ecuk268

Bit on the news last night about how rail travel in the south is far more expensive than Scotland, Wales and the north of England due to the inequality of the subsidies. Here, it costs about 21p/mile to travel by train whereas in Scotland and Wales it was between 9p and 14p. I suppose London and the South-East is very much a captive market where commuters have little alternative to the train.

I would say it was equally the fact that the models they were bringing out were poorly designed, poor quality and didn't appeal to the mass market. Cars like the Allegro, the Maxi, Princess and Ambassador couldn't compete with the Fiesta and Cortina, Vauxhalls and the increasing presence of Renault.

The answers are all here: http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/the-mash-guide-to-the-final-journey-2013041765817

Petrol coupons were under Heath in '73 (still got mine). They were a response to the OPEC oil embargo after the Yom Kippur war.

I met her once. She's was a lot shorter than she appeared to be when you saw her on the TV.

Exactly. Benefits paid to people in work are nearly £50 billion, as opposed to about £7 billion to the unemployed. The other large outlay is about £25 billion in housing benefit, a considerable amount of which goes into the pockets of private landlords. Why not give the money to local authorities to build more social housing. It would give a boost to the building industry and they would get some of the money back in rents.

There are options but I'll probably get some professional advice next year. Anybody know a good pensions IFA in Southampton?

I'm in IT and a lot of our functions have been moved to our European HQ so I'm a bit bored and, to be honest, probably overpaid. I'd like to combine the extra free time with still earning a reasonable salary at least for a couple of years. 60% of my current salary + my state pension + the removal of NI contributions would keep me comfortable for that period and I could have long weekends.

Better off as we paid off our mortgage a couple of years ago. However, with 65 on the horizon, I'm starting to think about retirement income. Annuities are rubbish at the moment so my personal pension won't be very generous. Probably try to negotiate a 3-day week with my employer when I get to 65, draw my state pension but not the private one and hope annuity rates improve. Also, you stop paying NI after 65 so that'll save a couple of grand a year.

They have £70m of debt which they have to clear before moving in (partially by flogging Upton Park). Many clubs borrow using their stadium as security. That will no longer be an option for them as they will be tenants.

If you look at the age distribution of voters, the number of pensioners who actually use their vote is quite a high proportion of the total. All governments are very wary of upsetting them as it would cost them a lot of votes at the next election. I'm over 60 with a well paid job but I get a bus pass and winter fuel payment which I don't really need but, if I'm entitled to it, I'll have it.

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/sport/sport-headlines/ferdinand-in-hair-appointment-clash-2013031963144

At the risk of sounding like a SOG, in the 60's and 70's, the Cup Final was THE football event of the season. Played at the proper time of 3.00 on a Saturday after the season had ended, it was a rare opportunity for players to play at Wembley. Turn on the telly at about midday (BBC of course) for 3 hours of buildup. The streets were noticeably quieter that afternoon and the winners got a lot more attention that whoever had won the old 1st Division. Everyman and his dog plays at Wembley now and the FA Cup has declined in importance, presumably because it's not worth an enormous amount of cash.

I found it in the Software Centre. I use ps3 Mediaserver, seems to be OK.

I found it in the Software Centre

I think it's disgraceful. They should have ACDC instead of Iron Maiden. Angus Young's school uniform would not look out of place.

He's gone home (by helicopter).

So Saints shirts less than 15 years old are OK?

I love cheesecake. When you get a Southampton branch, I'll buy one.

I am amazed at how some people can clock up so many posts. Some average 15 - 20 posts per day over a number of years. Do they not lead a normal life? Are they stuck in some gloomy room glued to their keyboards? Is it a question of quantity over quality?

Well, as Cameron said "A bunch of loonies, fruitcakes and closet racists".

Agreed, plus you can take her on a tour of the Nou Camp.

Worth a look: http://www.aquarterof.co.uk/

He visited Southampton in 1956 and his painting of the Woolston Floating Bridge is in the Art Gallery.

You can't take Wenger in isolation without looking at Arsenal as a club. Always been run in a financially responsible manner yet he excelled when they were at Highbury where a capacity of 36000 must have considerably limited their income. They have also refused to pay silly wages although Walcott on 100k a week may mean that they've moved a bit on that one. Contrast the way the press treat Redknapp who can do no wrong - semi-literate and alleged brown-bag merchant and Wenger - educated, multi-lingual and (as far as we know) honest. Bit of inverted snobbery, I think.