WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Wendyf]

Yes, it happened soon after 10am and the road is still closed. Not looking good.

[Wendyf]

Just reported to be open again now.

[Big Kev]

Yes, it happened soon after 10am and the road is still closed. Not looking good.

Reports on Facebook that there were around 20 'emergency' vehicles heading that way (not always a reliable source of information), they didn't specify what the 'emergency' vehicles were...

[Wendyf]

I run a Black Lane Ends Community Group Facebook page and someone who lives locally reported the accident on the page just after 10am this morning. He must have been there as soon as it happened and his vehicle was trapped by emergency vehicles front and back. No one has described the accident which makes me think it was probably a bad one. One local did say that it was nothing to do with the speed vehicles travel on the road.

[Stanley]

I hope nobody was seriously injured.....
Lancashire Telegraph says a man was injured after colliding with a wall.

[Wendyf]

I heard later that the man had suffered a heart attack and died.

[Stanley]

I wondered if that was what had happened..... Someone got a shock, sudden deaths like that are bad for those left behind.....

[Tizer]

This sounds all too familiar now - and it's only about 20 minutes down the A38 from us in Taunton!...
`Fire destroys 35 vehicles at business park' BBC south-west

[Stanley]

It's certainly getting reported more frequently Peter. I wonder if the actual number of fires has gone up.....

[Tizer]

You might have had this in your local northern news already...
`Why mural on a gin bar wall symbolises the city of Preston' BBC

[Stanley]

One way of advertising gin....
I have just watched daughter Susan's flight from Boston landing at Edinburgh. I can relax now. I am never happy when they are airborne.... She knows now why they call it the Red Eye.....

[Stanley]

Less than two hours later she is on the train and heading towards Leeds.....

[Stanley]

See THIS BBC report and then ask yourself what is going on in Parliament?
Ex-minister Crispin Blunt has confirmed he was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of rape and the possession of controlled substances. In a statement, the Reigate MP said he had twice been interviewed by police in connection with this incident. Mr Blunt said he originally raised the incident with police three weeks ago, concerned about "extortion". He said he was cooperating with Surrey Police's investigation and was confident he would not be charged. The police were unable to say if the controlled substances were drugs, as tests are being carried out, according to PA Media. The Conservative Party withdrew the whip, meaning Mr Blunt will sit as an independent MP, after he confirmed he had been arrested. He has been asked to stay away from Parliament.

[Stanley]

Susan is 60 today and is really pleased because now she gets free prescriptions! If anyone had told me all those years ago that I would live to see my kids at this age I would have thought they were potty!

[Tripps]

Happy Birthday Susan - and may there be many more.

I occasionally look at this Susan Graham


The calm voice, the lovely accent, and the engine on the shelf behind her - engender a sense of calm and understanding.

Thank you. . . .

[Big Kev]

Happy birthday to Susan, being 60 has its benefits

[Stanley]

She and Mick are coming to spend an hour or two with me this morning. I shall hopefully get them to drag my shopping trolley back from the Town Square.... It's nice to have friends you have known for over 60 years and not very common!

[Stanley]

I had my visit by Susan and Mick. Susan changed my duvet covers for me and must have sprinkled magic dust on them because I slept like a log.
What really got my attention was Mick at last being able to drive the motor home. The last hurdle after actually getting the licence was to get the insurance company to put him on as a named driver. They were expecting complications and possible expense on account of the licence having been revoked but were pleasantly surprised to find it was a simple alteration after payment of a £25 administration fee.
(I wonder if these organisations ever do something free?)

[Stanley]

Ian, I received this message this morning from Harriet Tollerson, Battleground Seat Organiser for South Ribble.
Hello,
I have received the form and logged you for an electronic ballot.
Thank you Graham

[PanBiker]

I have confirmation that the form can be signed with a typed name in the signature box. I assume you have done that Stanley?

Anyway, looks like you are sorted for the ballot.

[Stanley]

I just typed my name and they have accepted it. I am registered for an electronic ballot.
I did point out that it would have been better if they had spelled out that a typed name would do!

[Tizer]

In an idle moment I thought `What would it be like if Britain was run not by the present government but by one made up of poor people There might be some different priorities, especially in spending and taxing!

[Big Kev]

M&S have withdrawn a picture after some people complained on social media. The image, which shows 3 paper Christmas hats being burnt in a fireplace, was deemed to be making a statement about the current situation in Gaza. The image is from August and I'm at a loss as to why it was offensive...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67294809

[Stanley]

I'm sure you're right Peter! The priority this week has been removing the cap from banker's bonuses on Tuesday this week and watering down the promised action on leasehold properties. Sunak is too busy to do Parliament this week, he's electioneering by being a statesman at Bletchley Park.
What got my attention yesterday was the fact I could have made my job a lot easier yesterday by dropping the head of my vertical mill and turning it round so the side I was working on was facing me!

[Tizer]

M&S have withdrawn a picture after some people complained on social media. The image, which shows 3 paper Christmas hats being burnt in a fireplace, was deemed to be making a statement about the current situation in Gaza. The image is from August and I'm at a loss as to why it was offensive... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67294809

Note the bit that says: The picture drew criticism from several social media users...
So, the preferences of `several social media users' govern M&S policy. As a result, M&S goes down in my estimation. They should have run a poll among people registered on their own web site to see what they think.