trousers

My understanding is that the bank of England is legally obliged to honour all banknotes presented to them for 'payment' regardless of any 'legal tender' dates that are set? There is, after all, no expiry date on our banknotes (aka IOUs)

http://www.naturalengland.gov.uk/Images/wmla33_tcm6-9670.doc

https://www.askthe.police.uk/content/Q16.htm

Exhibit A: the number of people who spend half their life on Facebook bemoaning the benefits system and how they're incapable of working, blissfully unaware of the irony that quite a lot of jobs involve sitting in front of a computer all day...

http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk/annual_report/our-business/chairman.html c.£226m paid to the treasury in 2009 compared to the c.£37m they receive from the tax payer (c.61 pence per person per year) And then there's the indirect money they bring in. All very good value for money IMHO

Pompey's end of year accounts

You heard it here first....

How much earlier is this than 'normal'?

The only 'negative' for me is that it's too bright on my aging eyes but have resorted to wearing sunglasses whilst perusing so now, not only is it back to it's glorious grey hey day, I actually look quite cool whilst using it. Win win

How about politely asking for a (pro-rata) refund if you're unhappy with the product you have purchased? Just an idea mind you.

How about this for an off-top-of-head idea.... The FA introduces a cricket style 'central contract' system for anyone picked for the 'core' England squad. They then get paid directly by the FA rather than by their clubs. The FA receive wage payments from the players' parent clubs and but the players are paid on a 'pay as you win for England' basis rather than based on club performances. That way, any player worth his salt can still be paid millions like they do today bit they earn it through national team performances. Win win

Barnaby Rupert Paddington

Longstanton Spice Museum

Beckham for next England manager. No, seriously. Here's hoping that England are the only team who spectacularly fail to match their pre-competition hype this year....*cough* SAINTS *cough* ;-)

Yep, audacity would do the trick. Might get chance to do it at the weekend and pop it online if I get time

One letter from one reader out of 3 million? Yep, conclusive proof if I ever saw it.

Good to see Alan Pardew looking fit and raring to go earlier too

Yep. Pure coincidence.... ;-)

Just seen Alan Pardew suited and booted having a mooch around Borough Market in London. That is all. Oh, and that Greg Wallace masterchef bloke just walked by too

Fair point

Indeed. And it was a rhetorical question afterall.... ;-) Pub beckons.....COME ON ENGLAND!!

Well, I ordered the Pentax k-x and it arrived yesterday. £427 - body and two lenses - bargain. And on first usage it looks and feels like a cracking (re)entry level DSLR. Very happy with purchase. Now to ponder over why I spent the last 10 years or so cursing over the inflexibility of compact digital cameras!

Which is a neat way of avoiding the question: "Do clubs with no direct admin/booking fee include an indrect (aka less transparent) admin/booking fee in their ticket prices?". Just because 'club A' has cheaper face value ticket prices than 'club B' doesn't doesn't mean that 'club A' hasn't included a fee to cover their costs. Their running costs may well be cheaper than 'club B'. IMHO of course....