Author: siskinbob

Formerly employed by MOD and IBM, now retired

BBC News: Harry Dunn’s parents lose High Court immunity review


BBC News – Harry Dunn’s parents lose High Court immunity review https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-55057671

It defies belief that “Diplomatic Immunity” should override morality.

“Diplomatic Immunity” should not protect those that kill or attempt to kill. In theory, a foreign state could send an assassin to kill our Prime Minister. Then claim “Diplomatic Immunity” to allow the assassin to go home.

This woman, Anne Sacoolas, should be returned to the UK to face justice. She is the wife of a technical support staffer at RAF Croughton, Northamptonshire. She had no role within the base and there is not entitled to immunity

Foreign states that protect common criminals are no better than those they protect.

Cowering behind “Diplomatic Immunity” is unacceptable.

Majestic Dinner Service


An unexpected purchase has taken me on something of a hidden history lesson.

Empire Porcelain Company Dinner Service – “Majestic” Pattern

The pictured “Majestic” dinner service was acquired as part of a larger lot at a local auction. Consequently I didn’t know anything about it. However, whilst preparing to try and sell it on eBay, I did a little research and managed to find a few references to the manufacturer, The Empire Porcelain Company. It’s amazing what you can discover on the interweb.

  • Tureen "Majestic"
    Tureen “Majestic”
  • Gravy Boat "Majestic"
    Gravy Boat “Majestic”
  • Serving Plate "Majestic"
    Serving Plate “Majestic”

It transpires that the Empire Porcelain Company had been around since 1895 with works in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, England. There were actually three factories operating side by side.

The Empire Porcelain Co Ltd was an important producer of domestic and ornamental earthenware and china for the middle of the market. In the late-1920s and 1930s the company produced interesting art deco-style tablewares and notable art deco ornamental wares decorated using the drip glaze technique. Chinz-decorated wares were produced in the 1940 and 1950s.

From Pottery Histories

The pieces that I have are all dated in the 1950’s, as evidenced by the makers marks on the underside, so they are all around seventy years old.

Empire Porcelain Company marks with date stamp indicating April 1952

The letter B apparently indicates that the dishes were produced under the Wartime Concentration Scheme

The Second World War proved a particularly difficult period for the British pottery industry because severe restrictions were placed on the production of decorated pottery. Production was concentrated in a reduced number of factories in order to save materials, energy and labour as these were needed elsewhere for the war.

Pottery Histories

So there is no sentimental value to the dinner service, well not for me. But the history “behind the glaze” is interesting. Even down to the company being bought by a lawn mower manufacturer. Who would have thought they would have an interest in a pottery company.

Sadly, because the works were difficult to modernise, the Empire Porcelain Company was closed in 1967.

Well Said Bruce


“There’s no art in this White House. There’s no literature, no poetry, no music. There are no pets in this White House. No loyal man’s best friend, no Socks the family cat. There are no images of the first family enjoying themselves together in a moment of relaxation: no Obamas on the beach in Hawaii moments, or the Bushes fishing in Kennebunkport, no Reagans on horseback, no Kennedys playing touch football on the Cape.
Where’d that country go? Where did all the fun, the joy and the expression of love and happiness go? We used to have a president who calmed and soothed a nation, instead of dividing it. We are now rudderless and joyless.
We have lost the cultural aspects of society that have always made America great. We have lost our mojo, our fun, our happiness, our cheering on of others— the shared experience of humanity that makes it all worth it. We need to reclaim that country once again.”
-Bruce Springsteen
(10/30/2020, SiriusXM)

Don’t Blame Boris


I nicked this from a post on Facebook, from a group I belong too. It sums up my thoughts, completely. What say you ? ….

Don’t blame Boris and his men for locking us away,
Think instead of the all night raves, that happened every day,
Think back to all those marches, when black lives mattered most,
And the crowded summer beaches, all along the coast.

Think back to newsreel funerals where a hundred more have come,
And street gatherings of the selfish, as stupid stood next to dumb,
Some say rules are made to be broken, but their actions have a cost,
And for every thoughtless action, someone’s life just might be lost.

So don’t look to those in authority, when blame you seek to lay,
We’re locked up because the selfish, have ignored rules every day,
So in this coming month or so, don’t rant or rave or shout,
Just do as you’re bloomin’ told, and burn this virus out!

The Writing Is On The Wall


Sky News: https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-live-latest-news-updates-as-warrington-moves-into-tier-3-and-protests-erupt-in-italy-12115680?inApp=true

I believe the UK government is reluctant, as they have been all along. Reluctant to take the required steps to get us through this crisis.

It is that reluctance that has led to the haphazard implementation of restrictions across the country. It has also contributed to the levels of distrust by Joe Public.

It is due to the disturbing results of the REACT study, and the actions of the French and German governments, that lead me to believe that our government needs to act swiftly and firmly.

The writing is on the wall.

Well Done Australia 🇦🇺


Australia’s response had been “light years ahead” of the US and the UK

At the start of this year I was in Australia and witnessed their government’s actions, taken to control the virus and protect the population.

At the same time I observed, from afar, the UK’s actions, which I believe were too little, too late.

And now I believe we are experiencing the results of those actions. That is the haphazard and chaotic implementation of further restrictions.

Had the UK followed the Australian pattern we would be in much better shape. Acting quickly, shutting internal and external borders, enforcing quarantine wherever you were travelling from and so on. Had the UK Government followed this pattern we would have experienced fewer deaths and infections, and we would not be continuing to damage the UK economy.

So, I say well done Melbourne and well done Australia.

One for the golfers …


A nun walks into the Mother Superior’s office and plunks down into a chair. She lets out a sigh, heavy with frustration.

“What troubles you, Sister?” asked the Mother Superior. “I thought this was the day you spent with your family.”

“It was,” sighed the Sister. “And I went to play golf with my brother. We try to play golf as often as we can. You know I was quite a talented golfer before I devoted my life to Christ.”

“I seem to recall that,” the Mother Superior agreed. “So I take it your day of recreation was not relaxing?”

“Far from it,” snorted the Sister. “In fact, I took the Lord’s name in vain today!”

“Goodness, Sister!” gasped the Mother Superior, astonished. “You must tell me all about it!”

“Well, we were on the fifth tee — and this hole is a monster, Mother — 540 yard par 5, with a nasty dogleg right and a hidden green … and I hit the drive of my life. The sweetest swing I’ve ever made. And it’s flying straight and true, right along the line I wanted … and it hits a bird in mid-flight!”

“Oh my!” commiserated the Mother Superior. “How unfortunate! But surely that didn’t make you blaspheme, Sister!”

“No, that wasn’t it,” admitted the Sister. “While I was still trying to fathom what had happened, this squirrel runs out of the woods, grabs my ball and runs off down the fairway!”

“Oh, that would have made me blaspheme!” sympathized the Mother Superior.

“But I didn’t, Mother!” sobbed the Sister. “And I was so proud of myself! And while I was pondering whether this was a sign from God, this hawk swoops out of the sky and grabs the squirrel and flies off, with my ball still clutched in his paws!”

“So that’s when you cursed,” said the Mother Superior with a knowing smile.

“Nope, that wasn’t it either,” cried the Sister, anguished, “because as the hawk started to fly out of sight, the squirrel started struggling, and the hawk dropped him right there on the green, and the ball popped out of his paws and rolled to about 18 inches from the cup!”

The Mother Superior sat back in her chair, folded her arms across her chest, fixed the Sister with a baleful stare and said …

“You missed the fucking putt, didn’t you?”