Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

RIP Andy


Singer Andy Williams has died, at the age of 84, following a long battle with bladder cancer.

Best known for the song “Moon River” but he also had hits with “Can’t Get Used to Losing You” and “The Hawaiian Wedding Song”.

Back in the sixties “The Andy Williams Show” was popular viewing in our household, noted for the variety and big name guest star appearances and of course the catchphrase

Not Now… Not Ever… NEVER!!

followed by “The Cookie Bear” falling on his face.

Andy, you had a fabulous voice and have left us with many pleasant memories.

Despicable


Burglary is a cowardly act at any time. To break in and steal from a charity store is even more so.

As Soon as Possible (ASAP) cat rescue and the Sue Ryder cancer shop, both in Wellington Way, Waterlooville, were targeted by thieves who broke in from the roofs.

These perpetrators are known to someone and should be handed over to the police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterlooville police station by phoning 101.

Shopworkers left picking up the pieces following burglaries in Waterlooville – Local – Portsmouth News.

Urbex-UK


Let me introduce you to an intriguing branch of photography.These photographs have a strange attraction and an even stranger beauty. Take a look and see if you agree.

Urbex-UK

Urban Exploration – often referred to as urbex or UE – is the photographic examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of the urban areas that surround us. The nature of urbex presents various risks, including physical danger and the possibility of police involvement, if you’re not careful.

Gogol Bordello – St Gallen


I love these guys ever since hearing them on Radio Paradise. Give them a listen, no snap decisions.

Mindless Vandalism


Another example of the mindless perpetrating the unbelievable against the defenseless.

Vandals trashed the South Street centre by breaking furniture, smashing crockery and throwing soil from plants over the floor.

They made holes in the walls, broke windows and pulled things from shelves.

I can never understand the mentality of the people who carry out these destructive attacks on people and property.

When I was a spotty faced youth I lived in the village of Westfield just north of Hastings. Back then we had less to entertain us. There was no daytime TV and only two channels in the evenings. We didn’t have computer games in fact the only “electric” games available were our train sets. If we were bored we went down the rec, played football, dug up some worms and went fishing or just went exploring either on our bikes or on foot.

I recall groups of us going out and about when I was a teenager, hanging around on street corners in Battle. At no time did we ever consider going and trashing someones home or the local community centre or any other establishment. I do distinctly remember being challenged by the owner of the local dry cleaners, standing in front of a group of us with a large golfing umbrella, asking

Are you contemplating mayhem about my premises ?

I remember there was a friendly exchange of views but it was all light-hearted. Can you imagine the reaction of some members of our modern-day youth to any form of confrontation, let alone from someone using that sort of language. Yes we might have gotten up to some mischief. OK, I admit it, we did. We might have put out a window or two in a derelict industrial building but we never attacked people’s homes or places of work.

Now that I am much older and, hopefully, wiser I still can’t understand their actions.

Apparently police have arrested three teenagers, a 13-year-old boy and two 15-year-old boys who are being questioned on suspicion of criminal damage and theft.

If these lads are found to be the perpetrators then they should be made to help repair the damage. Fines or detention is not the answer.

They should be made to stand in front of the people who make use of this centre and explain why they chose to break in and trash the place.

Finally they should be made to spend a significant amount of their free time at the centre. Working there so they get a feel for what this place is doing for their community and what their actions mean to the folks that use the centre.

Anyone with information about the break-in should call Gosport police station on 101.

You can also give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Yobs trash safe haven for Gosport people with cancer – Local – Portsmouth News.

Dark Days – Dark Deeds


Two female officers from the Greater Manchester Police have, today, given their lives as they went about their normal public service.

29-year-old Dale Cregan was arrested after he walked into a police station in Tameside. Cregan has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder in relation to the investigations into the murders of David Short and Mark Short. He has also been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a police officer.

It is actions such as this that reinforce my belief that the death penalty should be brought back.

My thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues of these two officers

Anyone Know What This Is ?


Does anyone know what this is ?

My wife and I spotted two instances of this on a tree stump in our front garden on Saturday morning. I wish I had taken the picture then as this stuff was bright yellow. As you can see in the photo it is now a very pale yellow. The second instance has all but disappeared.

So, does this look familiar to anyone. Is this some kind of fungus or perhaps a form of cocoon ?