beady

I understand the Scottish Parliament have accepted what arbitration has recommended - have settled and will include appropriate back pay. I reckon the police south of the border are the first of many in the public sector to 'cop' for the Government taking them on - a fight the Home Office can't afford to lose. If they do lose then stand by for the rest in the sector to jump on the bandwagon. Regarding the public sector costs / economic downturn / inflation rate etc we are in for a brilliant New Year. Ten year old chickens coming home to roost I'm afraid.

If I heard right our friendly jock said in PM questions that the poor folks who lost their pensions will now be accomodated - all 120,000 of 'em to the tune of 90% of what they're entitled to. If I'm right - bet it's about the best Xmas presi they could have hoped for! He also said for any older folks reading this - the weekly pension before Xmas would in the vast majority of cases be paid on the Friday - not the Monday (Xmas Eve) as originally reported. That might now have put some folks' mind at rest - a couple down, I suppose half the country's bank details floating about somewhere, dodgy fundraising antics, self inflicted foot & mouth, rising petrol & diesel and the start of the picketing of terminals again on Saturday will be sorted as and when - along with the most blatant breach of a promise which affects all of us forever - the EU constitution!!!!!!! Even Blair said the other day that this Cabinet is the B team - he's right - come back (if only they could) Mowlem, Cook, etc - you know those who could 'do' although they had their moments

So much for this mob's promises! The pensioners who are probably going to struggle really ought to make their voices heard - all of 'em write to their own MP's would be a good start! Regarding the state of the economy I reckon we're all going to have a very difficult next 12 months. If you want promises from the last 10 years which have been welched on - try introduction of student loans and abolition of grants - '97 manifesto clearly stated they wouldn't do it - first thing our friend Blunkett did! They haven't been over zealous with the state pension either unless claimants have a Doctorate to understand the 'add-ons'. You might also add the 111 stealth taxes introduced over the last 10 years. I for one don't care which party forms the next administration as long as we can trust 'em to deliver what they spout! Someone's already mentioned Oz - that's where my youngster and partner are heading asap - and taking their Doctorates with 'em. They say they're sorry for leaving a quickly sinking ship - but who can blame 'em? I think Ozzies have an idea who's in their country. Like they say this is not a dress rehearsal!

Am saddened to hear the comments made - I am presuming the place is the new College which moved from Stannington? My youngsters went to that building in the last 6 or 7 years - the College did 'em proud - they went on to Uni with brill A level grades and have never looked back! The staff couldn't do enough for 'em although we did come up against a couple of lecturers who were perhaps past their 'sell-by' date. If the College moved along with staff, resources etc into a brand new building - what's apparently gone wrong I wonder? Wonder if I've got the wrong place??

Thanks for the warning - hope folks take it seriously. I've also had a warning message not dissimilar to yours - I was told on no account to open any e.mail (even from a trusted source) with a title containing 'a postcard from.......' The virus in it apparently causes your screen to lock and the damage is done when you would press your Ctrl/Alt/Del keys to clear the problem as a last resort - clears the whole memmory so I am told! Sad world we live in eh?

Been reading these comments - travel on the stretch of road and under Pea Royd bridge regularly and know about the 'sightings' etc. Travel all over the country and this stretch always seems 'odd'. Never seen anything myself but can't get my head around the number of road accidents within 1 or 2 miles of the bridge. Is the actual number of deaths (let alone injuries) now up to 14 since the road opened? It was officially opened on a Friday 13th!! - Good planning or what? The accident rate must be some sort of a very sad record no-one wants on such a relatively shortl stretch of road? There was a problem with speed until the cameras went up and thankfully the death toll has reduced dramatically. I notice when reported a lot of the accidents involve outsiders to the area - possibly using the road for the 1st time? When passing the bridge and regularly seeing waggons parked for drivers' to sleep over night - I often think 'if they only knew'!! Also seems barmy to me that in my humble opinion the safest parts are now lit leaving the dodgy bits without and the design of the 3 lanes on the hills seem to court disaster! The now hatched solid white lines on the 3 lane bits mean you can't overtake although some folks either don't know this or want to meet the monk prematurely? By the way - try weighing up the white lines in snow or heavy rain - poor design me thinks?

Our owd fella allus used to say 'put wood int 'oil' - close the door, 'strike a leet', - switch on a light, 'it'll fit carneera', - stretching clothes/clobber, 'up to fetlocks in claggit' - mucked up, 'back o' fosters' - out in the sticks - mind you he allus used to say if he's bigger than thee, half a brick makes up for it!

Halfords as Hillsbro notes was on the corner of Fargate / Norfolk Row around 1966/7 - so too was the branch on the Moor just below The Golden Dragon Chinese Restaurant. About halfway down on the left towards Fitzwilliam Gate. Does anyone remember Character Shoes just below Atkinson's and Milletts further down the Moor on the left? All around in the 60's

Real memmory stuff about Fargate! I recall a Halfords on the corner of Fargate / Norfolk Row, another branch was half way down the Moor. Offices above the Golden Egg / Wimpey were used by the Research & Intelligence Unit of Sheffield Council. At the bottom of Fargate / Church St as I recall was the EMGAS showroom / offices which became the AA shop from memmory?

Hi Mr Ryan - I've just joined the forum like you and look forward to spending a little time on it. Was interested in your request for info on Observer Posts during the Cold war. I know of 2 posts to the north-west of Sheffield. One is still there to my knowledge, the other has been built on and around. The location of the first is on the Whitwell Moors above Stocksbridge. About 1100ft. above sea level - so high for obvious reasons. You can get a vehicle to within 1/4 mile of it. Located at map ref. 255972 or thereabouts with, very ironically, nothing as high to the east before you would reach the Urals!! The views from up there are brilliant - easily picking out Ferrybridge powerstation and beyond about 35 miles away. I've been down this post about 25 years ago - the only evidence of its existance is a brick plinth about .5m high and 1.5m square with a heavy padlocked manhole cover. Lift the cover and there's a 5-6m vertical shaft with 'manhole' steps where at the bottom you go off horizontally into a 3m wide by about 5m long room. From memory in the room there was a large desk with good quality map of the area with distance radii marked in 1/2 mile sectors. I remember 1 pair of old steel bunks, air purification plant, elson toilet, water supply and sink, food supply cupboards etc - all a little austere. I certainly remember that I wouldn't fancy spending any amount of time down there like the proverbial mole! The walls, floor and ceiling were very solid looking concrete. The other was located (maybe still is) adjacent and to the rear of Macdonald's at the A61 / Stocksbridge bypass junction. Stand in the car park and look for the wooded hump behind - it was / is located there - about 800ft above sea level. I seem to recall some years ago the MOD trying to sell these - not sure who would want 'em or what they could be used for now? Anyway hope this helps?