 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Anyway who is looking forward to the reign of King Charles?
The prince's trust is the only genuine good thing that has been done by a member of the royal family in my lifetime which hasn't really been about self promotion.
Old Charlie seems to be one of the better members of the royal family- even in a Boris Johnson amusing kind of way 😉
He looks like he's just let one rip here 😆
Anyaway, i dont think he will be king- i reckon he'll hand it over to Wills...
Her maj does have style in abundance, this one must have blocked the u bend.....
[img] 
[/img]
Sorry, had to share it made me laugh 😆
I used to be a staunch Royal supporter. But then I got to thinking about just why?Struggling with my conscience I asked Mrs Slim (a Royal patriot) to tell me exactly why I/we should follow a heriditary titled Germanic family, and just what exactly, for example, made them worthy of such fortunes and adulation?
You see that's the problem. If recent threads on the monarchy have proved one thing, it's that those who support it don't seem to know why they do apart from vague suggestions that it's a "good idea", whilst those who don't, don't seem to know why they don't, apart from vague suggestions that it's "not a good idea".
If you want to change the status quo and the existing order of things, then it's generally a good idea to come up with a compelling argument as to why it's necessary - offer real tangible reasons. Otherwise the status quo will persist.
The argument "I think revolution is probably a good idea but I'm not entirely sure why" never won the day.
So the anti-royalist need to come up with some real compelling reasons as to why abolition of the monarchy is such a good idea, and how this will change the lives of ordinary people in a real and tangible way. Otherwise nothing will change. The pro-royalist need do nothing other than argue that there is no reason to change the existing situation.
If you want to change the status quo and the existing order of things, then it's generally a good idea to come up with a compelling argument as to why it's necessary - offer real tangible reasons
as I think a number have said they are the poster boys and girls for social immobility, I'm not sure anything can ever seriously change the blight of social issues in this country if we have them at the top and people thinking its in anyway right.
So no real tangible reasons which you can offer people to show them how it will change their lives in any meaningful way then. More work required I reckon.
The real question is, could Kate do with a bit more meat on her gorgeous bones? She has always been in with a chance but could do with a few more sausages IMO.
with a few more sausages
Or some lovely Richmond ham, just as nature intended.
So no real tangible reasons which you can offer people to show them how it will change their lives in any meaningful way then. More work required I reckon.
You're entitled to your opinion of course, but, I think that symbolism can be an extremely powerful force in the way people behave. Just look at the American dream.
I think that symbolism can be an extremely powerful force in the way people behave.
So just for "symbolism" then ? Exactly as I suspected, so it's nice to see that confirmed. When we have an agenda which shifts economic and political power into the hands of ordinary people, in a tangible way, then society can progress in a meaningful way.
But right now that's way too scarey for most people to handle, so instead meaningless cosmetic nonsense is offered as an alternative. Carry out reforms which change people's lives and I will enthusiastically support them, but play around tinkering with symbolism and I will see it as a waste of time. I'm not interested in playing games.
Besides, in the case of the monarchy you won't succeed in abolishing it if the only reason you can offer is a change of [i]symbolism[/i], I'm not aware of any examples where that has happened and I see no reason why it would happen in the UK. Monarchies are invariably abolished when there is a grab for power - whichever way that might represent itself.
/\ Took the bait there- well done Ernie 😆
[img] 
[/img]
The real question is, could Kate do with a bit more meat on her gorgeous bones?
Nothing wrong there- i think she's lovely just as is 😀
What bait was that rossi46.......anagallis_arvensis's bait ?
Haha yes, I fell for it hook line and sinker. He definitely got me there.......you can imagine how silly I feel now ! 😀
I have been privileged, over the years I have worked all over the world, and I have worked with some fantastic people from all over the world. This has led me to the following...
I am Very proud to be British.
I am Proud of British People.
Why, am I proud of British People ?
Work Ethic
Sense of humour
Innovation
diversity
Tolerance
Charitable
Fairness
Ability
I am not sure why British people show these qualities, but we are doing something right as a country.
I am not saying that Foreigners ( for want of a better word) do not show these qualities. But British people have them in abundance.
I would also include a load of British institutions that add to this Pride.
BBC
Orange Bikes
Royal Family
British Films
British Authors
Library's
Bin Collections.
Etc Etc..please feel free to add to the list.
I would like to add that even though I am English, I include Scottish Welsh and Irish in this Pride ( even though I respect their right for independence if they want it, cause I think we close enough to take it without too much change to any of us )
I have enjoyed the weekend celebrations for the Queens Diamond Jubilee.
What would you suggest we do instead ?
Paul
What would you suggest we do instead ?
compulsory eating contests.. all must enter.. until the one true champion remains
and/or a week of compulsory nudity
What would you suggest we do instead ?
Evolve.
Well, I hope the British feel proud of this particular little nugget. Deserves a question in parliament for sure.
[url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/04/jubilee-pageant-unemployed#start-of-comments ]Unemployed bussed in to steward Queenie's party[/url]
Well I'm working today and I'm pretty apathetic about most things Royal but on this point, kind of-
they are the poster boys and girls for social immobility, I'm not sure anything can ever seriously change the blight of social issues in this country if we have them at the top and people thinking its in anyway right.
Maybe not right, but its part of a long tradition and that itself is a big part of what makes the UK what it is now.
My Mum pointed out that if you don't have the Royals, you'll have a super-Jordan or some horror show of a celebrity monstrosity that the public will obsess over. I think she's right.. At least the Queen / Royal family put he chavvy rich-celeb types in their place. Too many people will always look up to something liuke that. The French lopped off heads years back and now Paris Match is full of Sarko and Mrs Sarko-whatsername. Don't blame the elite, blame the plebs? I think I just saw a good point for the whole Royalty / class thing )
And on the proud to be British - well.. I have a lot of things to be thankful for that come from simply being born here, British. Proud may not be the right word. I think we need to do better in some areas but that would all be idealistic and the ship's too big to turn. But 'appreciative', for sure. Very much so.
[i]My Mum pointed out that if you don't have the Royals, you'll have a super-Jordan or some horror show of a celebrity monstrosity that the public will obsess over. I think she's right.[/i]
have you seen the on line daily mail? errr wake up...
Seeing as the British tabloid press are pretty much considered to be the worst in the world, the Royals have failed abysmally to save us from celebrity hell.
Why don't we just give the Crown Estates back to the Royal Family and take them off the Civil list, so everyone on here can stop moaning about them and how much they cost?
They wouldn't mind, the Crown Estates pull in more than the Civil List costs.
Why don't we just give the Crown Estates back to the Royal Family and take them off the Civil list, so everyone on here can stop moaning about them and how much they cost?
And where did the crown estates come from? it wouldn't be the result of murder, blackmail, marriage etc. now would it? Usual case of money leads to more money.
murder, blackmail, marriage
The three most heinous of crimes. Especially that last one *shudders*
And where did the crown estates come from? it wouldn't be the result of murder, blackmail, marriage etc. now would it?
Well the Crown Estates originate from William the Conqueror, and to be fair the bloke done the English a big favour. Prior to him sorting things out for them, the English had been a bunch of warring factions, who were being constantly invaded, only semi-civilised, and generally in a pretty confused state ever since the Romans had left.
The deal was that he sorted the mess out for them and introduced a bit of law and order - letting him establish Crown Estates was a small price to pay.
So we make a profit from their old property as we only give them some of the revenue that comes in from them, we make money from the tourism that they attract, and most of us have a good time at the various celebrations of their reign that occur?
What are the benefits of getting rid of them again?
What are the benefits of getting rid of them again?
we've been through this already... compulsory nudity and eating contests.. or was that if we keep them..?
we make money from the tourism that they attract
Out of a global total of 940 million tourists, the top ten international tourism destinations in 2010 were :
International tourist arrivals
1 France 76.80 million
2 United States 60.88 million
3 China 55.67 million
4 Spain 52.68 million
5 Italy 43.63 million
6 United Kingdom 28.13 million
7 Turkey 27.00 million
8 Germany 26.88 million
9 Malaysia 24.58 million
10 Mexico 22.40 million
You'll note that a few countries which are republics manage to attract more tourists than the UK, in the case of France it's well over twice as many tourists. I think you've just made the case for wheeling out the guillotine. If we want to bring 'tourism' into the argument of course.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Tourism_rankings#cite_note-unwtohi2011-2
EDIT : I've just realised that France has more foreigners visiting in one year than it has population 😯
i believe that 5million go to Versailles each year? and Buckingham palace 400,000ish. Sounds like a good reason to get rid of the monarchy?
That's because you can walk around Versailles. In the case of Buckingham Palace there's a family living there who won't move out.
Bloody inconsiderate if you ask me.
Just think how many tourists the giant catapult that fired the queen into the Thames would bring in.
In fact if each member of the firm were executed in unusual ways at different locations around the country, the benefits of tourism could be spread amongst the whole nation.
The general public are far too apathetic to revolt, they are far more concerned with fake tan, white teeth, tattoos and cheap booze.
I have no interest in the royals, though I do wish they'd finance themselves.
I have no interest in the royals, though I do wish they'd finance themselves.
give 'em back their properties and they could, we would stop making on the deal though.
And how did they acquire these properties in the first place?TurnerGuy - Membergive 'em back[b] their[/b] properties and they could, we would stop making on the deal though.
thing is they're not theirs, they are merely lands that their forefathers acquired by whatever means necessary, usually at the expense of the locals. So you have villages levelled to improve the sight lines of gardens, communities uprooted to make way for sheep or hunting.their properties
One could go back in history and say that about a great many people worldwide. 99% of the USA for example. I'll let you tell them.
One could go back in history and say that about a great many people worldwide. 99% of the USA for example. I'll let you tell them.
yep, which is one of the reasons why you have so many wars going on in the world now. Or why there are court cases in NZ and Australia over stolen land.
Funny, I don't recall any such cases here in England from those wanting their land back?
Zero interested this country don't give Two shits for its own people
this country is more known has BB Benefit Britain and now full of xxxx
every where
More of a shit hole than anything else
Which country are you in grantway?
Tucker I am in East London
All we have every night is pissed Polish, Lithuanians, Russian and Romanian Gypsies
constantly pissed causing damage to cars and vans and properties constantly being broken into
When out walking the dog in the mornings I'm constantly faced with pissed migrants sleeping in the Two parks near my Central Park & Brampton park and the Police do Bolls all
and this **** calls it social drinking
[img] 
[/img]
What makes me die is that an old councillor sent the Town hall a picture of all the bottles
he had found in one day and they sent him a letter more saying they would act against him ?
Just hope this country goes bankrupt to get rid of the shit and somehow start again.
Eastlondon South africa?
Tucker I am in East London
I feel your pain mate - it's full of trendy posh types. I was there one day last year and was quite horrified.
Come to South London, it's brilliant - all multicultural and multi-ethnic, with proper down to earth people.
You'll note that a few countries which are republics manage to attract more tourists than the UK, in the case of France it's well over twice as many tourists.
Well it's twice as big and besides, they eat lots of Garlic- you must be able to smell that across the Pacific...... 😆
[img] 
[/img]
You'll note that a few countries which are republics manage to attract more tourists than the UK, in the case of France it's well over twice as many tourists.
Apparently the weekend celebrations were very popular in France too!
Ooh I've just seen your edited post grantway, which you edited after I posted mine. No please don't come to South London - we don't need bigots like you stirring the shit in our ace multicultural and multi-ethnic communities. Keep your hatred to yourself.
you'll note that a few countries which are republics manage to attract more tourists than the UK, in the case of France it's well over twice as many tourists.
Hmmmmm - do you think natural resources might have a little to do with that?
[img] 
[/img] Versus [img] 
[/img]
I'm sure if the UK had some of Frances beaches, and mountains, then we'd have a thriving tourist industry that wouldn't be quite as reliant on the Royal connection...
ernie_lynch - Member
Ooh I've just seen your edited post grantway, which you edited after I posted mine. No please don't come to South London - we don't need bigots like you stirring the shit in our ace multicultural and multi-ethnic communities. Keep your hatred to yourself.
Ernie did not have you down as a Jerk but ill invite you here before you
accuse myself in being something in which you don't know !
Oh I apologise for bursting your Conservative bubble
One more reason why Britain is great- i saw this and thought of the bank holiday!
[img] 
[/img]
Someone else's obviously as i don't remember a bloody thing 😉
Yes Z-11, I think we can safely say that people don't come to Britain for the weather and beautiful beaches.
Perhaps that's the solution - countries in northern Europe should keep their monarchies for the tourists, whilst southern European countries needn't bother ?
But who would have thought that an old stalwart Tory like yourself would be happy to relegate the monarchy to some sort of freak show for the tourists, eh ?
BTW it's worth pointing out that there isn't much difference in the weather between Versailles and Buckingham Palace. So if mrmo's figures are correct I would be interested in knowing why more than 10 times more people visit Versailles than Buckingham Palace - presumably they're not expecting to see the king and queen at Versailles ? Plus of course it's a darn sight more difficult to get from the centre of Paris to Versailles, than it is to get from the centre of London to Buckingham Palace. Most peculiar.
EDIT : I've just realised that France has more foreigners visiting in one year than it has population
Ernie, these 76m "tourists" are figures skewed by the 50m + Lithuanians, Romanians, Poles and Gypsy's who are obliged to pass through France on their way to a better life getting pished in parks and committing petty vehicle crime in east London. Forsaking their squalid dachas by the Black Sea for a council house in Leytonstone, paid for by me and you, the hardworking British taxpayer.
How dashed cunning and, well, typically [i]foreign[/i], if I may say, of the French, to claim them as tourists!
I celebrated the Jubilee by doing the downhill at Fort William and camping in Glencoe - managed to completely avoid it, the weather was ace, and yes I felt smug when I heard it was lashing it down in the rest of the country. God must be a republican!
How dashed cunning and, well, typically foreign, if I may say, of the French, to claim them as tourists!
Those are figures were collated by the United Nations, they are for tourists, not foreigners. So it excludes people entering the country on business, or Gypsies passing through on their way to collect free money and large houses with swimming pools from the British taxpayer. If you include all the people coming through France on their way to give Daily Mail readers heart attacks, I'm sure the figure would run into many millions.
Well this is my usual walk taking the dog to the Central Park
and on the way this is what you are always greeted by people chucking
there crap out, but then again should count myself lucky has usually
finding beds or white goods littering the pavements every morning.
Did not see anyone camping this morning maybe due to the rain the night before.
And enjoy the pic of the van of our new scrap dealer
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
[img] 
[/img]
I will try and get some pics before the i go away on my Hols
just hope the weather changes
And enjoy the pic of the van of our new scrap dealer
Yep, it certainly feasts the eyes to see that someone has clearly used their own personal entrepreneurial initiative to make themselves economically active in an area with extremely high levels of unemployment. Let's hope they make a success of it, eh ?
And I was surprised to see such tidy looking houses in one of the most deprived areas of London - are they mostly asian owned ? In my experience asian families tend to make an effort to keep the externals of their houses and their gardens tidy, even if the don't have much money.
It's a shame to see that rubbish but none of it looks as if it's been there very long, you must have a very efficient council - is it Labour controlled ? Although it is nice to see the hedge clippings bagged up - is that how the council collects it ?
Yup, I can see why you refuse to move out of the area, despite the fact that according to you most people appear to be alcoholics - it's a small price to pay eh ? Actually any chance of pics of these a alcoholics, you know, what you talked about : "All we have every night is pissed Polish, Lithuanians, Russian and Romanian Gypsies constantly pissed" and "I'm constantly faced with pissed migrants sleeping in the Two parks near my Central Park & Brampton park" because that surprised me.
Eastern Europeans around my manor generally appear to be fairly sober. Mind you go into Central Croydon on a Saturday night and you find plenty of young white British completely out of their skulls. The mess they leave is quite appalling, including piss and vomit. My council tax has to pay for all that to be cleared up. Shocking.
Think your missing the point of the van
will think they are more not to be paying any taxes one bit
will try and pick of the owners
Nope the area within this part of East London was one of the more wanted part of East London to live
Regarding who owns well mostly white/Coloured whom own and mainly rent out to others
or professional persons prospecting on the hope that this part of East london will increase in value.
Asians are mainly found on the other side of Eastham (High st North) where mostly are run down or little done to them.
When in Poland (Krakov) 18years back when visiting friends whom was putting Tesco and British airspace in Poland we had noticed due to around Three generations living in one place.
They socialised within such communal areas has they have no space at home, and thats why we see large gatherings within our parks.
I have no probe with that but being totally drunk urinating whilst kids are playing and leaving there crap every where is that right ? or do you in courage this!
Was raining last night so no one in the parks this morning so no pics this morning
The rubbish being fresh/new Yep every morning you find more rubbish dumped on the corners of the turnings every morning day after day.
Is it Labour controlled mmm yes but spoken to an ex councillor this morning well apparently some years back
the Labour council payed for a 10 year forecast on how to get rid of the poor within EastHam and make it into an affluent area has it once was. And the Labour council actually started at one time to move the elderly out towards Southend and the surrounding areas.
Move out the area! Yup just purchased a Property in Spain in September and once mortgage next year is paid
here in East Ham will be renting out and moving to Woodford near Epping
Spanish home is just a weekend or the odd week break for the moment and then retire early and will move
over there in about 8 years time and let my daughter have the the Woodford home rent free and keep renting the EastHam property in which will be giving us a very comfortable return for years to come
then retire early and will move
over there in about 8 years time
Mind out, son. Then you'll be a bloody immigrant.
zimbo - Member
then retire early and will move
over there in about 8 years time
Mind out, son. Then you'll be a bloody immigrant.
Yep But one that will be paying my way and NOT Living off the Spanish tax payer !
Move out the area! Yup just purchased a Property in Spain in September and once mortgage next year is paid
good. don't let the door hit you on the arse on the way out.
Yep But one that will be paying my way and NOT Living off the Spanish tax payer !
Glad to hear it. Just make sure you don't take any of your bloody English customs with you. And stay away from their jobs and their women.
In all seriousness, I hope they welcome you with open arms and appreciate what positive things you can bring to Spain.
they eat lots of Garlic
We now consume more garlic than the French. Source BBC cooking programme (may need a pinch of salt and single estate olive oil to be believed).
Thank you Zimbo I normally make a point of avoiding the Brits when abroad.
I am already trying to organise an evening Local crafts market including street performers etc
all locals come first and then others to apply for stalls.
A market that involves everyone and families to socialise
I will not be having a stall
No problems there Tandem, thats for another 8 years so be carful i won't be shredding your rear tyre out on the trails.
Thank you Zimbo
De nada, amigomio. The more people live away from their homeland, the more tolerant and wonderful the world gradually becomes...
Zimbo
Desaela mucha suerte y felicidad 😉
Spanish home is just a weekend or the odd week break for the moment and then retire early and will move
My parents retired to the Costa Blanca, both deceased now, the level of english written graffiti scrawled all over their lovely little town was quite disgraceful. In fact all the graffiti appeared to be in english - none in spanish. And of course the drunks were invariably British. I found it all rather embarrassing.
I have no probe with that but being totally drunk urinating whilst kids are playing and leaving there crap every where is that right ? or do you in courage this!
No of course not ! As I said, I am appalled by the mess left in Central Croydon in the evenings by young British-born whites, drunk out of their heads. And in the case of Croydon stabbing people appears to be quite popular too. BTW I think it's important to emphasise their ethnic origin - don't you ?
Oh yeah and here's a picture of eastern europeans sleeping rough in London, since you couldn't take any photos as they are apparently all hiding from the rain.
[img] 
[/img]
And here's a story to go with that picture :
[url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/aug/12/homeless-poles-rough-sleepers ]Homeless Poles living on barbecued rats and alcoholic handwash[/url]
Quote :
[i]The Guardian spoke to Megan Stewart of Thames Reach outreach team who found the site. She visited on three occasions and found people eating cooked rats, which had either been toasted over a fire or stewed in a pot.
"It was the worst thing I had seen in three decades of working with the homeless," said Stewart.
Eastern European rough sleepers are often left to fend for themselves. Unless they have worked full-time for a year, migrants from the 10 former eastern bloc countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 do not qualify for welfare such as housing[/i]
No welfare payments ? That came as a shock to me - I thought that as soon as they arrived in Dover they were given large amounts of money and the keys to a brand new house. In fact I was sure of it 😕
Any chance of a somethingion please?
Any chance of a somethingion please?
Well the OP announced :
Sod the queen, let's put the great back into Britain- celebrate our great nation and show me your pics that make you proud to be British.
And to summarise, some people appear to be quite proud of being British, whilst others aren't so sure. There hasn't been many pics, although I'd be interested in your opinion of my contribution above. BTW I think Britons have much to be proud of. And a few things which are frankly a little embarrassing.
My parents retired to the Costa Blanca, both deceased now, the level of english written graffiti scrawled all over their lovely little town was quite disgraceful. In fact all the graffiti appeared to be in english - none in spanish. And of course the drunks were invariably British. I found it all rather embarrassing.
Very sorry to hear But has I said I avoid the Brits like the plague
and thats why I am in a Spanish town
No of course not ! As I said, I am appalled by the mess left in Central Croydon in the evenings by young British-born whites, drunk out of their heads. And in the case of Croydon stabbing people appears to be quite popular too. BTW I think it's important to emphasise their ethnic origin - don't you ?
I have zero Knowledge of Croydon/Basildon/Harlow 70's new towns.
But we don't have large or if any British persons of any fred or colour other than I have mentioned
Getting totally rat arssed and peeing every where and leaving so much crap every where
has much as they do.
Its obviously a problem you had there and which needs to be addressed
I certainly would not be happy to live there or any place like it to be honest.
And here's a story to go with that picture :
Homeless Poles living on barbecued rats and alcoholic handwash
Quote :
The Guardian spoke to Megan Stewart of Thames Reach outreach team who found the site. She visited on three occasions and found people eating cooked rats, which had either been toasted over a fire or stewed in a pot.
"It was the worst thing I had seen in three decades of working with the homeless," said Stewart.
Eastern European rough sleepers are often left to fend for themselves. Unless they have worked full-time for a year, migrants from the 10 former eastern bloc countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 do not qualify for welfare such as housing
The end of the day I nor anyone else ask anyone to come here
and if you can't afford to support yourself then don't come.
I may sound harsh but you listen to how the Australians MP's
talk about migrants in fact you need a lot of money and
we should be saying the same.
Any chance of a somethingion please?
People who aren't fans of the Queen have been mega grumpy
People who are fans of the Queen had a great weekend
People who don't care got on with their lives.
The Jubilee is now all now over so everyone is now getting back to their day to day lives. Until the next Royal occasion and it will be all repeat again.
I think Britons have much to be proud of. And a few things which are frankly a little embarrassing.
Agreed - Far from perfect but in comparison to other nations I think you'd go some to find anywhere as tolerant, with as few social, economic, racial or religious inequities as the UK ... not to mention our contributions throughout history in terms of parliamentary systems, the law, art, literature, science, engaging tyranny etc etc.
brief somethingion
[img] 
[/img]
People who aren't fans of the Queen have been mega grumpy
People who are fans of the Queen had a great weekend
I'm not a fan of the queen and I had a bloody brilliant weekend biking/camping in the highlands.
I'm not a fan of the queen and I had a bloody brilliant weekend biking/camping in the highlands
You bloody republicans. Can't you just do as you're told, and admit you were mega grumpy?
I think this has had a good airing, so time to close the debate.