Jon

Sorry guys, server problems out of my hands, there was a power outage for the main server and the UPS didn't kick in, causing the servers to restart and some data integrity issues. All resolved now though, sorry for any inconvenience caused. Many thanks, Jon

ENOUGH. This is yet another thread pulled apart by petty bickering. I really wish those people so insistant on arguing would go elsewhere and leave those who want to have a serious discussion to do so in peace. I agree with Daniel, I don't want to close the thread as it is a valid discussion, however if it continues to be a school playground then I will close it and suspend the members involved, warning or no warning. You have been warned.... Jon

The clocks changed last weekend, but it would appear that the automatic change didn't work for some members. To correct the forum clock to be the right time go to: My Controls (in the top naviation bar) --> Board Settings (at the bottom in the left hand column) The timezone should be selected as GMT You then need UNCHECK 'Auto DST'. This will then bring up an option to select 'DST in effect'. Ensure that this box is CHECKED and then save your options. This will correct the time. Any questions let me know, Jon

An inappropriate post has been removed. Please keep this on topic. Thanks, Jon

Another one run it's course. Please do not trade insults in public, this will result in a ban. Many thanks, Jon

In light of the above comments I will close this then. Thanks for your contributions.

I think this has run it's course. Please can we return it back to topic or I will close the thread. Many thanks.

This has turned into quite an interesting topic with a real mixed bag of views coming out - thanks for your contributions. At present, there does not appear to be any evidence to link youths to this crime. This sort of behaviour, no matter who is behind it is totally unacceptable and many of the arguments above can be applied no matter who is responsible. If I were in charge of the youth justice scheme I would be much tougher from the start, and would make sure that repeat time offenders were given much harsher sentences. I believe that everyone should be able to make one mistake - after all we learn from our mistakes, so I would still keep the existing reprimand for minor youth offences and make it clear that further offences will have much higher consequences. On a second offence, I would then make the following offer: If found guilty, a person under 16 must either participate in a relevant community project for a prescribed period of time (at least one year in lenght around school hours) to teach dicipline, team work, hard work, but on a successful completion, the criminal record is non-disclosable to employees so as maximising chances of getting into gainful employement and less likely to end up on benifit etc. Regular school attendance would be essential, as work progression to best of ability within school. Failure to complete will result in custodial sentence at YOI If found guilty, a person over 16 must either enter the military service for a mimimum period of 2 years, or go directly to jail. Military service will have all the ususal benifits including pay, commaradery, prospects etc. Failure to complete 2 years will result in jail term being completed. This is not national service as it is a voluntary decision by each participant. It also does not punish the well behaved either.

Also, Moorings by Tesco, adjacent to Emscote Road - not much further than Kate Boats really, probably about 1 1/2 mile journey to the main entrance to the castle on a regualr bus route. Jon

Moving to general boating... Jon

Duplicate post - one running already in General Boating which I think is the most appropriate forum. Jon

Where about is the B&B you have booked? A considerable amount of B&B's in Warwick are on the Emscote Road, in which case a large Tesco is about a 10 minute walk along Emscote Road towards Leamington. Are you getting your boat from Kate Boats? If so, there is a M&S Food (BP Garage) just up the road from Kate Boats on the Coventry road which although a little pricey, does sell most things that you will need foodwise. For other stuff, Warwick has a few nice little shops but you won't find any highstreet stores with the exception of Boots, WH Smith and Woolworths. It's mostly small shops. Leamington town centre is about 4 miles awat which does have a large variety of shops avaiale and regular buses link the 2 (The Stagecoach Goldline Service G1 is the main one, running I think every 10 minutes. I'm from the area and also work in the area so if you have any questions then drop my a PM. Jon

It's a great idea, but scouting and guiding unfortunately has come under the influence of the heath and safety monster and as a result everything has to be risk assessed. While we all know the risks of boating are relatively minimal compared to some, but when it has to be worded like "We will be letting children operate industrial mechanical machinery to move gallons of water and a siginificant flow from oneside of a heavy wooden gate to another, with most of the machinery being located at or near the waters edge, and at times requiring children to climb over slippy lock gates with a hand rail on one side and a drop into the water on the other where the risks could be drowing, leptospirosis(!?!) injury from trapping fingers in mechanisms, slipping, over exersion, sprains and strains from opening gates, trapping of limbs near to boats, getting mashed by the propeller and any number of other risks. Plus they would need trianing, full buoyancy aid, trained lifeguards on standby etc. It's no wonder that these activities die out! It's much safer to pack bags in sainsbury's where the greatest risk is from the customer who's bread they just squashed!

I think we've gone far enough down this route. You will appreciate that I have to be very careful when we are discussing real businesses as the rumour mill could spark real trouble both for the business in question and us as a forum. (threats of legal action etc) As nothing here can be substantiated (ie checkable source provided) I do not feel it is fair to the builder in question to let it continue. Phil has put out a general warning and at no time has be stated that any particular builder is going out of business . If in doubt contact your supplier. Thank you all for your contributions. Jon

I'm going to stop this here as there are 2 distinct threads developed here and frankly I haven't got time to split them. I'll close this one and if you want to carry on either debate, lets start a new topic. I would suggest that if it's a non-boating topic, put it in the VP.Many thanks,JonAlso, lets try to keep things less personal. Warnings will be given if this continues. Thanks

All, Firstly, I start this letter with an apology. The last few months for me have been hectic to say the least and unfortunately this has meant the site had to sit on the back burner for a while. I have made a 'return' this week and hope have the time and ability to put in a more concerted effort. I would like to thank all of the site crew for their help in keeping the site running, it couldn't have been done without you guys. Next month I will be reinstating the Photo of the Month competition. As an extra twist, I would like for the winner of each month (subject to consent) to be used in some promotional materials througout the year. You can enter this months via the above link to the gallery, and I will shortly be posting a thread in the suggestions forum about the competition, so watch this space. Unfortunately there have been some issues of late reference duplicate identities and some very antisocial behaviour directed towards other members on the site. I state very clearly that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated and the site crew are enforcing the '3 Strikes' policy as outlined in the forum rules and guidelines. In reference to duplicate identities, I will be changing the forum rules and guidelines to place a ban on duplicate accounts unless in the following circumstances: - The duplicate identity is considered to be a necessity for the site (ie back up admin accounts) - The duplicate identity is considered to be a positive influence on the site, and confined to the Virtual Pub area (ie characters such a TGI & Nobber) - In any case, the duplicate identity is approved by a member of the site crew and documented as such. Any unauthorised duplicate identities discovered will be instantly suspended. If you currently operate a existing duplicate identity, please contact me and I will record it as such. It is not our intention to take the fun out of the forum, but the recent spate of problems have created hours of work for us and caused more people to complain. Finally, I would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a great new year! All the best, Jon