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Thanks DemocRATS .......from Rico
15 hours ago
Monday 24 May 2010
Sunday 23 May 2010
Friday 21 May 2010
London Ale Taster
I loved the idea of this this job , naturally I had to apply!
I would like to apply for the position of Ale Taster; I think it is a role for which I am amply qualified. Firstly, I would stress my strong local links to the area; I have spent the majority of my working life within walking distance of Spitalfields, where I have enjoyed an undistinguished career in the City. Many will attest to my unflinching commitment to the grand old traditions of the City, especially lunch. Since our American cousins have reshaped the working landscape, lunch may be considered for wimps, but these people have never attempted Steak and Kidney Pud, followed by Jam Rolly Polly at the George and Vulture! Washed down with 2 quarts of Yorkshire best bitter it is certain to bring tears of pain to the Gucci-loafered, Wall Street banker and strain the waist band of all but the best British wooster-wool suit.
A nation’s character is defined by its national drink; in Britain we are unique in having such a broad range of beverages that we call our own. It is fair to say it truly reflects the complex nature of our national spirit and our willingness to adapt to new flavours and new ideas. These have come to us as hand-me-downs from history and are a great reflection on our spirit of adventure and exploration. Our love of claret, from the Plantagenet kings, Port from our oldest political ally, Gin came to us with the Glorious Revolution, our Caribbean adventures gave these islands wealth and rum and finally a German immigrant in North Wales gave us lager.
However, the staple of our Britishness is Ale, a drink that links us to the earth and our heritage like nothing else. Throughout our history, we have gone from mother’s milk to water and to ale. It is a drink that defines us as a nation but is uniquely local; it is embedded in our society and transcends social divides. Ale is so deeply rooted that it has sprung forth and thrives once again as the Corporatism of the 60’s and 70’s threatened its very existence. It is a drink that lives and breaths in casks and needs the tender care of a skilled artisan to give it life and keep it alive and maturing until it meets the drinker’s lips. Ale shares our triumphs and consoles us in troubled times, it brings friends together and defines communities.
To quote its most popular hero, “All hail the Ale!”
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Wednesday 19 May 2010
Update from SW Trains « Cycle Parking at Surbiton Station
I have, today exchanged the following correspondence with SWT
Ms Bradley
Am I right to infer from your reply that places in the front cycle park were firstly assigned to people on the waiting list for the secure compound at the back of the station? Users of the front cycle park were not aware that the rear cycle compound was being built last year, the vast majority of commuters are front or back door people.
If this is not the case then why was the front application process not advertised for a month?
Under either scenario the front entrance cyclists have not had a FAIR opportunity to apply for access to the secure compound.
I draw your attention to the following website.http://cyclesurbiton.wordpress.com/
Regards
David Williams
Our ref:1552249
19 May 2010
Dear Mr Williams
Thank you for your further email.
With regards to the cycle storage at Surbiton.
The first secure cycle compound opened late last year on the downside, was advertised for a month prior and fully subscribed very quickly. Unsuccessful applicants were put on a waiting list.
The latest compound on the upside has 60 spaces and the waiting list is considerably longer. We are currently contacting these applicants.
Kind Regards
Customer Relations Officer
Monday 17 May 2010
Lets get Something Done « Cycle Parking at Surbiton Station
Lets get Something Done
May 17, 2010 bigdai100--> Edit
The recent move by South West Trains to extend and improve security for cycle parking at Surbiton Station is to be applauded. I have been parking at the station for 4 years, 12 months a year, and I have seen demand for parking raise enormously and it is great that they have responded to this need.
What is disgraceful is the way access to the secure area has been handled. I have heard two descriptions as to how places were allocated, one from SWT and one from a (successful) applicant; neither inspires confidence as to the process.
I spoke to the SWT police liaison officer on Wednesday 12th May, when I first saw the poster telling us that spaces had all gone. He called me back to say that the station manager had put up a poster and spaces where taken on a first come, first served basis. All places when within the day.
Another cyclist told me that he had asked at the service counter and had his name had been written down and was later told he had been successful.
What is clear from both of these descriptions is that the process was seriously flawed and unfair;
- Inadequate opportunity for cyclist to apply for spaces
- Insufficient publicity as to how to apply for publicity
- Lack of priority for most frequent users of the facility
- Actively, disadvantages against season ticket holders, as they are less likely to queue at the service counter.
I was aware that the secure compound was coming, from discussions with SWT Customer Service Centre, when the construction started, I was actively looking out for a notice telling me how to apply for a place. I did ask at the counter, to be told that customers would find out in due course. If I can miss the publicity then there was something flawed.
A lottery for places would have produced a fairer outcome, at least all of us would have had an equal chance.
I am calling for SWT’s to review the allocation process and put in place something that is transparent and in which all cyclist have a equal opportunity to participate. Furthermore they should review usage of the facility so that the heaviest uses are not kept out of the facility by those that only occationly cycle to the station
Please sign the petition here
Entry Filed under: Uncategorized. .
Sign the petition
Thursday 13 May 2010
Monday 3 May 2010
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