Jules-and-Boo

failing that, just don't have your phone out and keep things in your pockets.

What good do you really think police cars would be? a deterrent? These youngesters know that they will not be chased, so unless that changes, I really don't see what can be done. I think we need ninjas to pretend to be normal people and actually tackle them in the act.

Organic certification is about how the animal lives - not how it is killed, so yes - halal organic does exist. It's not really a surprise that how an animal is reared will affect how it tastes. Organic meat will taste better as well as being more ethical. Organic meat is also not full of antibiotics and other nasty stuff, that you are literally putting into your own body as they are transferable. Unfortunately ethics and profit don't mix in the mass market that places like Nandos reaches out to, so they'll go for the cheap option.

as I said - the principles kind of get a bit lost in the mass factory farming of animals for meat.

It's not that straightforward. Animals that are stunned are not Halal by definition and even then, as you say - not all meat classed as Halal actually is. There's diversion - different Halal Certification organisations view it differently - it's Halal or not Halal depending on which you ask. It's just confusing and therefore doesn't really mean much. It's just marketing. Expanding their customer base to the muslim community.

for meat to be classed as Halal, each animal will ? in accordance with Islamic law ? have the name of God pronounced over it before dispatch. Invoking Allah before killing an animal is simply "acknowledging a spirituality behind all material existence". under EU law, all animals must be stunned before slaughter. Halal process doesn't include this and means they are cut and in full awareness. There is much controversy about the halal slaughter being inhumane. While it's something that can be understood on religious grounds on a smaller scale, this doesn't stretch to mass production and factory farming required for the quantities of animals for Pizza Express, Nandos etc who are jumping on the marketing bandwagon.

That's crafty, Foxy.

would be nice to get some South European temperatures to go with it.

Too young by a long shot. Maybe by a whole year, if not longer. I would be surprised if she can walk yet.

accountability? don't make me laugh. The boroughs are notorious for wasting money.

accountability? don't make me laugh.

We had a big garden party at the weekend. A live band too! Invited the neighbours. Stopped at a reasonable time. We had one person come round about the noise, invited him in - and he was quite happy. In fact, over the years this has happened, a number of neighbours just turn up and come in. Perhaps you should just pop over

we're getting a Nandos? #Another# chicken shop? but a just a little bit saucier? mild excitement - lasted about two seconds.

We love anime! I'll tell my daughter. Thank you!

Music doesn't remind me of bad things in a sad way. Even if I hear music from a difficult time, I remember how much I enjoyed listening to it at the time and how much it cheered me up then. Although, Faithless Ft. Estelle got me through a very difficult time and holds a special place in my soul. Couldn't NOT dance to it.

Brilliant :-) Thanks for posting. :-)

edcam - do you work there? why has it touched such a nerve?

yes, they're different. Although both have audiences so I can see your point.. Horses actually like jumping over things. but it's very different to circus. Show jumping is a hobby for people that love horses. Circus is an entertainment to make money. To put it as basically as I can.

yes, but it's 'only' horses and they get walked and fed. It's not wild animals so it doesn't count. right? Personally, I don't think any animals should be made to perform.

Get advice. Do it properly - every detail. Otherwise you can invalidate your claim for possession. Be warned - this could go on for a long time. When does the tenenacy contract end? You could try and get them out by fact of end of tenancy, rather than eviction for non-payment.

that's great news. Well done to the parents for achieving this. It will make a big difference to the children at break time.

it's incredibly painful. I hope they can all find peace.

yes - correct Snowy. Unfortunately it's the primary/ secondary schools not pre-schools which are causing the problems. Actually grants were available for re-building the school but not applied for.

it happened in Brixton where a number of schools (including Effra) were sold to developers and converted into flats. A resulting shortage of school places was not anticipated as there was a shortage of foresight. It would be nice to think that lessons have been learned and developers have to contribute to the community in their application.

yes - high rise is the way to go. Up-up-up. Supply/ demand - with enough high rises, we'll be able to provide affordable housing to everyone as there will be more property than people. Such a simple solution to life's little problems.