Stormy Weather

[mangerton]

It's milder here, and the snow is melting. Problems are that it's too get colder next week, and there are many heaps of snow lying around where it has been placed by snowploughs and diggers. They will be with us for some time, I suspect.

[Uncle Monty]

Sorry to hear it's still a bit parky where you are, salymap! I have memories of living at the London end of Kent, and regularly being sleeted and generally blizzarded on on the hills above Kemsing, Otford and Shoreham. The winters I spent there seemed very cold indeed. The north and east winds were what I think are called "lazy winds" -- they don't bother to go round you, they go straight through!

Apparently we could reach a sub-tropical 10 degrees in the sun here today. Now, where are those shorts. . .? :cool2:

[antongould]

Morning salymap
We had a very "large" thaw yesterday and the same is promised for today. But the forecasters talk of snow returning, early next week, to the "North and East of the UK" - is it being selfish to hope that by that they mean North East Scotland?!
Hope your shopping trip goes well and the local shops surprise you with their seasonal stocks.

[eighthobstruction]

I enjoyed the extra light that the snow gave us....but great to see green again....

[salymap]

Morning salymap
We had a very "large" thaw yesterday and the same is promised for today. But the forecasters talk of snow returning, early next week, to the "North and East of the UK" - is it being selfish to hope that by that they mean North East Scotland?!
Hope your shopping trip goes well and the local shops surprise you with their seasonal stocks.

Afternoon anton. just basic foodstuff but nasty shock, Good greengrocer/farm shop closing at new year, too quiet for them. Those with cars use supermarkets, oldies [ah] will lose out. I do understand the economics of it though.

[mangerton]

But the forecasters talk of snow returning, early next week, to the "North and East of the UK" - is it being selfish to hope that by that they mean North East Scotland?!

No, as one who lives in the N and E of the UK I understand what you mean.

As is well known, when the London-centric media talk about the UK, the "North East" and the "North West" they mean respectively the Newcastle and Manchester areas.

[antongould]

Afternoon anton. just basic foodstuff but nasty shock, Good greengrocer/farm shop closing at new year, too quiet for them. Those with cars use supermarkets, oldies [ah] will lose out. I do understand the economics of it though.

salymap we can all understand the raw economics but if we cram all shops, libraries, doctors, pubs etc. in large conurbations and/or business parks/shopping malls then communities will, like certain rural villages already have, die and our collective quality of life will be severely diminished.
"See" you tomorrow!

[Chris Newman]

I suggest that a new law be passed in Parliament.

At present the supermarkets and DIY stores often get planning permission after paying bribes to a town: i.e. they put up swimming pools, leisure centres etc (or in Salisbury, one rebuilt the cattle market out of town so they can get the in-town site, another built a roundabout and so in).

Stop all this. In future Tesbury's or Asrose must sponsor and support the village stores by paying their business rates. If there are no village stores outside the big town or city they must provide some.

[Serial_Apologist]

Chris
The main problem is the pressure people are now under to get all their shopping done in one fell swoop. There is no slack left in the system any more - either in work systems or people's lives regarding having spare time. This was bound to happen with the banishment of so-called "restrictive practices" so as to compete with third world conditions. Thatcher saw trade union practices as the obstacle; Nulabour went along with the logic under which the little shop in the local parade or village could now be classified another example of "restrictive practices". Nothing will change until "we" as a nation wake up to the reality that the third world will always come up with cheaper prices by providing cheaper labour: people will go for the cheaper goods regardless of sweatshop conditions to maintain high living standards that have become of necessity with the cuts.

The only solution I see is for workers in the (un)developing world to organise for wages commensurate with ours, thereby making our workforces competitive. That really would be "fair trade" - prices would rise again in the supermarkets creating a more level playing field for local shops being provisioned by local medrchandise!

S-A

[Flosshilde]

I suggest that a new law be passed in Parliament.

At present the supermarkets and DIY stores often get planning permission after paying bribes to a town: i.e. they put up swimming pools, leisure centres etc (or in Salisbury, one rebuilt the cattle market out of town so they can get the in-town site, another built a roundabout and so in).

Unfortunately there is going to be a new law - the ConDems are proposing that local communities (undefined) will take over the planning powers that councils now have. If developments are approved the community will be given a sum of money (where that comes from is also unexplained). The amount depends on the value of the development. So, in the case of housing, the more expensive the houses the greater the ammount of money the 'community' gets. Approval will also be based on a simple majority of votes from the community.

Corruption? Bribery? not here - not the way we do things in England

(fortunately the legislation will only apply to England)

[salymap]

When I referred to the economics of my greengrocer closing I was thinking of the brave efforts of one young woman to keep the shop open after she had been let down by the farm who started it two years ago. She has put her family life onhold and made a wonderfully interesting shop of it with engraved glasses for sale, all sorts of exotic foods and all the basics. The thick snow has finished the endeavour butI shall miss it.

[Eudaimonia]

You might find it interesting to know that many craftspeople and artisans have opened small online shops on a service called "Etsy"... everything from printed cards to pottery, jewelry, and more. Sal: type "engraved glass" into the search box, and you're sure to see something you like!

http://www.etsy.com/

In all, it's a nice way to find handmade crafts, support local artisans--and a welcome alternative to mass-produced gifts.

[salymap]

I have taken visitors to the shop and they have bought glasses, etc Euda. I'm more interested in carrots, apples,bananas, sprouts etc. The supermarket is 25mins fast walk [I do slow walk } but cousins will help I expect. Jen, my cousin in Hampshire, found a lovely glass with witch and broomstick for a friend with a birthday on halloween. bws

[Serial_Apologist]

Can I have the witch with broomstick when the cousin gets tired of her?

[salymap]

S-A Why would you want that now? Weather report last night. ARCTIC CONDITIONS returning at end of week. High winds, snow and ice. Christmas will be a little late this year. oh mamma mia, what a time we are having. Good night/morning all.