Halo Stickman

Whilst I’ve no doubt there are unscrupulous companies and organisations taking advantage of the work-for-benefits or ‘made to volunteer’ scheme, my own first-hand observations have persuaded me that this scheme can be of value in certain circumstances. For several years, being semi-retired, I’ve spent some of my spare time doing practical conservation work on a voluntary basis for various countryside trusts, and, during this time, I’ve worked alongside several people who have been ‘made to volunteer’ in order to claim their benefits. Of course, I acknowledge there is a vast difference between volunteering by choice and being ‘made to volunteer’; nevertheless, almost without exception, the people I’ve witnessed being ‘made to volunteer’ very quickly replace any initial sullen reluctance with an enthusiastic approach to the work. Now, having spent several periods out of work, myself, over the years, I know how debilitating and undermining the isolation of redundancy can be. Learning new skills, interacting with other people and the environment, physical and mental stimulation etc can lead to increased self-confidence, self-worth and self-esteem, all of which increases the chances of someone gaining paid employment, and, happily, this has been the case with the ‘forced volunteers’ I’ve worked alongside. Therefore, I believe there is a role for ‘forced volunteering’, albeit a limited one. But, in a fair and just world, there’s certainly not a role for the kind of forced labour conducted by some companies and organisations and, seemingly, endorsed by some sections of society. It goes without saying that in an ideal world no one would have to work for nothing, unless they chose to do so.

Michael Foot v Margaret Thatcher – it sure was a lot easier to spot the differences back in those days.

Seat Ibiza Great for snorkelling.

Escort Mark 1 Okay, where does he want to go?

Rolls-Royce? No thanks, I’d prefer sandwiches, and by the way my name’s not Royce.

Hummer I would but I don't know the tune

Datsun Is hot in Jamaica.

Porsche She hasn't had a hit record for ages

Alfa Romeo? I'd rather have a whole one.

Mercedes-Benz. Does she?

In this particular instance I would wholeheartedly agree.

I suppose it depends on whether I’m of a far right or a far left persuasion.

… and could also explain why you waved her goodbye to join a nunnery, you bounder.

This

Brilliant to be winning these games like this! Some excellent performances all round the pitch. Fonte MOTM for me, but could easily have given it to half a dozen others.

I did the Tokyo and Bear google thing and came up with this: Quite a night in the back room, apparently.

It’s just as well you haven’t got brown hair Whitey, otherwise you’d be known as Brownie Grandad, and I suspect Brown Owl wouldn't like that, and would insist you became a Girl Guide instead.

Okay bletch, just so long as you bring the tent, and we go somewhere other than Gosport.

I do hope I’m not too obvious Fowllyd x

Good question. I only ever played football at a low level, but I always felt more comfortable and relaxed playing for teams with a good team ethic and spirit rather than one with a load of prima donnas, and always performed better as a result. I’ve often wondered whether the same thing might apply to certain players within the professional game

I’m guessing that wasn’t the SWF’s favourite rendezvous pub, the Fulwood?

If something like that happened nowadays, what would be the chances of the likes of Paine, Sydenham and Reeves starting the next season with 3rd Division Southampton – let alone go on to complete the majority of their careers with the club? No chance whatsoever, I imagine.

Agree pap, the smoking ban was a huge factor driving the closure of many community boozers – the loss of which, like you say, has been a great shame – although I doubt that UKIP's proposal to lift the ban plays much of a role in attracting voters.

Perhaps it shows that the main reason people are attracted to UKIP is because they are perceived as the party most likely to cap immigration …or bring back smoking in pubs, or do away with wind farms?

The Madeleine McCann Research Group (MMRG) claim that the McCanns did not search for their daughter is rebutted here: http://madeleinemythsexposed.pbworks.com/w/page/39077768/Rebuttal%20of%20%22Fact%22%2018