Merlina

Well, it strikes me it's either a ghost that only works afternoons!, or it's a member of staff! I've had an encounter with the real thing, and it certainly didn't work regular hours!!!!

Happyhippy, just out of curiosity, is your real first name Brian? You kind of remind me of someone I used to work with. You can send me a PM if you don't want to reply on the forum.

Don't know if you are aware, but there is another thread about Ashleigh School on the Forum already (see my post on there about blasts from the past). This is all getting very confusing!!!

Tut! Tut! Naughty! Naughty! Play nicely now!!!!

Hate to say this, but your second sentance, has a, er, slightly unfortunate wording, given your recent typo! Sorry mate, it's obviously going to be one of those days.

No! No! Yorkshire Fishcakes, from Moorfoot Fisheries. He probably has only ever tasted one of those pathetic southern Rissoles (Yuck:gag:). Now there's something for him to get his teeth into!

Well if they did, they're not going to come up smelling of roses, are they. Mind you, if they were escaping a fire, I don't suppose they'd care.

Better still, Derek Achora!!! PS, That may not be as daft as it sounds.

Guess, it's not somebody falling down a manhole then.

Try winter gardens, botanical gardens and western park museum (if friend is into that sort of thing). You may also want to spellcheck your thread title - I think you mean cockNey.

Blossom2, I'm under 5ft tall and have a heck of a job buying trousers to fit. Bon Marche may not be the trendyest place in town. But they do trousers in 3 different sizes including a 25in leg. They also sell some Jeans as well. Hope this is of help.

Don't know want has bee happening, as I don't live near Meersbrook (hope whoever it is, has not been seriously injured!). However, I HAVE fallen down a manhole in the past, and believe me, it's NOT funny. Mind you, my sis-in-law thought it was!!!!

Well said Duckweed, you are quite right. There are schemes like the 'Warm Front' that can help with fee loft and cavity wall insulation etc, if you are on benefits (whatever age you are). And despite the publicity, not everybody seems to know about them. I had cavity wall insulation done several years ago, and it does make a difference. But I still get cold in winter, and have to hoik the heating up. My body obviously thinks I'm about 90, even if I'm not!

Oooh! Er! This is all getting a bit heated! Perhaps my fault for ranting about DWP! Anyway, thought I'd stick my oar in and point out that perhaps we are digressing a bit from the 'Silent Disability' issue that this thread is all about. I think the problem is that whole DDA training and awareness thing such a complex issue, that it is difficult to divorce from discussions on disability itself. In my personal experience, even those who are DDA 'Aware', seem to think that throwing equipment and adaptions at you right, left and centre, fixes everything! In the case of Silent Disabilities, this has a limited affect. If people cannot see what is wrong, they tend not to believe you. In all honesty, it's not just awareness that has to change, but attitudes!

Perhaps if enough of us wrote to 'The Star' they may organise one.

Sorry, if I seem to be going on a bit about DWP. It's a very old wound that keeps on festering, so to speak - I'll get over it one day!

I know where you are 'coming from' , but I was actually ranting about the DWP itself. They sometimes have a 'do as I say, but not as I do' mentality!!! Little wonder that other organisations, don't have the support, will, or backing (financial or otherwise), to fully absorb the requirements or meaning of the DDA.

Yes, Blue Dragon (what a great username!, you're not an Anne Maccaffrey fan by any chance ru?), you are right, but it still depends on where you live, AND the temperature falling below zero for 7 consecutive days. However, my issue is with the Winter Fuel Payment, which elderly people (irrespective of disability) get. But which is not available to disabled people, under pension age, who may benefit from help with higher than normal fuel bills, due to the nature of their conditions.

Hi guys and Gals (HH, PT & anyone else who happens to read this), I wasn't aware that there was a 'Disability Now' campaign over Winter Fuel Allowance* - at least someone is trying to do something about it! There are already people (according to 'The Star') trying to rectify the less that fair method/criteria for Cold Weather Payments*. However, my main concern is that if WFA becomes the responsibility of Local Authorities (as you both suggest) there may be a danger of Postcode Lottery like the NHS. For example, some LA's may be able to 'find' money to pay WFA and others may not. I personally, think that it should be rolled out from central government. Although as HH rightly points out, getting the 'critera formuli' fine tuned is going to be a nightmare. * For those of you who are not 'Benefit Wise', these are to different kinds of payment, for which different qualifications apply.

Hi, Happyhippy, Nice to see some constuctive comments, that's what the forum's all about! Yes, you have a point. Elderly people, will always be elderly, and obvously need assistance with fuel bills etc, and there are some disabled people who have medical conditions that may not require this assistance. But I do think, that disabled people should at least have the chance to apply for that privilage as well. I was thinking in terms of maybe DLA Middle Rate (& Above) Care or Higher Rate Mobility as 'passporting' people (depending on their conditions) to this in the same way that it does with other things. There is no reason why the information submitted on a DLA application & a report from the applicants GP/Specialist couldn't be used to help decide who needs assistance! By the way, don't always assume that Deaf & Blind People don't need additional help with heating. They may have secondary conditions that require this. There are also a number of illness that can cause sensory imparement and damage heart, neuro and vascular function!

Don't know if any of you crafters out there are aware of this, but the Sheffield 'Star' Newspaper are running a trip to the Birmingham Nec to a Crafts for Christmas Fayre. It's in November (sorry I can't remember exact dates, but know it's a weekend) involves an overnight stop Bed, Breakfast, Evening Meal and costs about approx £89 (includes enterance fee to NEC. Coach Travel etc). Perhaps some of you already know, but I just thought I pass the message along. PS No, I don't work for them, before anybody asks!

:confused:Can we have that in English please? I have no idea what you are on about? For all I know, what you are selling could be something rude!

Well said. Unfair is the politest description I can think of. What I want to know is, why?, and is anyone doing anything about it?

I went to Bankwood Junior School in 70's - we had 'Royal' Houses, Tudor, Stuart, Hanover & Windsor. I had a mate who went to Herdings, and their houses were named after composers, but I can't remember what they were:huh:

Yea! I know! But I couldn't resist making a half serious reply!!! Incidently, a distant relative of mine is sort of famous. John Hawkesworth (cousin to my Gran), he was quite a well known scriptwriter in 70's, think he was involved in progammes like The Sweeny, and The Professionals. Not 100 per cent sure he was born/brought up in Sheffield though.