david_carnell

Swoon. Love it. Annette - check out a website called "A Continuous Lean" for Americana retro aesthetics.

If you read English Heritage's report, you will see that Rye Lane has both historic and architectural merit. I would hope that, rather than continue to desecrate this street with yet more lumionous monstrosities advertising pointless geegaws that no one needs, the council would begin to look at restoring the Lane to its former glories. A journey of a 1000 miles begins by stopping these hideous neon disfigurements. Why does everything have to be so god damn ugly all the time?

Agreed. Just because Rye Lane is less than aesthetically pleasing in places doesn't mean we should actively make it worse. We should be constantly looking for opportunities to improve aesthetics. There is far too much pointless street furniture in Britain's towns and cities, and certainly too much advertising relentlessly bombarding us. James - any ideas on how this can be tackled effectively beyond large amounts of cemtex?

BrandNewGuy nails it. A purely cynical political act by a government desperate to add meat to the bare bones of its attempts to rebrand itself as the compassionate face of "responsible capitalism". Why Mr Goodwin and not anyone else? Because he's THE name, THE face of this crisis more than anyone else. Whether that's right or wrong, I'm not informed enough on the economics to say. But politically, this reeks of Steve Hilton's influence at No10. The dark arts never went away, they just have a new master. Labour will need to tread carefully if they want to make political capital out of this. I would begin by asking by what criteria the government made this decision and when can we look forward to seeing many other knights of the realm being stripped of their honours for acts committed. It should, logically, be a thin end of a wedge. Instead it will be a damp squib of populism to quell dissent amongst the masses who are clamouring for "something" to be done and seen to be done. If Cameron plays his cards right it will be a political masterstroke.

So everyone seems to agree that Hoopers is doing a great job. And if that's the case what is that they do well that you'd like to see at the "new" CPT? An well-kept, interesting and changing selection of draught ales, lagers and ciders. Not ubiquitous stuff that is available everywhere. Simple, tasty food and bar snacks at reasonable prices, sourced from local suppliers. The Montpellier in Peckham do this really well. A convivial atmosphere with "normal" pub furniture, original fixtures and fittings, a working fire and quiet, if any, music. Occasional sports, possibly limited to one side of the bar allowing for a quiet drink on the other.

Monorail?

I'd always wondered why they couldn't do that with a dumb waiter. A few roasties and pork scratchings on the bar sounds just the ticket though. Good luck to them.

And he can't spell flak.

Anyone else think Eddie Redmayne looks like a posh version of Dean Gaffney?

Because you're selling raffle tickets?

Cash by Johnny Cash. I'm with Rob in High Fidelity on this one. All time top 5 books.

They are already here. A massive branch inside Sainsburys.

Mamora Man - is it not true that the NHS was found to be vastly more efficient and effective than many other health care systems in the developed world whilst our spending on health is actually less than half that of the USA per capita? The answer is yes by the way. Or at least so says the Commonwealth Fund. I would suggest, that whilst politically unpalatable in this age of having to be seen to "do" something, the NHS should be left alone for an entire parliament. No new diktats. No new initiatives. No new efficiency savings. No new managerial oversight committees issuing reams of paperwork. It is this constant tinkering or, worse, full scale attempts at overhaul that leave many health workers exasperated. No sooner has one scheme been adopted than a new one is introduced. I would suggest that opposition from all corners of the medical establishment to the HSC Bill is not that of vested interests protecting the status quo but those who know best telling politicians and managers to leave well alone.

Any chance of Surf Bobby making a guest appearance?

At Hoopers there is a big projection screen at the back of the main bar (nr the gents). There is another tv at the front of the bar and another in the snug. Given the timing of the six nations, I suspect two will show the rugby and one will have some football. Jamie, the owner, is a big rugby nut and you get a rugby loving and knowledgable crowd for the games unlike most other local pubs. More than happy to have a few halves with you, Help-Me-Boab. With Scots and English blood I'm always torn on that game but if you're going to be there I'll cheer on the men in white just to make it interesting. Can we interest MrBen and other ED-based Scots?

And only two months late, too. Good work Lynne.

I think ibilly might be insinuating there are things worth worrying about. And then there is this.

Related to this chap perchance? http://www.stopforumspam.com/ipcheck/119.152.88.93

I'm definitely interested in tomorrow's announcement on the EPS and Saxons. 15. Foden (Brown lacks versatility for my liking but agreed he's been in excellent form) 14. Ashton 13. Turner-Hall 12. Twelvetrees/Hooper 11. Strettle (Sharples would be on the bench) 10. Farrell (Hodgson on the bench if things aren't going well) 9. Youngs (Dickson as first replacement) 8. Easter 7. Woods © 6. Robshaw 5. Borthwick (alongside Easter, adds some experience in a young pack) 4. Gaskell 3. Cole (would like to see Marler get at least half a game) 2. Hartley 1. Corbisiero Are you going to any games jacks09? I'm hoping to be at Hoopers pub for most (if not all the) games. It's a good rugby-loving crowd there.

Again, I've not done this route but did London to Florence via Eurostar. Very relaxing and a great way to begin a holiday. The biggest downside (excluding price) was that we woke early in Florence but with no shower on the train you feel a little grubby. But at 8am none of the hotels are open for check-in as the rooms are not ready so you have to spend 5 or 6 hours wearing the same clothes you travelled/slept in the previous day. Not ideal. If you could overcome that issue and price isn't a factor then I'd never fly again in Europe.

Much like this thread, the Sugababes are back. Poptastic.

As a manager, of course you would think them frivoulous.

GOP primaries are today in Iowa. Bat-shite mentalist Rick "No abortion even if Daddy raped you" Santorum has been rocketing up in the polls in the last week. His anti-gay, pro-gun, pro-life, anti-immigrant extremist message has found a home amongst the gun-totin', god-fearing Evangelical folk of ultra-conservative Iowa. My early pick, Ron Paul, is ahead by a nose in a few polls and has not only defied a media intent on ignoring him but also confounded a party who are now praying he doesn't keep this momentum going into the more liberal states. Romney is still the nationwide leader but if he falls outside the top 2 here his campaign will panic that it isn't attracting the bible belt voters in sufficient numbers and could precipitate a collapse. Meanwhile, explains why Obama will probably sneak it home for another 4 years.

IRN Bru.

Oh god it's like my VI form common room in here already. I quite like Klein but I don't think I even want to watch this now.