the Midlands Today reporter, has done several stories on the Coventry cardiologist. Lets hope he is not soon reporting on a Herefordshire whistleblowing scandal. Councillors could do with being emailed this report - perhaps then, they would have a better understanding of the effect this has on peoples' lives, and rather than saying we don't need to know, they could start shouting, We HAVE to know. I am still waiting patiently for a response from any councillor about my previous questions. I'll give it a little while longer.....then I shall start pm'ing them.......draw it to their attention!!!

But hang on Flam. They all know now......some knew before, although they are struggling to recall this. They all claim to be outraged. Surely they want to know the fate of this group???

Thankfully,I survived the night. The hours between 3.00 and 5.00am seemed the longest. (The Mammas and The Pappas were right - the darkest hour is just before dawn.) I so wish I had read your sane and rational post last night,Two Wheels, I would have slept much better!

Wahey!! Well he's answered my prayers! I asked for more madness and mayhem, and within 24 hours I got it!! Brilliant Bobby!

I think Bill Tanner would be quite justified in asking for a pay rise! The amount of reporting he has had to do lately, must be at an all time high!

I can be annoyingly persistent sometimes, Paul! I shall keep bumping this thread, until someone decides to answer!! These looming redundancies in Customer Services, need to be kept a careful eye on. The creation of a highly paid role within the same department needs an explanation.

Cheers Marc! You are the best placed person to comment on this! I had hoped you would when I posted my previous comment! Thanks so much for taking the time, as always, it's much appreciated!

I would welcome a response from any councillor on the above points.

I would agree with that, Roger. Serving folks who have already had a skinful is irresponsible, and adds to an already growing problem. Folks have to be made to take personal responsibility as well. Getting sloshed on cheap supermarket alcohol before even stepping out of the front door doesn't help matters. The question is.....what approach will work best? An increase in the price of alcohol? A fine system for those who repeatedly abuse the 999 A and E service?? Stricter regulation/ harsher penalties for those premises which serve the already inebriated? Naming and shaming??? I don't know.

It is, Two Wheels. I also note it is called "Emilia's Place", after Rev. John Venns sister. I wonder if those who benefit from this project, could be pressed into making a financial contribution ........those chuggers are pretty adept at getting direct debits set up! This could give them a base to work from, with a captive audience to hustle!

An odd thing just happened. I nipped up the stairs to pop a hot water bottle in my bed, to make it all warm and snuggly, when I heard it. A strange scratching noise, just outside my window. My heart beating like a drum, I peeped out. I can't be sure, but in the orange glow of the street light, I saw what appeared to be several ferrets running down the road........ Yikes! They're coming for me!!!! I've bolted the door, locked the windows and said three Hail Marys. I'm sitting here now with a crucifix balanced on the keyboard, convinced I'll not see morning! I think another large glass of red will calm my nerves.........

I am not sure this is a country first though, Stupid Frustration......I'm pretty sure other areas have been running schemes like this for a while. Brighton definitely has, and Birmingham too.

If I remember correctly, George Armstrong mentioned this project a few weeks back. Anything that takes some of the strain away from ambulance crews and A and E is to be welcomed. I am sure the volunteers/ staff involved will have had basic first aid training. I expect most of them have a good deal of common sense, and will know if they do need to call for medical support. It will be interesting to hear what effect this has. Good luck to all who are involved!

I just hope that any debate is a rational one. Given the example you provided us with Roger, I have reservations that this can be achieved.

Good Grief, Bobby! It's a wonderful and strange gift you have!! You've been looking in my head again, and reading my thoughts! You have given a voice to my deepest and darkest fears.....ones so frightening, I find it impossible to find the words to describe. Yes, it's all true.....this is my worst nightmare, for a vegetarian to meet their maker via a bag of flesh eating ferrets, albeit talking ones, is bad enough, but to have Pat Morgan stood, uninvited in your front room is a step too far in anybodys' book! Scary stuff indeed! I miss your posts.........this will sustain me for about three days.......then I shall need another fix of mayhem and madness!!

Hi Ubique!! Yes,a huge well done to you.....your technical expertise is improving everyday! I am impressed, and more than a tad envious of your new found skills in this department!! Two green presses for you,and a gold star!!

Bumping this because...... There was a rumour,which Glenda confirmed was true, that frontline staff were being made form The Customer Services Department, where all this stemmed. Now, there is another rumour, that a new management post has been created within this same department, which will also be at the cost of more front line staff. A couple of questions. Is any councillor keeping a careful eye on which members of staff the axe will fall?? I have asked this previously in post 84 and 88, but did not get a response. Why is yet another management role being created, and at what cost??

A big Well Done, to that intrepid enforcement officer! I'm not convinced that Pat Morgan is the right person to be issuing statements about keeping children and young people away from risk, though.......has a slightly hollow ring, given all that has gone before.

Brilliant! We are coming up with an excellent alternative proposal!! Looking at the members who have viewed this page, there are a fair few names whose opinions on this I would be very interested to hear. The elections are less than six months away.....time for some councillors to start engaging with the electorate a bit more!

I accept full responsibility.....and am quite prepared to write this out 100 times! Soooo.....anybody see the roadshow??I popped into town at lunch, but there was no sign that I could see....but this was about 1-ish,so the wrong time methinks!

Sorry Colin. Roger, Hillbilly, Denise, Ubique and I,shall all sit on the naughty step........!