Andeldore

Cycling towards the city on Abbeydale Road South, by the Industrial Hamlet, I looked right and above the trees I could see what looked like a large bird of prey circling. I could see it for about 10 secs then it folded its wings and dropped out of sight. Has anyone else seen this? What sort of bird is it?

In the past few weeks there has been several bikes stolen from around my work place in the city centre. We have been able to see some of the thefts on CCTV recordings, unfortunately not clearly enough to identify the thief. The one thing all the thefts have in common is inadequate locks. Some of the locks have been cut, I'm not sure how, but easily and quickly. Others have been broken by leaning the bike over and the thief kicking it until the lock gives way. On more than one occasion, passers by have a look at what the thief is doing and carried on their way. One of the bikes stolen was worth about £25 on ebay but it was the lock that made it a target. The point is, buy a decent lock!

I think it already has. Every where you go there are more and more leisure, commuter and sport cyclists. British Olympic cycling and TDF success and the growing popularity of cycling has directly influenced the decision to bring the TDF here. I dont think Sheffielders realise what going to happen; its going to be massive. The biggest circus ever is going to hit town. It will have financial and cultural significance and hopefully inspire every one to give cycling a go.

We enjoyed a bike ride through Sheffield with hundreds of other cyclists, bit of shopping and now the cup final. Oh no, its Andy, state the bleedin' obvious repeatedly, Townsend.

I have followed the tour on telly for years. One of the great things about it is the views of the towns and countryside that you would not normally see. There are helicopters and motorbikes giving constant coverage. Make no mistake, the world will see us, hopefully at our best. If the place gets tarted up a bit, then surely that is a good thing. There are going to be 10's of thousands of visitors spending money in Sheffield. Be proud.

I have a turntable which I used to plug into an old cd / radio / cassette player mini (not quite) hi fi system, and it worked really well. The system has expired so i need to plug my turntable into something else. I have a good i pod dock / player and speakers that plug into my computer but they buzz loudly when I connect my turntable. Does anyone know if here is a solution to this? If I have to buy something else, recommendations?

You are right. Unfortunately it is not going to change. We put our faith in the two party system of democracy which delivers for the middle classes, because that is successful for them. We buy our clothes, food, cars and just about everything else from abroad. Every thing seems to be declining because we have lost our imagination of how good things could be. It is not all about what they have done to us, but what we have allowed to happen. We are a nation of followers and moaners.

I took on an allotment in November last year. It had, obviously, no work done on it for several years and become a bit of a dumping ground. I spent my Christmas break taking down the 20ft hedges, cutting up and burning what I'd cut down. I am now trying to clear the brambles which cover about one third of the area. I am uncovering huge amounts of rubbish, and loads of plastic which is biodegradable and breaks when you try and pick it up. I am putting in lots of work and have a vision of what I want to achieve. The literature I have received and the contact I have had with the allotment people at the city council seems very authoritative and a bit threatening. I don't want my hard work to be lost because I haven't done much cultivation. This plot has gone to ruin while the council has overseen a waiting list of many years. Are they serious about inspecting plots for the level of cultivation and are they as jobsworth as they seem?

I have access to some double glazed units which are to be removed from a conservatory which is to be demolished. Am I right in thinking that these are no good for building a DIY greenhouse or cold frame because they block UV light.

There is very little you can do except put up some physical barrier, but you must ensure that it will not be harmful to the cat. Ive grassed over my garden because cultivating the soil was not a test of my gardening skills but of how strong my stomach was. Our area is infested with cats who like to pooh in my garden. You can stab a burglar but you must not cause undue stress to the moggies.

I want a week away at the sea side starting the weekend of the 7th of January 2012. Does any one know of somebody who could rent us a caravan or holiday home for a couple accessible by train.

The bushes are growing in the car parks owned by these companies, not in council owned land. Yes, it is by the Sheaf View.

I would like every one to boycott Comet and Dunelm Mill because they have allowed weeds and bushes to obstruct Cutlers Walk at Guernsey Road. When there was snow on the ground, Comet cleared the snow off their car park onto the pavement in front of the entrance to Cutlers Walk. I know this sounds a bit lame and only affects a limited ammount of people but those people live locally and are potential customers.

There is no digital aerials, just aerials. An adequate aerial in Sheffield is about £25, cable should be no more than £20. Don't pay more than £75 for fitting.