A Threatened Species

Whenever I spot a branch of the Ulster Bank or indeed any bank my thoughts are drawn to Alan Brownjohn's poem, " We are going to see the rabbit." For those of you are unfamiliar with this particular poem I should explain that it is about the last rabbit in England.

We might be a few years away from the total decimation of branch networks but the small town or village branch or sub office is now a rarity. Nine branches of the Bank in Northern Ireland are to close their doors for the last time in October of this year. In the Republic of Ireland the Bank is closing twenty two branches. I know we are told that most people now bank online but many don't, particularly the elderly. For a small business that could previously lodge its takings in a bank that was a few hundred yards away a twenty five mile round trip to the nearest remaining branch does not just incur an additional cost but also adds a greater security risk. Maybe government should impose a community obligation upon Banks to force them to keep branches open even if they are not particularly profitable.

Mews Lanes Musings.

As with the rest of the United Kingdom mews lanes are a feature of terrace housing in Northern Ireland's towns and cities. Barely a week goes by without some local paper commenting on the state of these routes of passage. They seem to attract fly tipping. Perhaps this is because they tend to be rather unkempt and untidy.

Who then is responsible for keeping them in a safe and rubbish free state? Well it appears that neither local nor central government has any responsibility. In the case of Northern Ireland Housing Executive estates that entity would clearly have a responsibility but otherwise some Company or private individual has the legal responsibility or perhaps there is someone else who is in the firing line. Let us think of a situation where a limited liability company has developed an area of housing. True this is likely to be an oldish development if there is a mews lane involved but in such circumstances if the developing company goes into liquidation and the liquidator does nothing about the asset that is a mews lane then presumably title passes to the Crown under the principles of bona vacantia.

 

 

 

 

Postal Rates Increase - Again.

Whilst paging through the papers this weekend I came upon a short article advising us dear readers that Royal Mail were increasing postal rates yet again. Both first and second class post will attract an additional penny (new) to the cost as and from 29th March. A first class stamp will cost 64p and a second class stamp will cost 55p. That equates to twelve and nine pence halfpenny and eleven shillings in proper money. From 1st October 1957 until 17th May 1966 it cost 3d to post a standard letter! I can remember the violet coloured 3d stamps being used. Comparing that cost to the new second class rate equates to an increase of 4400% over just under fifty years. That is a lot of inflation! Royal Mail has just commemorated its five hundredth anniversary. I wonder how much longer letters will continue to be posted? The pernicious email is inexorably killing the very idea of a letter. Instantaneous is now the watchword of communication.

Savers' Protection to Reduce.

The strength of sterling against the beleaguered euro brings advantages, most obviously for the holidaymaker who frequents the Eurozone. Not so pleased are the UK exporters who find that their products are becoming less and less competitive. Now savers are being hit.

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme will be reducing the protection it affords savers from £85,000 to £75,000 with affect from 1st January 2016. This reduction is required under the terms of the EU Deposit Guarantee Scheme because the limit of protection is defined in euros, [€100,000] and £85,000 is now worth comfortably more than €100,000. The six month lead in period is deemed sufficent for the million or so savers who have managed to squirrel away more than £75,000 in an account covered by the scheme to organise their finances in such a way that they can retain last resort protection for all of their funds. Appropriate dispensations will apply to fixed term accounts so that monies can be withdrawn even though the maturity date for the account does not occur before the end of the calendar year. Whether savers withdrawing funds from fixed rate bonds will manage to achieve equivalent interest rates is doubtful. The fruits of prudence have shrivelled away rather.

 

 

 

Is the RSPB mercenary?

I read what I thought was quite an interesting article in yesterday's Telegraph. Apparently an aged supporter of the RSPB in the vicinity of Congleton, a Mrs Lavinia Reade by name, decided to leave some twenty acres of farmland to the charity. It is reported that it was her dying wish that the land should never be built on. She wanted it to be used for the benefit of wildlife.

The land seems to have had a probate valuation of £60,000 at the time of the donor's death, (2001). A generous bequest one might think. However the RSPB is now reported to be working with developers to urge Cheshire East Council to permit the lands to be developed for housing. This could result in the charity banking upwards of six million pounds albeit that the action flies in the face of the donor's wishes. It does seem strange that Mrs Reade could not have more effectively ensured that her land would remain a haven for wildlife. One would think that she could have imposed suitable conditions on the gift. It would then have been up to the RSPB to accept the conditions or disclaim the gift.

The newspaper report is not as full as it might be but on the face of it the gamekeeper seems to have turned poacher. That said are the RSPB's actions after all to be applauded because it will be able to do so much with a six million pound windfall? A small sacrifice for a big overall gain? The moral maze.

Nicola Sturgeon, aka Mary Doll.

• For some weeks I have been asking myself why the leader of the SNP looks so familiar. The hair, the face, the verbal intonation. I have heard and seen this woman before. Where? When? Then it struck me. She is the wife of Rab C. Nesbitt . He of the string vest. Why hasn't she, "come out," and acknowledged that she is Rab's bit of fluff? It might even help her in her political aspirations. OK she isn't Mary Doll nor indeed Rab's inamorata but hey ho there is a distinct similarity of physiognomy.
• Whether or not one has an affinity for the schism politics of the SNP there is little doubt that physical and verbal impressions do impact upon one's views on any political wannabe. This may be a matter of judging a book by its cover but we all do it. It is just one of those things. That's why I find it so strange that the SNP's ratings in the polls have increased since the Scottish referendum vote. The Labour Party are, I suspect, finding their leader's looks and lack of verbal dexterity a bit of a handicap despite his obvious intelligence.

Would Sir Henry Wood vote Yes?

As we head towards the day of the Scottish referendum and, "King Salmond's" attempt to sever the Union it is rather interesting to peruse the wording of a former verse to the National Anthem. Perhaps we should be calling upon the descendants of Field Marshall George Wade to intervene and crush Salmond and his strident acolytes. They might just be more effective than Alistair Darling. Balkanisation is not something that any right minded and logical Scottish voter should be contemplating.

"Lord grant that Marshal Wade

May by thy mighty aid

Victory bring

May he sedition hush

And like a torrent rush

Rebellious Scots to crush

God save the King"

I watched the last night of the proms on Saturday night. If Salmond and his ilk have their way I expect that Scotland will no longer be part of that great annual event.

 

 

Scotland's heart may want to say Yes but its brain must say No.

I find it very strange that the impending referendum in Scotland is receiving so little airspace and print space especially outside of Caledonia. Perhaps both sides are so confident of their position that they don't think it important to reach out to the electorate.

There are just over four million voters who will decide whether to terminate the Union. Mr. Salmond, (I have to concede that I do not like this person), has done his utmost to increase his electorate and be the man who slices off a portion of the United Kingdom. Over one hundred thousand, "mature," sixteen and seventeen year olds have been given a vote thanks to this individual. I wonder if they were required to watch a viewing of, "Braveheart," as part of some social science module? Nothing like a bit of strident sentimentality. Should these children, who clearly have such an in depth knowledge of politics and economics, be allowed to kill off the Union? If you are fighting for that cause then I suppose the answer is in the affirmative.

The unemployed, (179,000,) represent another important target audience for Mr Salmond's brand of politics. Might there be some merit in taking a step back from the socialist principle of universal suffrage? There does seem to be some logic in thinking that only those who contribute or have contributed to Society should determine how Society is run.

That citizens of EU countries who are resident in Scotland should have a vote is I think illogical. Those persons have their loyalties elsewhere. Many of them are transient residents. Many of them have a limited grasp of the English language. They won't be casting their vote thinking and knowing that they will spend the rest of their lives in Scotland.

Pouring Warm Water on Ice Bucket Challenge.

Am I just one of tens of millions of people who start yawning whenever they hear about this viral craze which causes otherwise sensible individuals to allow themselves to be doused in ice cold water? I suspect that I am. Indeed I would suggest that many of the soaked Sams and Samanthas are only entering into the, "fun," of this idiotic behaviour because of peer pressure. That's the same pressure that results in children, (what Mr Salmond calls young voters), electing to pump themselves full of illegal substances.

 

Of course there will be a rump of narcissists and self promotors who want their sixty seconds of fame on social media. - Look at me I'm getting wet and guess what I'm giving three pounds to charity! I'm a modern day Gulbenkian! - I suppose there might even be a few individuals who decide to accept their icy challenge for entirely altruistic reasons, make their donation to charity and don't tell anyone.

 

Maybe some thought should be given to excising all water and ice from the scenario with people giving to charitable causes anonymously as their conscience dictates. Now why didn't someone think of that!

Fines for Holidays

During the breaking of my fast this am I turned on the old goggle box. My choice of channel was and is British Broadcasting Channel 1. A thirty something (late 30's) mother was complaining about the fining of parents if they should take their children on holiday during term time. She appeared to intimate that it was divisive if it was only well off parents who could take their children on holiday. Perhaps every child should get top grades in their exams no matter what their attendance record is. School attendance is such an irrelevancy!! Am I wrong?

 

There is no doubt that July and August holidays are more expensive than May and October holidays. It is a matter of demand and meteorological conditions. If a family cannot afford to take a foreign holiday or indeed a stay vacation during the school holidays well they don't. There is no shame in that. They are giving priority to their children's education. Such a terrible thing for a parent to do!

,Mummy may want to top her tan and daddy may want to have a few cool beers in the sun at a discount rate but once they are parents they have to consider their children and their childrens' education. Everyone knows the school term dates. If individuals are not prepared to limit their vacations to school holidays during the currency of their childrens' minority then maybe just maybe they should not have embarked upon the adventure of parenthood.

Scotland is a Tunnock Teacake?

I wasn't able to watch the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games live. I did however view the, "highlights," later. Was I the only person who cringed at the efforts to promote, "Scottishness?" Tunnock Teacakes cavorting across the stage! Nessie! Scottie Dogs! A melee of self conscious individuals attired in kilts, (several of them looking anything but fit), passing a baton/torch thingy amongst themselves as they jogged! Giant slabs of shortcake! Gretna Green! It wasn't slick it was very embarrassing. Hopefully the sport will help people forget what prefaced the competition.

Ryanair the White Knight of the Sky?

A few months ago I booked a return flight with Ryanair to Portugal. I didn't have a choice of carrier, - unfortunately!

 

Anyhows with, "chocks away " day fast approaching I thought it appropriate to print out my boarding passes. I filled in the relevant , "fields," giving the necessary details from my passport. That completed I hit the, "print boarding passes now," icon. The printer did not spring into action. Instead of the clatter of the printer there was a notice on screen telling me that I had to deal with the matter of seat selection.

 

It transpires that the customer friendly Ryanair has decided that if you want to print out a boarding pass more than seven days before you are going to use it then you have to pay at least £5 for the pleasure. The reward for this is that you can select your seat allocation within certain limits.

 

I am not minded to pay Messrs Ryanair any more monies than I have to. I will refrain from printing my boarding pass for the outward journey until I am within seven days from take off. The return flight is somewhat more problematical. As it does not take place within 7 x 24 hrs from take off I either have to avail of the services of some Internet cafe whilst abroad or alternatively take a deep breath and give Mr Ryanair £5.00 with substantial ill grace. The first option attracts me although it will be rather inconvenient.

Cornish

It is reported that Cornish is to be raised to the dizzy heights of an official member of the UK's Celtic minorities. Apparently 84,000 people declare themselves to be Cornish. I wonder how many people would say that they are from Yorkshire or the West Riding of Yorkshire or York? I suppose it might help the tourist industry in Corwall and boost the sale of pasties and cream teas but at what expense?

 

The, "Independent," reports that 557 people claim that Cornish is their principal language. Perhaps these individuals believe this to be the case but I suspect that the reality is much different. No doubt we will now have bilingual signs and brochures and official interpreters and further tax payers monies being used to engage individuals to promote the Cornish language.

 

I have no problem with people wanting to safeguard elements of their heritage and the history of the country but it is history. The, "official," figures for individuals who claim that their principal tongue is Cornish, Welsh, Scots Gaelic, Manx, Ulster Scots or Irish is in all probability nothing more than an aspiration on the part of many individuals. I enjoyed learning Latin, its logicality and its history. I wish I had greater knowledge of the language but no matter how proficient I might become in Cicero's mother tongue it will never be my principal language. It will not become the language of day to day life for anyone who has not decided to be something of a social recluse or at least highly parochial . Ditto the languages of the Celtic minorities.

I am not a fan of Balkanisation, I much prefer the notion of a unity in diversity.

 

Tesco Nil Ballycastle Won

 

I cannot claim that I was anything but happy to hear that the Planning Appeals Commission has rejected Tesco's plan for a store on the outskirts of the North Antrim town of Ballycastle. Hopefully the town's traders will now take advantage of their reprieve and concentrate on the factors which will ensure that Mr Tesco and his ilk will not trouble them again. Big is not necessarily beautiful, nor cheaper, nor better at tracing the source of our food.

 

Will the City of Derry Building Society vote for its self destruction?

 

It will not be long before the borrowers and savers of the City of Derry Building Society are asked to vote for the demise of the Society and the disappearance of its assets and liabilities into the balance sheet of the much larger Progressive Building Society. A, "Merger Booklet," is to be sent out to qualifying members during the present month.

 

No doubt there will be the usual voters' apathy that pertains in these situations but wouldn't it show some spirit if the electorate of the City of Derry decided to vote for continued independence? According to the 2013/14 yearbook of the Building Society Association the City of Derry Building Society has 2020 savers and 441 borrowers. For a vote for self destruction to succeed more than 75% of the savers who vote and more than 50% of the borrowing members who vote must be in favour of the merger. Considering the number of members who normally take the effort to register their votes at the AGM of the Society a no vote by as few as 150 savers might well extend its life. Will this happen or will apathy rule yet again? I suspect that come the autumn that the City of Derry Building Society will be nothing but a footnote in the history of the Building Society industry.

 

Negative Equity and the Northern Ireland Property Market

The recession resulted in many borrowers throughout the UK experiencing negative equity. Most of the UK has been able to claw its way back to property values which are close to pre recession figures but this is not the case in Northern Ireland. Recent figures disclosed by the BBC indicate that of those homeowners who have taken out a mortgage since 1995 some 41% are in negative equity.

 

If you have substantial negative equity you are effectively prevented from moving house and even if your monthly mortgage payment is currently affordable you may find yourself paying up to twice what the current rental payment is on a comparable property.

 

It is anticipated that Mr Carney will raise interest rates by perhaps up to 1.5% in the next two years. This will of course be reflected in mortgage rates and is likely to result in more repossessions in the Northern Ireland property market. That will inevitably have a dampening affect on property values and without property inflation the spectre of negative equity will remain.

Raise Voting Age to 25?

I listened to some of BBC Northern Ireland's Nolan Show tonight. There was a discussion as to whether sixteen year olds should be allowed to vote

 

Not unsurprisingly there were individuals who supported this idea and others who were aghast at the suggestion. As for my own notions? Well there is no doubt that I would tend to the latter view. I cannot accept that a school child should have a say in how we are governed. Rather than reduce the voting age I would suggest that it should be increased, certainly to the previous age of twenty one and I could be convinced that twenty five might even be a safer age. Of course there are certain young people who are very mature for their years and who are very sensible, but if you are going to have universal suffrage over a particular age then there is merit in maximising the reasoning abilities and common sense of your electorate. That is not achieved by giving votes to the tuckshop queue.

 

"North West One" Development

Another day and another out of town shopping centre is being proposed for the citizenry of Northern Ireland's second city. This one has the ever so catchy name of the, "North West One Development." It is perhaps a sign of the times that the proposal was, according to the BBC, being presented by the administrators of GSB Guernsey. It will be a long time before the fallout from the recession becomes a matter of history.

 

We are told that this development, if given the go ahead, will provide 250 construction jobs for upwards of two years and that the development will create some 510 jobs when it is up in operation. Yet again we are not told what if any net gain in jobs there will be. Yet again no mention is made of the existing jobs that will be lost and the existing local businesses that will fail if the planners should permit the developer's desired 50,000 sq ft of concrete glass and steel.

Hopefully the planners will realise that there are enough food stores and an excess of coffee shops and that they should be staunching the flow of business from the city centre rather than encouraging it.

Whole of life sentence bad. - One hundred year Sentence Good.

In 2013 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) declared that Britain's, "whole-life," sentences breached the European Convention on Human Rights because they do not include the possibility of a right to review. As a consequence the Government is apparently now considering American style 100 year sentences which would potentially allow review of the term to be served.

 

Like David Cameron I believe that there are some crimes against the person that are so horrendous that Society should be able to say to the perpetrator that he or she will never regain their freedom. It does seem silly that we should be forced into devising a way around the July 2013 ruling of the ECHR. Maybe it is time to assert our soverignty.

 

Unlike David Cameron I might be tempted to permit of a situation where the descendants of the Pierrepoints could make a return to that family's traditional part time occupation. That would mean we wouldn't have the problem of, "lifers," hanging around in our gaols for several decades! Pun intended.

 

Jackets for Chickens

I was half listening to Radio 4's, "You and Yours," programme today when an item caused my ears to prick up. I was being informed about jackets for chickens. Surely this was an item for April 1st.? But no this was a serious albeit rather esoteric article.

 

Apparently a firm with the appropriate name of, "Omlet," has developed a jacket to keep chickens cosier during the winter months. Omlet is known for their chicken coops and they had been contacted by various of their customers who thought that their garden chickens looked cold in the snow and frost. They are currently retailing a high vis jacket and a tweed version. The high vis jacket is available in yellow or pink and it can be purchased for your clucking friends at the ever so reasonable price of £20 per twin pack.

Designing a jacket for a chicken is not as easy as you might think. The bird's shoulders have to be left uncovered so that its balance is unaffected. Six prototypes were looked at before the final version was decided upon. This does not interfere with the bird's dust bathing and sits high enough up so that the bird's feet cannot get stuck in it. A snug fit is achieved with velcro fastenings. Over one thousand of these winter warmers have been sold already and no doubt today's radio airing will help sales.

I wonder if Omlet will diversify into woollen jumpers for sheep and leather jackets for cattle?