WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Stanley]

You're right China but that industry has been put under very close scrutiny and I think it's fairly safe. Something that used to happen for years was the rendering of animal fats down for lard and tallow, much of it in bad nick when it went in as a raw material but due to the high temperature of the process, safe when it came out. They smelt awful! There used to be one just outside Keighley on the right as you went up the Halifax road.
See this THIS for a Reuters report of the loss of a large Russian freezer trawler in northern waters. At least 54 dead. The price of fish.....

[Tizer]

Talking of fish and fats...about 50 years ago the frying fat manufacturers switched their packaging of catering size packs of frying fat and started using cardboard boxes lined with polythene. The molten fat could be pumped into the lined boxes and allowed to set, and the polythene prevented the fat seeping into the board. The fish & chip shops were thrilled with the new packaging but when the salesmen from the refiners visited the shops they were given a shock in some instances. The shop-owners had found they could simply lift out the polythene bag of fat and drop it straight into the hot fat fryer; the polythene dissolved in the hot fat and `disappeared'. This was convenient for the shop-owner and also meant he didn't have to spend time scraping out the last bits of fat and didn't waste any. Of course the downside was that it means some of us were eating polythene at that time. There had to be a quick re-education of the shop-owners. It shows how often the saving of a bit of time and money quickly overcomes any concerns about health and safety.

[David Whipp]

Please can I offer a grovelling apology for my absence from OGFB over the last couple of days?

In the event that this isn't accepted... please can I distract you with this short film by Bryan Fieldhouse of last November's Rohilla commemoration event? The music was written and performed by Heather Sheldrick and her band, Bernulf. Very evocative.

Rohilla Film

[Tripps]

No need to apologise - and neither has Thomo if he changes his mind. Nice to see him and hear his voice. I didn't need to wait for the credits to see that this film was made by The Reverb Factory. Super quality throughout.

[chinatyke]

Talking of fish and fats...about 50 years ago the frying fat manufacturers switched their packaging of catering size packs of frying fat and started using cardboard boxes lined with polythene. The molten fat could be pumped into the lined boxes and allowed to set, and the polythene prevented the fat seeping into the board. The fish & chip shops were thrilled with the new packaging but when the salesmen from the refiners visited the shops they were given a shock in some instances. The shop-owners had found they could simply lift out the polythene bag of fat and drop it straight into the hot fat fryer; the polythene dissolved in the hot fat and `disappeared'. This was convenient for the shop-owner and also meant he didn't have to spend time scraping out the last bits of fat and didn't waste any. Of course the downside was that it means some of us were eating polythene at that time. There had to be a quick re-education of the shop-owners. It shows how often the saving of a bit of time and money quickly overcomes any concerns about health and safety.

I used to buy tallow from Cumpsteys at Kendal and it was packed in 56lb boxes with the polythene bag liner. It was edible grade but we used to emulsify it for use in warp sizing. Any polythene that got inadvertently added was scooped out when it floated to the top of the mix, but the mix contained water and the maximum temperature was around 90C. Eating polythene was probably more healthy than the fat! Our drivers who collected the tallow were always given two paper 'tubs' of dripping with about a pound in each pack, a nice old fashioned gesture. In fact itwas always a pleasure to do business with this company.
Like Stanley said, you didn't want to be too close when they tipped the incoming raw materials down the chute! One of our drivers took his wife and she was physically sick when she experienced this. She wouldn't allow him to put the two packs of dripping in the cab or bring them home, so I got them!

[Stanley]

One of the common fats in the trade was 'Best Scotch Number 1 Skin Oil'. I used to cart it in 45 gallon drums from skin processors in Scotland to Lever Brothers. It was either for soap or margarine. In the skin yard there were notices all over the place 'Beware of Anthrax'. Then there was Lanolin from the sewage works and fell-mongers. Now there was a smelly trade......
We used tallow in the size at Bancroft as well. Beautiful white fat which was usually a sign of quality and purity. They tell me it was used for domestic frying during WW2.

[Tizer]

The skin oil going to Lever would be used for production of oleochemicals and fatty acids for industrial use, including soap and cosmetics production. There was a strong demand for non-food-grade oils & fats and little motivation to put such fats into foods.

[David Whipp]

Bryan Fieldhouse must have had some time spare yesterday as, not only did he complete the edit on the Rohilla film (see previous post), but polished off the Review of the Year film that we showed at the Pride of Barnoldswick Awards last month!

I've billed this as 'The Feelgood Film of the Year', have a look: Town Council Review of the Year

I want to add that Bryan is a movie maestro! Barlick has much to thank him for!!

[Stanley]

Tiz, when I delivered the skin oil I asked what it was used for and the foreman told me it could be either soap or margarine depending on where the need was.
07:30. After our walk. It's a good morning! Not only do I feel on top of my form but, acting on a sudden fancy, I went upstairs and dug into the left hand side of my wardrobe which is where the suits are hung plus the long lost trousers which no longer fit me. I got out a nice pair of green very fine cotton drill trousers that I haven't worn for perhaps ten years and tried them on. Quite amazing, they are a perfect fit and not only that, I appear to have hips again! The gripper band in the waist is very fresh because they are, in effect, brand new. I can't remember when I last wore a pair of trousers without braces!
The funny thing is that working solely on weight loss, whilst it is still happening very slowly, I didn't expect this. What I am losing must be almost exclusively round my waist. This means that everything in my wardrobe fits and it must be ten years since I could truthfully say that.
Whatever else happens today, it is definitely a Red Letter Day!
I wish all of you the same!

[Tizer]

Have look at this gallery of lovely photos from the Weston-super-Mare Sand Sculpture Festival held over the last decade...
http://www.westonsandsculpture.co.uk/gallery
Click on one of the years, click a photo, then use your left and right arrow keys to go through the photos.

[Stanley]

I forgot to mention this morning that West Coast Rail, the operators of steam trains for many steam hauled excursions based at Carnforth in the old steam museum sheds, has lost its operating licence from Network Rail with immediate effect for a SPAD incident (Signal Passed at Danger) See THIS for a report. It's not immediately evident how or if this impacts the Fellsman run by Statesman Rail, there is nothing on their website.

[Stanley]

I've worn three separate pairs of trousers over the last 24 hours as I rummage through what was the Twilight Zone in my wardrobe. I've found it applies to my jackets and shirts as well.... It encourages me to continue heading South to below 12 stones....
Later at 11:00. I put out a call this morning for a bit of help. I wanted enough FYM to cover my front garden. By 10:00 the garden was covered with a thick dressing of some of the finest well rotted horse manure I have ever seen. I am informed by the donor that it is premier cru having been produced by oat-fed horses. I always say that OG is wonderful, you can't beat this for service!



All down to that bundle of energy Davis Whipp and his commitment to Help the Aged.... I do love people who deliver. Thank you David and I shan't forget it.... (Mind you, not a pretty sight.....)

[David Whipp]

Talking about not a pretty sight...



Stanley was wearing a rather fetching pink baseball cap when I interrupted his work in the shed on the skunk project this morning!

[Stanley]

That is a brilliant picture David, thank you, I shall send it to the kids to assure them I am fully recovered.
However, two points.... David has not given the full length view which would show that I am getting to the stage of a finely honed greyhound. Second, this is not a baseball cap. It is a very specialised piece of kit, a Kromer welder's cap, union made in the US, flame resistant to repel sparks and designed to be worn backwards with the neb at the back so as not to interfere with the welding screen. I love my hats and also have two Kromer Blizzards, the same design but made in a heavy wool based material with ear flaps for use outside in extreme weather. The light Kromers are always made in bizarre patterns and one theory is that it made it easy to identify a welder if you needed one!

[plaques]

Kromer welder's cap, union made in the US, flame resistant to repel sparks

So I take it the earring is to provide an extra earthing connection just in case something goes amiss.

[Stanley]

Nice thought P! I've never used it like that... The real reason is I've always fancied one as a protection against drowning and it didn't half get me some street cred with my grandchildren. It was reported to me that one was heard telling a friend "My Granddad's so Cool!" That's an achievement when you are a Crumblie.....

[David Whipp]

Love it!

Latest from Bryan... Barnoldswick Town Square

[Stanley]

These drone films are amazing..... Well done Bryan. It strikes me that this is a very good commercial tool for doing things like inspecting a chimney head for a report. A lot cheaper than laddering.....
I spent ten minutes gently hoeing in the muck in the front garden... Too early I know but I keep wanting to stick plants in!

[Tizer]

177 fire engines and more than 800 firefighters have attended a chemical plant fire in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, China. It manufactures the inflammable chemical paraxylene. The blast was heard 30 miles away.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-32196103

[Stanley]

I forgot to mention something peculiar this morning. I am an automatic vehicle diagnostic facility, if a car passes me making a strange noise I immediately identify what it is. On our early walk this morning I heard a noise as a car came down the road behind me and immediately recognised the sound of a flat tyre flogging itself to extinction. The car never slowed at the roundabout but shot off towards Skipton at a rate of knots. I laid a small bet he must be deaf and would be experiencing a blow out before too long. Funny how he didn't realise.
But then, as we finished our circular walk and were walking down Church Street I heard the same noise again and a different car passed me also heading towards Skipton road, another flat tyre! What's the chances of two in one morning?

[Stanley]

Found out yesterday that 15 years ago I was proposed for a doctorate by an American institution but turned down because they favour alumni and donors. Nice thing is that the proposal was made by the whole Economics Department and unanimously supported. Ah well, you win some, you lose some....
See LINK for the shooting of a black man in S Carolina. Shocking video, the officer fired eight shots. He said he was in fear of his life but has been charged with murder....

[PanBiker]

Daughter and husband stuck in France for a bit, got back to Paris from Rio at 2am and their flight to Manchester is cancelled due to French ATC strike. Managed to get onward shuttle to Dublin at 3pm this afternoon and then will get flight from there to Manchester. It's going to be long day for them, I can imagine Ant won't be best pleased. We keep granddaughter for another day.

[Tizer]

Found out yesterday that 15 years ago I was proposed for a doctorate by an American institution but turned down because they favour alumni and donors.

Which reminds me...the average salary of a professor in the UK is now £76,000 a year. My science colleagues who moved from industry into academia and were quickly made professors won't have regretted the move! Academia is now awash with professors.

[PanBiker]

Looking at the CDG live flight data it looks like the French CAA are cancelling half the scheduled flights each hour. In the 15.00 to 16.00 slot the flight my daughter and husband have been allocated looks like it is one of the last out of Dodge for that slot. They should be in Dublin at 16.20 with the time adjust and should then be able to get a connect through to Manchester to get them there by 20.00. They will have been on the go for well over 36 hours by then, (they set off from Rio yesterday morning). Their car is at Manchester and If we didn't have the grandchild we could have gone to meet them and I could have driven their car back for them, Sally could have brought ours back. Mind you, Sally has been on the go all day, still on the train network, just going to pick her up.

[Stanley]

I lead such a quiet uneventful life......