GENERAL DISCUSSION » I USED TO LIKE TO CHAT!

Do you remember when we used to come on here and have a good old natter about this and that? The same daft things you talk about when you meet a friend.

The weathers terrible this morning do you think its on for the day? Anyway how are you today I don't suppose this wet weather helps does it? Are you going to be watching Royal Ascot this week, it's quite a spectacle isn't it? Have you noticed how prices seem to be going up in morrisons just lately? Did you watch that 3 part serial called Triangle all about the Bermuda Triangle it was on BBC Sat-Sun-Mon?

I know its more difficult with less of us but I'd prefer it to starting talking to myself or HarryB

Surfer I see from the Advertiser that there is a proposal to turn the Dog and Partridge on the Height into a Health center of some sort. I always thought that if would reopen as a pub at some point. I've been in there a time or two, did you ever use it?

Sparky one thing about the online grocery shopping was it made me realise how much I actually spend on food and household items such as cleaning materials etc. You don't notice so much when you shop two or three times a week, it surprised me!

If they carried mine through to the kitchen do you think they would cook it for me? LOL!

No, i think it's a great idea fo anyone who has some sort of difficulty. What did they used to say, 'Pride go'eth before a fall'. I would certainly use it.

Not likely Fez - you can carry your own groceries through to the kitchen.

My internet grocery shopping from Asda arrived on time on wednesday and I will certainly continue to do it. While it is impossible to get everything you want this way for anyone who has mobility problems that make handling heavy bags a problem or hate supermarket shopping and queues it is a good compromise. The person who delivered mine even carried it through to my kitchen.

Why don't you give it a go.

Hi Beebie. I've got stuff coming this afternoon from Asda and if it is OK I do intend to use it regularly for all my non perishable stuff. I think you are right that it is well worth the delivery cost and there is also the fact that I will be far less likely to make impulse buys of stuff I really don't need.

I shop on-line from tesco regularly you make a shopping list out then click find if its what your looking for you add to basket and it totals the price while doing so,,that way you know what your spending mid week delivery is cheaper then a taxi,,week-end usually costs me £4.50 which is cheaper than a taxi for me I am very satisfied so far as I didn;t go out till the 2nd week in january no way was I going to spend the start of 2010 on crutches

The razor blades as well Surferboy? Now that I would have liked to see!

You could have redirected it Fez. I would have ate it for you!

ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING.

I mention earlier in this topic about trying online shopping at Asda during the cold snap and did so only to be hospitalised the day before delivery was due and thus couldn't take delivery. My son phoned them and explained the situation and with no humming and hawing they refunded my payment within 3 days.

Now given that sort of service I may well become a regular user.

Hey! I turned around for just a minute and somebody turned out the lights!

I've decided to change my clothes on my avatar. What do you think of the new blue and green/brown theme? I even have green eyes as well (to match my own!)

I wonder if ASDA would deliver to me 24 canisters of salt from an internet order? Just the thing for my driveway.

You're right about breathing the cold air Surfer, one of the cardiac nurses told me some time back that I should wear a scarf and put it over my mouth when out in frosty or very cold wind conditions. I've not tried it yet maybe because I might look a bit of a prat but I have dug out a scarf I was given for Xmas a few years ago and may try it if this weather continues as is forecast.

Sparky I haven't tried the online supermarket shopping as I like to see and feel what I am getting and taking in the delivery costs it would just be simpler if needed to get a taxi to and from the shop. I would be interested to hear anyones experiences of using online grocery shopping. I would worry that they wouldn't pick out the frehest and syuff like that.

Breathing this very cold air definately affects your heart and breathing. Stay inside Fez.

Sorry to hear that you're getting angina pain again Fez. Hope it's not too severe. The next few days look like we're going to have some more snow again, so watch out underfoot if you venture outside. Have you tried online shopping at the supermarket at all. It might be worth it at this time.

My air conditioner is gathering dust now!!! The few occaisions that i have used it though made the air in the house lovely and fresh. It was sort of addictive!

No Fez , you will be getting more......

If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area.

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with a support or work related activity component in the main phase.

• Employment and Support Allowance - introduction

• Pension Credit

You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:

• a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium 


• a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium 


• a disabled child premium 


• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element


• a child who is under five in the family

• Premiums for disabled people

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Income Support

This year you will get £25 when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are used to obtain this information.

And we've had one already;

The Met Office have notified the Department for Work and Pensions that 1 period of very cold weather has occurred in the M6 postcode area between 1 November 2009 and 30 December 2009, triggering a Cold Weather Payment.

If you have qualified for Cold Weather Payments since 1 November 2009 and live in this postcode area, you should have received 1 Cold Weather Payment.

I'd much rather be able to go out comfortably without getting cramp in my feet and an ice block in my chest than get extra payments for this weather lasting. All round I am struggling a bit with angina and if it continues I may have to turn myself in though I am still hoping to get through the winter without intervention.

Does anybody else suffer really badly in this cold weather?

Sparky, I do remember you telling us about the air conditioner, they are once again predicting a hot summer so you never know.

I'm still looking forward to the heat wave that they predicted back in June. I want to try out my air conditioning unit!

There is only one cold weather payment SB no matter how long the cold spell lasts but I am not complaining. The payment is £250 per household and is split between the number of "wrinklies" in the household. Hence my wife gets £125 although I have no recollection of her paying a bill during the past 50 years.

They reckon that this could be the coldest winter since 1979 - so much for global warming. How can the meteorologists forecast a much warmer climate in 30 years time when they can't, with any certainty, forecast the weather more than 3 days in advance.

Just think of all the cold weather payments you'll get Fez. I don't think me and Sparky qualify so we just stay in bed all day to keep warm.

Looking out the window and everywhere is white again. This cold spell does seem to be dragging on, two years now isn't it. Could it be the start of the next ice age? Somehow I doubt it but just at this moment I'm ready to be convinced by the global warming sceptics. Never mind folks I'm sure spring is just around the corner but I don't know which corner!

Yes they do Fez. It is common for stores with multiple outlets to inflate the price in some remote store so that they can say "previously sold at £xxxx". Don't forget that they operate for the benefit of the shareholders not yours.

I think these big sticker price tags with misleading messages on meat and chicken etc should be banned. E.g.....only £4....but when you get to the counter it means £4 a kilo..whatever, not the actual price of the item you've picked up. Common now, how many have you been caught out this way. It's a new underarm tactic by the supermarkets.

A feature in pricing at sales that I have noticed to be on the increase is that a price will be displayed say "List Price £10" then "Reduced to £7" and in small print "Previously on sale at this price"

So what do they do, inflate the price so that they can then seem to be selling to you at a discount? If so there seems to be something slightly fraudulent going on.

I bartered at Curry's last summer for a reduction of £20 on a £140 vacuum cleaner without much fuss! I paid in cash and got a discount voucher for my next purchase. I just takes a little courage to 'challenge' the price with the staff, in the nicest possible way of course.

Try bartering towards the end of the month, when staff may be trying to increase their total sales amount to achieve their sales target/bonus!

As anyone tried to barter in a shop by offering cash at a reduced price. I've heard story's and seen TV programmes suggesting it is possible .

My friend bought a fridge in Curry's last week to find it £50 cheaper in the Boxing day sales. He went back to complain and agreed a £30 refund. Was he lucky?

No one who knows me will be surprised that I think the sales are a big con. If the retailer could sell them at the full price why would they sell them for less. Many stores buy in a lot of goods especially manufactured for the sales.

If I am making a purchase just before the sales I always ask the assistant if the item is likely to be in the sale: if the answer is yes then I will delay my purchase until it is reduced, otherwise I make my purchase and get out. I am always surprised by those people who buy simply because they think it is a bargain irrespective of whether it is something they need or not.

If you need something you can find out the retail price and then you will almost always be able to find it a lot cheaper on the 'net and avoid the crowds. 

WHAT DID YOU DO ON BOXING DAY? Were you queing outside next at 3.30am or even more unbelievable outside Selfridges among the 2,500 at 8am or were you more sensibly having a lie in like me?

Four injured as shops set sales records

STORES reported record Boxing Day sales with cash registers ringing to the tune of millions.

Manchester city centre reported its busiest year yet with record numbers of bargain hunters out in force from 7am.

'I got up at 6am. I must be mad'

Chaos hit one of the city's busiest stores when a ceiling panel fell on four shoppers in Selfridges' handbag department leaving them requiring treatment from paramedics for minor injuries.

Despite many online sales, and some on the high street, launching before Christmas, 15,000 people were in the Trafford Centre's malls by 9am. The figure had doubled by 11am. Shoppers were lining up for the start of the NEXT sale from 3.30am with 3,000 queuing around the block by the time doors opened at 7am.

Meanwhile, 2,500 people were pressed up against the glass at Selfridges which opened its doors at 8am to its record day of takings in seven years. Label hunters headed straight for the Gucci concession and mountains of designer handbags which had been cleared out by mid-afternoon.

I thought everyone was skint!

Spent ages getting my car ready for the road today. It looked like an igloo with wheels! Slipped and fell on the ice a couple of times and thought ah! I know. B & Q will have some rock salt. I'll call in after getting my bread and milk.

2 Hours later i arrived home from my normally 30 minute journey. What a mess it is out there, AND NO ROCK SALT AT B& Q!!!!!!

I did call back to TESCO and picked up two packs of table salt, but it's like trying to paint the forth bridge with that stuff!!!

What else should we use for melting ice. Should i attach my hose pipe to the hot water in the house???

Could the Brown University have hit on an answer as to why i had a hangover after drinking alcohol free beer all night.

It's brewed the same way as normal beer, then the alcohol is removed. But if the chemicals that cause the hangover are still present then that is why i had all of the hangover pain with non of the nights alcohol pleasure!!!!!!

My preference is for a good single malt whisky preferably Oban. However in my case I seem to be able to control my level of intoxication very easily and thereby the effects which are sometimes felt the following morning. If I feel I am beginning to get too p****d leaving my glass on the table for 20 mins will usually restore my equilibrium.

My advice is drink whatever suits your taste but in moderation.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TIPPLE?

There is a bit further down in this forum about hangovers and if you are a whisky tippler you'd better switch to vodka. Have a read of this.

Whisky hangover 'worse than vodka, a study suggests'

Drinking whisky will result in a worse hangover than vodka, according to research by US scientists.

The reason might lie in the number of molecules called "congeners" which it contains compared to vodka, the Brown University team said. But the study also suggested that sticking to vodka all night rather than whisky would not improve your performance at work the next day.

The study is published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.

The reason why whisky might cause more unpleasant hangovers might lie in the number of molecules called "congeners" which it contains compared to vodka, said Professor Rohsenow. These include small amounts of chemicals such as acetone, acetaldehyde and tannins.

Chris Sorek, the chief executive of charity Drinkaware, said that social drinkers should be aware that no alcoholic drink removed the risk of a hangover. He said: "Christmas is a time to socialise and celebrate, but many people will be drinking excessively - drinking too much of any alcoholic drink can have a number of undesirable short and long-term effects.

WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE, IF YOU CAN REMEMBER?

I know what you are saying Sparky, that loyalty should be rewarded and current customers should always be the first to be offered the best deal available by their supplier but sadly that isn't now the way of the world but remember in those days there was no competition or choice. But if you do want to save money it can be well worth yaking the time to compare what is available. The process of the change should go smoothly with you having very little to do and no break in the service. I suppose if we don't keep up with how the world changes it will just pass us by. God I wish I could hibernate for the winter that would certainly cut my fuel bills!

Sorry Fez, but i have to disagree with the way we now have to 'hunt' around for the best deal (If the gamble works in our favour!)

Even i can remember when loyalty to a service provider meant that we could receive favourable rates. But nowadays loyalty seems to be a mugs game. We are encourages to change at the drop of a hat in the hope of a better deal. In fact, if we don't, we suffer from extra costs for our services! I for one don't like this new idea at all. It make me feel a lack of trust in the service that they claim to offer. The ever changing small print in the contract always seems to leave us worse off!

Surferboy, My advice as always on this subject,and it may not be good advice, is to use one of the comparison sites to check what is on offer before making any decision about a new contract with your current supplier. It's reckoned that if you have never changed then you are almost guaranteed to make a decent saving by making your first change. The following is from Martins money tips, that guy who does the TV programmes:-

Npower's new tariff means while the average bill's £1,200, some would pay just £886 on it
The cheapest online tariff price war rages on and on and on. Hot on the heels of British Gas, this week npower's hit back launching its Sign Online 17 tariff. Good... but: It's cheap but there are three minor negatives: it's not the cheapest in every region; some of the cheapness is due to a discount only paid after a year; and there's a £40 lock in fee if you leave pre-March '11, so there's a small risk if other prices drop massively it'll be relatively costly. Though it does guarantee to be at least 2% lower than its standard tariff until then. To find out how it works out for you... Compare, switch & get cashback: (via these special links) The savings from switching now if you've not done it for a year or two can be HUGE... Top Pick Comparison; Energyline pays £15 cashback per switch. Dual Fuel: Money supermarket gives £30 cashback & uswitch free case of wine and Simplyswitch £35 in Amazon vouchers.

I wouldn't take to much notice of the freebies offered but look for the best unit rate. This is a LINK to his energy switch page it is well worth a look.

It's getting cold at nights Fez.

I've been offered a price fix on gas and electric by British Gas until March 2011 but you have to pay a 3% premium on the standard tariffas it was in May this year. Luckily I'd signed onto the previous couple of of similar offers over the last 3 years and missed all the big hikes on prices. This time though I think I'll give it a miss as generally the news is that prices should fall so my advice to anyone out there is not to sign up. I could of course be wrong but I don't think so.

We could be seeing some of that before the end of the week surferboy. The forecast is that it is going to turn really cold but while round here we will certainly get the cold winds I hope as usual we miss the worst of any snow. Must get the thermals out and aired!

Maybe it was snow Fez!

Bit of a strange do round my way on Friday evening. I went into my bedroom at about 7pm and was hit by a really strong smell. Do you remember TCP antiseptic that use to be used to clean your wounds wel it was very like that but so strong it was distasteful I assumed it was coming from outside and closed my window.

Some time later I noticed flashing blue lights through my kitchen curtains and there was a police van with all lighs flashing blocking the street and as I watched they were turning back traffic and even some pedestrians. I looked on the Advirtiser nesfeed on saturday morning which just had a couple of lines saying "residents told to stay indoors during chemical alert" then today there was this on the feed:-

Deborah Linton
December 12, 2009

A WHITE powder which sparked a chemical scare in Eccles has been declared safe.

Emergency services were called to Cawdor Street, in the Patricroft area, at around 6.30pm on Friday after nearby residents complained of a strong chemical smell.

A cordon was put in place while firefighters and Environmental Health officers investigated but the substance was later declared safe by experts.

Residents have been advised to stay inside their homes and keep windows and doors close while the fumes clear.

I'd be interested to here more details if anyone comes across them!

Went up to Eccles yesterday afternoon about 3.45. Called in wilkinsons for a couple of things then morrisons for my weekend grub. I was only in there 10-15 minutes but when I came out it was thick fog, a real peasouper. It's some time since I've seen it come down so quickly but reminded me of the old smogs we used to have. Of course my bus didn't then turn up and I was hanging about for about 40minutes waiting for one. Was it foggy at your end or was it an Eccles Phenomenum?

Two hangover cures in my paper this morning:-

• Sliced cactus. (do you peel it?)


• Tripe soup.

Yes I think it's aload of tripe as well. I'd rather have the hangover.

I tried alcohol free beer one night, for the whole night. I tasted sort of ok, but the next morning i had a hangover of all hangovers.

NONE OF THE PLEASURE    ALL OF THE PAIN!!!

The best thing to come from a hangover is learn from the mistake of drinking too much. Pity that our memory is so often too short!

Got a hangover over the Christmas and New Year, forget the black coffee it won't fix it. I always used to find a good greasy breakfast did the trick. How did you cure yours?

This fron the BBC:-

Reaching for a mug of coffee may be the worst thing you can to do to try to sober up, a study suggests.

Research on mice indicates the drink may make you feel that you are coming to your senses - but it is only an illusion. In fact, it makes it harder for people to realise they are under the influence of alcohol.

The study, by Temple University in Philadelphia, appears in the journal Behavioural Neuroscience.

Lead researcher Dr Thomas Gould said: "The myth about coffee's sobering powers is particularly important to debunk because the co-use of caffeine and alcohol could actually lead to poor decisions with disastrous outcomes.

"People who feel tired and intoxicated after consuming alcohol may be more likely to acknowledge that they are drunk.Conversely, people who have consumed both alcohol and caffeine may feel awake and competent enough to handle potentially-harmful situations, such as driving while intoxicated or placing themselves in dangerous social situations."

That Peel Holdings seem to be everywhere and have thier fingers in an amazing number of pies. Now Peel Energy are trying to site 21 wind turbines on Frodsham marsh and of course their are major opposers. What I don't really get is that everyone seems to agree in principle that they are a good idea and can provide a good clean source of clean energy but nobody wants them within twenty miles of their front door. Furthermore if it is proposed that they are put up a mountain on remote hills or offshore peole start to complain that they spoil the skyline, the noise disturbs wildlife etc.

Maybe when we colonise the moon!

I called into the community shop/art gallery in Boothsway in Eccles precinct on saturday and if you are looking for a unique Xmas present for someone it's worth having a look. The prices are very reasonable and the things they have are good quality and as I said unique. The goods are all produced by local people so give it a go. Let me know what you think.

The high pitched 'chirrup' of a referee's whistle is a big step away from the familliar lower frequency of the regular police whistle though.

In both cases though they do attract attention when the are blown, and are truely 'hands free' when they are used, leaving the officer to deal with the problem with both hands, and not have to push a button to talk and summon help.

I just wondered about this the other night.

Sparky, The policemans whistle is something I had never thought about before but it's interesting. I mean if they blew it now where would the nearest other policeman be to hear it. I have to assume that they don't still use them but if anyone knows differently please let us know.

Did you know that before the whistle the police used to use a rattle similar to the ones football supporters used to use?

I found this:-

The police whistle is to return after more than 30 years.

The piercing noise of a police whistle, familiar to viewers of the 1960s television series Dixon of Dock Green, has not been heard on Britain's streets since the 1970s.

It is being brought back to deal with anti-social cyclists who flout the law in the university city of Cambridge.

Police used to carry whistles to call for back up before the introduction of personal radios, or to attract the attention of someone they needed to speak to.

Now police are to reintroduce them in the centre of Cambridge where they say anti-social cyclists are a significant problem.

Police forces will be watching the trial to see if whistles could be used in other cities.

The new whistles, which will be carried by 12 officers, are similar to those used by football referees, instead of the old pipe-style version.

Pc Stephen Hinks, who has trialled a whistle, said: "When a cyclist is coming towards me, I can stop them by putting out my hand. But if they just go past me the whistle stops them in their tracks. It saves me bellowing down the street and it makes them jump, and they turn their head.

Here's a question that people on here might know the answer to ----

I just got to thinking earlier tonight and wondered .... Do police officers still carry a whistle with them to attract attention when they need it?

It's just one of those niggling things that we think about from time to time .......

Yes it was nice to hear. The biggest problem which you see over and over again is the lenient sentences dished out even when some of these people have killed others and re-offended time and time again.

At last a top policeman talks some sense publicly. Manchesters Chief Constable Peter Fahey erckons the courts are letting people down in the way they they deal with "low level" local crime which is what affects most people most directly and sometimes on a daily basis. I don't know what you think but I think he is dead right and I bet you all know of incidents where court punishments are just unbelievable. here is what he says:-

Chief constable Peter Fahy said: “I think most people are concerned about what is happening very, very locally around where they live and their local parade of shops.

“At the moment I think the court service struggles to be effective at that local level. It's great at dealing with the more serious offences but a lot of this is about longer-term patterns of behaviour in people who are a constant nuisance in their local community.

“It's those sorts of issues that I think the criminal justice system needs to be more effective at dealing with."

Mr  Fahy also spoke of 'unacceptably low' levels of public confidence in the police and the criminal justice system. He said: "It's about recognising that local people feel that the courts are too distant and there's that sense of powerlessness."

On a similar theme I see that the new courts planned to be built in Eccles will not now go ahead and the same for 3-4 other planned courts elsewhere in the country.

Trouble is Surferboy that just as the bank says these are rules imposed from europe not from westminster and under the Lisbon treaty we are going to see more and more "daft" things coming forward all thanks to our politicians not giving us, the people, a chance to let our thoughts be known by denying us a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty(Constitution).

Meldrew is right, come the next election we should wiegh up all that has happened and been done by each party before casting our vote and not be swayed by promises or personalities. Trouble is that the british people seem to have very short political memories!

How do you pay your credit card if the post is on strike and you can't pay cash in a bank? Then they charge you a late payment fee..just a bonkers rule. He hardly be money laundering at £60 a time.

I know that people of my age are thought to be "out of touch" or "past it" but I can still remember the arguments put forward in (1974 I think) when Ted Heath took us into the Common Market and none of what we have now was even discussed. I also remember Heath telling us 20 years later that "of course it was always intended that there would be political integration".

The only thing I learned was that if a politician tells you the date - check the calender. When it comes to the time to vote next year make your judgements on what they have done NOT on what they are telling you. 

Is the world going daft? I was reading a bit in my paper yesterday about a Co-op bank customer who went into the co-op branch where his account was held to pay off £60 owed on his co-op credit card and they refused to take payment because he wanted to pay cash! He even contacted the head office and was told they could not do anything about it. A spokesman for the Co-op later said. "The bank has to follow an EU directive not to accept cash for credit card bills." How crazy and I wonder how much worse it is going to get now that the Lisbon Treaty (Constitution) has been adopted?

hiya notgotalot. that nickname would sute me fine i've notgotalot now neverhadalot neverwill havealot but can still smile.

I once knew a fella who was always collapsing drunk in the street. He woke up one morning in the day before bonfire night and  found lots of money in his cap that had fell off beside him. Luckily when he did the same on bonfire night he was rescued by the Police as the kids thought he was a guy and had put him on top of their bonnie wood. If you believe any of this then your as daft as me!

So Bonfire night is once again on the near horizon. Surprisingly I haven't heard or seen many big noisy fireworks going off yet. I have seen a lot of poorly made guys though that personally I would have been ashamed to go out for coppers with the way they throw them together now.

I don't know about you but I just wonder just wonder if it is one of those events that will fairly soon disappear from our lives?

Click HERE for an extract from an article in the MEN from Angela Griffin.

Just going back to the subject of retuning our TVs and digi boxes. A friend of mine has 3 digital tvs and couldn't work out how to retune them so I got the make and model numbers of him and found this website. Click HERE. Yo just pick you tv or digibox using the dropdown boxes and you get an illustrated step by step guide that worked.

Welcome notgotalot. You don't have to post but do read what others have said and I am sure the time will come when you won't be able to resist the temptation to put them (me) right. 

Hi Notgotalot, what a great nickname. The post right at the top is really an introduction to the topic and the posts then display themselves with the latest first then receding backwards in time.

Anyway Welcome. If you think on it would be helpful but not vital if you could let us know how you heard about Heart of Salford.

OOOPS! didn't notice that your message at the top was as old as that! Just happens to be my birthday...last year!

Hello you lot on here...am new and just thought I would make myself known.  Haven't got much to say at this time but you never know, I may just come out of myself with encouragement! Fez, it's absolutely peeing down right now but I hope the rain will clear up later! 

Don't be stuck up Fez, try the charity shops for pullovers. It's one thing they always seem to have in stock and I'm sure you will find a nice one or two and at reasonable prices.

I had a ride up to Salford Precinct today. They have just changed my bus route and we went along Liverpool St, now I've not been down there for quite a while but I couldn't help but notice the facelift the area is being given. Streets of houses, obviously sandblasted, having lost all their grime and looking like row upon row of new houses with bright shiny brick. I don't know how it is being financed but if anyone else knows please let me know.

I actually went to the precinct to see if I could find a couple of Vneck fairly thick jumpers. I found plenty of crew necks and plenty of zipped necks. I also found a good range of Vnecks but the were either too thin or had a tee shirt collar or a shirt collar sewn into them. Now I ask you what is all that about? Is it just me getting old and picky? Only thing to do go is brave the Trafford Centre go to Debenhams or M+S to get what I want, pay a fortune and then live on gruel and beans for a fortnight or more.

Oooh, thank you my darlings.

Willow for soneone who says and I quote from your post below on the 10th October "I'm terrified of technology" you seem to be doing really great on here, keep it up. Harry and Fez.

Maybe they are going to demolish the inside but keep the facade in the same way they have done to the old Free Trade Hall. Even so though, that would mean losing the inside features. Progress huh!

I Know the building you mean Surferboy. I've never been inside but know that oldrer banks always used the best materials and workmanship possible, it was possibly a statement of "Look at me I'm impressive, prosperous and can be trusted." I would have thought that it would be a listed building of one sort or another.

Hello Ajax. Great to see you on here. Like Fez says, don't worry about anything, just have a go. You wouldn't believe the fixes, the lads got me out of at the beginning.(and still do). With their help, I have learnt to do loads of things and when I first got my computer three years ago, I didn't know how to switch it on, never mind operate it. I did have one advantage though, in my younger days I trained as a touch typist and like cycling(which I found out I could still do this week despite not havng a bike for thirty years-I was helping my grandchildren learn to ride their bikes-their Mum hasn't got my patience or time. They both managed it for me, by the way,)it's something you never forget. They say it's like that with swimming but I haven't been brave enough for that. I loath cold water, especially up my nose. I was even more pleased to see it was a leaflet because I am forever handing those to people, I even collar them at the supermarkets. You see I love this site and I want other people to enjoy it as well, especially older people. Heart poblems of any kind can limit their lives tremendously. They are not all as cheeky as I am. Hope to see you around often. You can even tell me off if you like, but I can't guarantee I won't shout back. Willow.

When I can get to my TV again, Can I call on you for help as when it comes to technology, I have to hold up my hands, I have no common sense and am petrified of technology. Why can't they leave things alone?

Is it 'eck Credit Crunch, it's rates. They get more money out of lord knows how muany flats to an inch and none out of conservation buildings and they have to find the upkeep, eg. Monks' Hall. How many times have they tried to knock that down? They have to get money from somewhere to make up for all the daft things they do with the money they already have, eg. the rather horrible pattern on the motorway bridge. 

There's one on the magnificent white former bank building at the top corner of King Street Manchester. I can't believe it's to be knock down. The high vaulted ceilings inside are incredible and the outside is just a beautiful structure. I hope I've got it wrong. The Eccles cinema was supposed to be rescued. Credit crunch?

Meldrew I think you are right about the reasons some people had difficulties re-tuning their boxes and it is probably for the very same reasons that some don't actively join in on here. All I can say is "Give it a go. You never know until you try and you can't do any damage"

On another tack does anybody know what is happening with the old Crown cinema/bingo building in Eccles as they have demolition signs up on it now? There have been a few different reports about its future inthe last 2-3 years.

I know of people who had trouble and I have helped them re-tune. In neither case was it a problem with the equipment - more to do with an instinctive fear of anything technical or a lack of common sense.

DID ANYONE HAVE ANY PROBLEMS RETUNING THIR FREEVIEW BOXES OR TV? It seems like plenty did.

Freeview retune chaos

Sites crash, viewers complain

Lexton Snol and Carrie-Ann Skinner

Digital TV service Freeview's website crashed on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

More than 18 million Freeview viewers were required to retune their freeview boxes and TVs on September 30, following an upgrade to the digital TV service.

Freeview's helpline was also receiving 200 calls a minute from consumers seeking advice.

The upgrade will give more viewers access to Channel Five and well as ensuring High Definition (HD) broadcasts can eventually be rolled out. More than 20m digital TV set-top boxes need to be retuned to maintain access to TV and radio channels. 20,000 older set-top boxes will cease to work.- including Daewoo models DS608P and SV900, Labgear DTT100, Triax DVB2000T and Bush IDVCR01

Hello Ajax, that's fine. we don't bother with spelling or grammar or a few mistakes so feel free to have a natter about anything however you put it over. The more you have a go the easier you'll find using your computer. Wer'e all here to help so if your stuck with anything leave a note here and we'll soon get back too you but you seem to have the hang of things.Well done!

I am only short getting shorter it seems and could fit in the village in china with  the little people. haha

hello I got an email asking me how i heard about you i'm not much good with emails so i answer here. my daughter picked up a leaflet somewhere a bit back and got me to try it.

is this okay.

COMING TO A POTHOLE NEAR YOU?

This is from a press release from Salford Council. One thing I can't see is the truth of their claim that things have improved over the last 5 years, but then I am a cynic today. Have you seen any improvements? Could it just be that we trip, pick ourselves up and accept the fact and don't want the hassle of putting in a claim.

Job seekers recruited to repair potholes

Former unemployed Salford residents are starting new jobs this week helping to repair potholes as part of a city council led training and employment programme.

The eight workers are the first out of around 800 local people to be given jobs over the next two years through the government's Future Jobs Fund which will see more than £5m pumped into Salford's economy.

The new recruits are employed through Groundwork and will work for six months alongside Salford City Council's strategic partner Urban Vision who provide highways services across the city.

They will also carry out flagging, kerbing and drainage works and will study for an NVQ Level 2 in highways maintenance with Salford City College.

A £22m five year investment programme into Salford's roads and footpaths up to 2010 has helped to bring down the number of trips and slips pay-outs in the city caused by potholes or poor surfaces.

Innovative working and better targeted repairs have meant that compensation claims have more than halved in the city since Urban Vision was formed, and figures today are around £2m lower than those in 2005

THIS IS A LOVELY LITTLE STORY.

Chinese dwarves set up their own village

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A community of dwarves has set up its own village to escape discrimination from normal sized people.

Everyone in the mountain commune in Kunming, southern China, must be under 4ft 3ins tall - and they run their own police force and fire brigade from their 120 residents.

Now the group has turned itself into a tourist attraction by building mushroom houses and living and dressing like fairy tale characters. 'As small people we are used to being pushed around and exploited by big people. But here there aren't any big people and everything we do is for us,' said spokesman Fu Tien.

I WONDER IF THERE IS ANY ROOM OR A SPARE MUSHROOM FOR ME.

And conkers Fez. Have you gone nuts?

A charity for spiders Fez - your'e having me on. If spiders can raise funds then HoS shouldn't have any problems.

DO YOU HATE SPIDERS?

This is the time of year when they head indoors to find warmer lodgings and it seems that there has been a big increase in spider populations this summer. This from the BBC website.

Conservationists say there could be more spiders and daddy longlegs than usual this autumn because of favourable breeding conditions.

Researchers at insect charity, Buglife, said last year's wet autumn meant the larvae of daddy longlegs had plenty of decaying plant matter to eat.

Experts also said this year's temperate summer had been good for spiders.

The charity says it will provide a good boost for declining insect populations and benefit other wildlife.

I saw one tip that said you should hang conkers in your rooms because spiders don't like the smell. Any more tips? 

MAKE SURE YOU GET YOUR FLU JAB!

In response to research published in The Lancet that shows the flu vaccination can prevent heart attacks triggered by the flu, Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation said:

"We know that people with heart disease are at increased risk of a heart attack in the weeks following acute illness. So it is not surprising that this research has found an increase in heart attacks following a bout of flu. The findings also strongly suggest that vaccination may reduce this risk.

"It makes absolute sense for those with heart disease to receive a flu vaccination. It is also important that heart patients who catch flu continue to take their heart-protective medication unless instructed not to do so by their doctor."

"We recommend all patients with heart disease take up the offer of a flu jab as soon as it comes available.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR FLU JAB?

Well. That's one way out of a tricky situation!

"Now, now. You lot. What a a r e you talking about?"

Willow see my post on the 11 Sept about bed sharing to find out what it's about.

Now, now. You lot. What a a r e you talking about?

Like you Fez I am still at a loss to understand what Surferboy could have had in mind. Perhaps he is thinking about the opportunity to get stuck in to a good book without interruption???????

NO! I just wanted to see how you'd phrase it.

Are you serious Fez?

What's the obvious Surferboy?

Regretably, i still remember many rebukes for cuddles from a very frosty X WIFE.

Best move that i ever did, divorcing her, and then going on to meet J. :-)

I think your missing the obvious Fez not that it's a long distant memory for some of us.

IS BED SHARING REALLY BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH? (should this be in the health discussion)

According to a bbc report sleep specialists, whatever they are, say that bed sharing can cause rows over snoring and duvet snatching and couples who shared beds suffered 50% more sleep disturbances than those who slept apart.

Did it really need a scientific study to tell them that? And aren't there any good points about bed sharing like a nice cuddle on a frosty night?

Most days you wait so long you would think they were on strike!

Has anyone heard anything about a series of 1day bus strikes? I found a bit on the MEN site about it saying that it affected Bury. Blackburn and Bolton First bus depots But I don't know if that means salford/Manchester buses are affected. I had a look on the Gmpte site and no mention!

As for St Peter I don't think even he could beat the bookies.

I am not sure St. Peter condones betting Fez and even if he does I suspect he is getting better odds.

It's all going down in St Peters little book of gold Surferboy. Just hope you start to get your returns soon.

 1-50 Sedgefield today;

McMurdo Sound in touch, headway after 3 out, upsides when left clear 2 out, eased towards finish

Timocracy with leader and keen, led after 3 out, upsides when fell 2 out

This was my reward Fez. God surely loves me I don't think. Yes I was on Timocracy.

Just do what you're told Surfer. Thanks anyway for the email to the advertiser, I'll look out for it this week! You'll get your reward in heaven or somewhere

Like your story about the check-out Meldrew. Only last night my mate said after being encouraged by the staff to use the self service checkout he felt rushed to put his 3 big jars of special offer coffee into a plastic bag and as he moved away they all fell through and every one smashed on the floor. Luckily they replaced them for him. I had my first go last week and I wasn't impressed.

You just told me not to Email campaigns. Make your mind up!

Has everyone noticed the new item on the home page titled;- BHF NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR CARDIAC REHABILITATION. They are asking us to write to or email our MPs asking them to support the campaign.

They have made it very easy for us to do this. just click HERE and it will take you to a page at the BHF where you can fill in a simple form to generate an email to your MP, you don't need the name of your MP as they will find it from your postcode and they will insert the email message automatically. 

Not anymore(race a stockcar.) They say I'm too old but how do they know they haven't met me. Just go off a piece of paper with numbers on. If they have a Granny's race, though, I should love to have another go and seeing as I keep the cars all year round, they won't have any chance of refusing to lend me one. I lend them mine. If they won't(but I know they will)they can't keep their cars in my yard/ There. Perhaps I should put my thumb on my noose and waddle my fingers to explain what I mean by 'There'.

Everyone's stocking up on the old fashioned light bulbs according to tonights paper Ajax. The Arthur Daley in me tells me to buy a shed load and put them away for awhile. I can see them on the "Real Deal" going for fortunes in a couple of years time.

Hello willow. i have chaged my picture because the bulb failed and all I could get was one of those new fagled long life stick above the lightshade ones HA Ha.

Do you really race a stock car. fezis right the f1 has become a bit boring.

A new alternative on your highstreet soon?

The first Asco store begins trading in October in Warrington on the site of a former Woolworths.

It will have a blue fascia with white lettering and the strapline ''a real alternative'', following research which found shoppers were looking for supermarkets beyond the big four.

The store will be marketed primarily at people shopping little and often and will sell daily essentials like bread, milk and fruit and vegetables as well as a lunch time range, deli counter and butchers and open until 7pm.

Hi Willow. There was stiff opposition to the Tesco in Monton but they still got it through ay. It always seems the same with these big companies yet one neighbour objects to a home extension and planning permission can be refused. Crazy.

I didn't know Tesco were after a site near Patricroft bridge, They already have the petrol station there which has one of their shops included. Mind you there is a fair sized plot of land behind there where Rigby coach garage used to be so maybe they also own that. Tesco seem to be a bit like that Japanese/Chinese? knotweed that once it gets rooted grows at a phenomenol rate and is very difficult to stop spreading.

Hello Ajax, the voice from the dead of night says 'Hi'. We're always pleased to see a new light on here and hope you enjoy the company. You can drive like that, you know, you just haven't had the opportunity. Now me, I don't mind what I drive so long as I do but I don't speed on the highway as my car is vital to the life I like to lead(i.e.20 miles for a night out is a long way to walk). Friends? say they can't understand me keeping a car when I only do around l0,000 miles a year but have they tried walking that with a dicky ticker that the Doc had in his hand for 20minutes? . I hope I have the pleasure of tormenting you for a while like I do the others. (By the way do you look like your picture. Fez doesn't hav that spiky hair. I think it's just wishful thinking on his part. Wants to be with it when...(shall I leave that bit to yu /Fez.  By the way, I didn't get up early - I  haven't been to bed yet. Nite nite. Willow

Apparently Tesco's supermarket for Monton has been passed and as with the one near Patricroft Bridge, the prices there will be the highest they can muster. They are even dearer that the little local shops.

Yes Fez. I have to agree with you on that one. I would rather see the new supermarket in the precinct. I shall certainly not bother going to the West One. I don't go there now. Too inconvenient. I think the precinct  is a better bet and it would stand a chance of giving some more interesting shops a chance again. At the moment the shops in Eccles are pretty boring.(And the Trafford Centre is worse).

Hi Ajax. Did you watch the F1 on sunday. I used to love it but now I prefer to watch the qualifying rounds on the saturday. The races now are very often actionless and can be a bit like a procession broken by pit stops.

thank you everyone. i will change it if I find another picture. I'm watching thr f1 today wish i could drive like that.

Hi Ajax and welcome. The advice about your picture should get you there but if you do have a problem with it just let us know.

Hi Ajax. Great to see a new member. Hope you have luck with your picture. Anyway as long as you leave your messages for now that's the main thing. Fez will instruct you on how to put your picture on if you have any trouble.

Hello and welcome Ajax.

If you click on "Members" on the home page, then "Profile", then "Edit Profile" you will have the opportunity to enter an image under "Icon". The system should automatically re-size your image. Best of luck.

I agree with you Fez that a supermarket at West One would be the final nail in the coffin for Eccles precinct. Tesco seem to be able to wield a lot of power so I wouldn't rule it out. We do need another supermarket however to compete with Morrisons whose prices have increased massively in the past 6 months.

hello everybody. I am new on here. can somebody give me an answer on how to put a picture on my profile.

I think i know how to do it but does the picture have to be a special size or will it resize it?

According to the Advertiser this week the owners of the precinct in Eccles are putting in plans to build a supermarket in Eccles precinct. I don't think that they have anyone of the big 5 saying they want to move in and being a cynic I have to wonder if it is a spoiling tactic to try to prevent the Tesco on West One going ahead.

I'd much rather see a Supermarket development within the precinct than at West One as I think that would further decimate Eccles. any thoughts?

It was sad to see Muhammed Ali on tv last night but what a man he was. Here's what Paul taylor says in the MEN

"YOU get to meet some interesting people in this job. I have shaken hands with Paul McCartney (twice!), had my knee slapped by Dolly Parton, interviewed a trouserless Take That in their dressing room at the M.E.N Arena, been in the presence of the late Princess Diana and, for reasons which still baffle me, found myself harangued by the very much less regal Duchess of York. (The people of Northern Moor - patronised by Fergie in a two-part TV documentary - have my sympathies).

But on only one occasion was I actually struck dumb upon meeting a famous person. Twenty five years ago, Muhammad Ali was - even counting kings and queens, presidents and rock stars - the most famous man on the planet."

When Ali was champ everyone watched the boxing and everyone knew who the "heavyweight champion of the world" was but who is that now? I'm damned if I know.

Yes Surferboy I'm sure we knew it was a wind-up but I must confess I never knew you had such a way with words. I'd love to have heard some of your chat up lines in your younger days or do they still work today?

No it was just a wind up you silly billys!

I think it means I must have trodden on somebodys' toes Fez.

As a lifelong United supporter I have much to thank City for. Immediately after the war (until 1949) they let us play all our home games at Maine Road after Old Tafford was destroyed. When United first entered the European Cup in the1950s they let us use their ground because we didn't have floodlighting and, of course, during the last 30 odd years, they have left the way open to us to win numerous trophies by winning nothing themselves.

We have much to thank them for!!!!!!!!

In plain english does that mean OK?

Dear Editor. It would seem my attempts to bring to attention the magnificent achievements and the most exciting thing to happen in the football world for the last millenia is being ridiculed by others of your readership. Indeed you yourself leader of the H.O.S would be seemed to be attempting to put a gagging order on my proliferations of exhultations surrounding this band of superstar sportsmen reaching the pinnacle of perfection of skilled soccer performances and denying them their rightful platform of a daily spot on the front page.

If I am to be banished to the backwaters of Entertainment and Hobbies to continue the news on their splendiferous and wonderous efforts of so be it. Like Nelson Mandela I will continue my right for freedom of speech until the world changes for the better and we can all see the City way is the future and I can return to my rightful stage!

Good idea. We could have a section devoted to City but the problem would be finding another City fan for Surferboy to talk to.

Not at all Surfer that is why I thought it would be a good idea to keep it all in the one place and it's easy to see there is something in there if we get used to looking at the last 10 posts list on the home page. Also starting to use the other sections may help us avoid potentially embarrassing moments like when the cookery section was mentioned on thursday. If we don't use them it seems pretty pointless having them and once we get used to it things will be still easier to find.

I see your point Fez but at the moment City are headliners on the sports page, front page, entertainment page of every national newspaper. Do I detect a hint of jealousy.

Hi Surfer and all. Now the football season is upon us I thought we might start using the Sport section to keep up to date on the football and other sports as we all seem to be putting sport stuff all over the place here in the general discussion. It could be an interesting red+blue football season and generate a lot of posts. What do you think?

On 19th August Camp Nou hosted the Joan Gamper Trophy and Barcelona would play the newly strengthened Manchester City.

Yes and we won 1-0 in front of a near full house. Only a friendly but you wouldn't think so judging by the pace of the game and the unhappy fans of Barca at the end.

A trophy for the cabinet already! I hope Martin Petrov stays....he's far to good to sell. The Lescott saga rumbles on and now he's been dropped by Everton because of his negative attitude.

I backed Burnley at 8/1 to beat United and as a bonus 18/1 to be winning half time and full time. Thank you Fred Done ...your paying for my Hollands pies for months!!!!!

I tell you United are just history from now on. I'm watching City through the link on here (with my blue specs on!)and Petrov just give City the lead in the friendly. I will try and give more notice next time.

For the likes of Paddy Power it probably has the same effect on his finances as me losing £2 on the lottery.

I got £90 from the Bull sweep though!

Did you here Paddy Power paid out over £2 million on Tiger woods after the 3rd round thinking he could'nt get beat like Fred Done did on United once...ouch!!!

Hi Surferboy. Yes your golfer "fell at the last fence" a bit like one of the tips you gave me for the horses. But you know you've got to be in it to win it.

One winner last night again...46..47..48. I'm sure it's fixed. Luckily I had the bonus ball in the pub sweep and I'll need the cash as my golfer as gone 2 over in the PGA and all seems lost.

Hi Meldrew. Yes I do have my email filtered and it did identify this as "phishing" and sent it to my junk folder. I then have a choice of blocking that senders address or domain. The trouble is and I think this is true of all email filters is that they can make a mistake and treat something as junk when it isn't. I'd much rather have the opportunity to make that decision before anything is deleted. In fact I don't really get that much junk, some rubbish but nothing that poses a threat.

Perhaps I should use the numbers in the Email for my lottery yicket they may turn out to be lucky.

You have all the luck Fez - I hope you remember your friends when you get the "Great Britain Pounds".

Doesn't your E-mail provider let you filter spam. Since I changed my E-mail address almost 12 months ago I haven't had a single unwanted message.

WATCH THOSE EMAILS!

I recieved an email yesterday with this content.

email address as indicated was drawn
and attached with serial numbers FTS/8070337201/06 and drew the
lucky numbers 15-22-24-48-50-37(30) which subsequently won you
1,000,000.00 (One Million Great Britain Pounds) from the U.K FREE
PROMO The draws registered as Draw number one was conducted in
Brockley,London United Kingdom on the 11th August 2009.Find
below the details of the Claims Agent and contact him with the
following details for verifications.

Obviously a scam (I hope) but you can see how somebody might be drawn in and then emptied out. I was wondering if this is something doing the rounds, has anybody else had the same?

Couldn't agree more about the malingerers and swine flu Meldrew.

On a different subject I was reading a bit in my paper yesterday about official "snooping" on our phones, emails and text messages etc. Councils,police and intelligence services made more than half a million applications for permission access private email, phone and text message data and apparantly all were approved. Now I can see why there is a need in some criminal and security investigations but it would be interesting to see a breakdown of the categories where these powers were allowed. Here's part of a quote from the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman "The government forgets that Orwell's 1984 was a warning and not a blueprint"

It is not difficult to take advantage of the system when in certain areas the hotline is being staffed by 16 yearolds during their summer holidays from school.

Those who deliberately lie to take advantage of the system deserve to catch a bout of swine 'flu.

I know people myself who have taken advantage of swine flu to have some extra days off work when really they had nothing wrong with them or just a Summer cold. Andrew grimes in the MEN makes a point on this.

Let's remember victims of the real killer flu

HYPOCHONDRIACS ought to be warned that the latest statistics of swine flu are being grossly inflated by malingerers ringing up the NHS hot-line.

These brazen frauds have nothing whatever wrong with them. They just fancy a paid week or two off work, which is dead easy to get by merely reading out the ailment's symptoms from the latest shock-horror pages of the newspapers.

Swine flu is not, in any case, usually a cause for alarm. True, the suspected UK death toll now runs into three figures, but that's out of a population of over 60m. Most people who genuinely get it recover inside ten days.

The paltriness of the outbreak was put in perspective the other night by BBC4's superb drama-documentary, The Forgotten Fallen. This was about the pandemic of Spanish flu in 1918 which killed more people than the first world war.

The other point I would like to make is that if people do take time off with "pretend" swine flu they may well come unstuck with their employers if they do eventually get the real thing.

I'm only 61 Meldrew and that is probably why there is such a difference. Even at the £13 mark it's not bad, it's less than the price of a pint per session.

Good luck Fez, it is important to stick at it whilst you still have the enthusiasm. £13 for eight sessions seems abit high - they were charging £11 for an annual membership 12 months ago for the over 65s. Hope I haven't trodden on any toes there Fez. 

I've got to admit Surfer that it surprised me what I could do in the Gym during the last two rehab programmes and yet some days everything can seem a bit of a struggle. Life's odd isn't it. I'm actually going to sign up for the gym this week, 8 sessions for £13 which isn't bad. Any one want to join me?

Your so fit Fez I reckon you should ring up Fergie. Even for your age your a better bet than Michael Owen!

I was at the doctors yesterday for the reults of my annual M.O.T. My cholesterol was 3.4 the lowest it has ever been, my liver function was 90% which the nurse said is excellent for my age ,my blood pressure was 106 over something (i forget) and My weight 10st 3lb. I came away feeling good. I expect to live for a long time but I'm going to watch out for buses and crazy motorists.

Surferboy I reckon you are throwing your money away backing City to be this seasons champs. 2-3 years down the line perhaps. Couldn't you get a "handicap" bet similar to those you have done the last couple of years?

My moneys already on at 20's Fez to be Champions. You'll be lucky to find better than 10's now. I'm in front at Goodwood, you should have asked me earlier this week.

Here's a picture of Fergie at the hairdressers. I'm sure he's lost touch with reality.

Would you put money on City for the premiership next season Surfer or are you just being an enthusiastic optimist?

Talking about optimism how about giving me three dead certs,at good prices, for Goodwood!

Martin O'Neil is not prone to making bold predictions so when the manager claims Manchester City can win the Premier League title next season it qualifies as quite a statement. Sir Alex Ferguson might not be taking City seriously but O'Neill believes the spending power Mark Hughes has been granted in the transfer market will threaten their neighbour's hopes of retaining their title.

The Villa manager talked about a "reinvented" Premier League with a "genuine top five" as he reflected on the influx of A-list talent at City this summer. O'Neill even admitted "there is part of me that is excited to see how they will do" although he acknowledged that he is gripped with frustration.

Good to see that you can remain positive Surferboy - I am 71 and can't remember City being the dominant force hereabouts although they did have a good team in the fifties.

Oh by the way Fez, talking about posters....

UNITED fan Claudia Thomas named her son after her favourite player Carlos Tevez - hours before he signed for City. But she had a moment of doubt after reading about the striker's signing for City a few hours after she gave birth. She briefly reconsidered, but decided she liked the name so much that she would stick with it.

Claudia, 38, said: "Tevez is a lovely name, I decided on it ages ago. I was gutted when I saw he'd transferred to City. We're all United fans in my family, I don't know what they're going to say when they find out.

I'm sure by the time he grows up he'll be happy what is mum did and he'll be wearing a blue shirt with pride and United's dominance will be a long distant memory.

City are being a bit naughty aren't they with the poster "welcoming" Tevez to manchester. Or is it the first step in a campaign to have City recognised as the true Manchester club? Where is Old Trafford, In trafford as far as I know.

Surferboy I see that your "Catfish" come "Basa"that you told us about on here is now being sold in some chipshops as "Cobbler" but many are still selling it as cod and not telling their customers.

OK Surfer so you now have Tevez signed and sealed but Sparky going after Aberdayor (or however it's spelt) isn't that just asking for trouble?

Is Tevez dragging his feet a bit Surferboy? Or is it really, as the MEN says, that the FA is insisting that tevez's ownership and status are sorted out before they allow a move anywhere?

"Premier League officials who have introduced new rules on third party ownership have made it clear to City - and to Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian - that any club buying him must do so lock, stock and barrel. And that means untangling Tevez's controversial ownership."

The NOW today reckons he'd go to united for less than City have offerred to pay him and drop his demands for a £12 mill share of any fees, that's if United come up with an offer.

Again according to the NOW chelsea have said Terry must put in a written transfer request if he wants a move so that the fans will know whos decision it is and I suppose avoid any backlash from fans if they choose to see it as the club pushing him out.

Chelsea are are saying he's not for sale and go away but strangely Terry up to now is saying nothing. Who's to know but I doubt he will come. Chelsea have secured a bargain with young Sturridge and I'm surprised United didn't try to get him on the cheap.

As for Owen that's a joke isn't it? He'll be as useful as Fowler was for City, a complete waste of time and money even if it seems cheap now. I'm still hoping to get Eto and pray United don't suddenly go after him. Let's face it United are skint and the only future for them now is down like the arrow on the new grotesque shirts.

I needed a couple of stamps today and went in to Eccles Post office to get them from the machine just inside the door but it had gone. As there was a pretty big queue I went outside to get a book of stamps from the machine outside but that had gone as well. Doesn't the post office want to sellus stamps? Anyway I had to go in wilkies so I got a book of stamps from there. Crazy world or what?

I think you are probably right surfer, it's probably a key part of their training just like diving is at United.

You could be right about Eto'o surfer. From the MEN. UNITED and City are locked in a £20m battle to sign Barcelona ace Samuel Eto'o.

And the Catalan club have told their Cameroon star he will get to decide his destiny, if both Manchester clubs are prepared to pay the asking price

Good luck with your wimbledon bets surfer. How about a few bob on the one that makes the loudest shriek?

Meldrew I just hope any interpersonal coaching Murray gets doesn't stifle his natural talent. It often seems to happen with people in all walks of public life that when they start concentrating on image they forget what they are there for and performance suffers.

Venus was really funny on tonights Sky Sports news taking the mick out of all Russians she plays and that their names always end in ov. She reckons she should be better off being one herself and called Williamsov!

Murray must have a great chance unless he bottles it. Bit of a miserable sod though.

Yes I love my Wimbledon. It gets my deuces running and I go on line on the internet to keep abreast of the betting to see if I can take advantage of the bookies. I only set myself a modest target though as it's all a bit of a racket.

It's wimbledon starting today and I know you aren't a great follower Surfer but will anyone else be watching it and can Andy Murray possibly win the mens singles. Venus Williams back once more in the ladies, she seems to have been around for ever maybe a decent bet for what is it her sixth title?

It looks like Santa Cruz will be the first big signing for City, hope he brings a sackful of goals with him!

I see Tevez is definitely leaving United. Tevez and Crouch up front for City will definitely be a premiership winning combination.

Sparky, from the picture of you arm it looks as though that is a pretty good camera you have bought. Any chance of bringing it to the AGM?

Don't forget Eccles used to have one of the best clubs in the country, the Talk of the North. I had many great nights there.

One of the advantages of the Lyndale apparently was that they were quite flexible with their opening hours if you were known to them.

Was that the snooker hall above the old Burtons? No never.

I hope the Aldi deal as fell through. I think the Wellie could become popular again with the right approach. I went in the Lamb last week, so peaceful you could have a nap in there.

Surferboy, did you ever go up the Lyndale club in Eccles? It's been there forever or seems like it. I noticed today that it is up for sale. Can't see anyone wanting it as a going concern can you? There will soon be nothing left in Eccles.

Also heard a "rumour" today that the deal between Aldi and Holts for the Wellie has fallen through. I wonder if planning permission has been refused or is it just a rumour?

More like Fade and Vain Glory Surferboy. I did watch the race but didn't have a bet if I had it would probably have been on Age of Aquarius just because of the star sign but that was just as successful as my lottery numbers.

Good win for England, OK it was poor opposition but any win is a boost, hope they do the same on wednesday.

The sports press just can't seem to leave the Ronaldo thing alone. The Sun is again saying he will be going this summer and has a "getout" clause in the contract he signed last year that states that if an offer of 75 million is made for him they have to let him go!

Barry looks like a good buy for City.

How about a tip for the Derby tomorrow Surferboy?

Watch your speed:-

A 50mph speed limit will be imposed on the entire length of the A580 East Lancashire Road throughout Salford and Wigan next month.

The reduction from 60mph follows a number of serious collisions on the three and a half mile stretch in recent years.

Research by Salford's road casualty reduction group found that the 60mph limit was no longer appropriate as the surrounding rural area had changed from rural to suburban character.

Is this going a bit too far? I think some sections already have a lower speed limit but as a pedestrian I can see some value in this change. How about you motorists?

Do you remember Knut the cute little Polar bear who was headlines some time back and won the hearts of many? Well he's fully grown now and at the centre of a financial dispute in Germany.

Two German zoos are locked in a legal dispute over Knut, the polar bear whose dramatic first few days of life in 2006 made him famous around the world.

Neumunster Zoo, which legally owns Knut, is demanding a share of the profits he has made for Berlin Zoo, where Knut was born and remains today.

They say Berlin has offered to buy Knut from them but that the price offered is not high enough.

A court in Berlin has ordered the zoos to settle their dispute by 13.

Perhaps City could put in a bid for him, he might be a better buy than some of the ones Hughes has made so far.

Planning a holiday? Not decided where you're going? How about this:- 

Bappy Holiday: Burger 'Pilgrimage' Launched

The world's first burger pilgrimage has been announced allowing 'food tourists' to pay homage to the humble fast-food.

The itinerary takes in 16 cities in eight countries that are deemed to have played a pivotal role in the evolution of the burger.

The Burger Pilgrimage Trip, cooked up by fast-food giant Burger King will take 35 days to complete and cost a whopping £3,400.

It is aimed at the rapidly growing number of 'food tourists'.

Historically, the burger started as a meatball in classical Roman times, with more sophisticated versions developing in the Middle Ages.

Sarah Power, marketing director of Burger King in the UK and Ireland said: "Contrary to popular opinion, the burger has both an interesting and surprising history, which this new trip highlights.

"Customers can now explore all the other cities that have made the burger into the food icon that it is today."

Celia Pronto, marketing director of trip organiser STA Travel said: "It seems that our taste for foreign food and travel has really developed over the years."

I rather fancy this myself or at least I would if I could afford it but here's what the British Heart Foundation says. The spoilsports.

In response to ‘The Burger Pilgrimage Trip’ organised by STA Travel and Burger King Victoria Taylor, senior dietician at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said:

“There is nothing wrong with the occasional burger, but eating one in every city on this trip is not a great idea. The burgers alone would provide the equivalent of seven days worth of saturated fat for an average woman and nearly five days of saturated fat for the average man. Eating a diet with too much saturated fat is linked to raised blood cholesterol and too much salt is linked to raised blood pressure. Both of which are risk factors for heart disease.

“Going abroad should be an opportunity to try new foods. It will make the trip more interesting and you can also benefit from the broad range of nutrients that eating a varied and balanced diet can offer.”

Are you booking a ticket?

It's the look of the catfish (bassa) in the wild that slightly put me off Steve but it does have a nice taste. I only tried it because it was on special offer but now it's too expensive on my meagre means!

I'll await any reply from Lynsey with interest. Obviously looking after your site alone must take up a lot of time.

Surferboy, I agree Bassa is a good eating fish have you tried it steamed?

I watched Last Of The Summer Wine on sunday and it has been a while since I had seen it and was amazed to see Russ Abbot in it. I wasn't impressed by his character and never saw Clegg. Do you think it's now time to retire them all?

I also watched Inspector George Gently on BBC1 with Martin Shaw which I thoroughly enjoyed, nostalgia for police work before the rights of the criminal seemed to come before the rights of the victim?

Do you shop at Argos? Have you ever wondered what happens to all the stock that is left after they upgrade their catalogues with new ranges?

Well here is one of the answers, they have an online clearance shop on Ebay. You don't have to bid as most are at "BuyIt Now" prices. There are some impressive bargains to be had click HERE to have a look.

They also have 4 large clearance warehouses that you can visit but none are close to us. If you want to see where they are just google argos clearance outlet.

Other big chains have online outlets for old lines etc including Comet and PCworld. If you come across any others please let us know.

The Secret of getting a Drink at a crowded bar.

 Stiletto Heels! (A woman's secret weapon.) (I have used it effectively many times but I always say I am sorry, after all, I am  a lady.)

I think the computer actually helps me keep in touch with a wider range of people than I used to do before I got it. It also keeps me in touch with what is going on in the world in a more balanced way than just television or the newspapers can. Must admit I do agree about the negative influence Tv and particularly commercial TV has on our society.

The way things are going in the Eccles area, and I'm sure it must be the same in others, there soon won't be any bars to queue at.

There was a professor of sociology or something like that being interviewed on the news one day last week and he was saying that the loss of the "local" was contributing to the breakdown in the sense of community we all used to have locally. I know we are not all coronation streets with its Rovers or eastenders with the Vic but I think he does have a point. What do you think?

Tip the barstaff regularly and get to know their names then you'll always catch their eye. Better sticking to your local though as these big in town bars are very impersonal and they usually don't know how to pull a good pint.

Aternatively if you look like Brad Pitt or George Clooney or in a barman's case Angelina Jolie you'll have no trouble getting served first!

How about having to join an orderly queue at the bar to get your pint or G+T? well tht's what could happen in Oldham;-

Pubs in one town in north-west England could introduce organised queuing. It's a drastic solution to what can seem to be a mysterious art - getting served at a busy bar.

Britain may be a nation of queuers, but the thought of lining up in an orderly fashion at a bar is enough to turn many a drinker's beer flat. But that's what patrons of busy town centre pubs in Oldham may find themselves doing if plans for post office-style queues go ahead to deter trouble.

For the rest of us, getting served at a heaving bar remains a challenge born out of frustration. So what's the secret to having good bar presence?

I'd move out of Oldham

I'd certainly rather watch documentaries like Yellowstone than all those "reality" shows that are clogging our screens. Why is it called Yellowstone Park anyway. I'm sure they have probably said but I must have missed that bit.

That diamond dust was truly amazing just as you say surferboy.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1243698212/bclid1137745831/bctid16408809001

Fancy a beer testing competition.? click the link above. Then click play.

Have you ever read or seen anything onthe news and thought "I wish I'd been there" well how about this from the Evening News.

Hundreds of people queued at a cashpoint after it began dishing out extra money - and the giveaway lasted SIX hours.

It spewed out £60 every time it was asked for £30. Customers used several debit cards more than five times - and then phoned pals to tell them to join the queue for the Nationwide machine at the BP garage on Barton Road, Stretford.

Shan Cliff, 21, said: "Most people have taken out hundreds of pounds. No one's going to turn down free money. I don't know whether it will show in our accounts but it's their mistake not ours."

A Nationwide official said: "We're looking into it and we can't say yet whether the customers will have to pay the money back."

Now you hear of this happening quite often but if you'd been there would you have taken a place in the queue? I think I might have been tempted.

Have you ever got the wrong money from a cashpoint?

RADIO BLAH BLAH. MUSIC FROM SALFORD.

As part of its ongoing plan to take over the known world, salfordmusic.com now has its own radio show on Salford City Radio 94.4fm

The imaginatively titled Salford Music Hour is broadcast every Wednesday night from 9-10pm and brings you the finest musical offerings from our city.

The show is presented by housewives’ favourite Jon Coupe, and features live sessions, interviews, musical gems from the salfordmusic.com archives and songs from Salford's musical legends of all vintages.
“Basically, if a song originates from Salford; we'll play it” said Jon yesterday, "and if you miss it live we've got a Listen Again facility on the salfordmusic.com website".

If you live in the Salford area then you can tune in on 94.4fm. If you're situated a bit further afield then you can always listen on the internet through the website: http://www.salfordcityradio.org

If you want us to feature YOUR music, or have any suggestions, requests
etc then drop us a line at jon@salfordmusic.com

Have you ever had a bump in your car and not told the whole truth about what happened. How about these for "tall stories"

Pulling the wool:

That’s just what claims staff thought when Mr Carlton said he was driving home from the pub with a friend and, as they were going under the bypass a sheep landed on the bonnet of the car. “It had come from a lorry that had overturned on the by-pass and in fright it jumped over the parapet," said Mr Carlton. The car was a write-off, but Mr Carlton didn’t say what happened to the sheep.

One for sorrow:

Miss Pownall, a nurse, was on her way to work when a magpie flew in front of her carr. Remembering the saying about magpies, "one for sorrow, two for joy", she looked out for the second – and promptly ran into the car in front. She didn’t say whether she ever saw a second magpie, so perhaps there is some truth in the old adage.

How about these on general insurance

Lloyds TSB Insurance has revealed the quirkiest claims of 2008 and the call from a man who accidentally destroyed his television while refurbishing an old gun is just one of many. ( or had he just had enough of reality TV)

One unfortunate customer woke up to see a magpie fly into his room, pick up a pair of spectacles in its beak and promptly fly back out of the window.

Sparky and Meldrew, you are both right many wonderful things are happening in the world and personally I had a pretty good 2008. It's just that sometimes the good things happening around us seem to be greatly overshadowed by the bad.

May this not be the case in 2009.

Things aren't always as bad as they seem Fez - sometimes they are worse (only joking).

Recently the congestion charge vote showed the politicians that they can't rely on democracy to get their own way.

We didn't do too badly in Beijing.

The Health Service has treated you with a procedure which was extemely rare only a few years ago.

You are Silver Surfer of 2008.

Surferboy is celebrating United being the best team in the world.

Cheer up and don't worry about the things that you can't do anything about.

2008. A YEAR TO REMEMBER OR TO FORGET?

Having my first cup of tea this morning I got to thinking about 2008. I tried to think of momentuous positive things that had happened and though I think I am an optimist all that came to mind were disasters ,wars, starving Africa, seemingly escalating crime and stupidity among world political and economic leaders. The only positive that sprang to mind was the election of a first black American president and we have yet to see how that turns out.

Please tell me it really hasn't been that bad and some great and good things have happened.

My grandaughter was on the phone earlier in the week and she was telling me she had Australian Flu. She is vey athletic and physicallt fit but reckons she can't at the moment climb the stairs at home without feeling exhausteed. I thought she had probably misheard the telly saying "a strain of Flu" and thought they said Australian flu but I 've just looked it up and it does exist but as of the 29th sept hadn't reached Britain but it could be here now. Tip:- Don't have Kangaroo joint for Xmas dinner.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/3103202/Deadly-Australian-flu-may-strike-this-winter.html

You caught it off me Fez-remember? I'm still got the cough and flem and it's really hard to shake off. My mate failed to come out on Saturday because he was in bed with it. Bet he caught it off me as well the week before! STEAR CLEAR OF SURFERBOY>>SPREADER OF COUGHS AND SNEEZES AND SPREADING DISEASES!!!!

Maybe I caught the virus off my PC?