Lib1

Was a bit disappointed with the Deftones venues for their upcoming mini-tour of the UK. Last time I saw them was at The Apollo in Manchester in 2001, but this year they're only playing in the Manchester Academy (i.e. a much smaller venue!) How the mighty have fallen... I still love them though- "When girls telephone boys" is a particular fave of mine at the mo! Lib1

These figures don't match those supplied by UCEA- The offer is 12.6% over 3 years- nothing extra (except for lowest paid staff-e.g. cleaners- who are to receive about 15% for the 3 years): http://www.ucea.ac.uk/documents/3_news/figures240506.pdf

http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1669 The Aut and the UCEA are meeting again today- fingers crossed that everything will be sorted out soon (for the benefit of both the lecturers and the students) One additional point- if AUT accept the UCEA's new pay offer- pay for ALL Uni staff members will be increased from the cleaners to the senior lecturers. Uni staff unions for non-lecturers (e.g. UNISON) haven't actually been striking, but they have been playing a role in the pay negotiations and stand to benefit from the UCEA's pay offer: http://www.ucea.ac.uk/Documents/3_news/NR080506.pdf (See the second page)

No resolution yet I'm afraid: http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1655 Before you start moaning that the Unions are being greedy- 12.6% spread over the next 3 years is basically the equivalent of the yearly automatic cost of living increase of approx 3% per year (unless Uni staff would have received cost of living increases in addition to this pay offer...?)

Don't worry to much, mate: http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1635 It could all be over on Monday! Dilemma over!

What's wrong with going out on the dev after 4pm? I walk home through the dev from work every evening at 6-7pm and have always felt safe...

To SHsheff, My mate owns a home in Sheffield and lives with her husband. Are you suggesing that she should pay her mortgage AND rent a bedsit in Manchester AND only see her partner on weekends? It's not that she can't afford the train fare- we were just wondering if there was a cheaper option that she had overlooked. Besides the trains are v. regular from Shef to Manc, so staying behind/getting in earlier when needed isn't really an issue. Lib1

Hi alchresearch- I've sent you a PM

Ta for the advice. Unfortunately, my friend doesn't drive and the National Express coach times to Manchester are no good for her (the ones that would get her to work on time go via Leeds and take over 3hrs!!!). Looks like the train then! Will tell her to look into the car share scheme though! Lib1

Read the good, the bad and the ugly here:http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=79270 At the end of this month, I will have lived at Parklands for a year. Hubby and I are still alive and well! As is our flat! My advice to you is to do what you would do when looking to move to any area- visit the development at different times of the day. See what it's like for yourself and decide for yourself. If you're brave enough, knock on the door of a potentially future neighbour and ask him/her/them about their experiences. One thing which may get your interest though- when we first put our reservation down on our flat back in May 2004, the prices of homes on the Parklands dev started at: £71,995. Prices today start from £95,495... this Parklands resident is not complaining! Lib1

A mate of mine has got a new job in Manchester which starts in June. She intends to commute daily from Sheffield, but she's found out that an annual season ticket costs approx £2,500 (!). Does any one know of any cheaper options to commute daily to Manchester?

Looks like the dispute could be solved within two weeks (that is if the UCEA comes back with a decent pay offer!): http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1625 and http://www.ucea.ac.uk/index.aspx?ContentId=78&bc=Consultations&p=Consultations

In addition- have a look at a typical job role of a lecturer [you will need to scroll through all the introductory info about the Uni and the dept to pg 8] http://www.shef.ac.uk/jobs/fps/R3895.doc For those of you of the 'lazy lecturers' school of thought, on the basis of this job description, are you really telling me that the work expected from the advertised post and the qualifications/experience needed aren't worth a good salary...?

Lecturing staff (as well as research and academic-related staff) at Uni of Shef are entitled to: Annual Leave: 30 days, plus 3 closure days, plus 8 Bank Holidays. Not quite 3-4 months off per year is it?

Excellent post babychickens. The Universities org, UCEA, had the opportunity to meet with the the University and FE staff unions (AUT and NATFHE) on Tuesday this week (25th April). The UCEA refused to meet with the unions AGAIN prolonging the strike action even further!!!. In this news item from the AUT, it suggests that the UCEA is aware that their pevious pay 'offer' of 6% (3% this year and 3% next year) was inadequate: http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1624 Another point to remember is that alhough the spotlight is on lecturers pay, research staff and academic related staff are also underpaid (we earn nothing near the £30,000+ that lecturers are paid and work right through the summer holidays!) and stand a chance to see well deserved pay rises as a result of the 'short of a strike' industrial action. The AUT covers researchers and academic-related staff too- many of my colleagues are taking part in the strike action.

What do you think the effect of Home Information Packs (HIPs) will be on house prices and interest rates will be when they are introduced next summer? I guess that in early 2007-summer 2007 there will be a glut of homes on the market as people will want to sell before the HIPs come into effect. This may lead to the prices of homes dropping due to the lack of competition. Post-summer 2007, I think that there will be fewer homes on the market and due to the increased competition, house prices will rise. This may lead to interest rate decreases in order to help FTBs to get on the property ladder. What do you reckon? Any alternative scenarios? Lib1

http://www.smartnewhomes.com/Search/Development_Anchor_Point_Bramall_Lane_By_Magellan_Residential_Ltd/21780670.1.0/gallery1.aspx Is this what you're looking for?

Fill yer boots: http://public-art.shu.ac.uk/sheffield/cam362im.html The pic that says 'gate at Norfolk Park' has an incorrect description. It is pic of the Manor Fields Park entrance- I know this because it forms part of the view from my living room! Lib1

You're gonna make CaronP of '2Roost' cry! In addition to DIY house-selling advocates such as 2Roost, people can always buy new-build if they want to avoid the estate agents (and get a fixed price for their home!) Lib1

It amuses me that some of you think that immigration/immigrants cause most of the crime in the UK. The place in Sheffield that is most associated with crime is Manor... Manor is mostly made up of white, Sheffield-born and [in!]bred people. People in Sheffield also often associate crime with tracksuited, gold chain wearing 'chavs'. The word 'chav' is usually used to describe young, white, socially irresponsible working class/unemployed males.

There seem to be quite a few WPV dwellers on this forum... surely someone must know something!

Dizzymink- With a budget of £140,000 you could easily afford an off-plan two-bed apartment in the city centre or an off-plan 2-3 bed house on several of the new build developments around Sheffield (e.g. Gleadless, Norton Lees, Norfolk Park, Manor etc). You have plenty of options rather than just sticking to the traditional estate agent route! Lib1

Ta people- All the advice is much appreciated. The hotel that I've got in mind is actually attached to the Eaton Cenre, so I should be right in the heart of downtown. Can't wait!

Hi- I've been keeping an eye on the Wadsley Park Village (WPV) new-build development in Hillsborough for a couple of years now. When looking to buy a home in 2004, I had a look round the development and liked it, but at the time, the homes were out of my price range. At the moment there are at least three developers (Redrow, Bloor and Larkland LTD) building homes on the site. Their developments all seem to have a completion date of summer 2006. Are these the final homes planned for the site? Do you know if there are any future phases planned for the WPV dev which will have completion dates from spring/summer 2007 onwards? Ta, Lib1

Dizzymink- If you don't mind me asking... what is your house buying budget?