Henhouse

The Poll Tax was, in principle, very fair. Everyone had to make a contribution. Unlike the present system of council tax, where a retired widow on a pension is expected to pay the same as 9 Bulgarians living in an identical house on the same street. It was the anarchists, revolutionaries, ne'er do wells, and cockwombles like Corbyn who like to preach their ideology about fairness, but have no intention of participating in it who decided to riot.

That would be a big lose for nearly everybody, including CaRT, and a big win for the Not Bleedin Travelling Anywhere mob. The largest source of licence revenue at present comes from those boats which spend most of their time in a marina. Venturing out at weekends, and for one or more holiday cruises each year. The genuine CC'ers may do more mileage, but their numbers are relatively small compared to marina based boats. To try and give a marina based boat a meaningful reduction in licence fees by charging CC licenced boats more would, whilst being mathematically possible, achieve nothing more than discourage people from cruising. So no real gain for anyone. The benefit of Hire Boats to the wider economy is not inconsiderable. If anything, we should be encouraging more people to holiday in this country. Good for business, and far less polluting than jetting off abroad. So trying to extract more cash from hire boaters could be counter productive. If you wish to argue about fairness, then a good starting point for revised licencing rules would be to make it much easier for CaRT to deal with those who deliberately avoid paying, and who do not wish to play by the rules. Hit them hard. Hit them quick, and make them pay their share. Of course in any regime of increased enforcement, understanding and proper consideration should be given to those who are suffering with illness or mental health issues.

Four years ago I came across an online appeal from Liverpool Coroner's Office. They were dealing with the case of a man who had passed away at home, but were having difficulty tracing any family to notify them, and arrange for a formal identification. I have been researching my family history for over twelve years, and have a database of over 4,000 people. In less than one minute I was able to find the names of his 2 brothers and 2 sisters. A short phone call enabled the Coroner's Officer to find the man's relatives on the electoral roll, and set about notifying them. The deceased was in fact a 4th cousin of mine, but I only knew of him through my genealogy research. I have never met him or his family. A few minutes of my time saved the Coroner's Office and Police many hours of their time, and thus our ( taxpayers ) money. I fail to see why helping with an appeal is frowned upon by some on this forum.

There is a significant difference between stealing a car, and stealing a boat, which you are overlooking. A stolen car can be driven away at 30mph, and well above 70mph once it reaches any major route. It can be hidden away within minutes in a lock up, and broken up for parts, or given a cloned identity. Alternatively it can be taken to any major port within hours, and out of the country. Or shipped out in a container to some tinpot African state. A canal boat has a getaway speed of just 4mph at best, without allowing for locks and swingbridges. Yes, it could be craned out, but doing so is likely to be observed by someone. You are also going to need a significant crane, and an articulated truck. I don't believe that boat theft is going to become the chosen occupation of organised criminals anytime soon.

There is one point which has yet to be mentioned in any post so far in this thread; Administration Costs. Our government ( no matter of which political persuasion ) collects revenue from us in many ways. To do this costs money. Some of what is collected by our government is paid into Europe. Another massively expensive administration. Europe then gives us some of our money back. Some directly to our government, and some by way of grants to other organisations. All of these organisations have running costs which must be met before one single pound ever gets spent on a project. Our tax system was very inefficient, and costly to run. I believe it is improving. The EC administration is horrendously expensive, out of control, and regularly suspected of being corrupt. ( Does no one remember the scandal of huge grants being paid to non existent olive farms ?) Add in more costs by organisations such as sustrans coordinating with local government, and some more money has been frittered away. Think of it as walking to the pub with ten pounds in loose change..............................but you have a hole in your pocket...........................................By the time you get to the bar you only have enough left for one pint !!!

Thank You

Our People who art in Britain Great is Our name. Thy Kingdom come. Great things will be done. In England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland Give us this day Our Inches, Our Pints, and Our Pounds, And forgive us our metrication, As we banish those who federalise against us. And lead us not into a republic, But Preserve our Monarchy. For Ours is Great Britain, The Commonwealth and Empire Forever and Ever. Amen.

These people have a choice; Abide by the rules, or face the consequences. There are plenty of people living in bricks and mortar homes who are either evicted, or repossessed every day. If you chose to drive around in a car, or even a motorhome, without tax, or insurance, or an MOT, or the correct licence, you would fairly soon find yourself stopped by the police, and face immediate confiscation of your vehicle. CaRT are informing people of what is required, and giving them ample time and opportunity to comply. Pretty fair most would say. So what exactly is your problem?

A massive amount of rainfall which drained from the moors above the Calder Valley into a number of small valleys which then flowed into the River Calder and The Rochdale Canal. The with the natural effect of gravity, and the geography of the area it was an inevitable outcome. Very sad for all those affected, but entirely predictable. It has happened before, and I have no doubts it will happen again. Knowing the area well, it is difficult to imagine an engineering solution. My Aunt has lived at Brearley Bridge for 50 years, and whilst having seen many floods of Mytholmroyd, and the playing fields downstream, she has never seen it be so serious before.

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/14279610.Body_found_in_canal/

Programme tonight on Channel 4 at 11pm about the remains of 80 people found in Greater Manchester's Canals over the last six years. I seem to remember this subject having been discussed here previously.

These are a couple of pictures of Mytholmroyd from 1946, when my parents still lived there. You can see the church in the background of the top one...........much the same view as some of the pictures from the last few days. Flooding in the Calder Valley has been a problem since Noah was in short trousers. There is no easy way of alleviating the issue in one place, without just moving it to somewhere further downstream.

I have just spoken to my Aunt, who lives near Brearley Lane Bridge. From her house you have a great view up the valley to Mytholmroyd. Thankfully she is safe, and dry. However she says that this is the worst flooding she has EVER seen. She has lived there all her life, so has seen it all before, many times. There are now helicopters in the area looking for those who are stranded in their homes. There are severe floods from Sowerby Bridge through to Todmorden. Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, and Todmorden are once again under water.

ABNB always update their site on a Friday, so I tend to start there , and then work through other brokerages, always having a look at Rugby, and Great Haywood.

It was still 125 at the weekend.............

You could start with food. I look at the labels on everything. Meat, veg, and dairy produce is easy. I look forward to British Strawberries in june and july. Fish is not difficult to find either. I'll admit that things like coffee are impossible

You can stop it. The choice is with us as the consumer to decide what we buy. Unfortunately, most people seem to buy on price, as opposed to quality. I have always chosen to buy British made vehicles, Escort, Cortina, Capri, Transit, and Land Rover. I would not have German, out of respect for my Great Grandfather who was killed in WW1. We should all make an effort to buy British whenever possible. Not easy with electrical goods, but every pound spent with a British company supports Britain.

I take it you mean Five and a half, Six and three quarters, and Four and a quarter. Decimal points and furlongs don't really fit together to well. Time we got rid of the metric system, and went back to doing things properly!

A very valid, and often overlooked point. As is the amount of energy consumed, and pollution created every time a new vehicle is built. I run a 23 year old Land Rover. I have to for work, and pulling a trailer both on and of road nothing will match it's capability and durability. It is relatively economical averaging 28mpg, and with regular maintenance has easily passed the relevant emissions test every year.

1) No need for the question mark, it's a FACT 2) You guess wrong. I have owned, run, and maintained many diesels over the last 30+ years. There is nothing to be afraid of. 3) Wrong Again !! Petrol powered trains were used in the First World War on the narrow gauge railways which supplied our troops from the standard gauge railheads.

WRONG AGAIN !!!!!! The "Historic Vehicle" zero road fund tax band was introduced during the Conservative government under John Major. ( I think it was when Norman Lamont was Chancellor). When Blair won the 1997 election, Gordon Brown abolished it's rolling 25 year status in his first budget. Thus it has only applied to vehicles built on or before 31st December 1972since then. George Osborne has reintroduced it, but for vehicles of 40 years and older, and it will now continue on a year on year roll on. As for some of your other supposed facts, I'm with the MJG and Graham camp: TOSH !

My father died 13 years ago this week. I was letting people know of his end, when a dear friend who had a very dry sense of humour said: " Well, it comes to us all, if you live long enough". It made me smile then, and it still does to this day. Amongst all the well intentioned and careful spoken platitudes, that, true, but nonsensical sentence was pure class.

I don't particularly care what the BBC do.......................I watch the Lovely Lucy doing the weather on ITV

Southerner !................I have at least an arm and a leg full of Manchester blood in me