Jeremy

Sue, there are weedkillers you can get now which will kill knotweed, but it will take 2-3 years to get rid of the stuff...

We are having a similar-ish problem. We weren't able to sell due to knotweed on network rail property at the end of the garden. I'm not quite clear what your situation is. Do you live in a small block of council flats, with some privately owned units?

star-bob-star, you seems a bit touchy. Do your kids have funny names too? Portia and Bentley? If I ever have a daughter, Millefeulle will be top of the list. Thanks HB.

People have previously said that it's so they can raise the cash for another restaurant, possibly another Begging Bowl branch.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > My gripe with Smiths is the prices they charge in > train station and hospital shops. It takes the > absolute p!ss! Could be a reflection of the increased rent they're charged? Just guessing.

Agreed that extending 6m out the back would have a very negative impact for neighbours. I'm generally OK with side return extensions though.

1. It represents a shift of the Tory policy towards Europe. From the current position of grudging compromise, to the possibility of exiting all together. 2. What is your understanding of a "conventional family"? Mine would be mum/dad/children. But to favour these families amounts to the same thing as penalising gay couples or single parent families.

I don't think anyone is talking about adding an extra 6m onto the back of an existing 6m kitchen? That would be ludicrous...

first mate Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Specifically, where terraces are concerned, it is > quite difficult to increase the footprint without > affecting your neighbour- the key point is whether > they are okay with it or not and to what degree > there should be give and take. Not 100% sure about all this stuff, but if neighbours aren't happy about it, can't they a) object to the planning request b) if it falls under permitted development, refuse the party wall agreement

Welcome back HB. Put me down for a training session.

I agree that preserving architectural heritage is important. But we have designated conservation areas and listed buildings for that purpose... and most of ED, consisting of row after row of generic terrace housing doesn't really qualify. The local architecture is not unique or stand-out, and neither is the trend for extending and remodelling. These are peoples homes first and foremost, and a balance has to be struck between conservation, and giving people the freedom to make their homes work for them. Especially in a city with a large population, scarce brownfield land for development, and high property prices meaning that large houses are only within the reach of a privileged few. I'd argue that the balance of preserving the frontage but giving owners the freedom to do what they want at the rear (and inside) of the property, seems quite fair.

Great work, mich. Glad she's OK.

There's a very real danger that this will spark more 'hard line' policies from the Tories. There's already talk of an EU referendum, tax breaks for "conventional" families (oh dear), and decrease of income tax (like that's what the country needs right now). So even though the chances of UKIP gaining any real power are slim, it seems that their brand of right wing politics may prove influential.

I'm sure that a large proportion of their voters are just "normal" people. Not racists, not BNP sympathisers... just people who are disillusioned and frustrated, and soundbites from the UKIP have struck a chord with them. But that's how parties like this gain traction, by preying on the emotions of vulnerable people. The example of Eastern European tradesmen is, as far as I'm concerned, another example of misguided people wanting something/someone to blame for their own predicament.

El Pibe Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I read somewhere that in a brief bit on foreign > policy in their manifesto they talk about > supporting independence for Tibet and Taiwan > (something even Taiwan aren't pushing for). Ah, yes. Sticking it to the Chinese... another scapegoat for the recession...

My take on it is that in times of hardship, people look for someone/something to blame. EU/immigration is an easy target... but it's not the right one.

Huh... I remember that thread...

It's a tough one. With me it just came down to deciding a "spec" of diamond and style of ring, and traipsing round the shops for a few hours to see who could provide it at the best price. Avoiding anywhere that looked too bling. I will try to find out the name of the shop if you like...

Even with the bribes, it's incredible he got away with it for as long as he did. Anyone with a smidgen of intelligence should realise that there's no such thing as a machine which can detect the presence of a substance based on a little sticker that had been put in a jar. I'm not sure I could come up with a more absurd "invention" if I tried.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22380368 Is it just me who finds it absolutely incredible that anybody would actually pay money for these things? Let alone tens of thousands of dollars. 1. A small amount of the substance the user wished to detect - such as explosives - was put in a Kilner jar along with a sticker that was intended to absorb the "vapours" of the substance 2. The sticker was then placed on a credit-card sized card, which was read by a card reader and inserted into the device 3. The user would then hold the device, which had no working electronics, and the swivelling antenna was meant to indicate the location of the sought substance

stacey-lyn - I'm just going by what I've heard on here. As well as a general distrust of traffic wardens. I'd be happy to be proved wrong. I don't think there's anything wrong with creating a driveway if you're lucky enough to have the space. You can still put plants in the borders and stuff.

Zedd Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > we will free up a space on the road as we will then park > our second car across the driveway. Don't do that! The wardens will ticket you faster than you can say "but it's my house!"

Not sure that it's a shame, even on an emotional level. Audley was in no way suited to the pro boxing game, but made the most of his limited skillset, became a rich man, and won a Euro strap along the way. While others of an equivalent skill level will have to find work as a builder or bodyguard after retiring, he'll live a comfortable life. If you wanted to stick the knife in, you could claim that his last few big fights were a sham. He didn't come to fight, and gave zero value-for-money. The boxing world is better off without him.

I don't think he'll come back. Mind you, if Steve Collins is making a comeback, anything is possible.

Boo hoo.