Colin

......how this might broker peace in a war that cost over a hundred thousand lives? I did ask you not to ask.. Now everybody will want to ask...

Found this on youtube.com Don't Ask... [/url]

Your comments did not cause any offense (sorry if that was the impression I gave) and I understood that the general thrust of your post was your 'lenience'. I certainly wouldn't like you to lean(ience) on me.. I was just trying to illustrate what went on and what was done about it. Scalloway's rumour mill is always primed and it only takes a little nudge to bring it into full production. Just trying to get some of the facts out first. For what it's worth, the Hall is giving serious consideration to becoming 'over 18 only'. Not because of the underage (minimal because of our strict controls) drinking inside but because of the amounts consumed on the road outside. We can do nothing about that and I was disappointed to see seriously underage people drinking in full view of the police. Anyway, I don't want to hijack this thread into a completely different direction so, unless someone wants to start (or continue) an Underage Drinking thread, it's probably best left here

Not wanting to start a squabble and, genuinely sorry to hear about your problems. The Hall had been hired for a function and the hirers had no option but to close the Hall doors at 11:10pm (not midnight) as we had reached our maximum permissable number of entrants. From this point on, people leaving the Hall were told that they would NOT be re-admitted. It was unfortunate that they decided to remain in the vicinity and mix with the large number of people who were refused entry. There were 3 stewards outside the Hall and in response to their concerns, the police were called. They (the police) attended very quickly but were reluctant to disperse the crowd. If it helps, you can easily identify people who have been at any Hall fuction, They all have their left hand stamped in one of two colours for age verification. Those carrying a Black stamp have been unable to prove that they are over 18. If they have a Red stamp, they are carrying ID that proves their age as being 18 or over. If they have no stamp, they have not been at the Hall. It is my understanding that the police had told some of them to use the Legion's toilets and, again I'm not trying to cause a squabble but, as a Private Members Club, shouldn't the Legion doors be locked and manned? When I was a member (many years ago) I was issued with a key. This would have prevented anyone not entitled to access from using your loos as a public convenience. As for the carry-outs, I can't comment as we don't sell them and we don't allow alcohol in any form to be carried into or out of the premises. I don't think for a moment that it's any consolation but the same happens around the Hall, Scalloway Motors, the Fire Station and Fraser Park (and not just on Hall 'function' nghts). It's a pity that the only public convenience in Scalloway is locked up at 9pm.

I've read the reports in the local press and the comments here and I have a question. Does anybody know just how much, in total, of 'our oil money' the SIC has spent over the years? Why, because I seem to remember a Chief Executive (Ian Clark ?) telling us that, with the introduction of the Oil Funds, there would be no more Domestic/Business Rates (Council Tax ?) and that rents for Council Houses would be covered as well. Additionally, there were going to be vast improvements in other services. I would like to get a handle on this to see if the figures add up. As somebody else mentioned, the money was meant to be for the whole of Shetland and not just the Business Community.

A little overstated I think Brian. Maybe it's just a reaction to the PC Brigade trying to 'legislate' them into a particular way of thinking. Positive discrimination just creates resentment and, in my opinion, has never been and never will be the way to tackle certain 'diversities' in society. Just treat people as individuals and take them at face value, accept them for what they are.

Thought that one was for the ladies. Oh well..

Maybe it wasn't just Guy Fawkes who lost the plot..

I'm a little concerned that they are concentrating a little to much on 'motions'. Does this discriminate against the female membership?

I quite like Scalloway's current incumbent. Had a quick chat with him on a few of occasions and he seems like quite a decent straightford type. As for 'sneaky', I don't think so. If you know your local policeman, it doesn't matter whether he's in uniform or not. Far better than knocking on the station door (as I did on one occasion) to be told "I'm off duty, try phoning Lerwick". OK, I was only trying to hand in some lost property (someone's keys) but I always thought that they were never 'off duty' and the paperwork could have been done later.

Saw a pair of birds in my garden this week. About the size of a Starling White breast and rump area. Black wings Forked tail similar to a Swift but not so long. Not to well up on these things but, House Martins I think. Only reason I mentioned it was that I have never seen them on Shetland before. Are they 'common' here? Got a couple of photos (not very good) of them perched on a wire.

One young lad with a couple of passengers passed me 3 times on the street recently, forcing me to move into the side of the road. When I saw him coming for the fourth time I turned my back and stood my ground until he was forced to stop. That way I was able to give him a 'dirty' look before I moved over. Don't know if it will make any difference but if everybody did it.... Sorry if this sounds a little agressive but, in truth, I don't mind making way for someone with a genuine reason for being there but lunchtime joyriders get under my skin.

I am led to believe that the SIC currently subsidises the local bus services to the tune of around £700,000. However, rather than trying to improve the service, they are currently looking for ways to reduce this subsidy by 5% and have been 'consulting' (?) bus users. Anyone seen the form that they have handed to bus drivers for distribution? What time do you travel to Lerwick? What time do you travel home? Er.. That's it.... I can only think that they paid the forms author with bananas.. Personally, I am of the opinion that the local bus service is generally poor. It's OK if you travel to Lerwick for work but what happens; If you want to travel anywhere after 5pm? If you want to travel anywhere on a Sunday? If you want to get to the airport for a flight? If you can't take a job because work finishes at 5:30pm or there is an obligation to work overtime? Compare all this to the local ferry service (and the amount of money spent on it). The imbalance if the local transport priorities is stiking to say the least. The way forward? By all means rationalise it by reducing or stopping grossly under used services but, instead of reducing the bus service, extend it so that it's runs at times when the general public are more likely to use it and actively encourage people to leave their cars and give it a try. That way there would be more of a 'take' for the bus operators and less of a need for subsidy.

I agree with Marvin on this one. Don't blame Ebay it's not their problem. Don't blame people who auction tickets online. It's their right to sell what is, after all, their property. Don't even blame the touts.. Blame the people willing to pay the inflated prices. Without them, there would be no touts. As for Neil R. accusing touts of having some kind of 'secret' software that allows them to jump the queue when buying tickets.. Unless the 'selling' site has been deliberately enabled with a 'back door', I don't see how it can be done. I would be horrified to discover that the secure servers used for processing ticket sales/credit card transactions would/could be compromised in this way. Any proof Neil or is it just hearsay/conspiracy theory used to pad out yet another Ebay bashing story?

I don't know for sure how much, if anything at all, Sandy Cluness gets paid as a director of Smyril Line but, wouldn't it be just great if, that having benefitted from so much of OUR money being tossed into into the company, he made a donation of whatever he was paid towards lowering our Council Tax or something of some tangible benefit to Shetland otherwise the cynical around here might just think that he has had his nose in the trough.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1868955,00.html

Seeing as I started this thread, I suppose I'd better contribute. I have no problem whatsoever with people and their religions but, I have an intense dislike for the 'we know better' attitude presented as a defense for any kind of argument. Whilst evolution is not, strictly speaking, a "science" it's various proofs and research are based on sound scientific principles. Creationism, on the other hand, has no supporting proofs. It's not just bad science, it's junk science. What puzzles me is that so many seem able to believe in creationism whilst denying obvious evidence to the contrary.

Then, presumably, it's still in place. Wearing a different skirt perhaps but, still there. Incorporating it into another payment type is just sleight of hand. So do I but, asking someone to work their contracted hours as opposed to 'extra' hours is common sense. No private employer would willingly pay for time that they are just not getting. Hmm... I think you will find that, one way or another, we are ALL working for the council.

Is there any truth in the rumour that a council road crew went to Ollaberry and, when they got there, realised that they had forgotten their spades. The situation was, apparently, only rescued when the foreman decided he would return to the depot to collect them and advised the crew to "lean against each other until I get back"

Presumably the 'Special Construction Allowance' was incorporated into the existing wage structure rather than being dropped altogether.? Smokescreen.. Judging by the number of vehicles strewn around the town, most SIC employees seem to have access to a car and anyway, bus times and child care arrangements can be altered. What would happen if SIC employees were required to put in a 40 hour week giving the 'Single Status' with most of the private sector? Bit of a novel concept. Getting paid for the time they actually work.. Nice one.. Not surprised to read that. Most public sector 'desk job' employees seem to have cushy little (non-productive) numbers where they rarely have to get their hands dirty. Maintaining the status quo would be pretty high on their list of priorities.

Someone told me ( so, unverified ) that the SIC annual wage bill was around £40 million. I wonder how much of the proposed 'across the board' cuts of 5% could be achieved by just paying employees for the time (including overtime) they work? This is a system that seems to work surprisingly well in the private sector. It is also time, in my opinion, to remove the 'Island Allowance'

Not given it to much thought but, how about Dylan - Knockin on heavens door? Been at a couple of funerals where traditional music did not feature. Maybe it's a sign of the times that the church/religion does not seem to feature to much in peoples lives. A bit off the topic but a 'musical' incident of the funeral variety that some may enjoy went as follows. We (Scalloway Hall) were asked to host a funeral service and, as WAS the norm, left most of the arrangements to the ushers. Anyway, the Hall was filled with mourners, the organist was playing away in the the background and everthing seemed in order right up until the minister took the congregation into the first hymn. Yep, that's when the 8 light cabinets and 5 large spots attached to our sound to light units kicked in... Guess who (quight correctly) got the blame

I put the wife's name in for a laugh. here's a few of the better ones Sandra needs; ..a ride milf swingers ..a new skin ..a loveley home. Puppies available now ..to be punched in the neck (yes, but who's gonna try it)

From the Shetland News web site. An opportunity to peddle junk science in favour of the creationist agenda or, something better than that? Comments?

A few of the better ones. Colin Needs.. A Bath the ould sod .. your help the uber geeks improvement.