Tonge moor green jacket

Who was it, I can vaguely remember a Mr Gethin?

I thought so too. However I wasn't sure of the spelling either, but it is a proper word (according to this tablet) and both spellings are listed on Google. Amazing.

I've never been a 'baby' person and to be honest the scriking does my head in. Women and grandmas are generally natural with em. It does rankle but you're not on your own and won't be the last. Don't know if this is your first but you could remind her that she also had to learn when she became a mum. Politely of course.

Hmmm, nice one keshi

Its new baby time, let em do what they can at first- you'll be knackered enough with sleepless nights. Wait till she starts tutting if you tell your little un off....

And Danny ward

Trying hard not to get pissed off by this. Hardly promotion stuff.

Did you really pay a quid for a balloon?

That last paragraph doesn't do you justice. You usually Present a more reasoned argument than that- my posts have repeatedly agreed with the grammar system but at the same time suggested that academia isn't for everyone; indeed I have suggested that they should be provided with alternatives to allow them to achieve as much as possible. This ISN'T suggesting non grammar pupils are all "thick" and to for you to claim so demeans you. I've worked with world leaders in their field and blokes who couldn't read but been equaly impressed with their knowledge and character. Education should be about getting the best for the kids; not schools being judged purely by how many GCSEs their kids get. We'll have to disagree on the merits of separating children to provide (I believe) a more suitable education, I'm not sure what you'd propose should happen to ferral fuckwits but personally i would rather they be excluded from either type of establishment and not put in a position to compromise the education of others.

Crawley, I don't think many would disagree that the secondary modern schools didn't always work, but is that the fault of grammar schools? Surely all schools should be good. Including those for children not selected for grammar schools (or indeed whatever tag they're given). Ultimately there will always be a proportion of feral fuckwits and it doesn't seem fair to lump them in with kids trying their best.

The match reports will continue won't they- you're not retiring?

Looking like he's getting the job. Well done fella.

Maybe, but maybe we were also good and made them look shit.

Not read the whole article , but was interested in the statistics regarding the number of qualifications being achieved. One of the comments below suggest some establishments are 'dumbing down' - don't know about this, but for me you can provide as many qualifications as you want, but children need to be ready for employment. Unfortunately we seem to judge too readily on statistics and raise children's expectations. Get loads of GCSEs, a levels and a degree and your there. Seen first hand 21 year olds come out with a degree and believe they should get a massively paid job but they've don't possess the skills and end up working much 'lower down' Nothing wrong with apprenticeships, vocational systems etc and giving people skills and trades. Need to get away from the old view that a non grammar education is somehow second rate and ensure that facilities are available where all are given the best environment to succeed. Shoving all through one system can't help in the long run.

A jaguar.

Some great football there.

Wife was too yesterday. First time on her inhaler in ages.

Yep highly unpleasant that Browny scored a near post header, meanwhile some pissed up cunt was pissing between my feet.

Friday night that- big ones with heavy rain again. At one point t'other night lightning maps was showing 284 strikes per minute. Not sure how that compares with other countries but it sounds high.

Kent- an interesting comment about modern schools being able to cope with all types of kids. Problem is it doesn't seem to work. As be says give kids with similar abilities environments which suit them. We've got teachers effectively having to teach subjects to different levels and environments not helping any one. Academia is not for everyone; there's nothing wrong with accepting that some kids will out perform others and providing systems to suit so that they all get what's best for them. Whether its more vocational type schools etc for those less academically minded we should leave for the so called experts. If brexit is going to increase the need for home manufacturing then we should be looking at creating more engineers, machine operators, builders etc instead of hearing there is a shortage of skills. These are arguably more important than pushing everyone into exams so that schools can claim great statistics but are churning out uninspired kids with no real direction. This carries on into universities. If we want the best for everyone we should respect differences and not try to homogenise all academically.

I studied for the Oxbridge exam whilst at sixth form. On top of a levels it became too much. Its important to be honest with yourself beforehand. Sister in law went to Cambridge and did bloody well and she's Bolton born and bred.

I don't think coalition forces just did one. Can't remember exactly but pretty sure efforts were made to liaise with interested parties to set up formal elections etc. Trouble is even these interested parties can't or won't agree to non violent government. Had they agreed to work together and utilised coalition strength the extremists could have been dealt with while a proper system is created. You're right about the power vacuum though and experience now shows this to be commonplace so we should think twice about future interventions. It must also be taken into account that much of this started as a result of the Arab spring which was in part the uprising of the common man in the street the together with the extreme elements. Many people wanted them to be helped and had DC etc refused they would have been criticised. Its this that is annoying, governments being damned if they do and dammed if they don't. Sure its not easy to start afresh and I'm sure without stable government this country would descend into chaos, but ultimately that would be the fault of the cunts the the weapons etc.

Hopefully we're learning from these experiences. I does rankle though when current politicians just blame the previous pm for all the ills of the world. Rightly or wrongly we went into Libya with the best of intentions. Once Gaddafi had gone the people had their chance to build a sound political system etc but blew it. Let's not have a witchhunt but a sensible review and change of foreign policy where necessary.

This. Reckon he's got better very late in his career but agree with above.

Its ace. Lightning maps has seized up. Was supposed to be doing a couple of gardens this evening- glad I sacked it as there was a strike very close to them. Not appealing with a petrol tank strapped to your back.