I run a SME currently employing 5 people. I would like to employ more, I've an order-book that's full for over 2 years, but we can't really expand any more as I'm running out of space in our present (rented) premises.
The actual cost of premises for us should be very cheap - we only need a concrete pad with a big steel framed shed on it. I could probably purchase agricultural land and build a suitable building for £150k, but I wouldn't have a prayer of getting suitable planning.
There has been exactly one potential site come up for sale this year*, which was maybe 25% larger than we really needed. It sold for £950k which was slightly more than I could raise. Nothing else, not even a brownfield site on which I could possibly get planning.
Over the years lot of suitable sites/buildings which used to exist have been turned into housing, because it's "brownfield" so much easier to get residential planning.
It's yet another way that the state is steadily strangling SMEs - but our moron politicians can't understand why we've no growth, even as they are the ones killing it off.
*I'm searching a fairly rural area of about 100sq miles which is the limits of how far I think I could move us before a move will cost me some of my existing staff.
Houses earn more than anything else so outside of a major city the default choice is always going to be a few houses rather than anything more industrial.
The only way to fix that is to build so many houses that your company can compete or find a suitable location and apply for permission - you may be surprised in what a farm can get away with to diversify..
Farm buildings are very much on the radar. Change of use is trivial if they are over ten years old, and under 500sqm (which I could just about live with - we are in about 300sqm now, and it's not a well laid out 300sqm either. I'd really like more like 1000sqm, but begars can't necessarily by choosers).
The problem is finding one that's the right size and particularly height (we need height because we need overhead cranes inside the building), and were the first tenant so we got to choose the part with the existing facilities in it.
The inflated prices resulting from the lack of supply is of course also pushing valuations for business rates up - which is a terrible tax for small businesses trying to grow - stretch yourself to take on premises which are a bit big intending to expand the business till it uses it all and you get clobbered for full whack business rates from the get-go, right at the moment your finances are tightest.
I had this looking for a place to use as a gym several years ago. It took quite a lot of looking to find an appropriate place.
In the end we had 1/3 of a 20k square foot medium rise warehouse (ceiling 8m to 13m bottom to top iirc) which was too low to continue being a warehouse.
It was potentially a challenge getting change of use (gyms being thought of as "town centre", which tends to consign them to low ceilings and higher rents which we did not want), but we did it with some input from a suitable consultant. The other two units in the refurbishment are now a tyre place, and a car sales place.
It's quite fun - it used to be in the textile business, and the business park is named for a garment.
Farm buildings are good if you get the timing right, because when they fall out of agricultural use they can suddenly get business rates, which incentivises the farmer to let them out pronto. Note: I may be out of date on this, if that part of the setup has changed.
Scientists have uncovered the aftermath of an "exceptionally violent" attack about 4,000 years ago in Somerset when at least 37 people appear to have been butchered and likely eaten. It is the largest case of violence between humans identified in early Bronze Age England, which had been considered a peaceful time.
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case, days before he takes temporary charge of the Church of England.
As Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell let priest David Tudor remain in post in the diocese despite knowing he had been barred by the Church from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim, a BBC investigation reveals.
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
As Israel has blown a large proportion of them up, it's fairly academic.
90-hour-a-week Wall Street bankers snorting lines of Adderall at their desks The ADHA medications can last as long as 22 hours as exhausted staff use them to stay awake while working through the night ... While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/90-hour-a-week-wall-street-bankers-snorting-adderall-desks/ (£££)
90-hour-a-week Wall Street bankers snorting lines of Adderall at their desks The ADHA medications can last as long as 22 hours as exhausted staff use them to stay awake while working through the night ... While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/90-hour-a-week-wall-street-bankers-snorting-adderall-desks/ (£££)
The misuse of Adderall for this isn't new. After all Adderall is basically speed.
Interesting interview and apparently the government have been sounding him out for advice. Rather amusingly, his core criticism is exactly what Big Dom banged on about.
Interesting interview and apparently the government have been sounding him out for advice. Rather amusingly, his core critic is exactly what Big Dom banged on about.
Interesting to see that the new government has the same problems as the old government, when it comes to actually getting stuff done past the standing bureaucracy. The $64,000 question though, is what to actually do about it!
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
As Israel has blown a large proportion of them up, it's fairly academic.
Some of it up. I really doubt it would be a 'large proportion' yet. And the tanks and APCs etc are a harder target for mass attacks.
Nice congratulatory video from the Japanese ambassador to celebrate Britain’s accession to the CPTPP.
It's a positive to see the process finally through, though I'm inclined to call it a "modest positive".
It means the UK gets a degree of influence on other agreements made with the CPTPP, or future membership applications, which may be useful ... if the Government is willing to use the lever.
I do wonder whether the Conservatives would have been better off had Fizzy Lizzy been left as Minister for Trade pursuing agreements rather than the history that actually happened.
90-hour-a-week Wall Street bankers snorting lines of Adderall at their desks The ADHA medications can last as long as 22 hours as exhausted staff use them to stay awake while working through the night ... While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/90-hour-a-week-wall-street-bankers-snorting-adderall-desks/ (£££)
ADHD drugs are very similar to cocaine.
Not clear to me why you wouldn't simply swallow an Adderall tablet though: it'll have the same effect.
"The new Syrian government has ordered Palestinian terrorist groups to shut down their offices, hand over their weapons, dismantle training camps, and leave Syria as soon as possible. The primary Palestinian group active in Syria has been the Islamic Jihad. In contrast, Hams's political bureau left Syria earlier due to its support for Islamist rebels at the start of the Syrian civil war, which sparked a rift with Assad."
...
"Despite this, Elaph reported that senior Hams official Mohammed Nasser was forced to flee Syria before Syrian rebels captured Damascus. Similarly, Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad Nakhaleh and leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—General Command (PFLP-GC) also had to leave Syria."
"Two Russian tankers sink in Black Sea spilling 4,300 tonnes of oil Ukraine accuses Moscow of recklessness amid risk of ecological damage to marine environment"
The bottom end of the shipping business is pretty horrific.
A known danger for customs inspectors is falling through rusted decks/rungs on ladders snapping. Unpaid, unqualified crews. Drugs and alcohol.
It’s no wonder that a lot of ships sink.
The top end of the shipping business is pretty horrific as well.
If I were world emperor, I would mandate that all ships have to be maintained and crewed up to minimum ITF standards.
The sad thing is, doing this would probably add only a tiny fraction of a penny onto anything you buy that has been internationally shipped.
The top end of the shipping business is LNG carriers. And they are pretty amazing things, and not horrific at all.
They are so cold, when filled with frozen methane, that they can create their own weather. I've been 30 miles from the coast of Florida, in summer, on the deck of an LNG carrier and there would be occasional weird flurries of snow.
If England finally decide to pick one of (a) a batsman or (b) and opener instead of a mate of Rob Key’s, who would it be?
The averages in the county championship were dominated by players that have already been tried and found to be lacking.
That hasn’t stopped them persisting with Crawley for 52 Tests.
I am thinking and absolutely struggling to come up with a name for opening. The only option I can think of that opens in white ball and did well in red ball (albeit not opening) is Tom Banton.
The number 3 position is also problematic. Pope is very hit and miss, Root won't bat there. Maybe Stokes?
If England finally decide to pick one of (a) a batsman or (b) and opener instead of a mate of Rob Key’s, who would it be?
The averages in the county championship were dominated by players that have already been tried and found to be lacking.
That hasn’t stopped them persisting with Crawley for 52 Tests.
I am thinking and absolutely struggling to come up with a name for opening.
The number 3 position is also problematic. Pope is very hit and miss, Root won't bat there. Maybe Stokes?
Lammonby and Bohannon could probably both do no. 3. Not sure either would be keen on opening.
Tom Haines of Sussex would be worth a look for the opener’s spot, maybe?
But one reason why England are underperforming is that the top order is carrying Crawley as a passenger, and has been for fair too long. At least trying someone else would be a positive.
Not sure that ‘tried and found wanting’is conclusive either. So was Duckett at one stage.
"Two Russian tankers sink in Black Sea spilling 4,300 tonnes of oil Ukraine accuses Moscow of recklessness amid risk of ecological damage to marine environment"
The bottom end of the shipping business is pretty horrific.
A known danger for customs inspectors is falling through rusted decks/rungs on ladders snapping. Unpaid, unqualified crews. Drugs and alcohol.
It’s no wonder that a lot of ships sink.
The top end of the shipping business is pretty horrific as well.
If I were world emperor, I would mandate that all ships have to be maintained and crewed up to minimum ITF standards.
The sad thing is, doing this would probably add only a tiny fraction of a penny onto anything you buy that has been internationally shipped.
The top end of the shipping business is LNG carriers. And they are pretty amazing things, and not horrific at all.
They are so cold, when filled with frozen methane, that they can create their own weather. I've been 30 miles from the coast of Florida, in summer, on the deck of an LNG carrier and there would be occasional weird flurries of snow.
LNG carriers are an unusual case because of the technical aspects, and a tiny proportion of 'top end' shipping.
Seriously; from oil tankers to the massive freighters; the crews are treated abysmally. And it just gets worse the further down the ranks you get, and further down in the shipping industry.
Don't defend the shipping industry; from an employee rights perspective, it is still in Victorian times. The rare polished turd does not make the entire stream of sh*t shine.
Yes, this is one topic I get genuinely angry about.
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
Do they need money or not very good tanks more at the moment?
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
Do they need money or not very good tanks more at the moment?
Ukraine needs both.
Yes, the ex-Russian tanks have proved to be not very good, at least in Russian hands (some foreign upgrades are much better). But they're still useful, which is why both sides are trying to make, and get. more.
90-hour-a-week Wall Street bankers snorting lines of Adderall at their desks The ADHA medications can last as long as 22 hours as exhausted staff use them to stay awake while working through the night ... While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/90-hour-a-week-wall-street-bankers-snorting-adderall-desks/ (£££)
ADHD drugs are very similar to cocaine.
Not clear to me why you wouldn't simply swallow an Adderall tablet though: it'll have the same effect.
Stomach ulcers?
As well as being illegal, the production process of cocaine leaves residual nitric acid in the product. It is why snorting coke destroys the septum.
90-hour-a-week Wall Street bankers snorting lines of Adderall at their desks The ADHA medications can last as long as 22 hours as exhausted staff use them to stay awake while working through the night ... While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/90-hour-a-week-wall-street-bankers-snorting-adderall-desks/ (£££)
ADHD drugs are very similar to cocaine.
Not clear to me why you wouldn't simply swallow an Adderall tablet though: it'll have the same effect.
Guesswork: faster acting so gives an initial buzz; or possibly just a face-saving machismo thing because it looks like snorting cocaine.
ETA I've got some souvenir modafinil in front of me but it never occurred to me to snort the stuff.
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
Do they need money or not very good tanks more at the moment?
Ukraine needs both.
Yes, the ex-Russian tanks have proved to be not very good, at least in Russian hands (some foreign upgrades are much better). But they're still useful, which is why both sides are trying to make, and get. more.
I was talking about Syria (“why would Syria give up the weapons?”) - they need money and don’t need tanks
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
Do they need money or not very good tanks more at the moment?
They need to deprive Russia of them. Their current meat waves are unsupported by mechanised weaponry. Just troops (North Koreans?) crossing fields, as snipers and cluster munitions render them....dead.
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
Do they need money or not very good tanks more at the moment?
They need to deprive Russia of them. Their current meat waves are unsupported by mechanised weaponry. Just troops (North Koreans?) crossing fields, as snipers and cluster munitions render them....dead.
The NorKs in Kursk appear to have no training and no equipment at all. It won’t be a surprise to see them surrender en masse if they keep getting told to walk across open fields.
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
Do they need money or not very good tanks more at the moment?
They need to deprive Russia of them. Their current meat waves are unsupported by mechanised weaponry. Just troops (North Koreans?) crossing fields, as snipers and cluster munitions render them....dead.
The NorKs in Kursk appear to have no training and no equipment at all. It won’t be a surprise to see them surrender en masse if they keep getting told to walk across open fields.
And yes, while Ukraine might not particularly need hundreds of old Soviet tanks in various states of disrepair, everyone does need to make sure they don’t end up in Russian hands.
Incidentally I note the Archbishop of York is under pressure now too (although if that standard was applied consistently a number of former Ofsted chiefs would not rest easily).
I was trying to work out what would happen in the event of a vacancy in both Canterbury and York. That’s not happened since the 1650s and never, as far as I know, while the hierarchy was functioning.
I presume either the Bishop of London - who is also under pressure - would be asked to take charge, or the Bench of Bishops would elect one of their number to carry out the functions of the office of Archbishop until an appointment is made.
If the latter, that has interesting betting implications depending on who they choose. Whoever it is might suddenly become favourite to be archbishop especially if, as seems possible, they picked Martyn Snow.
The situation in York province is complicated by the vacancies of Durham and Carlisle. I imagine Nick Baines as the longest serving Bishop would have to step up.
If this goes ahead, it would show willing on both the sides of the new Syrian regime and the west. It would be great.
But why would the Syrians give up the weapons? I mean, they're Russian, so things like the tanks are not particularly good. But also, as Assad's regime showed, not particularly useful for internal repression.
As Israel has blown a large proportion of them up, it's fairly academic.
Some of it up. I really doubt it would be a 'large proportion' yet. And the tanks and APCs etc are a harder target for mass attacks.
There have been many hundreds, possibly a thousand air strikes. And some very big explosions. I think large proportion of ammunition stocks is quite likely to have gone.
Interesting interview and apparently the government have been sounding him out for advice. Rather amusingly, his core criticism is exactly what Big Dom banged on about.
I've not watched the whole hour-long video yet but right from the start, the first thing mentioned is Britain's terrible regional inequality. The government needs to prioritise development around the country rather than bulldozing London's green belt.
S Korean conservatives appear to be in denial about what their president just did. (With the exception of a dozen of their representatives.)
https://m.koreatimes.co.kr/pages/article.asp?newsIdx=388558 Han Dong-hoon, once a promising figure in the conservative bloc, is now losing his influence in politics after resigning from his position as head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) following the National Assembly's successful vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law earlier this month.
His critics blame him for failing to protect the party and the president by flip-flopping his stance and eventually supporting the opposition-led impeachment motion against Yoon...
I've stayed at the Sacaren's Head in Amersham a few times. The landlord is being sued by a convicted terrorist because he's offended by the name of the pub which has had the name for centuries.
"He also claims it is racist and is wants £1,850 from the landlord of the historic inn at Amersham, Bucks — and plans to take on 30 more with the same name if successful. But publican Robbie Hayes, 52, fumed: “It’s a complete joke. This pub has been called The Saracen’s Head for 500 years."
"It's been called this for 500 years" isn't of itself a clinching argument. There are easily identifiable words and phrases which were in common usage only decades ago, never mind centuries, which would very much be unacceptable now. Sensibilities change and historic provenance isn't a shield against that.
Although this case is pushing it.
I think the key here is you would be hard pressed to find someone today who legitimately would refer to themselves as a saracen in order to get offended by it. Yes it will probably have effectively meant muslim, but since the term now seems effectively extinct outside of a historical context it's not like someone is sincerely going to injured by the sign.
There was (and may still be) a Saracen's Head in Bath, presumably one of the 30, though I recall being told that one was not even very old.
I would think many will just change their names in time however.
Yes the one in Bath is near Waitrose. I think there are also pubs called the Turk’s Head in places too.
Interesting interview and apparently the government have been sounding him out for advice. Rather amusingly, his core criticism is exactly what Big Dom banged on about.
I've not watched the whole hour-long video yet but right from the start, the first thing mentioned is Britain's terrible regional inequality. The government needs to prioritise development around the country rather than bulldozing London's green belt.
Yes, I think a demand-driven housebuilding programme will further entrench those inequalities as they have in Scotland.
The west-east shift, with areas around Glasgow depopulating and massive growth around Edinburgh, is demand driven. That demand exists because there is a critical mass of businesses and young people, and a thriving economy. It starts to snowball, so we now have even high house prices here than we did before.
England desperately needs 1) a plan for towns and 2) a plan for the NE to stop London soaking up all the growth.
I've stayed at the Sacaren's Head in Amersham a few times. The landlord is being sued by a convicted terrorist because he's offended by the name of the pub which has had the name for centuries.
"He also claims it is racist and is wants £1,850 from the landlord of the historic inn at Amersham, Bucks — and plans to take on 30 more with the same name if successful. But publican Robbie Hayes, 52, fumed: “It’s a complete joke. This pub has been called The Saracen’s Head for 500 years."
"It's been called this for 500 years" isn't of itself a clinching argument. There are easily identifiable words and phrases which were in common usage only decades ago, never mind centuries, which would very much be unacceptable now. Sensibilities change and historic provenance isn't a shield against that.
Although this case is pushing it.
I think the key here is you would be hard pressed to find someone today who legitimately would refer to themselves as a saracen in order to get offended by it. Yes it will probably have effectively meant muslim, but since the term now seems effectively extinct outside of a historical context it's not like someone is sincerely going to injured by the sign.
There was (and may still be) a Saracen's Head in Bath, presumably one of the 30, though I recall being told that one was not even very old.
I would think many will just change their names in time however.
Yes the one in Bath is near Waitrose. I think there are also pubs called the Turk’s Head in places too.
The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing calls to resign over his handling of a sexual abuse case, days before he takes temporary charge of the Church of England.
As Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell let priest David Tudor remain in post in the diocese despite knowing he had been barred by the Church from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim, a BBC investigation reveals.
Got to say that it's a good job Helen-Ann Hartley arrived in Newcastle in 2023 because there are things from the joint diocese education department in 2014-5 that would result in her having to resign had she been around at the time given her moral expectations..
Incidentally I note the Archbishop of York is under pressure now too (although if that standard was applied consistently a number of former Ofsted chiefs would not rest easily).
I was trying to work out what would happen in the event of a vacancy in both Canterbury and York. That’s not happened since the 1650s and never, as far as I know, while the hierarchy was functioning.
I presume either the Bishop of London - who is also under pressure - would be asked to take charge, or the Bench of Bishops would elect one of their number to carry out the functions of the office of Archbishop until an appointment is made.
If the latter, that has interesting betting implications depending on who they choose. Whoever it is might suddenly become favourite to be archbishop especially if, as seems possible, they picked Martyn Snow.
The situation in York province is complicated by the vacancies of Durham and Carlisle. I imagine Nick Baines as the longest serving Bishop would have to step up.
If it were the case that he did everything he could for reasons of law, and had done everything he could to keep the offender from anything that looked like preferment, then I would reluctantly support him remaining in post.
But I don't believe - listening to the programme - that that is the case. He had the moral authority and responsibility to intervene, for example by withdrawing the offender's permission to officiate (PTO) in his Diocese. He did not take action.
Comments
In the end we had 1/3 of a 20k square foot medium rise warehouse (ceiling 8m to 13m bottom to top iirc) which was too low to continue being a warehouse.
It was potentially a challenge getting change of use (gyms being thought of as "town centre", which tends to consign them to low ceilings and higher rents which we did not want), but we did it with some input from a suitable consultant. The other two units in the refurbishment are now a tyre place, and a car sales place.
It's quite fun - it used to be in the textile business, and the business park is named for a garment.
Farm buildings are good if you get the timing right, because when they fall out of agricultural use they can suddenly get business rates, which incentivises the farmer to let them out pronto. Note: I may be out of date on this, if that part of the setup has changed.
Easy....easy....easy....should get that knocked off in 60 overs.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl3jn3elz3o
Not much has changed round those parts.
As Bishop of Chelmsford, Mr Cottrell let priest David Tudor remain in post in the diocese despite knowing he had been barred by the Church from being alone with children and had paid compensation to a sexual abuse victim, a BBC investigation reveals.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwydgjevx70o
The ADHA medications can last as long as 22 hours as exhausted staff use them to stay awake while working through the night
...
While cocaine was once the drug of choice, bankers are now reportedly turning to the ADHD medication for work days that can last as long as 22 hours, along with nicotine patches and energy drinks.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/90-hour-a-week-wall-street-bankers-snorting-adderall-desks/ (£££)
Economist breaks down how the Treasury rules the UK | Paul Collier interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f51urcvWmsM&
It means the UK gets a degree of influence on other agreements made with the CPTPP, or future membership applications, which may be useful ... if the Government is willing to use the lever.
I do wonder whether the Conservatives would have been better off had Fizzy Lizzy been left as Minister for Trade pursuing agreements rather than the history that actually happened.
If England finally decide to pick one of (a) a batsman or (b) and opener instead of a mate of Rob Key’s, who would it be?
Not clear to me why you wouldn't simply swallow an Adderall tablet though: it'll have the same effect.
...
"Despite this, Elaph reported that senior Hams official Mohammed Nasser was forced to flee Syria before Syrian rebels captured Damascus. Similarly, Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad Nakhaleh and leaders of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—General Command (PFLP-GC) also had to leave Syria."
https://x.com/JewishWarrior13/status/1868333008115142741
They are so cold, when filled with frozen methane, that they can create their own weather. I've been 30 miles from the coast of Florida, in summer, on the deck of an LNG carrier and there would be occasional weird flurries of snow.
The number 3 position is also problematic. Pope is very hit and miss, Root won't bat there. Maybe Stokes?
Tom Haines of Sussex would be worth a look for the opener’s spot, maybe?
But one reason why England are underperforming is that the top order is carrying Crawley as a passenger, and has been for fair too long. At least trying someone else would be a positive.
Not sure that ‘tried and found wanting’is conclusive either. So was Duckett at one stage.
Seriously; from oil tankers to the massive freighters; the crews are treated abysmally. And it just gets worse the further down the ranks you get, and further down in the shipping industry.
Don't defend the shipping industry; from an employee rights perspective, it is still in Victorian times. The rare polished turd does not make the entire stream of sh*t shine.
Yes, this is one topic I get genuinely angry about.
Yes, the ex-Russian tanks have proved to be not very good, at least in Russian hands (some foreign upgrades are much better). But they're still useful, which is why both sides are trying to make, and get. more.
As well as being illegal, the production process of cocaine leaves residual nitric acid in the product. It is why snorting coke destroys the septum.
ETA I've got some souvenir modafinil in front of me but it never occurred to me to snort the stuff.
I was trying to work out what would happen in the event of a vacancy in both Canterbury and York. That’s not happened since the 1650s and never, as far as I know, while the hierarchy was functioning.
I presume either the Bishop of London - who is also under pressure - would be asked to take charge, or the Bench of Bishops would elect one of their number to carry out the functions of the office of Archbishop until an appointment is made.
If the latter, that has interesting betting implications depending on who they choose. Whoever it is might suddenly become favourite to be archbishop especially if, as seems possible, they picked Martyn Snow.
The situation in York province is complicated by the vacancies of Durham and Carlisle. I imagine Nick Baines as the longest serving Bishop would have to step up.
I think large proportion of ammunition stocks is quite likely to have gone.
(With the exception of a dozen of their representatives.)
https://m.koreatimes.co.kr/pages/article.asp?newsIdx=388558
Han Dong-hoon, once a promising figure in the conservative bloc, is now losing his influence in politics after resigning from his position as head of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) following the National Assembly's successful vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law earlier this month.
His critics blame him for failing to protect the party and the president by flip-flopping his stance and eventually supporting the opposition-led impeachment motion against Yoon...
NEW THREaD
The west-east shift, with areas around Glasgow depopulating and massive growth around Edinburgh, is demand driven. That demand exists because there is a critical mass of businesses and young people, and a thriving economy. It starts to snowball, so we now have even high house prices here than we did before.
England desperately needs 1) a plan for towns and 2) a plan for the NE to stop London soaking up all the growth.
Not far from Baltimore, a fishing village from which Barbary slave traders took at least a hundred residents to sell as slaves in 1631. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_of_Baltimore
There is a copy of File on Four on the Archbishop of York, here. I recommend listening.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00260xs
If it were the case that he did everything he could for reasons of law, and had done everything he could to keep the offender from anything that looked like preferment, then I would reluctantly support him remaining in post.
But I don't believe - listening to the programme - that that is the case. He had the moral authority and responsibility to intervene, for example by withdrawing the offender's permission to officiate (PTO) in his Diocese. He did not take action.
Therefore imo ++York needs to stand down.