[Misc] Who on here has been to walk past the Queen's coffin?

[Weststander]

You are both right and wrong IMO. Right because their money is small compared to others but wrong to discount their importance in maintaining a system which is unfair as they are the figurehead for it. People talk about levelling up and a meritocracy but how can that happen when our head of state is made head because of who he is not what he is.

I don't think you need to be a card carrying socialist to realise that the system is grossly unfair and needs to change and some redistribution of that wealth held by the top 1% will greatly reduce the need for food banks.

Well lots of people would vehemently disagree with your last sentence or they haven’t the slightest interest. I don’t, it’s immoral and the gap’s getting wider.



We’ll have to agree to disagree on the UK royals. Sweep them away (metaphorically) and turn the palaces into English Heritage venues, and nothing will change for the new-monied Brit, Russian, Swiss. German, Yank or Frenchman squirrelling away increasing wealth. The Windsor’s really aren’t the fulcrum on which the UK and West’s super rich depend. They’re virtually an irrelevance in 2022. Imho.

I’ve said on this or other threads about the injustice of Oxbridge/Durham and how that could be dealt with one move. The entrance system is a biased farce. Posh TV celebs are just one example, the likes of Monty Don and Rick Stein (plus of course dim Prince Edward) got into Oxbridge despite shite A Level grades. I know people with an array of A*’s who failed to, even when they went to lesser private schools. Important because those degrees and connections open up avenues.

 

[Brightonfan1983]

I get the fact that people want to see the coffin as a mark of respect, I’m fine with this. But what I don’t get is that many seem to be going there as an “experience” and/or “to be part of history.” This seems to be more about them than the Queen; and a bit mawkish and disrespectful. Each to their own I guess.

But no, I won’t be queuing.

I went last night and have to partly agree with you. I met a lot of very nice people indeed, but there were a fair few too many of those 'part of history' phrases being bandied about. But then again, there seemed to be an equal amount who'd come (either with someone or solo) simply because they really wanted to (I guess you'd have to really want to, to queue for 11 hours), and just that it was important to them, which probably reflects more accurately the general atmosphere.

 

[Wardy's twin]

Well lots of people would vehemently disagree with your last sentence or they haven’t the slightest interest. I don’t, it’s immoral and the gap’s getting wider.

View attachment 151954

We’ll have to agree to disagree on the UK royals. Sweep them away (metaphorically) and turn the palaces into English Heritage venues, and nothing will change for the new-monied Brit, Russian, Swiss. German, Yank or Frenchman squirrelling away increasing wealth. The Windsor’s really aren’t the fulcrum on which the UK and West’s super rich depend. They’re virtually an irrelevance in 2022. Imho.

I’ve said on this or other threads about the injustice of Oxbridge/Durham and how that could be dealt with one move. The entrance system is a biased farce. Posh TV celebs are just one example, the likes of Monty Don and Rick Stein (plus of course dim Prince Edward) got into Oxbridge despite shite A Level grades. I know people with an array of A*’s who failed to, even when they went to lesser private schools. Important because those degrees and connections open up avenues.

People would disagree with my point about wealth distribution because its presented by the media that hard working people have to give up their hard earned cash to work shy people and foreigners when in reality we are talking about the billionaires not the person who earns 100k pa or householders etc. Start with the extremes and it will deliver benefits without negatively impacting the majority.

Let's agree to disagree on the royals. I had no issue with the queen but what does Charles offer other than being a hypocrite about his marriage and his work on the environment.

As regards education I totally concur , if you can afford to put your kids into Brighton College then they are made for life irrespective of whether they are 'clever', very much that money creates more money . What you say though is supporting my view we should have a meritocracy which takes me back to how can we have a head of state who is head because of birth rather than ability ( he is just a well spoken thicky really).

Have you built your pond yet?

 

[Return of the Rev]

Thought about it, open coffin would have been a deal clincher.

 

[Weststander]

People would disagree with my point about wealth distribution because its presented by the media that hard working people have to give up their hard earned cash to work shy people and foreigners when in reality we are talking about the billionaires not the person who earns 100k pa or householders etc. Start with the extremes and it will deliver benefits without negatively impacting the majority.

Let's agree to disagree on the royals. I had no issue with the queen but what does Charles offer other than being a hypocrite about his marriage and his work on the environment.

As regards education I totally concur , if you can afford to put your kids into Brighton College then they are made for life irrespective of whether they are 'cleve', very much that money creates more money . What you say though is supporting my view we should have a meritocracy which takes me back to how can we have a head of state who is head because of birth rather than ability ( he is just a well spoken thicky really).

Have you built your pond yet?

Hi. No. A long story, but I’ve been doing lots of other garden things for wildlife, it’s been amazing for pollinators this summer. It WILL happen and I haven’t forgotten your kind offer on newts.



How’s your garden and pond, any nice stories?

 

[Is it PotG?]

Just leaving now.....

 

[cunning fergus]

Any citizen over the age of 30, campaign spending capped at a million pounds, no former MPs allowed.

These are my initial suggestions not cast iron rules. I'd rather a balloon with a face on it than another Windsor though.

No this is much better……..so let’s begin.

No former MPs, what about ex MEPs and other politically affiliated individuals i.e. Councillors and Mayors? Presumably they are out?

As for the million pound limit, is this from individual’s personal assets or is the taxpayer expected to contribute?

What about term of office……..what is it in Ireland?

Say 5 years…….last general election cost taxpayer over £15m in costs………so maybe longer, what do you think?

 

[Bakero]

No this is much better……..so let’s begin.

No former MPs, what about ex MEPs and other politically affiliated individuals i.e. Councillors and Mayors? Presumably they are out?

As for the million pound limit, is this from individual’s personal assets or is the taxpayer expected to contribute?

What about term of office……..what is it in Ireland?

Say 5 years…….last general election cost taxpayer over £15m in costs………so maybe longer, what do you think?

Barring all politically-affiliated citizens may be overly restrictive. You wouldn't want someone banned because they'd been part of a society at uni so let's just say no ex-MPs. If someone seemed to be caught up in party politics while in office, they could be removed.

In Ireland, a term is 7 years and presidency limited to 2 terms. Seems fair.

15 million doesn't seem expensive so I don't see why it couldn't be funded by the taxpayer.

 

[cunning fergus]

Barring all politically-affiliated citizens may be overly restrictive. You wouldn't want someone banned because they'd been part of a society at uni so let's just say no ex-MPs. If someone seemed to be caught up in party politics while in office, they could be removed.

In Ireland, a term is 7 years and presidency limited to 2 terms. Seems fair.

15 million doesn't seem expensive so I don't see why it couldn't be funded by the taxpayer.

No ex MPs is fair, but then you have MEPs that were politically affiliated as are Mayors like Khan. In Ireland I think McAleese stood a couple of times for a political party but was not elected, so if we want a non political head of state it needs broadening beyond ex MPs.

OK, 7 year term it is, sadly I missed a 1 of the cost numbers, it’s £115m……..sorry about that.

What about costs to taxpayer for campaigns?

Is it for the rich only, or is the hard pressed taxpayer contributing?

 

[Wozza]

The queue is closed to new visitors.

I was almost tempted....

 

[Wardy's twin]

Hi. No. A long story, but I’ve been doing lots of other garden things for wildlife, it’s been amazing for pollinators this summer. It WILL happen and I haven’t forgotten your kind offer on newts.

View attachment 151959

How’s your garden and pond, any nice stories?

A mixed bag.... I have 3 smallish ponds two with wildlife and one with rescued goldfish. The latter took a hammering and two thirds died some showed symtoms of bladder problem i.e. they swim upside down etc but only found a few bodies , the ones i got out did not respond to the prescribed treatment and the problem stopped when i put a net over it . There have been herons in the area and I wonder if they had damaged the fish but dropped them and that would account for the missing bodies. I also had a reduced number of newts in the main wild [ond which would back up the heron theory. On the plus side the reduction in newts allowed more tadpoles to survive and become froglets and there was a significant increase in damsel flies. Also on the bad side I have had to build a frame around my once natural looking compost heap which had a number of slowworms in it as next doors cat was wiping them out.

More generally in the garden lots of bees of very distinct varieties ( I have a pretty diverse set of flowers ) and quite a few visits by Humming Bird Hawkmoths...

Butterflies seem to be down this year other than whites and blues. One thing I will post on the garden thread is about my Buddleias - really used to be a magnet for butterflies and bees but mainly ignored this year and this trend has been going on for a while.

 

[Weststander]

A mixed bag.... I have 3 smallish ponds two with wildlife and one with rescued goldfish. The latter took a hammering and two thirds died some showed symtoms of bladder problem i.e. they swim upside down etc but only found a few bodies , the ones i got out did not respond to the prescribed treatment and the problem stopped when i put a net over it . There have been herons in the area and I wonder if they had damaged the fish but dropped them and that would account for the missing bodies. I also had a reduced number of newts in the main wild [ond which would back up the heron theory. On the plus side the reduction in newts allowed more tadpoles to survive and become froglets and there was a significant increase in damsel flies. Also on the bad side I have had to build a frame around my once natural looking compost heap which had a number of slowworms in it as next doors cat was wiping them out.

More generally in the garden lots of bees of very distinct varieties ( I have a pretty diverse set of flowers ) and quite a few visits by Humming Bird Hawkmoths...

Butterflies seem to be down this year other than whites and blues. One thing I will post on the garden thread is about my Buddleias - really used to be a magnet for butterflies and bees but mainly ignored this year and this trend has been going on for a while.

Did you have to top up the ponds in the eternal heat of summer?

I took pics of those moths on Lavender I think a while back, stunning. I hadn’t previously known about them.

With slow worms and that issue, I found they survived, due to a special part of their makeup … a bit gory for here. I had to change to plastic compost bins 15 years ago due to coming across Rattus. BHCC’s pest control bloke said they’re a readymade hotel! I make two large containers of ‘black gold’ a year.

 

[Wozza]

Christina Heerey, a serving member of the RAF from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, said she was very privileged to be the last person.

She said it was her second time round - having already joined to the queue to see the coffin at 4.45pm on Sunday, going through at 1.15am on Monday - but she decided to join the back of the queue and go round again.

"Because it went so quick and it was such an amazing experience, I didn't feel I did the Queen justice, so I wanted to go round again," she told Good Morning Britain.

"I joined the end of the queue and I remained at the end of the queue because I certainly didn't want to take someone else's place."

 

[jonny.rainbow]

Christina Heerey, a serving member of the RAF from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, said she was very privileged to be the last person.

She said it was her second time round - having already joined to the queue to see the coffin at 4.45pm on Sunday, going through at 1.15am on Monday - but she decided to join the back of the queue and go round again.

"Because it went so quick and it was such an amazing experience, I didn't feel I did the Queen justice, so I wanted to go round again," she told Good Morning Britain.

"I joined the end of the queue and I remained at the end of the queue because I certainly didn't want to take someone else's place."

Look at me ma’am!

 

[Wardy's twin]

Did you have to top up the ponds in the eternal heat of summer?

I took pics of those moths on Lavender I think a while back, stunning. I hadn’t previously known about them.

With slow worms and that issue, I found they survived, due to a special part of their makeup … a bit gory for here. I had to change to plastic compost bins 15 years ago due to coming across Rattus. BHCC’s pest control bloke said they’re a readymade hotel! I make two large containers of ‘black gold’ a year.

dropping their tail i found that out as a 7 year old kid who developed a massive guilt complex until i found out that it is sort of normal. Common Lizards do the same , I caught one which had regenerated it but it had developed as two very distinct tails. Dropping the tail can work but it .... but i found 3 dead ones in a space of a week all were small ones 2 were probably from last year or year before. There were some big ones but they were caught 2 years ago..

I avoid putting household waste in my compost for that reason . I had a black plastic one which did have scraps in it but it got in . I then moved it to having slabs underneath and metal wire still got in. I now have two compost set ups one for soil the other for the wild life.

I top up my ponds with tap water , have done from the start about 20 years ago , never used any conditioning and ponds have generally been ok other than the fish problem i mentioned.

 

[Weststander]

dropping their tail i found that out as a 7 year old kid who developed a massive guilt complex until i found out that it is sort of normal. Common Lizards do the same , I caught one which had regenerated it but it had developed as two very distinct tails. Dropping the tail can work but it .... but i found 3 dead ones in a space of a week all were small ones 2 were probably from last year or year before. There were some big ones but they were caught 2 years ago..

I avoid putting household waste in my compost for that reason . I had a black plastic one which did have scraps in it but it got in . I then moved it to having slabs underneath and metal wire still got in. I now have two compost set ups one for soil the other for the wild life.

I top up my ponds with tap water , have done from the start about 20 years ago , never used any conditioning and ponds have generally been ok other than the fish problem i mentioned.

I’ve never put cooked food in the heaps, but still Rattus made it home. Did the same as you with some spare concrete slabs, the pest control guy said they can get through any gap 50p size upwards, so the slabs are abutted together.

WHEN I do the pond, I may keep a water butt close by so that I don’t top up with any Southern Water chemicals and rainwater has a lower pH. Gardening experts talk of this as helping combat blanketweed.

 

[Bodian]

A couple more. I took nearly a thousand pics during the afternoon.

Bet that took some filtering! Cracking shots - the one with Tower Bridge in it especially good.

 

[Giraffe]

I know someone who did who is definitely not a royalist but splashed all over social media how he’d queued for 12 hours or whatever. Clearly had done it for the wrong reasons.

 

[Horses Arse]

There’s something slightly medieval about it and of course there didn’t need to be a queue at all, everyone could have been given a time slot

Instead we witness subtle manipulation, in creating it the whole thing has become much more of a spectacle.

Completely with you regarding the need for a queue- ridiculous.

A free for all would have been amazing!! I'd have certainly watched that! Brilliant entertainment.

Excuse me, you're pushing in!

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[Horses Arse]

If I was in the UK I would have queued, if not just for me but for my late mother, a royalist through and through. Respect, like good manners, costs nothing.

Respect costs nothing but has to be earned.

No wonder this country is on its arse.

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