ToryCynic

Have still seen mint bars around but not the Orange for a while.

I think this is one of the few things we agree on - Yeah, now in non-selective LEAs, you have to [pay and] move to get the best Comprehensives, which, by-and-large have the majority of students that are Grammar School-standard. I have a friend in Nottinghamshire that went to The High Pavement School (now an independent school, and was when he attended, but was previously a Grammar), as the Comprehensives in Nottinghamshire are pretty dire. Another friend of mine that, at the time, lived in Newark (Notts LEA), and attended a dreadful Comprehensive, and it was suggested he went over the border to the Grammar in Grantham. He did far better, and didn't have to mix with, as he referred to them 'cretins'. This is mainly because the intake of this particular school in Newark were pretty dodgy, but in areas, such, as, say Chichester (West Sussex LEA), the Comprehensives aren't too bad, as it is a wealthy area.

Hmm, well, I used to be 'myrealname', but changed to a nickname, and then to bring into line (at the time) with the same name I use on other forums, I chose this one, as, at the time, I was a cynical Tory. I now vote and am active within the local Lib-Dems. ...But I still strongly support Grammar Schools and take The Telegraph.

What do you think? I know many people that benefited from a Grammar School-education, and l am glad that we still have them in my neighbouring LEAs: Bexley (the LEA I was educated in), Kent (the current L[E]A I live under) and Medway. In-fact, I am a big fan of the Triparite System overall. Many people think that they are elitist - they are not - they were designed to excel students that passed the scholarship (11-Plus) to get in , regardless of social-class. Infact, a working-class relative of mine got in to Maidstone Grammar for Boys' in the 1950s.

Well, I have my maths course tomorrow. That is all. Not very exciting.

I need the internet for researching politics and classical music.

Nina Simone

£20ish.......

My friend has no problems with TalkTalk: works flawlessly. However, I am big NTL fan (or whatever they are calling themselves this week). If cable is available in the area, go for it.

Digital Spy. Don't have Facebook any more.

I am a loyal fan of TESCO

For 5 years, I used to be a staunch Tory Party member and voter, but after I have been down-on-my-luck, I have switched allegiance to the Liberal Democrats. I am considering standing for Cllr in one of my local Wards.

I want to send £10 to Scotland, and will my bank, the Co-Operative, change it from an English note to a Scottish note for free or will a charge be incurred? I only want to send a Scottish note as it'll be easier for her to spend in Scotland than an English one. Thanks.

That's Labour for you!

With my father on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, then my aunt's on Boxing Day.