Just firing up the super computer for the Ominium Points race....
Thanks to the explanations from PBers last night, and my Allah given abundance of intellectual self confidence (coupled with my brilliant intelligence) I finally understand how the points system works now.
The French have been whining for about 8 years now, accusing us of having motors and other dumb shit.
It's way more simple than that.
As was described in that article quoted earlier about the ladies and their saddle sores, British cycling is a seriously professional outlet with numerous coaches, sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, physiologists, use of a world class velodrome, F1 wind tunnels etc etc - all backed by a multi million pound budget focussed purely on Olympic successes.
Our track and road bikes also come in way under the minimum weight, so we can alter the weight distribution on the bike to benefit the rider's preference and the event. It's attention to detail like that that wins the gold medals, no motors required!
If Paris gets the 2024 Games the French team should do the same if they want to take the fight to the British. I'm sure we will welcome the competition with open arms!!
The French have been whining for about 8 years now, accusing us of having motors and other dumb shit.
They complain we only do well at the Olympics but...
At the world championships in London in March, when British Cycling also succeeded in topping the medals table, they were riding the bikes used in 2012.
This the bit that I don't understand, cannot understand. Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want. The five giants that Attlee was elected to slay in 1945. Seventy years later the people are still electing the same party who have so consistently failed. Why?
The only answer that I can up with os that the residents are terminally thick and should never have a vote.
You would assume wrong. Those people don't usually vote. But Labour has a big client state among the public sector employees who keep voting them back in in exchange for jobs, favours, housing etc.
That was why my family ultimately left the Valleys and moved to Gloucestershire.
So the people in the valleys are too stupid to even vote and those that do have some oomphf have already left. I am not sure that is a helpful message, Doc.
Coal-mining creates socialism. It takes 30-50 years from the end of coal-mining before socialism fades.
This the bit that I don't understand, cannot understand. Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want. The five giants that Attlee was elected to slay in 1945. Seventy years later the people are still electing the same party who have so consistently failed. Why?
The only answer that I can up with os that the residents are terminally thick and should never have a vote.
You would assume wrong. Those people don't usually vote. But Labour has a big client state among the public sector employees who keep voting them back in in exchange for jobs, favours, housing etc.
That was why my family ultimately left the Valleys and moved to Gloucestershire.
So the people in the valleys are too stupid to even vote and those that do have some oomphf have already left. I am not sure that is a helpful message, Doc.
Though ironically most people in the Welsh Valleys are descendents of people who migrated in search of work:
"Between 1851 and 1911, it is estimated that some 366,000 people moved into the South Wales Coalfield. The peak of this migration occurred between 1901 and 1911 when 129,000 people moved into the area. Such was the rate of growth at this time that South Wales absorbed immigrants at a faster rate than any where in the world except the United States of America.
Up until the 1890s, many of the people who moved into the Coalfield were from other counties in Wales, such as Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire and Merioneth. After the 1890s, many more immigrants came from England, particularly from Somerset, Gloucestershire and Cornwall. People also came from further afield, such as Ireland, Scotland and even Australia.
In Dowlais and Abercrave, there were communities of Spaniards. In Merthyr, there were small communities of Russians, Poles and French and in many of the Valley towns, Italians opened cafes.
Two statistics tell the story: in 1801 the population of Glamorgan was 70,879 – in 1901 it was 1,130,668. In 1851, the population of the Rhondda was 1,998 – in 1911 it was 152,781."
This the bit that I don't understand, cannot understand. Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want. The five giants that Attlee was elected to slay in 1945. Seventy years later the people are still electing the same party who have so consistently failed. Why?
The only answer that I can up with os that the residents are terminally thick and should never have a vote.
You would assume wrong. Those people don't usually vote. But Labour has a big client state among the public sector employees who keep voting them back in in exchange for jobs, favours, housing etc.
That was why my family ultimately left the Valleys and moved to Gloucestershire.
So the people in the valleys are too stupid to even vote and those that do have some oomphf have already left. I am not sure that is a helpful message, Doc.
Though ironically most people in the Welsh Valleys are descendents of people who migrated in search of work:
"Between 1851 and 1911, it is estimated that some 366,000 people moved into the South Wales Coalfield. The peak of this migration occurred between 1901 and 1911 when 129,000 people moved into the area. Such was the rate of growth at this time that South Wales absorbed immigrants at a faster rate than any where in the world except the United States of America.
Up until the 1890s, many of the people who moved into the Coalfield were from other counties in Wales, such as Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire and Merioneth. After the 1890s, many more immigrants came from England, particularly from Somerset, Gloucestershire and Cornwall. People also came from further afield, such as Ireland, Scotland and even Australia.
In Dowlais and Abercrave, there were communities of Spaniards. In Merthyr, there were small communities of Russians, Poles and French and in many of the Valley towns, Italians opened cafes.
Two statistics tell the story: in 1801 the population of Glamorgan was 70,879 – in 1901 it was 1,130,668. In 1851, the population of the Rhondda was 1,998 – in 1911 it was 152,781."
I'm not at all sure about the economics of Hinckley Point, but five years to solve the problem of storage seems absurdly optimistic to me.
In a UK winter, for example, we can expect periods of cold, high-pressure weather with little wind of 4 days or more. If we assume an average winter uk electricity consumption of, say, 40 GW during such a period, this would give a required storage capacity of about 4000 GWh. That's an awful lot of battery!
DYOR, Mr. Enjinyeea, from what I read five maybe ten years will see the job essentially done. of course when Hinkley Point will come on line, assuming HMG signs off on the project God only knows. EDF have yet to get a power station of this design working anywhere.
Now, will the world-wide project to crack efficient and large scale electrical storage happen before EDF manage to get its reactor design to work? Well place your bet.
One other thing EDF is currently saying that Hinkley Point will not be operational before 2025 and its electricity will be be at least twice the cost of other sources for 35 years. Oh, and who is going to pay for the waste storage and decommissioning costs?
I'm not at all sure about the economics of Hinckley Point, but five years to solve the problem of storage seems absurdly optimistic to me.
In a UK winter, for example, we can expect periods of cold, high-pressure weather with little wind of 4 days or more. If we assume an average winter uk electricity consumption of, say, 40 GW during such a period, this would give a required storage capacity of about 4000 GWh. That's an awful lot of battery!
DYOR, Mr. Enjinyeea, from what I read five maybe ten years will see the job essentially done. of course when Hinkley Point will come on line, assuming HMG signs off on the project God only knows. EDF have yet to get a power station of this design working anywhere.
Now, will the world-wide project to crack efficient and large scale electrical storage happen before EDF manage to get its reactor design to work? Well place your bet.
One other thing EDF is currently saying that Hinkley Point will not be operational before 2025 and its electricity will be be at least twice the cost of other sources for 35 years. Oh, and who is going to pay for the waste storage and decommissioning costs?
Fecking. insanity if you ask me.
Does your research consist of anything more than skim-reading rehashed press releases masquerading as articles in the Telegraph? What is the basis for your claim of first 5, then 5 to 10 years to solve the storage problem? What is your definition of "solve" in this context?
I'm not at all sure about the economics of Hinckley Point, but five years to solve the problem of storage seems absurdly optimistic to me.
In a UK winter, for example, we can expect periods of cold, high-pressure weather with little wind of 4 days or more. If we assume an average winter uk electricity consumption of, say, 40 GW during such a period, this would give a required storage capacity of about 4000 GWh. That's an awful lot of battery!
DYOR, Mr. Enjinyeea, from what I read five maybe ten years will see the job essentially done. of course when Hinkley Point will come on line, assuming HMG signs off on the project God only knows. EDF have yet to get a power station of this design working anywhere.
Now, will the world-wide project to crack efficient and large scale electrical storage happen before EDF manage to get its reactor design to work? Well place your bet.
One other thing EDF is currently saying that Hinkley Point will not be operational before 2025 and its electricity will be be at least twice the cost of other sources for 35 years. Oh, and who is going to pay for the waste storage and decommissioning costs?
Fecking. insanity if you ask me.
George Osborne's attempt at being a big international mover and shaker.
But, the vast majority of UKIP voters would back the Conservatives over Corbyn-led Labour. That matters in marginal seats. If we had the Australian voting system, the Conservatives would probably be ahead 60/40 on TPP.
Indeed, many Tories must now regret opposing AV in 2011, as they would now be its biggest beneficiaries
Shush, don't let TSE hear you!!
Not meant to be a prompt for a new thread I assure you
This the bit that I don't understand, cannot understand. Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want. The five giants that Attlee was elected to slay in 1945. Seventy years later the people are still electing the same party who have so consistently failed. Why?
The only answer that I can up with os that the residents are terminally thick and should never have a vote.
You would assume wrong. Those people don't usually vote. But Labour has a big client state among the public sector employees who keep voting them back in in exchange for jobs, favours, housing etc.
That was why my family ultimately left the Valleys and moved to Gloucestershire.
So the people in the valleys are too stupid to even vote and those that do have some oomphf have already left. I am not sure that is a helpful message, Doc.
Though ironically most people in the Welsh Valleys are descendents of people who migrated in search of work:
"Between 1851 and 1911, it is estimated that some 366,000 people moved into the South Wales Coalfield. The peak of this migration occurred between 1901 and 1911 when 129,000 people moved into the area. Such was the rate of growth at this time that South Wales absorbed immigrants at a faster rate than any where in the world except the United States of America.
Up until the 1890s, many of the people who moved into the Coalfield were from other counties in Wales, such as Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire and Merioneth. After the 1890s, many more immigrants came from England, particularly from Somerset, Gloucestershire and Cornwall. People also came from further afield, such as Ireland, Scotland and even Australia.
In Dowlais and Abercrave, there were communities of Spaniards. In Merthyr, there were small communities of Russians, Poles and French and in many of the Valley towns, Italians opened cafes.
Two statistics tell the story: in 1801 the population of Glamorgan was 70,879 – in 1901 it was 1,130,668. In 1851, the population of the Rhondda was 1,998 – in 1911 it was 152,781."
Several Fears moved from Somerset to Glamorgan for that reason.
Are they still there ?
This highlights the problem with the South Wales valleys (and likewise with some other former mining areas in Scotland and North-East England).
Namely that when the mines shut there was no purpose to the communities.
On the other hand mining areas in Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands could be regenerated because of their central location and good communications.
But, the vast majority of UKIP voters would back the Conservatives over Corbyn-led Labour. That matters in marginal seats. If we had the Australian voting system, the Conservatives would probably be ahead 60/40 on TPP.
Indeed, many Tories must now regret opposing AV in 2011, as they would now be its biggest beneficiaries
Shush, don't let TSE hear you!!
I've written a thread on AV/electoral reform, to be deployed during my next stint as Guest Editor, which starts in 8 days time
The Tories narrowly beat Labour in the 2009 Euro elections in Wales
On a PR basis it's easier. I think we all know they won't win seats in the Valleys except under unusual circumstances of a four-way split, but I could see them picking up a lot of seats outside if the Labour vote continues to dwindle.
Edit - mind you, we all knew that the SNP wouldn't win 50 seats in Scotland, Jeremy Corbyn couldn't become Labour leader, and that Remain would win the referendum.
We also all knew Donald Trump was a loose cannon, but that's turned out to be correct.
Certainly in North Wales, Mid Wales and Pembrokeshire the Tories already have a number of seats and could expand them further, their prospects in Wales are certainly better than in inner London. The Valleys will almost certainly never vote Tory but they might vote UKIP, remember even Merthyr Tydfil voted Leave
Yet actually there are seats to watch are in and around Cardiff - Bridgend and Cardiff West are both gentrifying rapidly.
I find it hard to believe the Valleys will vote in large numbers for a UKIP led by Neil Hamilton, but they might siphon enough votes away from Labour to let Plaid in.
Cardiff is the capital city s
It was in west and North Wales. Do not underestimate the potential of Leanne Wood as an unabashed Welsh Valleys socialist to change that.
No evidence of that so far, the Valleys seem more concerned with controlling immigration than getting unabashed socialism, especially as they now get that from Labour anyway
She won the Rhondda. If you had told me that a year ago, even after 1999, I would have laughed at you. And it is the Valleys she wants to focus on.
Is it also worth pointing out she doesn't actually speak Welsh?
Plaid won 1 constituency seat in the Valleys and it went to their leader, Labour held all the rest. 5/6 of Plaids constituency seats came from West and North Wales. On the list in South Wales UKIP won 4 AMs, Plaid 4 AMs.
Wales has been trending Conservative since 1970 (bar the 1987 and 1992 elections). Six Welsh Labour seats have majorities of 3,500 or less over the Tories. If they fall, the Conservatives will be on 17 seats.
Indeed and what made 1987 and 1992 unique? A Welsh Labour leader. So Welsh Labour supporters better support Smith then
I'm not at all sure about the economics of Hinckley Point, but five years to solve the problem of storage seems absurdly optimistic to me.
In a UK winter, for example, we can expect periods of cold, high-pressure weather with little wind of 4 days or more. If we assume an average winter uk electricity consumption of, say, 40 GW during such a period, this would give a required storage capacity of about 4000 GWh. That's an awful lot of battery!
DYOR, Mr. Enjinyeea, from what I read five maybe ten years will see the job essentially done. of course when Hinkley Point will come on line, assuming HMG signs off on the project God only knows. EDF have yet to get a power station of this design working anywhere. (Snip)
I am slightly bemused by the fact you routinely slag off the Economist, yet trust the Telegraph to understand, yet alone report, science correctly.
The science reporting on the Economist is excellent, and perhaps the best of any non-science general periodical.
The only answer that I can up with os that the residents are terminally thick and should never have a vote.
You would assume wrong. Those people don't usually vote. But Labour has a big client state among the public sector employees who keep voting them back in in exchange for jobs, favours, housing etc.
That was why my family ultimately left the Valleys and moved to Gloucestershire.
So the people in the valleys are too stupid to even vote and those that do have some oomphf have already left. I am not sure that is a helpful message, Doc.
Though ironically most people in the Welsh Valleys are descendents of people who migrated in search of work:
Up until the 1890s, many of the people who moved into the Coalfield were from other counties in Wales, such as Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire and Merioneth. After the 1890s, many more immigrants came from England, particularly from Somerset, Gloucestershire and Cornwall. People also came from further afield, such as Ireland, Scotland and even Australia.
In Dowlais and Abercrave, there were communities of Spaniards. In Merthyr, there were small communities of Russians, Poles and French and in many of the Valley towns, Italians opened cafes.
Two statistics tell the story: in 1801 the population of Glamorgan was 70,879 – in 1901 it was 1,130,668. In 1851, the population of the Rhondda was 1,998 – in 1911 it was 152,781."
Several Fears moved from Somerset to Glamorgan for that reason.
Are they still there ?
This highlights the problem with the South Wales valleys (and likewise with some other former mining areas in Scotland and North-East England).
Namely that when the mines shut there was no purpose to the communities.
On the other hand mining areas in Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands could be regenerated because of their central location and good communications.
This was my point when people were pointing at the levels of EU funding and wondering why the Welsh were biting the hand that fed them. You can dual roads and build car parks in Merthyr, but it doesn't change physical geography or the skills base of the workforce.
Post referendum, the Assembly published the figured on jobs created via EU schemes 2007-2016. Just under 37k or roughly 4k p.a. against ~£2b in funding.
How can BBC commentators fail to explain the rules over a 100 lap contest?
I've little idea and paid attention
It's a sprint every 10 laps. Five points for first, three for second, two for third and one for fourth. In the Omnium you get 20 points for gaining a lap. In a points race or in the Maddison, a lap trumps all points. The tricky bit is knowing when the gap has been bridged. There was one sprint where the break away finished the sprint lap just as they bridged the gap, but they won the points.
How can BBC commentators fail to explain the rules over a 100 lap contest?
I've little idea and paid attention
It's a sprint every 10 laps. Five points for first, three for second, two for third and one for fourth. In the Omnium you get 20 points for gaining a lap. In a points race or in the Maddison, a lap trumps all points. The tricky bit is knowing when the gap has been bridged. There was one sprint where the break away finished the sprint lap just as they bridged the gap, but they won the points.
But, the vast majority of UKIP voters would back the Conservatives over Corbyn-led Labour. That matters in marginal seats. If we had the Australian voting system, the Conservatives would probably be ahead 60/40 on TPP.
Indeed, many Tories must now regret opposing AV in 2011, as they would now be its biggest beneficiaries
Shush, don't let TSE hear you!!
I've written a thread on AV/electoral reform, to be deployed during my next stint as Guest Editor, which starts in 8 days time
The Maine AVRef is looming, we certainly need a thread on that.
But, the vast majority of UKIP voters would back the Conservatives over Corbyn-led Labour. That matters in marginal seats. If we had the Australian voting system, the Conservatives would probably be ahead 60/40 on TPP.
Indeed, many Tories must now regret opposing AV in 2011, as they would now be its biggest beneficiaries
Shush, don't let TSE hear you!!
I've written a thread on AV/electoral reform, to be deployed during my next stint as Guest Editor, which starts in 8 days time
The Maine AVRef is looming, we certainly need a thread on that.
I've written two threads which are pure clickbait brilliant and insightful analysis.
Kind of sweet that even while crying and gasping with excitement during an interview, she still referred to Sir Chris Hoy. Winning a gold no reason to drop the formalities I guess.
Kind of sweet that even while crying and gasping with excitement during an interview, she still referred to Sir Chris Hoy. Winning a gold no reason to drop the formalities I guess.
Kind of sweet that even while crying and gasping with excitement during an interview, she still referred to Sir Chris Hoy. Winning a gold no reason to drop the formalities I guess.
Kind of sweet that even while crying and gasping with excitement during an interview, she still referred to Sir Chris Hoy. Winning a gold no reason to drop the formalities I guess.
Have you seen the Samsung advert?
I'm boycotting Samsung forever (I'm an apple whore anyway)
What bell end thought it was a good idea for Jack Whitehall to take the piss out of our Olympic stars and legends?
Kind of sweet that even while crying and gasping with excitement during an interview, she still referred to Sir Chris Hoy. Winning a gold no reason to drop the formalities I guess.
Have you seen the Samsung advert?
I'm boycotting Samsung forever (I'm an apple whore anyway)
What bell end thought it was a good idea for Jack Whitehall to take the piss out of our Olympic stars and legends?
LOL. Given Sir Grumpy Bum behaviour, the rowing one is closer to reality than a spoof.
Kind of sweet that even while crying and gasping with excitement during an interview, she still referred to Sir Chris Hoy. Winning a gold no reason to drop the formalities I guess.
Have you seen the Samsung advert?
No. What is it?
Jack Whitehall spoof of going training with the cyclists, that ends with "Wiggy smalls in my slipstream"...with off camera..."thats Sir Wiggy Smalls".
I'm not at all sure about the economics of Hinckley Point, but five years to solve the problem of storage seems absurdly optimistic to me.
In a UK winter, for example, we can expect periods of cold, high-pressure weather with little wind of 4 days or more. If we assume an average winter uk electricity consumption of, say, 40 GW during such a period, this would give a required storage capacity of about 4000 GWh. That's an awful lot of battery!
DYOR, Mr. Enjinyeea, from what I read five maybe ten years will see the job essentially done. of course when Hinkley Point will come on line, assuming HMG signs off on the project God only knows. EDF have yet to get a power station of this design working anywhere. Now, will the world-wide project to crack efficient and large scale electrical storage happen before EDF manage to get its reactor design to work? Well place your bet. ...
The drive to improve battery storage is built on a massive growing market with billions spent on them. A game changing leap forward in 10 years is a reasonable bet, within 20 years seems almost certain which takes us to 2036, just when Hinkley Point C will be 10 or so years into a 60 year lifetime....
The Tories narrowly beat Labour in the 2009 Euro elections in Wales
On a PR basis it's easier. I think we all know they won't win seats in the Valleys except under unusual circumstances of a four-way split, but I could see them picking up a lot of seats outside if the Labour vote continues to dwindle.
Edit - mind you, we all knew that the SNP wouldn't win 50 seats in Scotland, Jeremy Corbyn couldn't become Labour leader, and that Remain would win the referendum.
We also all knew Donald Trump was a loose cannon, but that's turned out to be correct.
Certainly in North Wales, Mid Wales and Pembrokeshire the Tories already have a number of seats and could expand them further, their prospects in Wales are certainly better than in inner London. The Valleys will almost certainly never vote Tory but they might vote UKIP, remember even Merthyr Tydfil voted Leave
Yet actually there are seats to watch are in and around Cardiff - Bridgend and Cardiff West are both gentrifying rapidly.
I find it hard to believe the Valleys will vote in large numbers for a UKIP led by Neil Hamilton, but they might siphon enough votes away from Labour to let Plaid in.
Cardiff is the capital city s
It was in west and North Wales. Do not underestimate the potential of Leanne Wood as an unabashed Welsh Valleys socialist to change that.
No evidence of that so far, the Valleys seem more concerned with controlling immigration than getting unabashed socialism, especially as they now get that from Labour anyway
She won the Rhondda. If you had told me that a year ago, even after 1999, I would have laughed at you. And it is the Valleys she wants to focus on.
Is it also worth pointing out she doesn't actually speak Welsh?
Plaid won 1 constituency seat in the Valleys and it went to their leader, Labour held all the rest. 5/6 of Plaids constituency seats came from West and North Wales. On the list in South Wales UKIP won 4 AMs, Plaid 4 AMs.
Wales has been trending Conservative since 1970 (bar the 1987 and 1992 elections). Six Welsh Labour seats have majorities of 3,500 or less over the Tories. If they fall, the Conservatives will be on 17 seats.
Indeed and what made 1987 and 1992 unique? A Welsh Labour leader. So Welsh Labour supporters better support Smith then
Looking at the numbers, Labour's lead over the Tories in Wales in 2015, 9%, is the lowest since 1918, bar 1983.
Almost be a disappointment if we only get silver in this final - so used to Gold from our cyclists, they spoil us.
They were showing the high jump qualifiers the other day, and went Team GB Robert Grabarz, who won a bronze at 2012...and I was like who, was he...When so many are winning golds those people get lost.
Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want.
Dafuq, seriously?
I too have rellies there and you seem to be confusing it with Beirut. The Valleys have low-cost housing of good construction, adequate schooling, a functioning economy, phenomenally easy commutes, little crime, some very nice scenery, and a standard of life that meets/exceeds much of the South-East of England.
There are some things that it doesn't have. It doesn't have the large pool of competent workmen that South East of England has (try getting a kitchen conversion done there: you'll have to check the plumbing yourself), the houses have perennial problems with damp, the building materials are excellent (stone walls! slate roofs!) but the build quality of the older houses is suspect/rubbish, you'll be able to earn a living there but never get rich, the post-industrial economy is office jobs or light engineering...but nothing big or interesting.
It's getting by, but not thrusting nor battling. But in terms of social cohesion it's pretty tight, and - as one of my relatives said - it is still a place where you can leave your young child to play on the swings while you do the shopping. Nobody in the South East of England does that.
Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want.
Dafuq, seriously?
I too have rellies there and you seem to be confusing it with Beirut. The Valleys have low-cost housing of good construction, adequate schooling, a functioning economy, phenomenally easy commutes, little crime, some very nice scenery, and a standard of life that meets/exceeds much of the South-East of England.
There are some things that it doesn't have. It doesn't have the large pool of competent workmen that South East of England has (try getting a kitchen conversion done there: you'll have to check the plumbing yourself), the houses have perennial problems with damp, the building materials are excellent (stone walls! slate roofs!) but the build quality of the older houses is suspect/rubbish, you'll be able to earn a living there but never get rich, the post-industrial economy is office jobs or light engineering...but nothing big or interesting.
It's getting by, but not thrusting nor battling. But in terms of social cohesion it's pretty tight, and - as one of my relatives said - it is still a place where you can leave your young child to play on the swings while you do the shopping. Nobody in the South East of England does that.
Don;t forget the jobs in the woundcare industry. A real specialism, although a little further south (clustered around Pontyclun)
I'm not at all sure about the economics of Hinckley Point, but five years to solve the problem of storage seems absurdly optimistic to me.
In a UK winter, for example, we can expect periods of cold, high-pressure weather with little wind of 4 days or more. If we assume an average winter uk electricity consumption of, say, 40 GW during such a period, this would give a required storage capacity of about 4000 GWh. That's an awful lot of battery!
DYOR, Mr. Enjinyeea, from what I read five maybe ten years will see the job essentially done. of course when Hinkley Point will come on line, assuming HMG signs off on the project God only knows. EDF have yet to get a power station of this design working anywhere. Now, will the world-wide project to crack efficient and large scale electrical storage happen before EDF manage to get its reactor design to work? Well place your bet. ...
The drive to improve battery storage is built on a massive growing market with billions spent on them. A game changing leap forward in 10 years is a reasonable bet, within 20 years seems almost certain which takes us to 2036, just when Hinkley Point C will be 10 or so years into a 60 year lifetime....
I'm far from convinced that batteries will be the solution to load balancing and storage of renewable energy. It might be part of the solution, along with other tech such as flywheels and molten salts.
Those valleys are in shit state, the residents live in squalor, disease, ignorance, idleness and, to be fair, want.
Dafuq, seriously?
I too have rellies there and you seem to be confusing it with Beirut. The Valleys have low-cost housing of good construction, adequate schooling, a functioning economy, phenomenally easy commutes, little crime, some very nice scenery, and a standard of life that meets/exceeds much of the South-East of England.
There are some things that it doesn't have. It doesn't have the large pool of competent workmen that South East of England has (try getting a kitchen conversion done there: you'll have to check the plumbing yourself), the houses have perennial problems with damp, the building materials are excellent (stone walls! slate roofs!) but the build quality of the older houses is suspect/rubbish, you'll be able to earn a living there but never get rich, the post-industrial economy is office jobs or light engineering...but nothing big or interesting.
It's getting by, but not thrusting nor battling. But in terms of social cohesion it's pretty tight, and - as one of my relatives said - it is still a place where you can leave your young child to play on the swings while you do the shopping. Nobody in the South East of England does that.
I'd agree with that. It's similar to the Forest of Dean. It will forever bump along but will never prosper or attract any high tech business. However, there is more to life than money, or we'd all be scrabbling about in the ant-heap wonderful metropolis that is London.
Dame Laura Trott has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year would sound even better!
I think we’ll be spoilt for choice at this year’s SPOTY – could make predicting the Dame Laura's win a tad harder.
I'm on at 14/1 each way. I'm hoping that there is a chance she'll be the only female soloist. Dujardin has a shout of being nominated and the girls that defended their rowing title could be in with a shout. But hopefully the likes of Murray, Farah, Whitlock, Kenny, Froome, Bale, Joshua and (possibly) Hamilton split the vote to let her cruise to glory.
If the BBC have any sense, they'll make sure Trott is the only woman. It would be a cynical way of getting a female winner (the first since 2006), but it would be worth it. Well, at least I think it would be.
Rugby Inside Line FACT: If you exclude swimming medals, Team GB would be top of the Olympic medal table! #Rio2016 #GBR
Incredible, but that is a bit like lots of other countries saying well if you excluded cycling (the bloody cheating Brits, where their advanced bikes and secret grooming techniques)...
Dame Laura Trott has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year would sound even better!
I think we’ll be spoilt for choice at this year’s SPOTY – could make predicting the Dame Laura's win a tad harder.
I'm on at 14/1 each way. I'm hoping that there is a chance she'll be the only female soloist. Dujardin has a shout of being nominated and the girls that defended their rowing title could be in with a shout. But hopefully the likes of Murray, Farah, Whitlock, Kenny, Froome, Bale, Joshua and (possibly) Hamilton split the vote to let her cruise to glory.
If the BBC have any sense, they'll make sure Trott is the only woman. It would be a cynical way of getting a female winner (the first since 2006), but it would be worth it. Well, at least I think it would be.
I'm sure that tyson (or his equivalent) will veto the horse dancing for being too posh not in line with the audience's interests.
A six-point lead for Trumpolini in Texas is only ten points less than Romney's lead there in 2012.
And no doubt people will be flocking to his banner now that he has unveiled his big idea for detecting terrorists - ask people if they support liberal Western values, because terrorists never do.
Undeniably a stroke of sheer genius. If only this brilliant idea had been conceived a couple of decades ago, countless lives could have been saved.
I thought they already asked people upon entry if they intend to practice bigamy or commit genocide, that sort of thing. Or stories (hopefully not true) of people who shared the name of someone on the no-fly list and kept getting messed around, so they just changed their name, suggesting the no fly list was predicated on the basis people planning trouble will always use their same name.
The US visa waiver form, as of a couple of years ago and I doubt it's changed, required you to tick a box on the form if you were "intending to commit acts of terrorism against the US during your visit"! It was in the middle of a bunch of other questions, some of which required ticks and some definitely didn't.
While not fun for anyone who ticks the wrong box, one does wonder how they'd react if someone ticked yes! There are some really stupid terrorists out there, and you can want to wage violent jihad, but that doesn't mean you should lie on forms!
The old broadcaster Gilbert Harding (RIP) when asked by US immigration whether he intended to undermine (or equivalent) the US government replied "sole purpose of visit". They let him in. Jokes are probably not accepted these days.
Rugby Inside Line FACT: If you exclude swimming medals, Team GB would be top of the Olympic medal table! #Rio2016 #GBR
Incredible, but that is a bit like lots of other countries saying well if you excluded cycling (the bloody cheating Brits, where their advanced bikes and secret grooming techniques)...
Fair point, although it is even more exaggerated with Swimming, since there are just so many bloody medals up for grabs there, compared to other sports.
Dame Laura Trott has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
2016 BBC Sports Personality of the Year would sound even better!
I think we’ll be spoilt for choice at this year’s SPOTY – could make predicting the Dame Laura's win a tad harder.
I'm on at 14/1 each way. I'm hoping that there is a chance she'll be the only female soloist. Dujardin has a shout of being nominated and the girls that defended their rowing title could be in with a shout. But hopefully the likes of Murray, Farah, Whitlock, Kenny, Froome, Bale, Joshua and (possibly) Hamilton split the vote to let her cruise to glory.
If the BBC have any sense, they'll make sure Trott is the only woman. It would be a cynical way of getting a female winner (the first since 2006), but it would be worth it. Well, at least I think it would be.
I'm sure that tyson (or his equivalent) will veto the horse dancing for being too posh not in line with the audience's interests.
He must have done his nut in 2006 when Zara Phillips won.
Rugby Inside Line FACT: If you exclude swimming medals, Team GB would be top of the Olympic medal table! #Rio2016 #GBR
Incredible, but that is a bit like lots of other countries saying well if you excluded cycling (the bloody cheating Brits, where their advanced bikes and secret grooming techniques)...
Fair point, although it is even more exaggerated with Swimming, since there are just so many bloody medals up for grabs there, compared to other sports.
There does seem to be a medal race for every possible variation they could think of in swimming, where as cycling they have removed events that they commonly compete in on a world stage.
If you must clutch at a straw sub sample polls for evidence of peak SNP then at least get your figures right. The ICM Scottish sub sample has the SNP at 48 not 45!
Of course you could compare it with the YouGov surveyed three days before which had the SNP at 51% on a sub sample of 161! Either this is a sign of an SNP decline of 1 per cent a day or just the normal variation in cross breaks between polls. In so far as a sub sample is accurate at all the standard error would be plus or minus 10 per cent or so.
Basically all the sub sample can tell us is that the SNP is still riding high at half the vote and the Tories and Labour are competing way, way back for a poor second.
However you do provide a harmless illustration of the anti-SNP (and indeed anti-Corbyn) obsession of many on this site. The only difference is that Corbyn is disregarded because he is a loser while the SNP are feared because they are winners.
Rugby Inside Line FACT: If you exclude swimming medals, Team GB would be top of the Olympic medal table! #Rio2016 #GBR
Incredible, but that is a bit like lots of other countries saying well if you excluded cycling (the bloody cheating Brits, where their advanced bikes and secret grooming techniques)...
Fair point, although it is even more exaggerated with Swimming, since there are just so many bloody medals up for grabs there, compared to other sports.
There does seem to be a medal race for every possible variation they could think of in swimming.
In fairness, cycling does seem to have developed a fair few variations too, despite being more limited in how to vary. But get a couple of incredible swimmers and you can clean up like 10 Golds per games, which helps a lot.
Rugby Inside Line FACT: If you exclude swimming medals, Team GB would be top of the Olympic medal table! #Rio2016 #GBR
Incredible, but that is a bit like lots of other countries saying well if you excluded cycling (the bloody cheating Brits, where their advanced bikes and secret grooming techniques)...
Fair point, although it is even more exaggerated with Swimming, since there are just so many bloody medals up for grabs there, compared to other sports.
There does seem to be a medal race for every possible variation they could think of in swimming.
In fairness, cycling does seem to have developed a fair few variations too, despite being more limited in how to vary. But get a couple of incredible swimmers and you can clean up like 10 Golds per games, which helps a lot.
The big one they have removed from the Olympics is the individual pursuit.
Hundreds more posts on the Olympics, sheesh. aren't there any sports blogs so we can have our political betting back?
Curious development in Turkey - the Government says the Russian plane shot down a few months ago was attacked by wicked Gulenists, nothing to do with us, and how about sdome military cooperation?
If they had British technology the saddle wouldn't have broken off.
Wait do the Germans complain about us winning with technology? Or just the French. Cos I'd be suprised if germans are complaining about using technology.
Comments
He used to silence people that way...''
Sounds like you're pretty uncomfortable with our success yourself.
What's being hinted at here is systemic nationally run Russian-style stuff. I don;t see why we should stand for that without a shred of evidence.
As was described in that article quoted earlier about the ladies and their saddle sores, British cycling is a seriously professional outlet with numerous coaches, sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, psychologists, physiologists, use of a world class velodrome, F1 wind tunnels etc etc - all backed by a multi million pound budget focussed purely on Olympic successes.
Our track and road bikes also come in way under the minimum weight, so we can alter the weight distribution on the bike to benefit the rider's preference and the event. It's attention to detail like that that wins the gold medals, no motors required!
If Paris gets the 2024 Games the French team should do the same if they want to take the fight to the British. I'm sure we will welcome the competition with open arms!!
At the world championships in London in March, when British Cycling also succeeded in topping the medals table, they were riding the bikes used in 2012.
from your article
"Between 1851 and 1911, it is estimated that some 366,000 people moved into the South Wales Coalfield. The peak of this migration occurred between 1901 and 1911 when 129,000 people moved into the area. Such was the rate of growth at this time that South Wales absorbed immigrants at a faster rate than any where in the world except the United States of America.
Up until the 1890s, many of the people who moved into the Coalfield were from other counties in Wales, such as Cardiganshire, Montgomeryshire and Merioneth. After the 1890s, many more immigrants came from England, particularly from Somerset, Gloucestershire and Cornwall. People also came from further afield, such as Ireland, Scotland and even Australia.
In Dowlais and Abercrave, there were communities of Spaniards. In Merthyr, there were small communities of Russians, Poles and French and in many of the Valley towns, Italians opened cafes.
Two statistics tell the story: in 1801 the population of Glamorgan was 70,879 – in 1901 it was 1,130,668. In 1851, the population of the Rhondda was 1,998 – in 1911 it was 152,781."
From: http://www.agor.org.uk/cwm/themes/life/society/migration.asp
Now, will the world-wide project to crack efficient and large scale electrical storage happen before EDF manage to get its reactor design to work? Well place your bet.
One other thing EDF is currently saying that Hinkley Point will not be operational before 2025 and its electricity will be be at least twice the cost of other sources for 35 years. Oh, and who is going to pay for the waste storage and decommissioning costs?
Fecking. insanity if you ask me.
The Chinese must have been pissing themselves.
This highlights the problem with the South Wales valleys (and likewise with some other former mining areas in Scotland and North-East England).
Namely that when the mines shut there was no purpose to the communities.
On the other hand mining areas in Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands could be regenerated because of their central location and good communications.
Funny tweet by JK Rowling.
I've little idea and paid attention
The science reporting on the Economist is excellent, and perhaps the best of any non-science general periodical.
Post referendum, the Assembly published the figured on jobs created via EU schemes 2007-2016. Just under 37k or roughly 4k p.a. against ~£2b in funding.
4 golds - she becomes the most successful British female cyclist ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntG50eXbBtc
Indeed among the best British Olympians.
One of them will give Alanbrooke an aneurysm
The lucky swines.
Edit:- Should clarify, as in robbed with a bad decision rather than a 12 year old stick up.
What bell end thought it was a good idea for Jack Whitehall to take the piss out of our Olympic stars and legends?
Laugher in final of diving too around an hour
This is a response from one of the Virginia polls showing a huge Clinton lead, Trumpites remind me more and more of Corbyn supporters everyday.......
https://twitter.com/hendopolis/status/765652266850320384
I too have rellies there and you seem to be confusing it with Beirut. The Valleys have low-cost housing of good construction, adequate schooling, a functioning economy, phenomenally easy commutes, little crime, some very nice scenery, and a standard of life that meets/exceeds much of the South-East of England.
There are some things that it doesn't have. It doesn't have the large pool of competent workmen that South East of England has (try getting a kitchen conversion done there: you'll have to check the plumbing yourself), the houses have perennial problems with damp, the building materials are excellent (stone walls! slate roofs!) but the build quality of the older houses is suspect/rubbish, you'll be able to earn a living there but never get rich, the post-industrial economy is office jobs or light engineering...but nothing big or interesting.
It's getting by, but not thrusting nor battling. But in terms of social cohesion it's pretty tight, and - as one of my relatives said - it is still a place where you can leave your young child to play on the swings while you do the shopping. Nobody in the South East of England does that.
Tough luck, Ms. Miller.
(It's not fun sharing a name with a brand, though. Creates all sorts of odd looks and questions)
FACT: If you exclude swimming medals, Team GB would be top of the Olympic medal table! #Rio2016 #GBR
If the BBC have any sense, they'll make sure Trott is the only woman. It would be a cynical way of getting a female winner (the first since 2006), but it would be worth it. Well, at least I think it would be.
If you must clutch at a straw sub sample polls for evidence of peak SNP then at least get your figures right. The ICM Scottish sub sample has the SNP at 48 not 45!
Of course you could compare it with the YouGov surveyed three days before which had the SNP at 51% on a sub sample of 161! Either this is a sign of an SNP decline of 1 per cent a day or just the normal variation in cross breaks between polls. In so far as a sub sample is accurate at all the standard error would be plus or minus 10 per cent or so.
Basically all the sub sample can tell us is that the SNP is still riding high at half the vote and the Tories and Labour are competing way, way back for a poor second.
However you do provide a harmless illustration of the anti-SNP (and indeed anti-Corbyn) obsession of many on this site. The only difference is that Corbyn is disregarded because he is a loser while the SNP are feared because they are winners.
Now James riding for gold - nailbiter. 10 medals so far - every member of team has a medal!
Curious development in Turkey - the Government says the Russian plane shot down a few months ago was attacked by wicked Gulenists, nothing to do with us, and how about sdome military cooperation?
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russian-chess-game-vs-turkish-roulette.aspx?pageID=449&nID=102915&NewsCatID=398
Wait do the Germans complain about us winning with technology? Or just the French. Cos I'd be suprised if germans are complaining about using technology.