WHAT ATTRACTED YOUR ATTENTION TODAY?

[Thomo]

The quiet dignity of the Holocaust survivors gathered at Auschwitz for the 70th anniversary of its liberation by Soviet troops in 1945. Every time I see a picture of the entrance to that place, I feel a cold shiver, the gateway to hell. I always knew that it was big, and today saw that is covered 15 square miles. Whilst what happened there was targeted mainly at the Jews, people of other or no faith at all were sent there because they were in the eyes of the Nazi's sub human, or political outsiders. The mentally ill, gypsies, political prisoners, indeed anyone who did not match up to what they were trying to achieve, "The perfect race". Homosexuals were sent there, this always surprised me as many of the High Command were in this group, one of the more famous or infamous if you wish being the head of the Luftwaffe. The Jewish people have been targeted on and off over time ever since Moses took them out of Egypt, wherever they went, there would always be some who hated them. Mistrust born out of jealousy may have been the cause, as the these people were usually successful in whatever they did. I have met many Jewish people in my time, none of which I did not enjoy the company of. Like those of other faiths they have their own traditions yet are rarely at odds with the majority of a countries general population. others should take note of this and curb their activities a little. Sadly, they are still the enemies of some and there is little doubt that this will continue. I would have liked to visit Israel, indeed my last Ship was to have gone there, but due to a situation that had developed in the area at that time, the visit was cancelled. Shalom!

[Stanley]

Apple announcing the biggest quarterly profit in history, $18billion. (LINK)

[Stanley]

Some very pertinent questions being asked about the Apple profits and the money mountain they maintain, would you believe in Ireland? They can't move the money without attracting about 30% tax so questions are being asked about the ethics of running such a profitable company in this manner.

[David Whipp]

The chaos on Kelbrook Road this morning, as snow turned to shot ice.

Appears that the problem of gritting being ineffective was widespread across East Lancashire. (Folk report better conditions where North Yorkshire treat the roads though.)

[Stanley]

I think they have gone a bit too far with economising on grit, the cost of salt is the smallest component of the operation and it can be useless if not done properly on the first pass. There is a subsidiary matter as well. So little is applied that it doesn't reach the pavements and so pedestrians suffer. We all saw the dire results of using substitutes for pure rock salt about three years ago. Another effect of adequate salting is that vehicles carry it onto the back streets on their tyres with beneficial results.Either salt properly or leave it alone altogether.

[Thomo]

The tail end of that Southbound queue was outside here, some distance from where the pic was taken, it also gives credibility to the volume of satnav traffic that uses Barlick as the quickest route to East Lancs etc. Modern performance tyres and the need for speed coupled with the apparent inability of drivers to be able to adapt to difficult driving conditions sensibly, places far too much reliance on gritting.

[Moh]

What attracted my attention today is that in the Mail it is reported that policeman cannot accept a cup of tea off people for fear of their superiors think they are accepting bribes. When I was young the local policeman, Mr Toothill, had a point at the lamp post on Dotcliffe Road, Kelbrook where he had to be at a certain time so the sergeant could contact him if necessary. The sergeant knew he would be in our house having a warm and a cup of tea.!! (He knew my mum because he came from the next village to hers in Yorkshire.

[Wendyf]

A surprise visit this afternoon from a lady who lived here 40 years ago and was on her first visit back. The house & barn were derelict when she and her husband bought it for £1200 in 1970. She brought a boxful of black & white photos to show us and has left them with us overnight so we can get them scanned. Looking forward to having a good chat tomorrow when she visits again. A lovely lady who I felt I knew the minute I saw her....

[Thomo]

That's latent energy in your home Wendy, enjoy it.

[Stanley]

Moh, Watson Toothill was the bobby when I was open all hours. I think he came into the district as part of the force that dealt with the more loom disturbances in the 1930s.
Wendy, they must have taken over after the people I used to deliver groceries to left... What was their name? They were hard up[.....
Good service from Browns yesterday, Carl delivered my meat at dinnertime and all I have to do this morning is get my Radio Times and the BET.
Later after reading the BET. Two reports caught my attention, the start on the last section of the Wheelchair Way round Barlick and news that Gill Lane is to be completely resurfaced. Well done all round, well worth the expense.

[Tizer]

Apparently one of the problems with salt grit is that it just doesn't work fast enough unless you get it on the roads well in advance of the snow or ice. Other countries have been using pickling brine which works faster!

[Wendyf]

Stanley said: "Wendy, they must have taken over after the people I used to deliver groceries to left... What was their name? They were hard up[....."
Someone called Butterfield had it in the 50's then the Metcalfes owned both Brown Hill and Lower Burnt Hill through the sixties, they lived at Brown Hill and must have rented LBH out.

[Stanley]

That's it, Mr and Mrs Butterfield. I delivered to Metcalfe's as well.



Mrs Metcalfe in 1957.

[Stanley]

See this LINK for news of an 'old friend'. At the time of the original affair with the chambermaid I was convinced that Strauss Kahn was a wrong un and it looks as though my crap detector may have been spot on. If he is guilty I'm glad the authorities have caught up with him.

[PanBiker]

Sally setting off for a reception at 10 Downing Street tomorrow given by Samantha Cameron for "Super Fundraisers" . Mary Brennan and Sally were put forward by Andrew Stephenson and he is meeting them for lunch at Westminster before the meeting tomorrow. It is a good publicity and further networking opportunity with other groups for BE Bosom Friends.

[Thomo]

I am sure that they will enjoy the experience, also it is nice to see recognition for their sterling efforts. Well done Sally and Mary.

[Tripps]

Careful Ian - they might come back and vote Tory.
Sounds like a great day out to me. Well done to all concerned, Is Andrew Stephenson, he who is referred to as 'Moonface' on here? I'm usually a bit off the pace in such matters.

[Thomo]

"Careful Ian - they might come back and vote Tory".

This I very much doubt.

"Sounds like a great day out to me. Well done to all concerned, Is Andrew Stephenson, he who is referred to as 'Moonface' on here? I'm usually a bit off the pace in such matters".

Yes he is I believe, much in the same way that Mr. Moribund could be described as having been created by the originators of Wallace and Grommit, and his earnest sidekick, Balls by name and nature!

[LizG]

Well done Sally and Mary.

I second that

[Stanley]

I plead guilty milud to Moonface. He's putting weight on and it gets more noticeable. I hope the ladies enjoy their day out......

[Nolic]

Well done ladies. Have a great day. Nolic

[Whyperion]

The chaos on Kelbrook Road this morning, as snow turned to shot ice.

Appears that the problem of gritting being ineffective was widespread across East Lancashire. (Folk report better conditions where North Yorkshire treat the roads though.)

West Yorkshire Skipton to Ilkley not too bad, we travelled behind a van going at 27 mph, visibility did get difficult at one time, we got out of Barnoldswick and it only turned to snow just after going through Thornton.

[Thomo]

The debate on TV this morning about the ethics of genetically modified human embryos. We would appear to be at the forefront of this proposed development, although backed by 40 scientists from 14 other countries. If this goes ahead and is a success, all will get the credit, if it all goes wrong, we will get the blame. The "Church" is not happy about it at all, for the other religions it will be a definite non starter. There is much pressure for this to go ahead, despite the fears of the anti "designer baby" movement and the Church. I find it hard to accept that in an overpopulated world, this should happen, whilst at the same time throwing the idea of genetically modified food out of the window. In the future it is possible that a more ideal alternative my be found to correct design faults in human beings, without having "Get your perfect baby here" clinics. It isn't hard to imagine how these might function:- " Good morning Sir/Madam, what are you looking for? would you like a Boy a Girl or an alternative of uncertain gender. Oh, you want one of each, what colour would you prefer, or would an assortment meet your wishes?" this may be a tad frivolous, but not beyond the bounds of possibility. Tall, Athletic and Attractive, whilst at the same being capable of academic brilliance could be high on the shopping list of a prospective parent, Elsewhere there could be other clinics processing the rejects to become the workforce to support this Perfect Race. Did we not see something similar in the 1940s?!!!

[David Whipp]

Albert Hartley's treatment plant being dismantled and removed at Crow Nest Mill.

Printing production at Albert Hartleys has ended, with the last Stentors removed during the last couple of months (they've gone to Bangladesh).

The treatment plant is due to be refurbished and sold on by the company that supplies printing chemicals.

[Stanley]

Remember the long saga of the Crow Nest Smell.....?