buddug

Great, so people in their twenties and early thirties having to live at home with their parents. They're obviously having a great time. So that's all sorted then.

To Lyn Goleby, Managing Director, Picturehouse Cinemas, who said: ?We are deeply saddened by the decision of some of our staff at The Ritzy cinema in Brixton, who have voted to strike over pay." Well Lyn, boo hoo. However, I am deeply saddened that you are refusing to pay a living wage to your staff. And as to paying them "substantially" more than the minimum wage, that would be the "substantial" amount of 93p an hour more, would it not? That brings their pay to ?7.24 an hour. How the hell can anyone in London live on that?! I believe that if a business can't afford to pay a living wage to its staff then it does not deserve to be in business in the first place.

I remember that first mate - you were a hero! It breaks my heart to think of that poor dog if you hadn't intervened. Something similar could be happening here. Even if it's separation anxiety it isn't acceptable. The dog is obviously distressed.

Hmm. It'll just be an estimate, which you have to pay and then they refund what isn't used 10 months later - nice little number Southwark has there, and it's all done in a way that causes the leaseholder the utmost confusion. Not surprised your property is badly maintained - in the lease it says they must repair and maintain, but all their cowboys do is bodge and wreck! On two occasions they even managed to damage my interior, which they reimbursed me for. In the past 14 years I've received ?13,000 in compensation for damage done! It's an ongoing battle. And now the service charge department thinks it's ok to bully leaseholders despite their incompetence. Some of them speak to you like you're dirt, and have the gall to call our homes 'their' property! In which case, maybe I should get them to pay my mortgage! Urgh. I hate them.

So, I've just been through Stage 1 complaints about this block lighting nonsense, to no avail, obviously. Lizzie Bean at Southwark Council Service Charges looked into it and said on top of the test and changing of the earthing wire, 'other elements' were included in the cost, such as 'resident liaison, including letters for access'. I reminded her that we were never liaised with, no letters, nothing. Electrician just turned up unannounced. Equally there was no need for access as our electricity box is in the porch outside the property. I concluded in my reply, escalating my complaint to Stage 2, by saying: "That's a total of ?244.25 [between me and my upstairs neighbour - we're in a Victorian terrace] for a 10-minute visit to quickly test the box and change an earthing wire! That works out at ?1,465.50 an hour! Is this really what Swann are charging you these days? "The only possible explanation would be that the earthing wire fittings were made of solid gold and the wire itself was diamond-encrusted. "I am sure you would agree that the amount you are charging us is extortionate, whichever way you look at it." Go figure. I shall update as to result of Stage 2. Here's hoping! How are the rest of you getting on?

My car was filthy yesterday too - well, more than usual. Especially the windows. And I resolved to finally take it to a car wash. Sand from the Sahara, how romantic!

Oh God help us! Two Southwark Councillors (nearly every one of whom has made it clear from their actions - or in many cases in my experience inaction - that they are simply Southwark Council shills, i.e., the exact opposite of what a councillor should be) standing as MPs! So, more noses down in the government trough. Great stuff.

So where will I get my buttermilk now!

Would just like to say - and I think you all should know - I had a lovely and very gracious apology from Canary via private message. Of course, I accepted, saying I myself had posted many things I'd since regretted (haven't we all)! And as Strafer Jack once said: "The ED forum, bringing people together since 2006." Yey! What a voyage of discovery this forum is!

Hi Loz. You pronounce it "Bithig" - but the "th" is like the hard version in the English word "the". Buddugwr means winner and Buddugoliaeth means victory. Interestingly, Boudicca or Boadicea, as the Romans called her, was actually called Buddug (due to all her victories, before her final defeat). She was queen of the British Iceni tribe, who were Celtic and spoke a form of Welsh.

"Dick", "prick"? Ha ha. Yes, I'm female, as was pointed out. Buddug is Welsh for Victoria. And guys, I'm touched by your response to Canary's comments! Thanks.

Wow, Muley! I think I'm in love!

I agree, PokerTime about baby car seats and the need for wider spaces. I hadn't thought about that previously until someone pointed it out. In fact, I hadn't even realised the parent and child spaces were wider! You live and learn.

I'll take that as a compliment Alex K! I think. And Robert Poste's Child: No, not a comedy sketch. I have no gifts in that direction, sadly. the-e-dealer: It was delicious, believe me - I could send you the recipe. There's also my salmon and rhubarb D'bacle, but you don't want to hear about that... Well, I think I've been caught bang to rights. I will be more considerate in future. Many of you have made good points. But I still feel Sainsbury's and other supermarkets shouldn't be fining their customers! Especially via this evil private parking company.

Ha ha Pickle, you caught me out there! But I forgave them for the eggs and avocado debacle. And no, I'm not the "fat bloke" (that's not very kind, though, is it, to overweight people). Dirty box: you live up to your name: "So basically the OP is a total and utter w*nker." Not once, but twice. Honestly! Strafer Jack: Hi there! I know you're a parent, so I understand why you feel strongly about this, but I did write: "I do think it's good to have parent and child bays nearer to the entrance though, so parents don't have to struggle so much." So I'm not a completely lost cause! And it was a good truce, although also, I think, more an acceptance that despite the fact we will not always see eye to eye, we are both still quite decent human beings when all's said and done. Unlike many here today who have resorted to personal insult bordering on hatred. Over what, an opinion. The ED forum is a microcosm of the world... And Shaunag: It's interesting to hear your take on the safety aspect. To be honest, I'm always nervous when reversing out of any bay of running a little one over. I shall think about this. Do you know what, I think I'm just extremely anti-authoritarian. Most of the time I wouldn't park in parent/child bays and never in disabled bays - but that's not obeying authority, it's simply being courteous. My gripe, really, is that I don't think this should be enforced via ?60 fines. If you spend so much money in a shop and are a loyal customer the last thing on their mind should be fining you!

Ha ha, Bunny boiler. That's actually quite funny.

Whisteria, on every occasion I've been to Sainsbury's there have been free parent and child bays. There are too many. Sainsbury's are just being authoritarian, like everyone else it seems these days.

I suppose you're right Penguin, it's not really discriminatory - but there are so many of these bays (much more than 14 mentioned by Craigy). I do think it's good to have parent and child bays nearer to the entrance though, so parents don't have to struggle so much - they have enough to cope with what with the weekly shop and all - but honestly, a ?60 fine when, on the odd occasion, you park in one? If that isn't draconian, I don't know what is.

Thanks Louisa. But I do think rules that are draconian and discriminatory should be ignored. Disabled bays, however, as you say, are completely no-go.

Thanks Loz. Oo-er Bunny, steady on! Again, an unusually personal insult. Has today's heatwave got to you and rahrah I wonder?

Thanks kford. I had heard that, so I'll look it up. Though, as I said, sainsbury manager said he'd cancel it 'just this once'. Thanks bunny, I made a stand against something I believed is draconian and unfair to customers, especially long-standing ones like me. If that's foolish, all well and good. You just keep following the rules like a good little boy, eh? And Rahrah, I don't feel hard done by; I just strongly believe sainsbury's shouldn't treat loyal customers in this heavy-handed manner. By the way, your two posts here seems to be unusually vitriolic towards me and rather personal, yet I don't think I know you.

It was madness in there. I don't think I've ever seen Sainsbury's so busy, which is why I decided to use the parent/child bay. I don't usually. I have enough friends with young children to have some idea of what it's like. But a ?60 fine? I ask you! And yes, Ruffers, that is fascism, to get a ?60 parking fine within seconds for parking in the car park of the supermarket I've shopped at and spent thousands of pounds in for the past 14 years.

I take it you're a yummy mummy. Sainsbury's does seem to be clamping down now on those of us who are sad singles not blessed with children.

Hi. I know I will get some flak for this, but here we go. I went to Sainsbury's and there were hardly any parking spaces except for a few parent and child bays, so I parked in one (I'd never, ever park in a disabled bay, by the way). As soon as I got out the parking man in his hi-vis jacket came over and said he'd give me a ticket if I didn't move. I told him the car park was nearly full and there are far too many parent and child bays anyway. Got back - ticket. I went into Sainsbury's and the manager said he'd cancel it - but this time only. Now, I understand the need for these bays for frazzled mums with babies and toddlers, but the place is crawling with them. Is this fascism on Sainsbury's part, and can they really ticket us for this 'crime'. And could I not have just put the ticket into the bin and ignored it?

No. But I think he might have sped things along regarding receiving the letter telling me 47% would come off bill - it didn't say off original incorrect bill though! You've reminded me to contact him again to tell him about this fiasco. Oh God, it never ends with Southwark council...