Jeremy

You Met Your Match - Stevie Wonder (a cracking tune, I may add...)

> When the early surge of council housing was built after the second world war it wasn't > designed for people "living on benefits" it was for working people on rlatively low > incomes in a time when it wasn't the major aspiration or expectation to own your own > home. I think we all realise that council housing isn't exclusively for people living entirely on benefits, but wouldn't you agree that a council house in itself is a state benefit? So by definition, council tenants are receiving benefits? Nothing wrong with that of course, as long as they are in genuine need of those benefits. > I don't have much sympathy for the people who greedily eyed capital gains in their > homes as a right and who are now finding they're stuck and have lost money. I do tend to agree to a certain extent, I was never entirely comfortable with the concept of property speculation, as it has artificially increased prices.

Did you get the Bontempi organ, Bob?

Plenty of good options for us 30-somethings in my opinion... EDT, Green & Blue, Hoopers, Gowlett, Plough, Magnolia... even the Bishop or Black Cherry (during the week).

Mr Eater, surely you are aware that mobile phones are a manifestation of this big brother society? They can track your every move... record all of your phone calls and messages... it's all part of the conspiracy. You should be glad you can't get reception!

Don't get me wrong, microbite... I'm largely in agreement with you, in that people who claim benefits they do not need are a drain on society (and a council house is indeed a benefit). There is only a limited amount of council housing, and it is sad when the system is exploited and taken for granted. But saying that "they are all taken by people who don't actually need or deserve them" is a gross generalisation, and a fairly ridiculous one at that. I would also suggest that the emphasis should be on the government to ensure that housing is allocated correctly, rather than relying on the individual to do the right thing.

I went in the adventure bar once... didn't like it much. And there weren't even many girls there (of either the teenage or suburban slapper variety). But maybe it's busy at the moment because of kids back from uni, as Piers suggested.

Hello Alan... I live on the same road as the pub (yes in Camberwell), and it is known locally as Hoopers, as far as I can tell. Have you still not got your head round the concept of pubs changing name? And why have I not heard you being so defensive about any of the other pubs which have had recent name changes? Anyway, yes it is a good pub with the best selection of beer anywhere in SE5, SE15, or SE22! Not just continental beer either.

Well I haven't meet CWALD, and although I may not agree with many of her views, it's still interesting to read stuff from someone who thinks differently from the mainstream of posters on here. And I will concede that there is a certain justice in property speculators getting their comeuppance...

With most places, I find that delivery is worse than eating in. Not sure why. But I must admit that even eating in, the smokey brinjal is a shadow of its former self.

I will continue, although the game has been ruined (RUINED I TELL YOU!) by the Manic St Preachers link... Just A Mirage - Smokey Robison

Pistachio Club = good.

Yeah, big big scar in his neck... probably doesn't have staples in it any more though. There was a thread about him last year... apparently he used to say things like "Don't worry, I won't rape you", before asking for money. He followed me around the supermarket once!

Yes, well... interest rates will have to go up soon, won't they... as soon as the B of E feel that the stock market has stabilized, and that banks have started to lend money again, rates will go back up again. There may well be a higher-than-expected rise at some point, to breathe some life back into the pound. But I think it's a mistake to look at this purely in numbers. Surely there are more factors in whether a shop survives than interest rates and debts. In my opinion there are maybe 5 or 6 "star" independent(ish) establishments in the area which will surely see the recession through. I think it's inevitable that some places won't make it, but hopefully the core of quality establishments will still be there at the other side...

Yes, yes... I'm sure that councils can build and manage properties cheaper than the private sector. But that doesn't mean that the cost is so low, that it can be covered by the rents. In fact, your final chapter seems to state that council housing is indeed subsidised.

Council housing for all? That's an interesting idea, but I don't know where all the money would come from. I'm pretty sure that the rental income from council properties would not cover the building costs (i.e. they are subsidised in real terms). Regarding right to buy - it does have its upsides... I've lived on council estates before, and there is a genuine advantage, as it helps prevent the "ghettoisation" CWALD mentioned... mixing transient tenants with the more permanent residents. But I agree that when they come to sell them on, it should either be sold back to the council, or the profit should be shared.

Manic Monday - Bangles

I don't think anyone is anti-council housing as such... nobody is saying that council housing shouldn't exist. But I think a lot of us feel that the councils (and maybe central government) should have more strict criteria for eligibility. Council housing should be for people who cannot afford private housing - not for people who just don't want to pay for private housing - and eligibility should be re-evaluated periodically. I really don't see how anyone could objectively argue otherwise!

Pretty much any TV you buy now will be HD compatible, surely? Can anyone find one which is not? Sure, the built-in tuner may just be bog-standard freeview, but you can always upgrade to Sky HD or whatever other new services come along in the next few years.

I (more or less) agree that council tenants are being subsidised by the taxpayer... but if someone is deemed eligible for council housing, then I wouldn't blame them for taking it. It's human nature.

I gave up trying to see the best in people years ago - most of us in London distrust anyone we don't know, and with good reason. If someone approaches you, the majority of the time they'll be trying to rip you off, or begging for money for booze or drugs, or trying to push their vile beliefs on you. jollybaby, the guy who approaches you sounds like the con-artist formerly known as "staple-neck man" - a fairly well-known local character! You'd be hard pushed to see the best in him...

Nothing but Sainsburys and the bookies probably, quids...

Oh, the irony...

Maybe they are just back from university for the xmas holidays?

indiepanda's explanation is good... should make it clear to the slowest of maths brains. You should be a teacher!