WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Cathy]

I know, I know... It's in our blood, it's where we are supposed to be!! Oh well maybe I'll try again in my next life.

Great photo of Stanley walking thru Barlick, looked like a lovely day.

[David Whipp]

The old lock gates loaded onto the grounded barge at the bottom lock at Greenberfield.

There's a delay in fitting the new gates as the repair gang have found a crack in one of the large stones at the bottom of the lock, which is allowing the canal to leak. This needs repairing before they can go ahead with fitting the new gates. It may be next week before the new ones are swung into position.

[Stanley]

See this LINK for the latest developments in the Rennard v the Rest row. These are not the actions of an honourable man, he doesn't care who he damages in his fight to claw himself back into power. Why does this remind me of Parkinson and Sara Keays, I wonder if that perpetual gagging injunction was ever lifted? This is the hidden, dirty face of politics and does no credit to anyone. Mind you, I have sympathy with the man who asked the other night if we could imagine the reaction of Barbara Castle or, going back a bit further, Bessie Braddock to this sort of juvenile pawing?
Cathy, it was a nice day, more of them to come I'm sure!
09:00 and I've finished the images for Ian. I shall enjoy a read without guilt now......

[plaques]

Yesterdays Pendle's Core Strategy was very poorly attended. The only people there were five "last of the summer wine'rs". Asking the organizers why they thought it was so they said quite honestly they didn't know. They had advertised it in news papers, libraries and social media sites. My first thoughts were that people aren't interested' However, looking back, I realize that if it wasn't for Tardis's posting I wouldn't have picked it up. "Thanks Tardis". With so much access being "online" my visits to to outside world are becoming less and less. Social networks are a no no for me. Perhaps for a small / large donation OGFB could allocate a section for Pendle Council public announcements. (Where public involvement is seen to be part of the exercise.) Don't all shout at once, its just a thought !

[Thomo]

I would imagine that in this day and age, it would be very difficult to define just what sexual harassment is, and since we do not know exactly what took place, our responses should not get out of hand. Today, even just smiling at a "pretty Woman" can be viewed as offensive by some of the recipients. If the sexual harassment was of a physical nature, then he deserves whatever becomes him, and even that could be unintentional, crowded tube trains come to mind. Then there is the difference between what may happily take place on the dance floor, or unintentionally in a crowded office. But this man is a politician and should have been more careful, but I wonder what the reaction would have been on here if he was a member of the opposition! Are we fast approaching a time when beautiful but underdressed women carry placards displaying "look but do not touch, better still, do not even look"?
Be careful Plaques, "Last of the Summer Wine'rs" could by some be viewed as ageism!

[PanBiker]

Perhaps for a small / large donation OGFB could allocate a section for Pendle Council public announcements. (Where public involvement is seen to be part of the exercise.) Don't all shout at once, its just a thought !

I don't thing One Guy should be a direct platform fror anything to do with the Borough Council, not it's purpose and besides, they already have their own website for that. If you are refering to somewhere to post associated relevant comment or other material, we already have the nescessary forums for the discussion of Town, Parish, Borough and County Council matters. Most are well used and is where Tardis posted the thread for the current discussions on the Core Strategy.

[Stanley]

We seem to cover almost everything without having special topics. Keep it simple!
News from the optician's yesterday morning that my distance glasses had arrived (funny they came so quickly....) and it was a good move getting them. Crystal clear vision at distance, wonderful. TV is much better as well. I shall still enjoy doing without glasses outside when it is an advantage, like in rain.

[Tardis]

we already have the nescessary forums for the discussion of Town, Parish, Borough and County Council matters. Most are well used and is where Tardis posted the thread for the current discussions on the Core Strategy.

and I asked for those so that items could be discussed away from the main threads and not spoil others enjoyment. Not everyone likes it

Though I do generally agree with the transparency issue of all levels of the Council Tax receipted bodies requiring to be raised, I'm not convinced that OneGuy should be the vehicle to carry that out.

[Whyperion]

Kev, they are weird aren't they. The only consolation we have is that if we have a normal bank account with a low balance we aren't getting any interest so the money is probably just as safe with the energy company as the bank! Bottom line is that I can't be arsed to argue with them. Wrong attitude I know but I'm old and tired and fed up with all their nonsense. That's why I recently refused the Warm Homes Discount, I get fed up with the intrusion of means testing.....

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Cannot see for most people that qualify what the WHD is a problem in getting (its mostly . but not exclusively for older persons ) and it is easy to miss ,its for Electricty only.

3. Eligibility

You qualify for the discount if on the ‘qualifying day’ (20 July 2013) your supplier was part of the scheme, your name (or your partner’s) was on the bill and you were either:

75 or over and getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit)
under 75 and only getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (you won’t qualify if you also get Savings Credit)

So its fairly simple to wave the bit of paper from DWP in front of your Electricity supplier

Why it just cannot be paid as an extra to the Pension Credit on the qualifying day though is beyond me (funded by an equal levy on all energy providers on same date ), do our leaders really care about simplification in life? ( I can only guess they dont want the bill to go as increasing the benifits budget ).

If you don’t qualify (so mostly for persons like some younger disabled persons )

Some suppliers can offer the discount to vulnerable people (eg those on a low income).

Each supplier has their own rules about who else (known as the ‘broader group’) can get this help.

Check with the supplier if you meet their rules for broader group help and how to apply for it.

-So thats helpful,not. Yet another scheme where those that really need it find it too difficult to get the whole thing processed quickly and easily, it really is no more than a meaningless political gesture. Especially since under British Gas one qualifies for the discount on my present income, but dont on nPower ( and for current year BG (dual fuel ) standing charge is 24pish a day nPower 14pish = BG already £36 more expensive and their electric rates can be more too ).

[Tardis]

Barnoldswick Town Council have a new Clerk. A Ms Joanne Geldard, who seems a very nice and efficient type

[Tardis]

Art not considered Safe For Work? #Filters

Risque maybe

Odalisque by François Boucher

[Cathy]

I was caught unawares today by clever packaging, I accidently bought a Malteaser MaltEaster chocolate bunny! Only $1 and I'm sure I will enjoy it later but still too early to be in the shops.

[Marilyn]

I couldn't help noticing that girl's bottom is rather red.
(I'm not sure I want to wonder why!)

[Stanley]

An excuse for the February calendar picture! Not all bottoms are red, some are pale and interesting. All a matter of taste!
The thunderclap and white-out in Barlick yesterday at 15:30!

[Cathy]

Don't know about red bottoms but have just read a story that would leave me red-faced. A couple in Philadelphia Pennyslvania who due to heavy snow falls and their road being icy couldn't drive to the hospital to give birth to their baby and ended up having it in their street on a sled!! Grandparents were on hand and the neighbours came out to help and relayed instructions from 999. The ambulance managed to get thru to them but it was all over and done with. Cheeze. It was also minus 15degrees.

[Stanley]

That must have been quite an experience Cathy. Only good thing I can see is that there would be no chance of a hospital infection in those circumstances! I hope the new baby did well....

[Tardis]

School League Tables (at GCSE):

West Craven

59% A-C
53% A-C when English and Maths have to be included
on a roll of 138

against Fisher More (64, 51, 148)

Colne Park High is higher still, but Colne Primet is even lower than West Craven

Which probably gives an example of the thinking in the Pendle Core Strategy document

[Tardis]

The old fire station chimney has come down in the latest renovations:

[Tardis]

Will you be walking on Sunday?

[Stanley]

The expensive method they adopted for taking the chimney down. There was a much easier and cheaper way but they never asked me....

[Tardis]

It would appear that the workers didn't receive the notification of redundancies very well at Thwaites:

Please delete the picture if it causes offence

[Thomo]

A fine example of constructive criticism Tardis , or perhaps, destructive. The Star Brewery has been a major feature of Blackburn for many years, I wonder what will replace it?!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thomo]

An invitation this morning from Sally@catsonlyvets to attend the opening of a new Cats Only Veterinary Clinic in High Corn Mill, Chapel Hill in Skipton. This is located by the side of the Springs Branch near to what used to be Ledgard and Wynns. The building also houses a new water turbine, generating power for the national grid, only small scale, but every little helps. We have used this Veterinary Practice for nearly a year now and the service is first class and easier on the wallet.

[Tizer]

Thwaites brewery...now that takes me back. Many years ago when I was working in the south my boss was asked by Thwaites to come and sort out a problem with the beer production. He suggested I went with him because I'd worked in a brewery. We were to stay two nights in a local hotel but on the second day while we were still at the brewery he was called back to base urgently. We didn't have time to go back to the hotel so our luggage was brought to the station for us and we travelled back. The place I worked for at the time was a bit draconian and any mail sent to staff was opened by the director's secretary. After we'd been back a few days she sent someone to find me with a message saying that `she had a pair of my pyjamas, please come and collect them'. I'd left them in the hotel bed and they'd been found after the luggage was sent to the station and then posted to my work address. You can imagine the fun that my colleagues had when the message was passed around to all and sundry!

[Pluggy]

Can't think too many people would object to the adjusting of the Thwaites Sign. Something for the perpetrators to put on their CV.....