Category: Comment

Happy St George’s Day


Follow the link below to see my previous thoughts on  how little we think of the English patron saint compared to the patron saints of the other countries that make up the United Kingdom.

https://siskinbob.com/2011/03/23/once-more-for-emsworth-and-st-george-what-about-the-rest-of-the-country/

This year, my online calendar doesn’t even mention St. George’s day. And yet, staring me in the face are entries for St. Patrick and St. David both celebrated in the same month.

The people of this country do my head in. They get bent out of shape because Nike introduce a multi colour version for the England football strip, but seemingly ignore St. George, for whom the flag is a symbol.

And let’s not forget that the cross of St. George forms an integral part, if not the basis, of the Union Flag symbol of Great Britain, the United Kingdom.

I did a quick trawl of the interweb to find out what was happening in my area to celebrate St. George’s Day. Well, apparently,  not much.

I found several instances referring to parades and services associated with Chichester Cathedral. Sadly, they were all for years gone by.

Also sad, if there is any truth in it, is this text

We do recognise St George’s day In England, although as a more multicultural society it is not observed by all. There is also an air or Political correctness that abounds in England today that the St George’s flag (white with Red Cross) is viewed by some as racist.

https://www.quora.com/

Racist !!! Where the hell did that come from ? The national flag of multicultural  England is racist. More woke/BLM bullshit.

Similarly, another snippet

Observed on the 23rd of April each year, you’ll find parades and a range of celebratory activities popping up around England. Expect to see the symbol of St George (a flag with a red and white cross) everywhere, as well as people flooding the streets and local pubs, as well as church services.

https://www.rabbies.com/en/blog/how-celebrate-st-georges-day-2024#:~:text=Observed%20on%20the%2023rd%20of,as%20well%20as%20Church%20services.

At the grand old age of seventy-two, I can safely say that I have never seen a parade for St. George, nor people flooding the streets.

Most churches will hold services for St. George and some pubs will certainly put up some bunting and promote St. George, in the hope of drawing in a few more punters.

But, St. George is not embedded in our psyche. If we had a national holiday, then more people might sit up and take notice.

But that isn’t any more likely now than it was in 2011 when I lasted posted on this subject.

What Tattoo ?


What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

I have never ever felt the need to have a tattoo. In my mind, it is a form of self mutilation and is in the same category as body piercing.

Some friends in my peer age group who have tattoos have also expressed their regret at having them.

It seems to me that it is a young person’s affectation or ….

…. is it just me being a grumpy old man?

Local Council At Fault


Simon Carter states that the only way to reinvigorate our town centres is to shut down the internet !!!

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-22-1834/content.html

To a certain extent, he is correct. The Internet is a contributing factor but not the sole reason Waterlooville is in such a sorry state.

And, of course, 60’s architecture isn’t wholly to blame either. But, it doesn’t help to alleviate the sad, drab appearance of Waterlooville centre.

Bright sunshine goes a long way to enhance the appearance of the shop fronts. But despite the sunshine, what is notable is the lack of people. Just two people walking thru and nobody sitting at the tables outside the cafe.

Compare that view to the picture I took last week on a dull day.

Not a single person in sight and no amount of sunshine is going to improve this view.

A significant factor in Waterloovilles’ demise was the decision to divert the A3 and to pedestrianise the main thoroughfare and therefore removing passing trade.

Further planning decisions to allow the development of retail parks away from the town centre have further reduced the footfall needed to sustain the businesses that have disappeared over the years.

The diverted A3 subdivided Waterlooville, and with the retail park providing free parking, while the town centre car parks charged for the dubious pleasure, there was further incentive to stay away.

Blaming the Internet is too easy and distracts from the part that Havant Borough Council had to play in getting Waterlooville to its current state.

If You Carry A Knife You Are Planning To Kill


In my view, if you leave home carrying a knife, then you are already of the mindset that you may use it.

If you use it, then you must be aware that you are, potentially, going to kill someone.

That is not manslaughter. That is murder.

While Betteridge didn’t take the knife out, he must have accepted it from Hansen, and he did wield it with tragic consequences.

And, again, in my view, Hansen, who supplied the knife, bears equal responsibility and should also be charged with murder.

Neither Betteridge nor Hansen can be unaware of the countrywide incidents involving knives and the subsequent consequences.

Far too many knife related deaths are being reported on TV and in the press.

And yet, Hansen still carried a knife out onto the streets and at some time passed it to Betteridge, who then used it to such devastating effect.

In the early hours of Saturday, August 5th, 2023, the lives of three eighteen year olds were changed forever, along with the lives of their friends and family.

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-11-2029/content.html

Plans But No Real Substance


This is the face of a deluded woman.

https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-17-1971/content.html

Deluded because she is annoyed that folks, when they visit, can’t see the councils plans.

Journalist Christopher Howse of The Telegraph published an article on the demise of Waterlooville. He presented his view after a single visit.

Well, I found myself in Waterlooville centre at around 13:00 on Monday and I think Mr Howse is pretty spot on.

Although there were a few people wandering around, they didn’t look much like shoppers, more they were just passing through. With no shop fronts to attract them, invite them to pause a while and browse. It all looked pretty desolate.

All that was missing was some tumbleweed blowing around.

Despite the best efforts of those businesses actually open, it is not an attractive place to be.

There are many barber shops here, but all but one had no customers. The bored proprietors were sitting drinking coffee or fizzy pop.

The coffee shops all seemed to be fairly busy, but due to a distinct lack of interest in chipboard, there wasn’t much to keep me window shopping.

After around 45 mins, I had completed a full circuit of the town centre and took myself off to join the coffee drinkers.

I’m sorry, Councillor Robinson, but visual impressions of the town don’t convey the potential that HBC plans to build on. I really do applaud HBC for what they are trying to do, but as I have said before, I fear it is too little too late.

A misguided HBC has mishandled the planning of both Waterlooville and Havant centres, and the local residents are paying the price

The Telegraph’s View Of Waterlooville


Over the years, I have, in several posts, made some disparaging remarks about the state of our town (village) centre.

How it is slowly decomposing, and becoming something of a ghost town.

Well it seems we have now come to the attention of The Telegraph, one Britain’s national broadsheets.

The English high street: Waterlooville, Hampshire – how a town centre dies

This has become an object lesson in how a thriving town can be ruined by poor building and haphazard planning

This is the opening salvo of a sad description   of how Havant Borough Council planners have mismanaged the development of Waterlooville and then, having fouled it up they have sat back to let the rot set in.

Further into the article, reference is made to the Wellington Way Shopping Centre website. I didn’t know it had one.

“Wellington Way Shopping Centre, right at the heart of the town,” says its website. “Offers a great mix of high-street names and boutiques. Come on down and enjoy the atmosphere.”

This is followed by …

You would have to be deranged to enjoy the atmosphere.

I have long bemoaned the fact that the planners diverted the A3 London Road to dogleg its way around the town centre. Effectively isolating the town centre from the new shopping experience that is the Wellington Way Retail Park. The Telegraph had this to say …

Since 1983, the A3 has roared in a dog-leg bypass, leaving the London Road, the main shopping street, as a comfortless pedestrian open space.

I note that the Telegraph didn’t  comment on that part of the retail park experience which is the parking.

Only a moron would create a retail park with two motor vehicle entrances but only one exit. Parking is free for a set period of time, monitored by NPR cameras. Many folks have found that they have been fined due to it taking over an hour to exit the car park, thereby exceeding the free period.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/02/27/english-high-street-london-road-waterlooville-hampshire/

Don’t get me wrong. I know that HBC are working hard to turn things around. But, as I have also previously stated, I believe it to be too little, too late.

They have already subdivided the town centre by diverting and pedestrianising the A3. This is a change that they are highly unlikely to reverse.

Today, a Monday afternoon, I have just circumnavigated the town centre. There were a fair few people around, but it was a long way from the bustling town it was. And despite the clean-up work, it is drab, uninviting, and sad. The Telegraph are not far off the mark.

Danger in Numbers


https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/full_page_image/page-4-2033/content.html

I’m baffled.

I love wild animals when they are in their own environment or failing that, in a well run zoo especially when they are working to protect endangered species.

What I don’t understand is why private individuals feel the need to keep dangerous animals as pets !!

And I find the stats published in my local paper somewhat troubling.

Among the creatures kept in the Portsmouth area are Suphan Cobras, White Lipped Vipers, and a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

In Havant, there are, apparently, 37 Chinese Alligators !!!

And these are only the ones that are being kept legally with the proper Dangerous Wild Animal licenses.

How many illegals are there ?

I Don’t Get It


https://app.portsmouth.co.uk/2024/02/28/747-new-houses-purchased-by-portsmouth-city-council-in-largest-acquisition-of-its-kind-to-boost-social-homes/content.html

I don’t understand how this works !

Portsmouth City Council purchases houses that are already occupied. In so doing, they become responsible for the management and maintenance of 747 properties.

The homes were sold to the council by Clarion Housing Group, who were trying to shed the properties from their portfolio. 

Has anyone asked why Clarion was getting rid of these properties?

Equally puzzling, to me, is why Portsmouth City Council wants to responsible for housing and tenants spread throughout Hampshire.

The majority of the new buildings are in Portsmouth, with others situated in Gosport, Havant, Fareham and Winchester.

How does this help with the existing shortfall of available properties to house those who are already on the local waiting list for social housing ?

Wouldn’t the money have been better spent on new build properties, which would be empty and could, therefore, have a direct impact on the waiting lists.

Amazon Fail To Deliver


My experience with items ordered via Amazon has, until now, been faultless.

A few days ago, I ordered two T-shirts with a scheduled delivery of some time on Friday.

The due date arrived, as did an email confirming the imminent delivery. In the email was a tracking link, which I selected.

Up popped a map showing the delivery van was less than a mile away and that I was the 3rd delivery.  And, a few minutes later, it showed that I was next, so I prepared myself to go answer the door.

Time passed, no sign of the driver. It was gone eight in the evening, so dark outside. We have a hedge that blocks our view of the driveway, but I could see the van headlights. I could hear the thumps as doors were opened and closed. Then, through the trees, I spotted a van driving away.

I checked the app, and much to my surprise, it indicated that my goods had been delivered. It further stated that my goods had been stuffed through my letterbox.

How could that be ?

As I said, it was dark outside, but anyone coming to my door would have triggered my Ring doorbell/camera and also the sensor controlled floodlight. No such trigger occurred.

I checked with my immediate neighbours but nobody had erroneously received my delivery.

So I contacted Amazon, thinking they could contact the driver, and as it had only been a few minutes, he would still be in the area.

Apparently, once the driver leaves the depot, there is no way to contact them !!!

The guy I was talking to was very good and he raised a complaint for me. Arranged a refund for the goods and sent me a confirmation email.

However,  that is hardly the point. I actually wanted the T-shirts. I had wasted my time, and his.

It’s been two days now, so I would hope that if he had actually delivered my goods a bit further afield, then the recipient would have walked them round to my house.

The driver is either very lazy or a thief. 

This is the first time I have had any issues with Amazon and I hope it’s the last.

Another Sad Day


Just a short while ago, I posted about attending my ex son-in-laws funeral.

And just this week, we attended another. This time, for a friend and colleague of my wife’s, from her days working at the Kenwood site in Havant.

Two funerals in quick succession, a dark start to 2024, had me thinking that, given my age, I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, I will be 72 this year, God willing.

But that’s not right. Yes, as we get older, we start to say goodbye to others in our age group however, neither Dave nor Ali are in my age group.   Dave was 56 while Ali was not yet 55. Too young by any measure, showing that cancer does not respect  age.

RIP Ali, my condolences to Martin and Cameron.

Alison “Ali” Davis 12th August 1969 – 20th January 2024