Alpha 72 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Brew, In the SW there are six listed Counties, Devon, Somerset and Gloucestershire; Cornwall, Wiltshire, Dorset, having a Unitary County status. The remaining nine are unitary districts. Still, not a bad haul though for accruing revenue. The focus is the recovery of national assets from the current and future, ever expanding, incumbents’ of the monarchy to a more accountable position administered through a Parliamentary portal. The Duchy, having existing rights since 1337 perhaps there might be a breeze veering towards a change for the better. Also a welcome end of the tiresome spectacle of the pomp, the bowing and scraping associated with the presence of the ‘royals’. As for Boris, considered by some as a blusterer at the dispatch box, at least he is approachable and willing to accept criticism. Unlike the head of the firm who is not to be touched in person albeit with the wrath of her god (something akin to the status enjoyed by the late Japanese Emperor Hirohito), when are they, or we, ever going to wake up to the 21 century? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 4,215 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 The duchy is not a public body or a company or a charity and therefore not liable to corporation tax though it is answerable to the government (treasury) and voluntarily pays tax. Charles holds it in trust and is only the titular head, he cannot do as he pleases with it. It is fully accountable - just not in a way Republicans approve. You think the pomp tiresome but is there any country in the world, regardless of the type of government, that doesn't go in for it in one way or another? Let's face it, you simply resent Royalty and refuse to acknowledge the monarchy may have benefits. I didn't ask you what you thought of Boris, I asked how you would benefit, personally I see none and a great many disadvantages in giving the buffoon presidential status. I can think of a few despots that are Presidents and where this conversation could not take place, none that are Kings or Queens. Your last paragraph is quite frankly just silly. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 4,350 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 At least, in this country, we are free to express our opinions, favourable or otherwise, about the Royals. Libel and slander excepted. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
davep5491 348 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 6 hours ago, Beekay said: I would say that you had a fair chance of joining the firm Dave. My wife is a King, (well she is now). Are you pulling rank BK? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 2,902 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Wouldn't dare do that Dave ! Not over 'er indoors. She'd make me life sheer purgatory. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MargieH 6,669 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 I don't know any royalty, and have never met anyone famous! I'm just a farm girl at heart, looking after my flock. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 4,350 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 I met the Bishop of Southwell once at Fiskerton tip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alpha 72 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Brew, I do resent the presence of, so called, royalty and as such it fails to win my loyalty to their cause or to the benefits in continuing with its existence. Further, I see no benefits with any of the current governmental administrations, Boris included. I consider the unwritten rule that royalty cannot be physically touched as equally ridiculous and silly. This, 'no touching the monarch rule', goes beyond any sensible excuse for protocol. It is truly an outdated custom purely to raise the monarch's mythical aura of glorification in the minds of the few. The many appear far more clear headed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 4,215 Posted February 21 Report Share Posted February 21 Fair enough, if you don't like them or even the idea that's your prerogative. Philip coined the term the 'firm' and in many ways that's exactly what they are , a business with the idea of representing the UK and projecting all things British around the world. Benefits? the top 12 tourist attractions in the UK have connections with royalty and the tourist board estimate they bring half a billion pounds annually to the economy. If there are no benefits with the administration presumably you think there are better ways, what do you propose? The no touching rule, famously broken by Mrs Obama, is little more than common curtesy. A custom and practice established from need and security rather than any sense of aloofness. Neither you nor I would consider touching a total stranger and I for one would not like strangers touching me without good reason or permission. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 5,540 Posted February 21 Author Report Share Posted February 21 I think it is worth remembering that the institution of Parliament.. which so often fought tooth and nail against the Monarchy, now draws a certain much needed 'gravitas' from the fact that the Queen is constitutionally the Head of State. That is why Johnson's lying to the Queen last year made very clear his contempt for Parliament, and by extension, the people of this country. I've already said that I really don't have much interest in the monarchy and from a Paperazzi/Gutter press point of view I have none. That however does not mean that I want them gone. I'm in rare agreement with Brew on this one. They bring in tourist dollars... lots of them.. I can't see many queuing up to get a Selfie in front of Boris' gaff. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 5,540 Posted February 21 Author Report Share Posted February 21 Today, it being warmish and more importantly, not blowing a gale.. I resumed operations on the re-laying of the paving at the back of the house. I carefully prepared the ground for another couple of slabs.. It started raining.. An hour or so later it stopped, and I dragged a bag of cement out of the garage and round the house, as well as switching the outside tap on from indoors at the shut off valve. I was about to open a bag of sand when.... It started raining again. I took the cement back to the garage... blasphemed a bit and gave up. As Billy Fury famously said.. Maybe Tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IAN FINN 262 Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 DJ Always put off things you can do today until tomorrow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 5,540 Posted February 22 Author Report Share Posted February 22 Ian.. that is a sound enough principle... until you start running out of tomorrows..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 5,461 Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Don't put off till tomorrow what you could do today, if you do it today & you like it, you can do it again tomorrow. 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,171 Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Thankyou DJ and BK for the information of the films you mentioned. I was looking forward to watching them but I can't find them on YouTube or Amazon prime . They are just unavailable here and I can't get into Bbc iplay or whatever it's called. But thanks again for the thoughts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 2,902 Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 Nonna, if you can get you tube, then try this... Click on the search icon and tap in, Lad" a Yorkshire story. That's how I got mine and I've still got it in my 'history. Also do you have a DVD player.? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 5,461 Posted February 22 Report Share Posted February 22 So chances are by the end of the year we could be jetting of to some far off tropical paradise & now the bleddy engines are dropping off ..... you couldn’t make it up 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 2,902 Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nonnaB 4,171 Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 On 2/22/2021 at 7:12 PM, Beekay said: Nonna, if you can get you tube, then try this... Click on the search icon and tap in, Lad" a Yorkshire story. That's how I got mine and I've still got it in my 'history. Also do you have a DVD player.? BK I did look up the film but it's a pay for viewing . I can't remember what the paid view is called but I already pay for Prime and I don't feel like paying extra to watch perhaps one film. Yes I do have a DVD player but it is in storage. When we finally get it out it probably wont work Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 2,902 Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 Let me know if and when you dig out your DVD player. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mary1947 1,478 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 I have a small portable DVD/CD which my grandson wsa going to put in the bin, as he said it was out of date huuummmmmmmm maybe this was about 6 years ago, but this little thing is my sanity, I can watch play music via head phones. It has been with me on all my travels. Yes it's old but it does the job that I ask it to do. Hopefully I will never be with out it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 2,902 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 I'm still using a DVD recorder/player that is at least 25 years old. It's analogue so cannot record from TV but I can make DVDs from my camera or copy discs (I don't mean pirates). I've also still got and use a VHS recorder, plus a full size VHS video camera, though that gets a bit heavy nowadays. I tend to use a 100gb HD camera. Why get rid if they're still working.? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,183 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 Feel the same way BK. That's why I don't want to replace my old Ipad. Works great for must things except NS. Not only that I'm cheap! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beekay 2,902 Posted February 24 Report Share Posted February 24 Thing is LL, you can't flog stuff nowadays and charity shops don't want electrical gear because they have pay for a Pat test. So my philosophy is, if it still works, use it!! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PeverilPeril 2,792 Posted February 25 Report Share Posted February 25 One of the hens is being pecked and the damage looks serious. She will be put into her new isolation ward today and hopefully recover. Unfortunately I am having to give up a third of my man coup where her 'kitchen unit' house and run are being built. Funny things hens! The pecked one used to be the boss. Now they all turn on her and the worst offender was originally the most nervous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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