JE

I agree that Citizens Advice may be able to help. Also some solicitors do offer up to I hours free advice, without any further commitment from you. It might be worth checking what’s available in your area.

It just seems so petty, particularly when we consider what’s happening in the world at the moment. I am under the impression that Aldi withdrew Cuthbert from sale a couple of months ago but are going to relaunch it soon as a special addition with all profits going to charity. If M and S continue with this, their reputation will be forever tarnished.

I am an avid watcher and my opinion changes during and at the end of every episode! My current view is that if AC12 is being disbanded then maybe this could be the finale of LoD as we know it. If that’s the case then one of the main characters of Ted, Steve and even Kate (the most unlikely), could be unveiled as H. Also, the female DCS, Carmichael who has reappeared definitely looks and acts dodgy so maybe it’s something to do with her. Further, why has James Nesbitt’s character (Thurwell I think!) suddenly been mentioned again after all this time. I am questioning everything and everybody now and my head hurts. I have definitely lost the plot!

Yes, perhaps you are right but he will connect with the other old fogeys of the nation and there are still a good few of them about! It’s Charles for me as he is next in line and it should be him unless he makes the decision to step aside for William. It’s not a popularity contest but his right by birth. Plus you never know, he might surprise us all and be the one to drive through some much needed changes to the monarchy, if given the chance.

Good morning Karen. Go to Community, then Chat and you should see my message.

Hi Karen. I have sent you a message in private chat.

Playing devils advocate here, but how do we know how well we drive as we get older? I have experience with an close, friend who I had known for over 45 years. After several incidents, I had to suggest that her driving standards were dropping to the point that in my opinion, she should consider giving up her car for her safety as well as others. However, she would not accept this and was adamant that her driving was fine and I was accused of trying to restrict her freedom and take away her life line. Perhaps there is an argument for occasional testing of people over 70 but I personally don’t see the point in curtailing the distance travelled or the times of travelling. Surely, you are either up to standard or you’re not!

Hi Karen. I am original from the north east but have lived in Wakefield for about 50 years now. I am single, almost 70 and retired and can’t wait to get out of this lockdown. Feel like I am becoming more like a recluse but I keep telling myself it can only get better! It must be difficult to move to a new area and try and meet people in the present climate. .Happy to chat should you want to. All the best, Jennie

I think that we have to start taking small steps otherwise we will all become recluses. Still too many idiots about so need to take precautions but we must try and get some sort of normality back into our lives.

Hello wrnklesironed. Love your user name. Almost on your doorstep in Wakefield.

Just thought I would let you know that I received a letter from DWP about my pension increase, in the post this morning.

No initial on line booking at our surgery. We have to telephone and wait for the GP or nurse to phone back for an initial telephone consultation when you could be asked to send a photo on line. On the one occasion I have had to contact the surgery, I was asked to send a photo, which I did but the GP computer system went down so I had to have an appointment to go into the surgery anyway. I was however seen within 2 hours, instead of the week or more we would have had to wait before.

As long as it’s not hurtful or offensive, then a bit of friendly ribbing/banter is ok in my opinion. Never thought of it before but do the Irish make jokes about the Welsh, Scottish and English on our patron saints days?

I am a hoarder who is trying to convert and gradually getting rid of some of my hoard. However, I haven’t sold any of it but given things away to family and friends then the rest goes to the local charity shops. They have done really well from me over recent years and I have a further 2 black sacks full of things to take, once we come out of lockdown.

I think that most people would agree that nhs staff deserve a decent pay rise but in the present economic climate, it is just not affordable. Since the start of the pandemic there have been numerous examples of questionable spending from the government which has added to the country’s considerable debt. However, we now need to get a grip on spending and giving more than the 1% will further increase this debt which we, and future generations, will be paying back for years to come. Plus let’s not forget that there are other public service staff who have been working under considerable pressures in their own fields of work who are not getting any increase at all. Will be interesting to see what the independent pay review body has to say when they report back.

I wholeheartedly agree with you and apart from the issue of Megan’s mental health I have no sympathy for them. The issue of Megan’s health is of concern and it seems that it should/could have been handled better but I wonder why Harry did not get involved in getting her some help, particularly with his links to several large Mental Health Charities. Their other points seem to be because of naiveness and their sense of entitlement.

I put vinegar on both the fish and chips followed by salt on the chips only.

I am another who will watch it, just to see what they have to say but from the little snippets I have seen and heard, I can’t see it doing them any favours in improving the British public view of them.

Wow what a brilliant photo.

Lovely picture but doesn’t he look sorry for himself.

Looks like a scene from Dads Army!

No to beautifying. An occasional trim of the coats of some dogs and clipped nails may be necessary but other than that leave the poor dogs alone.

To be honest I am fed up of hearing about all these people who think that they should be prioritised for the vaccine over others. The order of priority has been determined based on the level of risk of becoming seriously ill and possible death and not by just catching the virus. I agree that there is an argument for teachers to be considered along with such as police, fire brigade, shop workers and others that have direct contact with large numbers of people before other groups but NOT at the expense of older people and those considered clinically vulnerable. Critical workers who are in the older age groups and those considered more vulnerable will get theirs along with the rest in the priority groups anyway. I am afraid it’s just a waiting game and we all have to be patient until it’s our turn.

I have had cheese on hot cross buns before and thats quite nice. However as a marmite hater I will be giving these a miss.

If it means getting the vaccine quicker, I will go any time, day or night.

I think that the current rules would be sufficient if the messages were clear, consistent and people were challenged for not following them. However that doesn’t seem to be the case and more people are just doing their own version of the rules. The number of times I have heard people who are doing their own thing say “ ........ but I am being sensible!”. Also in my experience it is not only the younger generation who are not complying and it is often the older age group who are just as guilty particularly in ignoring social distancing, and continuing to have friends and relatives visit them in their homes.

It was a good idea when it started but I agree that it’s had it’s day.. If I was a key worker I don’t think that I would feel any satisfaction in having people clapping, much of which you would be completely unaware of anyway. The key workers need far more recognition than clapping.

Thanks Lionel. My turn for the grumpy head today I think!

I’m sorry I just don’t see how 2 minutes of ringing a bell will make anybody feel less lonely. It’s some sort of personal contact that is needed by whatever means is most appropriate to each individual.

We have been debating about what sort of meat to have this Christmas and agreed that we would prefer a turkey crown (fresh not frozen). However, it is proving difficult to find any that is small enough as those I have seen are to feed 8 to 10 people and there will only be 3 of us. I wouldn’t want to have a chicken as we have that most weeks and want to have something a bit different to our normal fare. If I can’t get a small turkey crown, a pork joint would be our second choice.

Have you got your grumpy head on Lionel? However I must say I agree with you. When I saw the topic, my thoughts were “with everything that’s going on in the world, who cares about a bit of glitter”.

I will be sending only to friends and family who live in other parts of the country and as I always enclose a short letter too, the postage costs don’t seem as high.

Yes Wilf, it’s a really tough time and more people are struggling to get by in this country and across the world. Rishi is between a rock and a hard place and whatever decision he makes will be criticised by some quarters. As for the foreign aid cut, it was stated that it is a temporary measure that will be reinstated when this country’s economy stabilises. As I understand it, this country has also ordered some COVID vaccines for poorer countries, so it’s not as if we are turning our back on them. For those who are disgruntled with this decision, there is always the option of them making personal donations to the various overseas charities. He does seem to have his head screwed on and definitely one of the few cabinet ministers that I feel confident with his judgement.

I agree Wilf. It’s all about ‘cutting our cloth’ and hard decisions have to be made.

The allowance is normally processed throughout November and December so some people will get theirs before others. I have not received a letter about mine but when I got my bank statement last week, it has been credited to my account on 18 November.

Sad to say, but I think you are right. In my experience, even the message ‘We are all in this together’ put out at the start of the pandemic doesn’t seem to have been applied by many people or organisations. A lot of people are only out for what they can do or get for themselves, without any thought for others.

There are more and more people ignoring the existing rules, so irrespective of what the government decide, people will still do their own thing over the Christmas period. From my point of view, irrespective of any relaxations that may be given, we have already decided not to have our usual family gatherings over Christmas and New Year and instead have opted for only individual households and bubbles to get together. There are a couple of vulnerable people in our family and we want to protect them and each other and we have agreed it’s a sacrifice that must be made.

Oops, sorry Dani. I meant to press the thumbs up and touched the wrong option by mistake. I agree with your comment.

Assuming it is cleared as completely safe, yes I will have the vaccine when offered. Although having seen the governments priority list, it could be a while before they get down to me.

I endorse everything that Smudgernan has said. I don’t underestimate how difficult it would be to say No but sometimes you just have to stand firm. It seems that he is being purely selfish in expecting you to just step in when things have gone wrong, without any thought for how it will impact on you. Has to be tough love I am afraid. Stay strong!