GP targets: Tony Blair is out of touch

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Conservatives have branded Tony Blair "out of touch" after he admitted being astonished by a bitter public backlash over health service targets.

Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the Prime Minister "just doesn't know what's going on" after he was confronted by angry voters outraged at the way they are unable to make advanced appointment with their GPs because targets imposed by his Labour Government.

In a disastrous BBC TV Question Time performance, Mr Blair showed up how isolated from real life he has become when he was forced to admit to not realising what targeting was doing - and then gave another lame promise that he would do something about it.

"That's news to me," he confessed when Question Time panel member Diana Church protested that she was unable to make a doctor's appointment in a week because you are only allowed to make it 48 hours beforehand.

Spelling out the sheer stupidity of Labour's obsession with targets, she told an "astonished" Mr Blair: "You have to sit on the phone for three hours in the morning trying to get an appointment because you are not allowed to ask for an appointment before that because by making it 48 hours beforehand they are meeting government targets."

As doctors leaders piled into the attack, Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley seized on the issue to accuse Blair of incompetence and remoteness.

"Mr Blair has showed just how out of touch he is. After eight years in government, he simply does not know what his government is doing or the impact their political targets are having on the NHS," he said.

Protesting that the Premier and Health Secretary John Reid have insulted hardworking doctors by claiming that without targets, patients would have to wait longer, Mr Lansley charged Mr Blair with "letting the NHS down, and said: "Doctors don't need politicians telling them how or when to treat patients."

The Conservative spokesman went on: "Throughout the NHS doctors are being prevented from treating patients according to clinical need because Labour's political targets dictate what they do. Government targets do not make it easier to see a doctor. On the contrary, they result in reducing a GPs flexibility to manage patient demand."

Hosting a campaign press conference in London, Mr Lansley explained that on Day One of a new Conservative administration, NHS targets will be dumped and replaced by new standards. At the same time key decision making would be switched from politicians to the medical professionals." It's time to get rid of political targets. It's time for action," Mr Lansley declared.

Kelly is Taken to Task

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The head of a teachers' union has launched an attack on the "cowboy" approach of the Government to education.

John White branded Education Secretary Ruth Kelly a "Calamity Jane" and said her department had no integrity.

Marking his election as head of the National Association of Head Teachers, he said all credibility had drained from the Government since the departure of former education boss Estelle Morris.

Mr White said: "We've had Charles Bronson Clarke - and now it's Calamity Jane.

"It seems to me that when Estelle left, integrity departed. Her successors have been sadly lacking.

"If we were talking about builders we'd be describing them as cowboys."

He said Ms Kelly had "ducked out" of her first big challenge in the Cabinet post, reforming the A-Level and GCSE exams system.

Mr White went on: "We need a government that is prepared to listen. We need a government that cares.

"I had great hopes when this government first came to power. Unfortunately they seem to have picked up the sound-bites and gimmicks of previous governments."

Bank Holiday Weather

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Update: Bank holiday weather and travel information for the 29th August 2005

Update: Bank holiday weather and travel information for the 30th May 2005

The weather in the UK never fails to throw up a surprise or two, especially around Bank Holiday weekends when most of us are lucky enough to have an extended break from work. This coming weekend is no exception, with weather patterns conspiring to give a complicated forecast for the UK.

In a word, the weather looks 'mixed' for much of the country. On the positive side, with the wind swinging round to the south, it certainly seems as if we are in for some warmer weather. The biggest headache for forecasters is predicting the amounts of cloud and sunshine that we will see.

It looks like Scotland and Northern Ireland are in for quite a cloudy few days with spells of rain or showers, but there will be some sunny spells developing as well.

The best of the brightness and the highest temperatures will give an early taste of summer across parts England and Wales, where we could possibly see 25 C (77 F) in the south-east on Sunday. There's always the chance of a sharp, thundery shower developing almost anywhere, and coasts may be quite misty at times, especially in the south.

AA Web Site & Breakdown Cover
RAC Web Site & Breakdown Cover

To help plan your Bank Holiday weekend, check the latest forecast on the Met Office website www.metoffice.gov.uk

Fuel Taxes Bigger Burden Than Council Tax For Many

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The ABD have produced a ready reckoner to remind voters just how much they are paying in fuel taxes, this can be found at www.abd.org.uk/fuel_tax_calculator.htm where drivers can enter their average mileage and MPG of their vehicle to see just how much they are paying per month to the treasury.

The average driver travelling 12,000 miles per year in a car achieving 30MPG will pay around £120 per month in direct fuel taxation. That's bad enough, however many families with two drivers or doing higher than average mileages can easily be paying more in direct fuel taxes than in council tax - sometimes even more than their mortgage payments.

But direct fuel taxes are only half the story, the hidden cost is far higher still warns ABD Chairman Brian Gregory:

"Everything we buy and all services we use involve road travel and the cost of all goods and services are affected greatly by the extortionate rates of fuel duty" said Gregory. He continued: "80% of the purchase price of all fuel goes to the treasury. Every time a tradesman visits your home, much of what he charges you will be going to the treasury. Every item you buy in a shop, likewise."

ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries urges voters to make sure to voice their concerns over extortionate fuel taxes:

"Even those who don't drive are indirectly parting with huge amounts of money through this stealth tax, yet many probably don't realise it" said Humphries. "It's stifling the British economy and pushing pensioners and those on lower incomes into poverty. It would not be so bad but of approximately 42 billion taken by the government in road tax each year, only around 6 billion gets reinvested in our crumbling transport system".

For more information about the ABD visit our Website at http://www.abd.org.uk

Scottish Road Hauliers Association Emergency Meeting

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At an emergency meeting of Scottish road hauliers held on 26 April 2005, those present were of the firm belief that the industry is in terminal decline; brought about by ever rising fuel prices, Europe's highest fuel taxes, the imposition of the Working Time Directive and the inability of its customer base to pay a fair rate for the job.

The meeting recognised that a productive and profitable road transport sector is essential to Scotland's economy. It deplores price-cutting by foreign hauliers fuelled with cheap diesel and trucks driven by drivers on low wages that has resulted in unfair competition.

Those present were angry that as a result of world oil prices, more and more operators have been pushed to the financial brink. And this at a time when oil companies continue to make record profits and the UK Government is able to harvest a windfall oil tax revenue bonanza of over GBP3billion.

The meeting called for immediate action by Government to introduce a fuel price regulator, thus stabilising prices, paid for by the windfall taxes.

However this alone will not address the endemic problem facing the industry. The meeting therefore called upon the Scottish Parliament to set up a commission to report on the state of Scotland's road haulage industry, which will include the effects of current taxation and legislation, including the Working Time Directive. It should also identify the way forward for an industry in crisis.

To back up this request hauliers will use whatever lawful action is available to them to press home their case.

The Road Haulage Association - supporting the industry on which the UK depends.

ABD Backs M4 Protest

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The Association of British Drivers have decided to give their full support to the M4 Protest Campaign.

ABD Chairman Brian Gregory said: "This is an absolutely golden opportunity for the motoring public to make their voice heard in the run up to the general election. If the opportunity is missed then we risk facing another five years of disastrous road safety policy."

Road Safety Spokesman, Mark McArthur-Christie said: "It was not a good idea to start using camera vans on the M4. We believe that they will make the motorway more dangerous, not less. But the crucial fact is that the public seems to know it. Essential public trust has finally collapsed, and just in time to force the politicians to examine their positions."

M4 Protest Campaign
For more information about the ABD visit our Website at http://www.abd.org.uk

I need a medal!

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Debbie's new top

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Mouth wide open as usual!


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Suprise suprise, Debbie is pulling faces at me again!


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Fuel Protests - The Road Haulage Association Position

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The rise in fuel prices has once again put the spotlight on the road haulage industry and reports indicate moves by truckers to highlight their plight by staging protests outside UK oil refineries.

"It is worth reminding ourselves why hauliers feel obliged to recommence such protests" said RHA Chief Executive Roger King. "Of course fuel prices are a world issue but they are made worse in the UK by the exceptionally high levels of fuel duty. Even if the haulier manages to pass on the full cost of the increase, it can be up to 90 days later before he is paid. That is straining the industry's cash flow to breaking point. No wonder many hauliers are becoming increasingly desperate".

The RHA has campaigned long and hard over this issue.

"We are pleased that government has frozen fuel duty for the past few years, although depressed the Labour government proposes a September increase of 1.2ppl. That cannot go ahead if world prices are anywhere near today's level".

The RHA has also been involved in discussions over the proposed introduction of a Lorry Road User Charge which would offset the cost of road usage with a fuel rebate.

"This may offer a long term solution although there are huge questions remaining about its practical implementation, but it does nothing to assist with the present problem," said Roger King.

The RHA proposed an interim solution to government based on a formula for price stability whereby once world oil prices exceed a predetermined level the duty/tax on diesel for "O" licence operators would be reduced to compensate. "This could be done easily by substituting an element of fuel duty with an increased VAT rate. Thus VAT on diesel could be increased to a maximum of 25 per cent from 17.5 per cent rate at present. Sadly the government did not respond positively". The RHA then approached a solution in another way.

In its general election Hauliers Manifesto circulated to RHA members the Association has urged support of Alex Salmond MP's proposed amendment to the Finance Bill which seeks to establish a formula for a fuel price regulator. "Unfortunately this did not get considered before the general election" said Roger King. "But we have asked members to lobby all political candidates in order to garner support for future discussion".

The RHA supports peaceful protests that seek to highlight the difficulties hauliers currently face. "These should not involve the disruption of fuel supplies," said Roger King. "We need the political parties seeking votes to say how they propose to address this issue, but not via threats. In any case given the general election it is difficult to know who to talk to in government at the moment".

The Road Haulage Association - supporting the industry on which the UK depends.

Source: Road Haulage Association

Police Officer Accused of Dangerous Driving at 159mph

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BBC Midlands Today reported that Police officer Mark Milton is in Ludlow Magistrates Court accused of speeding and dangerous driving. Allegedly he drove an unmarked Police car at speeds up to 159mph in December 2003 on the M54 near Telford. Mark Milton denies speeding and dangerous driving.

Safe Speed says that such cases highlight the yawning gulf between fact and official propaganda when it comes to speeding and speed limits.

Paul Smith, founder of the Safe Speed road safety campaign (www.safespeed.org.uk) explains: "Many assume that 'the higher the speed the bigger the danger' but reality is far more complex. Often 20mph is dangerously fast in crowded places yet 159mph is fairly routine and not considered dangerous on the German autobahns in suitable conditions. Clearly safety cannot be judged by the number on the speedometer - it can only be judged with full reference to the prevailing conditions."

Paul continues: "The vast majority of dangerous speeds on our roads are well within the speed limit. The government must wake up to the fact that there's far more to setting a safe and appropriate speed than obeying the number on the sign. They should be helping drivers to use speed wisely, not giving out the dangerously oversimplified message that 'you'll be safe if you stick to the speed limit'".

New camera vans positioned on the M4 motorway are apparently ticketing drivers filmed at over 79mph, yet the Police routinely train their drivers at speeds in excess of 130mph on public roads. These two police behaviours cannot both be morally justified. Safe Speed says enforcement must concentrate on danger, not simple legality.

Paul concludes: "It's very important that no one drives too fast, but 'too fast' depends on the conditions and not the speed limit. The message given to drivers in the speed camera era is dangerously oversimplified - £700 million pounds of speeding fines have been issued to 12 million drivers and the roads are getting more dangerous - deaths are up. Speed camera policy has completely failed. We have to get back to the road safety policies and practices that gave us the safest roads in the world in the first place."

Reference Material:
PC Milton not guilty despite 159mph

Glass's Makes Initial Assessment of Residual Values for Used MG Rover Cars

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Following on from the news that MG Rover was being put into administration, there has been widespread speculation about the effect this might have on residual values. According to Glasss, a definitive situation regarding increased rates of depreciation for MG and Rover-branded cars has yet to emerge fully, with most dealers unwilling to make dramatic price reductions until patterns of demand become more clear. However, it is already apparent that the market can expect minimum additional falls in value of around 10 per cent.

It is still too early to provide a definitive assessment of how MG Rover is perceived in the eyes of the wider buying public and how this translates into what they are prepared to pay, explains Adrian Rushmore, Managing Editor at Glasss. Not unsurprisingly, this uncertainty has initially resulted in low trade and part-exchange prices as the measure of risk is considered to be high. When market prices start to stabilise, it is likely that some of the recently quoted prices will appear to be an over-reaction.

Glasss says the question of price is more acute in relation to the age of the car. MG Rover cars beyond sixor seven years old are scarcely affected because prices are low and customers are far less brand conscious. For these older cars, the buying criteria have much more to do with reliability, practicality and low running costs.

However, for younger carsthe issues are greater. Warranties have to be offered to make them saleable and prospective customers need to be reassured about future backup for servicing and parts. Rover cars will also carry the stigma of being defunct. These are the key elements that will determine the market price realignment that is necessary.

Another qualifying factor is that in recent months MG Rover prices have been falling across the board, and at an accelerated rate compared to the broader market. Prior to the closure announcement, market jitters had already repositioned prices against competing brands and, for the key models of 25, 45, and 75, the residual value ranking was already low, states Rushmore. Clearly, since the announcement, prices have stepped down again.

Glasss says franchised dealers have made additional pricing adjustments with their stock over recent days, but there was little evidence that prices were slashed. Price reductions were more in line with the actions that would be taken as stock ages. A logical approach would be to test the market with incremental drops of perhaps £500, measuring customer reaction at each price adjustment. The practicality of doing this will depend on the urgency to liquidate stock and the actions taken by competing dealers with a similar profile of stock.

Glasss Guide values for MG Rover cars are down in the order of 10 per cent. We are conscious that some of the low prices we have recorded recently are a possible market over-reaction and the last thing we want todo is to lead prices to an artificially low level. What we are reflecting is the highest possible level that prices could settle at in the coming weeks, given that values are now lower than all competing brands, concludes Rushmore.

Vcheck” for buyers of used cars, vans and motorbikes.

“Vcheck”, matches registration number and VIN number of a vehicle by checking the DVLA information. It then checks that it’s not stolen or written off by accessing the data from Association of British Insurers (ABI) and official Police (PITO) vehicle data across the UK.

Last year 497,630 were written off (source Vcheck ABI Category 1-4 insurance write-offs) and over 350,000 were stolen (source Vcheck PITO). Figures show that every 20 minutes an unsuspecting car buyer drives off having bought a stolen vehicle.

Before you buy it, Vcheck it! Vcheck costs only £19.95!

Sent to Coventry? The Re-employment of the Longbridge 5,000

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Government Aid Adequate; Longbridge 5,000 Let Down by Local Infrastructure

In an analysis of the Government's GBP150 million aid package for the stricken MG Rover car manufacturer and its 5,000 workers, Sent to Coventry? The Re-employment of the Longbridge 5,000, published today, 25 April 2005, The Work Foundation argues that the level of re-training required to get Longbridge workers back to work will require far greater resources than have currently been earmarked.


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

The analysis affirms the Government's decision to offer additional funding to the region in order to re-train the workers of Longbridge and highlights the local failure to foresee the demise of Rover and develop an alternative economic future for the thousands of workers and families affected.

As Professor Marc Cowling, one of the authors of the report says, "An organisational failure of this scale coupled with the particularities of the local economy means high levels of investment in training to correct a local market failure is the right policy decision to have taken."

The analysis argues that with dealer and supply chain redundancies added in, and even with additional European funds being made available, the extra cash for training could amount to as little as GBP5,000 per redundant worker. In order to maintain parity of income and future labour market security training up to level 3 or beyond is almost certainly needed. The level of funding for training as opposed to other priorities needs to be urgently examined.

However, despite this investment, it is a moot point how quickly the active labour market architecture can deliver a quick return to the labour market for the Longbridge car workers given the state of the local economy.

The immediate Longbridge labour market contains a relatively high proportion of unemployed workers not actively seeking employment (discouraged workers), that self-employment rates at 4.8% are barely half the national average of 9% and declining, and that the actual local unemployment rate of 4.3% is higher than the national average by just under 2%. Moreover long-term unemployment at 24.4% in Birmingham and 16.8% in Longbridge is above the national average of 13.9%. While manufacturing jobs in the Birmingham area have declined over the last five years by over 28% and much of the manufacturing work in the region is not particularly high value added.

Furthermore, job growth for male full-time workers is negligible in the region. Thus absorption rates into new jobs will be relatively slow, and will be in other, relatively low skilled sectors where wages are comparatively low. Nor will self-employment soak up many of the unemployed. Levels of local entrepreneurship are currently very modest by national comparisons. The dynamic parts of the economy are elsewhere in the West Midlands region and job growth is in sectors such as construction, public services and other services.

As co-author Nick Isles says, "The Government's injection of money is likely to alleviate rather than resolve. The degree of re-training required for future job opportunities will need to be at NVQ level 3, which is an equivalent of A-level, rather than NVQ level 2 (GCSE equivalent). Local employers such as Network Rail are only offering jobs for the most highly skilled workers. The lessons from elsewhere tell us that re-training has to be of a specific type, both technical and vocational, as there are very few economic returns to other, less advanced forms of work-based training."

As Professor Cowling comments, "It is almost certain that most Longbridge car workers will only find employment opportunities outside their immediate area. If such job opportunities are low skilled and low paid the disincentive effects on such travelling could be considerable. Perhaps some of the money being offered to help with the transition arrangements should go to underwriting the car loans of the newly redundant workers as one way of helping ensure they can get to any new jobs they might find. If they're about to be sent to Coventry they need the means to get there."

Reference Material:
Vcheck” for buyers of used cars, vans and motorbikes.

“Vcheck”, matches registration number and VIN number of a vehicle by checking the DVLA information. It then checks that it’s not stolen or written off by accessing the data from Association of British Insurers (ABI) and official Police (PITO) vehicle data across the UK.

Last year 497,630 were written off (source Vcheck ABI Category 1-4 insurance write-offs) and over 350,000 were stolen (source Vcheck PITO). Figures show that every 20 minutes an unsuspecting car buyer drives off having bought a stolen vehicle.

Before you buy it, Vcheck it! Vcheck costs only £19.95!

Sugar Loaf Tunnel

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Yet another perfect afternoon for a country walk and this time we decided to hike across to the Sugar Loaf Tunnel at High Hunsley in East Yorkshire which was part of the Hull & Barnsley Railway. Many sections still exist especially in rural locations but as todays exercise demonstrated redevelopment is taking place in many areas and what remains of the Hull & Barnsley Railway is disappearing fast.

The first photo below shows the approach to the western entrance of the Sugar Loaf tunnel and the arched bridge over the old railway line probably used by the farmer to reach his field once the railway had been constructed. The natural chalk hill had a cutting made through it which cut off one section of the field and this photo was taken from the cutting where the line was originally.



The second photo shows the western entrance of the tunnel which still exists and is unobstructed except for the tunnel itself being full of modern demolition rubble. Although fly tipping is a nasty result of the governments' land fill tax this rubble restricts access to the inside of the tunnel and acts as a barrier to prevent people walking through as the bricked roof of the tunnel is slowly collapsing and such a collapse on people inside could prove fatal.



The third photo shows the arched bridge taken from the western tunnel entrance.



The forth view is from the top of the tunnel looking down onto the cutting showing the arched bridge and route of the old line westwards towards South Cave.



The fifth photo shows the cutting at the western side taken from the top of the arched bridge.



The sixth photo is of the eastern tunnel entrance. We walked over the chalk hill and down the other side to capture the eastern view before it is lost to chalk excavation forever.



Reference Material:

• Hull Online Image Gallery - Sugar Loaf Tunnel

Hull & Barnsley Railway - Cannon Street Station

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I am in the process of tracing the old route of the Hull & Barnsley Railway throughout East Yorkshire. After a bit of planning I started last weekend after driving through Little Weighton in East Yorkshire following a visit to the Raikes Mausoleum. Armed with a camera and Debbie, Paul and Kirsty (kicking and screaming!) I used the remaining space in the camera's memory card to snap the old Little Weighton railway station and I'll be returning during the summer months for a few more snaps.



I am doing this for a number of reasons, the first being personal interest in local history. More importantly though, many of the original sites of the Hull & Barnsley Railway are undergoing redevelopment such as the Cannon Street station site in Hull. Before too much longer there will be very few reminders of this once great railway left.



My intention is to photograph every last piece of the Hull & Barnsley Railway I can legally access before it is lost forever to redevelopment. I plan on photographing remaining infrastructure, line, embankments, bridges, tunnels, stations and anything else which is associated with the Hull & Barnsley Railway.



This coming Sunday Paul has agreed to accompany Debbie and myself to the Drewton Tunnel located west of Little Weighton where I will take a few photos of the tunnel entrance and air shafts. If there's time I hope we can then move on to South Cave to photograph the old railway station there and the existing sections of line.



The photographs shown on this page were taken on Cannon Street in Hull and show the perimeter wall and gates to the original Cannon Street station which was closed to passenger traffic in 1924. These gates are still in place after 80 years but considering that the new Hull College Motor Vehicle teaching facility is being built on this land, there's a risk these gates might end up on a scrap heap somewhere and therefore lost forever.



Reference Material:

• Hull Online Image Gallery - Cannon Street
• Hull and Barnsley Railway Stock Fund
• Railways in and around Kingston-upon-Hull

Benjamin James Arksey

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I am pleased to announce the birth of my only sister's first child, Benjamin James Arksey, born at the Hull Women's and Children's Hospital on Anlaby Road, Kingston upon Hull on the 19th April 2005 at 7.30pm.


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

Both mother and child are doing fine and are expected home on Thursday 21st April 2005. Richard, the proud father is also doing fine although I don't envy him with all that nappy changing!!

MG Rover customers offered 20% warranty discount

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Following the demise of MG Rover, independent warranty company, Warranty Direct is offering MG Rover customers 20% off any new warranty policy purchased. The offer is applicable to cars under 5 years old.


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

Last Wednesday, the administrators, PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC), wrote to MG Rover dealers confirming that they will no longer be able to meet the cost of repairs.

Previously, MG Rover had reimbursed franchised dealers for the cost of any repairs carried out for a period of up to three years after a new car was sold. However, following the analysis of their financial state, PwC has confirmed MG Rover can no longer afford to honour the commitment.

It's estimated 150,000 MG Rover owners have lost their car warranty cover - vehicles which were ranked 16^th out of 28 in the annual Warranty Direct Reliability Index Survey (www.reliabilityindex.co.uk)

"MG Rover owners have been left in the lurch with their vehicle warranties. Should their vehicle develop a fault, they will no longer be able to return to their franchised dealer and expect the cost to be covered by a manufacturer warranty," said Warranty Direct managing director, Duncan McClure Fisher.

"Under the Sale of Goods Act, consumers can find some protection. Should their car need remedial work, depending on the fault and age of vehicle, they may be able to claim through the small claims court. However, the industry is already raising questions marks about the futures of many of the franchised dealers.

Vcheck” for buyers of used cars, vans and motorbikes.

“Vcheck”, matches registration number and VIN number of a vehicle by checking the DVLA information. It then checks that it’s not stolen or written off by accessing the data from Association of British Insurers (ABI) and official Police (PITO) vehicle data across the UK.

Last year 497,630 were written off (source Vcheck ABI Category 1-4 insurance write-offs) and over 350,000 were stolen (source Vcheck PITO). Figures show that every 20 minutes an unsuspecting car buyer drives off having bought a stolen vehicle.

Before you buy it, Vcheck it! Vcheck costs only £19.95!

Raikes Mausoleum

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We have spent this afternoon to the north of Welton, East Yorkshire in an area known as Welton Dale and more specifically within the Welton Dale Plantation.

I had heard of the existence of an old burial monument some years ago but thought it was in the area of Brantingham or South Cave but Paul had been before so today we went with Debbie and Kirsty in tow and armed with the camera.

Once we had parked the car we headed into the Welton Dale Plantation and soon came across a square brick built monument with iron railings surrounding it. On the stone slabs covering the structure was carved the names of those who had been buried within. It appears a number of burials had taken place within this monument and I recorded two orally using the voice record feature of my mobile phone. They are as follows:

1. Juila Ann, only daughter of the above Andrew Fitzgerald and Mary Reynolds born 1st April 1836, died 14th June 1923.


2. In remembrance of James Henry Holden, late of Hull, who died 13th February 1881 and of Mary (Nee Reynolds) his beloved wife, died 24th December 1879.

We then headed further down the wooded slope to a circular structure called the Raikes Mausoleum.

Robert Raikes (1765-1837) was a Hull banker who lived at Welton Hall. He built the mausoleum for himself and his family in 1818. It is a fine classical building, cylindrical in form, with crisply cut detail. There are some fifty Georgian mausolea in England the majority of which are relatively plain rectangular structures with low-pitched roofs and pediments. The number of those which imitate the more unusual forms of ancient Roman tombs is far smaller. The Raikes mausoleum is one such and, for this reason, of particular interest.
Reference: The Mausolea and Monuments Trust



You will see from the following clipping of the Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 293 a reference to 'Squareum' shown south west of the Mausoleum. I have searched Google, Yahoo and MSN for any information on a Squareum but with no result. This evening we returned to Welton Dale to try and locate the Squareum but after trying various locations we found nothing. Any information on this Squareum would be much appreciated.



Reference Material:
Raikes Mausoleum Photo Gallery

Google Earth KMZ File
Raikes_Mausoleum.kmz

Smiley Head

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Debbie has just got ready after spending 12 hours in bed. The fact that I spent the same amount of time in the same bed is irrelevant of course!!


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

MG Rover Group

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Phoenix Venture Holdings Ltd Statement:

During the course of this past week the administrator, PWC, the Trades Unions, the DTI and members of the management team have explored every avenue aimed at avoiding today’s redundancy announcements.

Clearly, not enough progress has been made on this to provide comfort for the administrators, and for the DTI, to continue the payment process that began last week.

In May 2000, when Rover was saved from BMW’s liquidation process, a lot of people said that the business could not last for more than 14 months. The management and employees of MG Rover have defied those conventional predictions and worked tirelessly to create a positive result. Almost five years later, and within weeks of what we believe to be its natural long-term outcome, it is devastating to be stopped at the final hurdle.

In a meeting with the administrators this afternoon, the directors of PVH discussed whether any other possibilities, including use of PVH and personal assets, could provide a further mechanism to allow employees to continue to be paid. The conclusion of this discussion was that the best use of those assets would be to quickly realise their value for the benefit of the Trust established to benefit the families and dependants of the Longbridge workforce.

This will enable the initial Trustees, Carl Chinn and Nigel Petrie, to start providing financial assistance to the employees of Longbridge, and their families. We can also announce that the Bishop for Birmingham, has approached us, and has agreed to become a Trustee of that fund.

In addition to the many millions of pounds being made available for the Employee Trust, we are also committed to provide any other support that the administrators request in creating the best possible employment outcome for this business emerging from insolvency. Despite a concerted view to the contrary, we remain hopeful that car making at Longbridge is not at an end.

For all of us this is a desperately sad day. Our hearts go out to all of our employees, their families, and the local community, at this terrible time.

John Towers , Peter Beale, John Edwards, Nick Stephenson

MG Rover Workers And West Midlands Community - Statement

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt said:

"This afternoon we announced a package of support totalling more than £150 million for MG Rover workers, their families and the community affected by the collapse of the company.

"The support package consists of:

* up to £50 million for training for workers made redundant at MG Rover and suppliers (£25 million of new money from the DTI, DWP and European Social Fund and priority access to £25 million from the Employer Training Pilots for companies affected by MG Rover in the West Midlands and nationally; and support for people wanting to start businesses);

* over £40 million to cover redundancy payments and protective awards for Longbridge workers;

* £24 million to establish a loan fund to help otherwise viable businesses affected by MG Rover's collapse and for other purposes agreed by the MG Rover Task Force; and

* £41.6 million already made available for MG Rover suppliers, which we announced on 8 April.

"We are ready to provide immediate practical help through JobCentre Plus, Businesslink and the Redundancy Payments Service for those affected by the MG Rover collapse.

"JobCentre Plus has established its Rapid Response Service at 1300 Bristol Road South, Northfield, Birmingham B31 2TQ to provide advice on finance and job seeking, help to identify transferable skills; and re-training to match the skills of the workforce with the needs of the local labour market. Similar services will be provided at Jobcentre Plus offices in Redditch, Stourbridge and Halesowen.

"In addition, Advantage West Midlands is making an investment of £42 million for the redevelopment of the Longbridge site and the establishment of a technology park there together with a grant of £19.3 million to Warwick Manufacturing Group's International Automotive Research Centre.

"This extra investment of £60 million will further support the development of high technology manufacturing and businesses in the West Midlands.

"We will also be asking for EU funds next week to match funds provided for supply chain support and training."

Reference Material:
Vcheck” for buyers of used cars, vans and motorbikes.

“Vcheck”, matches registration number and VIN number of a vehicle by checking the DVLA information. It then checks that it’s not stolen or written off by accessing the data from Association of British Insurers (ABI) and official Police (PITO) vehicle data across the UK.

Last year 497,630 were written off (source Vcheck ABI Category 1-4 insurance write-offs) and over 350,000 were stolen (source Vcheck PITO). Figures show that every 20 minutes an unsuspecting car buyer drives off having bought a stolen vehicle.

Before you buy it, Vcheck it! Vcheck costs only £19.95!

New Import Centre For Kia On Humberside

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Kia Motors (UK) Limited is to relocate to a new purpose-built vehicle distribution centre at Killingholme, near Grimsby, on the Humber estuary to cope with its growing business demands.

As one of the fastest growing brands in the UK new car market, Kia has outgrown its current operation in Sheerness and the new facility, adjacent to Humber Sea Terminal, is to be operated by preferred company The GBA Group, and will allow the brand to prepare for expected further development of its UK business.

The all-encompassing distribution facility, expected to be operational in August this year, will also include workshops, preparation areas as well as sufficient capacity to accommodate up to 10,500 vehicles in readiness for the next generation of 8,000 car-carrying vessels being introduced by Kia’s shipping partner Eukor.


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

The initial 55 acre single site will be provided and operated by GBA, which currently handles more than 1.3 million vehicles per year for various automotive manufacturers and shipping lines and represents an investment of approximately £8m, creating in excess of 300 jobs in the area.

Tom Jacobson, Kia’s General Manager of Systems and Operations said: "This is a significant move for Kia in the UK. Last year we saw our sales rise to more than 30,000 units and this year we expect to deliver 45,000 vehicles to customers. As we grow towards our target of 100,000 units a year by the end of the decade we have to be able to cope with increased movement of vehicles and Killingholme will give us significant benefits, enabling Kia to enhance our vehicle preparation and logistics facilities.

"It has excellent links to mainland Europe and unhindered access to the UK trunk road network allowing us to cut our lead mileage between the port of entry and the dealer showroom by approximately 25 per cent.

"The site also allows us to plan for the future, to improve the processing of our vehicles and tailoring the vehicles for the UK market. It will also provide us with considerable consolidation opportunities and cost savings in the future," he added.

Captain Sam Judah, Managing Director of The GBA Group said: "We are extremely delighted to be chosen as Kia’s preferred partner which confirms our position as one of the leading providers of total logistical solutions in the UK.

"We look forward to working closely with Kia to achieve their long term objectives by providing an uncompromising approach to quality and service."

Nothing to do with safety, everything to do with money

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Wiltshire M4 Speed Camera Rip Off Shows Why Camera Partnerships Should be Abolished

The decision of the Wiltshire Camera Partnership to use speed camera vans on the M4 is a clear demonstration of how spurious safety arguments are used as an excuse to raise money.

"Camera partnerships are locally based organisations," said ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries. "So if they catch too many local people on local roads, they lose the support of their constituents. A motorway is one great big gravy train for them, full of people who don't live in their area, who they can rip off without fear of any local political fallout. It's taxation without representation."

As usual with the camera partnerships, Wiltshire justify their actions by simply quoting the number of accidents that have occurred in a three year period.

But they make no attempt to explain why these accidents happened, or to demonstrate why slowing people from 85 to 75mph will make any difference.

"In fact, if you ask camera partnerships to release details of what caused the accidents that they are using to justify cameras, they won't tell you", continues Humphries. "How can keeping the causes of accidents a secret be consistent with an organisation thats supposed to be about improving safety?"

On a motorway, this scam is more obvious than elsewhere. Anyone can see that accidents on motorways are caused by inattention, tailgating and changing lanes without looking. The more serious ones are caused by the bored and inattentive drivers of speed limited trucks and coaches ploughing into the back of stationary traffic.

As the RAC foundation said, speed cameras are "irrelevant" to these accidents - in fact they make them worse by making drivers switch their cruise controls on and their brains off.

"This pattern of lying about the true causes of accidents to justify cameras is well established, and that's why road deaths are increasing in Britain rather than falling as the camera apologists predicted," concludes Humphries. "They work this scam on all roads, but the simplicity of a motorway makes it easier to expose. Camera partnerships have got a built-in financial incentive to indulge themselves in pointless speed enforcement to the detriment of safe, attentive driving, and that's why they should be abolished immediately."

For more information about the ABD visit their website at http://www.abd.org.uk

The Association of British Drivers is run on a voluntary basis to lobby for the beleaguered British motorist: "Reclaiming the roads for the people who pay for them" "Demanding proper roads (and railways) in exchange for paying one seventh of all taxes" "Debunking the nonsense you hear about the environmental impact of the car" "Promoting effective road safety instead of the criminalisation of safe driving"

Frank Helped To Save The LTI Vehicles Factory

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This week sees the anniversary of the Blitz on Coventry in 1941 and no one remembers it more vividly than Frank Gogerty, who more than 60 years ago was standing on top of what is now the factory of taxi manufacturer, LTI Vehicles, fighting fires in the aftermath.


From left, Frank with his colleagues and Home Guards at Carbodies
(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

That night, the Holyhead Road factory, which was then known as Carbodies Ltd, was destroyed along with many other industrial areas in the city.

Frank, who is originally from Leicestershire, started working for Carbodies Ltd in the Sheet Metal Shop, in 1934 and spent nine years there until he joined the army in 1943.

During the war, Prime Minister, Winston Churchill encouraged people to join their Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), which later became the Home Guard. Frank joined up along with his colleagues at Carbodies and while continuing with their daily jobs they were on constant watch out by night for enemy aircraft.

A week after on April 17th 1941, Frank was presented with a letter of thanks from Robert Jones, the owner of Carbodies Ltd, for his ‘devotion of duty through the period of enemy action’.


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

Frank commented, "I remember the night of April 10th 1941 vividly. As Corporal in charge of the Home Guard that night, I rallied the guards round and we all helped the firemen to put the fires out.

"At one point a bomb came down on the Alvis factory across the road and the impact threw me 20 foot to the floor. It was a terrible night and so much of Coventry was destroyed."

Carbodies Ltd was established in 1919 as a coachbuilding operation, under the guidance of Robert 'Bobby' Jones, on a small site in Old Church Road, Coventry.

The firm relocated to the present Holyhead Road factory in the mid 1920s and in 1948 the first taxi was made at the factory. LTI Vehicles, the black cab, are now world famous and more than 100,000 taxis have been made at the factory since 1948. LTI’s website can be found at www.lti.co.uk.

Matthew Cheyne, Sales & Marketing Director at LTI Vehicles, said, "It has been 64 years since that night in 1941 and brave volunteers like Frank helped to keep British industries thriving during the war and paved the way for the black cab, which is a global icon of Britain.

"LTI Vehicles prides itself on the robust design of its hand-built vehicles, which are renowned for their longevity and ability to cover hundreds of thousands of miles during a lifetime of use. I’m sure Frank and his colleagues will be pleased to see the factory thriving more than 60 years on."

Frank, who is now 89 years old and lives in Whitley in Coventry, set up his own business in car body repairs called GBA Services LTD after the war and only retired last Wednesday 6th April. Frank is looking forward to spending more time with his family and getting to grips with the computer he was given as a retirement present.

Bonjour, Bonjour, Bonjour… what do we have here then?

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A group of MG and Rover enthusiasts were left stunned and bewildered during a recent visit to the MG Rover factory at Longbridge, to show their support for the 6,000 employees at the beleaguered factory.


(Click on the photo to enlarge. High resolution versions are available)

Steve Childs – Webmaster of MG-Rover.org, the busiest website for MG and Rover enthusiasts – said ‘Upon arrival, the convoy was greeted by two police cars sitting outside the gates. Nothing wrong or unusual about that you may say… aside from the fact that they were French. A Renault and a Peugeot on duty outside the gates of the UK’s last remaining volume car producer, whilst inside 6,000 employees fight for their jobs.’

‘When I visit Paris, the French Police drive French cars. When I visit Berlin, the German Police drive German cars. And when I visit Madrid, the Spanish Police drive Spanish cars. Yet here in the UK’s industrial heartland, the British Police seem to drive any car, other than a British car!’ added Steve.

The presence of foreign Police cars on patrol outside Longbridge, follows claims earlier this year, that some UK Police forces were avoiding MG and Rover products in case it caused offence to ethnic minorities.

‘As MG and Rover enthusiasts, we’re not even asking for special treatment for British made products.’ explained Steve. ‘We’re simply asking that the same rules are applied to public sector purchases in the UK that appear to apply elsewhere in Europe. In essence, the same kind of ‘level playing field’ that results in Italian Police driving Italian cars, Spanish Police driving Spanish cars, French Police driving French cars and German Police driving German cars.’

‘If the public sector had ordered MGs or Rovers over the past 5 years, MG Rover would not be in the situation they are in now. 5 years ago the police fleets were awash with Rovers, now they’re awash with cars that weren’t even built in this country, let alone MG or Rovers. My local police station car park looks more like an outpost of the French police than one in the West Midlands. Why are they sending tax payers money abroad when there are more than capable products made by British workers ?’

The Government recently took delivery of a number of Rover 75 Limousines; ‘We applaud the government for the purchase of the Rover 75s, but sadly it appears it was far too little, far too late.’, added Steve.

The Longbridge visit by MG and Rover enthusiasts is the first in a series of visits organised by supporters of the two venerable brands over the coming weeks, to show their support for employees at the MG Rover plant, their dealer network and the suppliers to MG Rover.

According to Steve, further events are planned. ‘Working together with other enthusiasts’ websites, we’re totally committed to doing everything we can to support the future of Longbridge, the future of the company’s 6,000 employees, not to mention the suppliers and the employees in the dealer network.

The next event is a Longbridge to Gaydon Rally to be held on Sunday the 17th of April. Details of this and forthcoming events will be posted online at either of the two largest enthusiasts websites, www.mg-rover.org or www.xpowerforums.com.’

Vcheck” for buyers of used cars, vans and motorbikes.

“Vcheck”, matches registration number and VIN number of a vehicle by checking the DVLA information. It then checks that it’s not stolen or written off by accessing the data from Association of British Insurers (ABI) and official Police (PITO) vehicle data across the UK.

Last year 497,630 were written off (source Vcheck ABI Category 1-4 insurance write-offs) and over 350,000 were stolen (source Vcheck PITO). Figures show that every 20 minutes an unsuspecting car buyer drives off having bought a stolen vehicle.

Before you buy it, Vcheck it! Vcheck costs only £19.95!

"Take that look off your face" Mr Blair told

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Conservatives have launched an election campaign document listing the broken promises of Tony Blair, along with a new cinema advert highlighting smirking images of the Prime Minister.

The advert will be shown on 440 separate screens in approximately 80 cinemas - starting on Friday - and is expected to be seen by more than one million people before May 5.

It features smirking images of the Prime Minister to the song Take That Look Off Your Face, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber - echoing the words of Party Leader Michael Howard when he launched the Conservative election manifesto at the start of the week, and claimed that Mr Blair was "already secretly smirking" at the prospect of victory.

The film includes one key image of Mr Blair being patted on the back by American President George Bush, and another of the Prime Minister stoking up fears about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction - followed by newspaper headlines declaring that none were found.

Other sections of the advert draw a clear distinction between Mr Blair's repeated claims on health and education - and the reality after eight years of Labour rule. And the film goes on to ask views to imagine another half decade of the same broken promises, lies, evasion and spin.

Declared Conservative Co-Chairman Dr Liam Fox: "In 1997, in the bright new dawn of Cool Britannia, Britain elected a new Prime Minister. A New Labour Prime Minister who was to be whiter than white, who was more honest than other politicians, who would deliver on his promises. He told us 'I only know what I believe' and that 'I can only tell the truth'. The song was 'Things can only get better'.

"But then came the reality, the disillusionment, and the lack of trust. Record violent crime. Record hospital acquired infections. Higher taxes. The dodgy dossiers. Immigration chaos."

Dr Fox said: "Things have not got better. Tony Blair didn't turn out to be what he promised. He turned out to be our first karaoke Prime Minister, always desperate to perform, singing whatever tune his audience wanted to hear. But it was only words.

"Now no one believes a word he says. Not even his new best buddy, his New Labour- New Marriage partner Gordon Brown. After eight years of broken promises he says 'we are only half way through the job we started in 1997. Not good enough. Labour say they want to build on the foundations they have laid. Eight years to lay the foundations? Even the Scottish Parliament was quicker than that.

"Tony Blair says it's time to move on. He means let's not examine Labour's record. Sorry Mr. Blair, Tony. It is time for you to be held to account."

Watch the advert
Broadband (streaming) (Windows Media Format)

Warden's Well

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This is a photograph of Warden's Well which is located in the grounds of the Springhead Pumping Station, Springhead Avenue, Kingston upon Hull.

The sign states:

Original Test Bore Hole Known As Warden's Well



The three crow