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Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 12 2010, 02:34 PM

Why oh why do we have to put up with Street drinkers guzzling and quaffing vast amounts of alcohol in the gardens of St Nicholas's church.

Not only is it intimidating to passers by but they also leave an absolute mess behind them. No one in 'authority' seems to move them on?

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 12 2010, 02:47 PM

Write to Benyon and the WBC and complain.
Unless you do they will pretend it's not happening and do nothing about it.

Posted by: misc Apr 12 2010, 02:59 PM

The Lord himself will surely "move them on" before long...

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 12 2010, 03:05 PM

Let's hope it's sooner than later.
When Parkway is built I'm sure there will be some nice benches for them to relax on.

Posted by: user23 Apr 12 2010, 03:21 PM

Isn't it private property and therefore up to the church to move them on?

Of course the church could call the Police, but it seems an un-Christian thing to do, to turf them out on the street for the "crime" of sitting down and having a drink in a private place.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 12 2010, 03:25 PM

Let me know where you live and I'll point them in the direction of your garden.

Posted by: user23 Apr 12 2010, 03:27 PM

I'm not a Christian.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 12 2010, 03:59 PM

I guessed as much.......

Posted by: user23 Apr 12 2010, 04:14 PM

And why did you guess this?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 12 2010, 04:15 PM

Because I did.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 12 2010, 04:48 PM

WBC?

Why not the Police?

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 12 2010, 05:43 PM

The Vicar is perfectly at rights to have a drink or two in his Churchyard.

Posted by: Roost Apr 12 2010, 06:11 PM

Personally, I'm curious as to how one would drink 'street'?!!!

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 13 2010, 10:12 AM

That's because there is no Authority any more.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 13 2010, 11:56 AM

Sad but true.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 13 2010, 12:07 PM

Yes, why not indeed.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 13 2010, 12:08 PM

Seems that way sometimes doesn't it.

Posted by: user23 Apr 13 2010, 12:20 PM

Perhaps the owner of the property hasn't called them?

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 13 2010, 12:36 PM

The Police know that they are there. They choose to ignore it.
Another example of standards going down the toilet.

Posted by: Iommi Apr 13 2010, 12:41 PM

Perhaps they are focusing on other areas of Policing and feel this is a relatively trivial item compared to other ASBs?

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 13 2010, 12:44 PM

Yes, you are probably correct.
But it don't make it right or acceptable.

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 13 2010, 01:20 PM

Two reasons -

Move them on to where? So they can drink on someone elses property? I'd guess that the Church have not complained & that the Police would rather them be sat there, where they can be kept an eye on rather than them moving out of sight.

They could have claimed sanctuary.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 13 2010, 01:28 PM

I don't accept your argument. Where do we stop the erosion of standards? Are we to turn a blind eye as well then if addicts start shooting up in the Church grounds just because it easier to let them?

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 13 2010, 01:34 PM

Exactly, we seem to set our standards unacceptably low and then continually fail to achieve them.
Doing nothing with these people does not help them as they drift further into a drink and drug induced oblivion and it does not help us as it is offensive to us and reflects badly on our town and the standards we set for our children to aspire to.
It is wrong to accept this behaviour in our town centers.

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 13 2010, 02:53 PM

In your Brave New World there would be no slipping of standards would there? Anyone that didn't fit your ideal would have been dealt with.

You may start with winos & druggies but who would be next?

Stepford must be your ideal place to live.....

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 13 2010, 02:58 PM

Do-Gooders!!!!

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 13 2010, 03:13 PM

Actually it is a very good method for teaching one's children. 'I'll send you to the winos' would get any child to behave.

Being drunk during the daytime, unless of course it is at the 19th hole, after a 'business lunch', on the bank at Henley or before a match at Twickers just isn't aspirational, is it?

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 13 2010, 03:22 PM

You know Dannyboy you have to live by whatever standards you think acceptable. I don't think it is amusing but that's me.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 13 2010, 03:22 PM

Whereas getting drunk and swearing at passers by in the middle of the day in a Town centre is Aspirational?

You have every right to your opinion. Perhaps you could help them out then if you feel strongly about it. You know go and try and talk to them and get them on 'programs' to manage their addictions. Good luck!

Posted by: Andy1 Apr 13 2010, 03:43 PM

A medical definition for aspiration is the sucking of fluid into the airway whilst taking a breath.

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 13 2010, 06:15 PM

Bloggo said - and the standards we set for our children to aspire to.

Drunks in the town centre are not any standard, are they? Certainly not one to aspire to. Unless you can't afford a can of Special Brew.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 14 2010, 07:38 AM

And your point is????

Posted by: Andy1 Apr 14 2010, 05:16 PM

I have no point. However I would say that aspiration is born from inspiration, something which lacks today. If your children are inspired by you then that is great and I can only hope my children take inspiration from me.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 15 2010, 07:34 AM

The fact that you can and are willing to engage in intelligent argument and debate means a great deal so I'm sure your kids have something to aspire to.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 15 2010, 09:51 AM

Sorry - replied by mistake. Cannot delete!

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 15 2010, 02:51 PM

On the bench outside the church again today drinking the special brew. I suppose it is a nice day! I wonder if we can get the bench removed as it seems a focal point for all the street drinkers. They even distill sprecial brew and wines / sherries into empty sports drinks to make it look like they are not drinking (especially when riding their (mostly stolen) bikes.

Posted by: JeffG Apr 15 2010, 07:04 PM

Is this your blog?

Posted by: user23 Apr 15 2010, 07:51 PM

They're not breaking the law though are they, drinking on private property?

What would you have the Police do?

Posted by: Iommi Apr 15 2010, 08:25 PM

If they are disturbing the peace, they might be able to confiscate the alcohol? I'm no expert, but even though it might be private land, it is privately owned land with public access. I suspect there are things PCSOs and the Police can do. Indeed, isn't Parkway now private? If so, does that mean the Police have fewer powers?

Posted by: gizmo Apr 15 2010, 09:56 PM

This statement comes from a leaflet from Community Safety at West Berkshire Council in conjunction with Thames Valley Police.

The Criminal Justice & Police Act, which came into effect on 1st
September 2001, allows Local Authorities to adopt powers to designate
areas that have known anti-social behaviour problems associated with
them.
Within these designated areas a police officer can require a person
not to consume alcohol or open a container of alcohol if they believe that a
person has, or intends to consume alcohol in that place.
Refusal to stop drinking if requested by a police officer, or refusal to hand over
containers of alcohol is an arrestable offence, which could lead to a fine if
prosecuted and convicted.
This restriction on public drinking will not apply
to premises or areas covered by a licence allowing the consumption of alcohol (i.e. clubs or restaurants).

The whole of Newbury is subject to a Designation Order. I believe the only exclusions would be in your own home or private garden.

Posted by: user23 Apr 16 2010, 07:20 AM

A private garden such as that owned by the church in question?

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 16 2010, 07:34 AM

See post number 40.

I'm sorry but you sound as though you think that being drunk and abusive in public, in the middle of Newbury, adjacent to the main shopping area is acceptable.
I don't.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 16 2010, 07:34 AM

The bench outside the Church is on a Public thoroughfare and is not part of the Church. No-one addresses this issue. I'd prefer it to be removed.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 16 2010, 07:37 AM

And I guarantee you that if you go to West Mills during this nice Sunny day today you will see them on the bench again today getting drunk and being abusive. It happens EVERY day. Again I say this is just tolerated now and it is not good enough.

Posted by: user23 Apr 16 2010, 04:38 PM

They've never been abusive to me. Are you sure your attitude towards them doesn't provoke it?

Where exactly would you move them to if you were the Police?

Posted by: Rupert Apr 16 2010, 06:22 PM

The 'lady' sat drinking in the Church yard today was given a 24hr ban from the town centre for being drunk.
Has anyone seen the man who sits with his crutches outside Camp Hopson. Ever seen what is in his rucksack? I saw about four people including the 'lady' crowd around him the other day and low and behold, two of them gave him their empty water bottle to fill up. He thought no one saw but he took a Vodka bottle out of his rucksack and filled the bottles for them. They then moved off up the street leaving him sat there looking oh so innocent.
I told one of the 'plastic police' but they were not interested. I stopped collecting prescriptions in Boots because I fed up watching the addicts getting their methodone, the same ones who could be seen around the town with beer cans or carrying 'water bottles'.

Posted by: Strafin Apr 18 2010, 05:15 PM

I take it you have never spoken to them then?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 19 2010, 08:47 AM

I'd move them out of town. A nice Police Transit van to a leafy 'posh' village would do the trick. See how some of the 'establishment' like it to have such people in their back yard. I'd guess they would then soon be prosecuted...

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 19 2010, 12:15 PM

Wino's on the bench again today. Hope it rains again soon.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 19 2010, 02:25 PM

They currently have a Special Brew in one hand and a Cornetto in the other!

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 20 2010, 12:30 PM

How is it that you know all this?

Do you just wander around town passing judgement all day?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 20 2010, 12:52 PM

I am all seeing all knowing Bill1.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 20 2010, 12:52 PM

Since you seem to find their behaviour OK and acceptable, how about your front garden?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 20 2010, 01:17 PM

They are near my work place every day and they do not make very pleasant viewing.
I'm thinking of giving them a tenner to buy them some more Special Brew on the condition they sit outside the WBC offices....

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 20 2010, 04:39 PM

Oh there's enough drinking, drug taking activity etc around our office already. (And no not by the staff, before some clever dicky comes up with that suggestion).

Posted by: Jayjay Apr 20 2010, 04:53 PM

The proposed new development around Reading station has put a nice little park, complete with benches, outside the Probation Office. Well, you have to drink in comfort.

Posted by: user23 Apr 20 2010, 06:33 PM

You should see the NewburyWino.com forum.

It's full of posts like "Just saw that weirdo walking past again, eighth time today. Hasn't he got anything better to do".

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 21 2010, 12:55 PM

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 21 2010, 01:38 PM

LOL.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Apr 21 2010, 02:47 PM

Truly, truly hilarious!

Posted by: diamond41970 Apr 21 2010, 04:35 PM

I went to the dentist in West Mills last week so took the path by the side of the church. Passed a group of men and there was a woman and a child with them too. All the adults had a can of special brew and not quite sure what the child was drinking. Caught some of the discussion about how social services were sticking their nose in regarding the child and that they thought the parents were a "bad influence". One (I assume the father) said HOW DARE social services say such things. Obviously I was walking the opposite way so that is all I caught of the conversation but it was only 1 o'clock and they were half plastered and wondering why social services were concerned. When I returned from the dentist the men were sat on the bench and the woman and child had gone. The conversation I then caught was "well my dad was on coke for all his life and it never did me any harm". Quite startling I thought. I carried on my way but happened to glance at them and the abuse started and I was bombarded with. "What the f**k are you looking at you stupid bit** I'll come over there and slap you in a minute". Yes I have to agree they are a problem and I felt extremely threatened by their behaviour.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 21 2010, 04:43 PM

Yes, in all seriousness they are a problem, as are many other things in our little town, but it's the same everywhere, Newbury is by no means unique in this matter.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 21 2010, 09:26 PM

I think it would be more like...........

"Just sore that f******* weirdo walkin' past again, f****** eighf time today. Ain't the f******* **** got nuffin be'ah ter do".

Posted by: Iommi Apr 21 2010, 09:36 PM

Yes, user23, dannyboy and Hugh Saskin prefer to make light of abusive drunks in the town centre... ...but user23's post was funny, albeit maybe, incongruous!

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 22 2010, 07:39 AM

Should the fact that other towns have similar problems suggest that we not to do anything about it?
Excuses for this flagrant yobbery don't make it acceptable.
This town is drifting downwards and no one seems to care very much.
And before you ask! Me, I am lobbying my MP about it.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 22 2010, 09:34 AM

I have lived in Newbury all my life and the situation has deterioated markedly over the last few years. Especially in the Batholomew Street / Station Road / Train Station / Argyll Road / Pound Street area. This is the issue. How far do we let things go? I walked past a drug deal taking place yesterday. Should I have said something? If I had I would probably be in hospital now.

Why as a law abiding citizen should I have to put up with this? And why do some users of this forum appear to condone such behaviour or at the very least tolerate it.

p.s perhaps now I'll be on the NewburyDruggies.com forum pages.....

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 22 2010, 11:30 AM

In the post above the drunks only became abusive when stared at. One the way to the dentist they said nothing to the poster at all.

The closure of the Invicta Bookshop has probably upset the drunks.

Posted by: Iommi Apr 22 2010, 11:49 AM

They used the word 'glance', but that shouldn't invite vile abuse! Nor do I actually think the situation funny. user23's post was simply funny, but in an ironic sense!

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 22 2010, 12:19 PM

What I'm saying is that the whole country is suffering from this blight and it needs to be dealt with as a National, rather than local problem.

Posted by: diamond41970 Apr 22 2010, 12:20 PM

dannyboy

I did not stare at these people but merely glanced in their general direction as passing. Are we to now walk along everywhere with our eyes firmly glued to the floor? Why should I feel threatened going out that is absolutely ludicrous and we should not be tolerating it. There was actually also a woman and child behind me so should that child be subjected to language like that? More needs to be done to get them off the street. On another point mentioned that Newbury is no worse than any other town - I come from the North of England originally and quite often return for visits and they DO NOT have the same problem there as we do. It is something I have always said about Newbury it is full of winos on the streets and nothing is done to clean the streets up...

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 22 2010, 12:27 PM

Guess what? On my way back to work today a load of them are on the bench again getting smashed and F'in and blindin.

The point is its now endemic and happens nearly every day. Who actually looks after the Public benches in Newbury? Is there any way of getting it removed?

Posted by: diamond41970 Apr 22 2010, 12:31 PM

Could always go there tonight with a wrench and remove it !!!! Surely the local council are responsible for them ?? It used to be such a pleasant place to sit when having lunch as well.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 22 2010, 12:35 PM

The reason you are not supposed to make eye contact is because:

1. They are most probably violent and any eye contact will result in a 'what are you staring at you ******* ****'
2. They think they 'own' the streets and they know that they will not be arrested or bothered by the Police.
3. Excessive drug use increases paranoia and a lot of them are probably undiagnosed schizophrenics.

I honestly don't think it will be very long before we have a Murder or at least a GBH on an innocent person minding their own business in this area of town.

It's only if you walk everywhere (rather than driving everywhere as some posters who don't appear to understand or even acknowledge this problem most surely do) that you can see what is happening to our once lovely town.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 22 2010, 01:02 PM

TD&H, ????

Ive just walked down there to see for myself and there were two ladies sat on a bench having there lunch, a woman on another reading a book and an elderly couple enjoying the sunshine on the other.

Not a drunk. druggie etc to be seen.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 22 2010, 01:05 PM

Really - The back of St Nicks Church? Just now? They were there 20 minutes ago as they were having a blazing row. The next time they 'appear' which will be today or tomorrow I'll be sure to let you know.

Posted by: Iommi Apr 22 2010, 01:12 PM

Have you a moby with a camera, perhaps you could take a discrete picture and post it?

For a while, there was a drink prohibition order on the streets on Newbury. Perhaps with the advent of the café culture, this become unenforceable?

Posted by: Jayjay Apr 22 2010, 01:52 PM

Understand what you are saying, but the bench shouldn't be removed the drunks should. Question is what to do with them. A while ago they were a blight at the Methodist Church, then the little green at St John's now St Nicks. If you arrest them for affray or D & D they would spend every day clogging the courts and would any fine be enforceable if they dont have money. ASBO would move them back to St John's or other residential streets. Put them in prison until they are dry? I think you have this type in every town, just more visible in Newbury.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 22 2010, 02:01 PM

Unfortunately I don't have a camera phone. Just a bog standard one. If Bill1 wants to walk to the front of the church the bench outside the entrance to the church is the place to find them.
Anyway - Thats my lot on this topic. I've made my feelings clear. We'll see what happens over the next few weeks and months.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Apr 22 2010, 04:09 PM

Quite so, and perhaps the reason they appear more visible in Newbury than other places is that it's a smallish sort of place - partying going on the benches right outside B'stoke Festival Place on Saturday afternoon and plenty of them in Andover, Reading, Swindon etc. In London, they've been around for what seems like forever and are even to be found in the evenings on trains on the North Kent line. A good tip to avoid a shoeing in London, by the way, is always to try and avoid eye contact on the Underground. That, and standing on the right when using escalators, of course

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 22 2010, 04:17 PM

I'd also point out that there are loads of other daily drunkards in Newbury, only difference being that somehow they can still afford to get ratarsed in a pub every day.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 22 2010, 04:23 PM

And a pub is an establishment that has a license to sell you alcohol. If the Pub is run properly then if someone has had too much to drink they will not be served. If someone is abusive they can be ejected. If the Pub is not run properly the license can be revoked and the Pub put out of business.

On the Street it is different matter. Who is in charge of the drinkers? Can they just do anything they like?

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Apr 22 2010, 04:30 PM

Some mistake, surely ?

PS - why Do you and your mate Bloggo Both keep putting capital Letters into words that Don't need it?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 23 2010, 07:23 AM

Another useless comment from a man with very few opinions. Congratulations.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 23 2010, 08:12 AM

A rather cheap and juvenile remark. Does that make you feel good Hugh

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 23 2010, 08:23 AM

Does not suprise you though Bloggo. He only really comments on punctuation and grammar. He is a bit of a sad dullard.

Posted by: Iommi Apr 23 2010, 08:53 AM

I wish I could be a moderator on this forum. I would delete any post and suspend any account where someone ridiculed someone else's grammatical errors. I can understand where someone might fail to make themselves understood, but picking people up for spelling errors and other grammatical errors is utter snobbishness.

Go away you people, you are boring.

Posted by: Jayjay Apr 23 2010, 09:09 AM

Agreed. Boring and bad mannered.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 23 2010, 09:16 AM

Trust me on this TD&H, I could, but wont, name several pubs who have regulars whose business is so valuable to them in these difficult times for licenced premises that a blind eye is turned to all sorts of behaviour.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 23 2010, 09:26 AM

Its St Georges Day today but sadly I think there will be no slaying of dragons but plenty of chasing dragons in Newbury today.

Posted by: Iommi Apr 23 2010, 09:32 AM

...and they think they've got it hard in Afghanistan!

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 23 2010, 10:53 AM

the nub of the problem I think.

Posted by: Roost Apr 23 2010, 03:14 PM

If you can't beat them.........

I would suggest picking up a ChavDog, 20 cheap'n'nasty smokes and taking over the bench for the day.

When the usual suspects arrive, take their beer off them and drink it (only the unopened cans of course).

When challenged, simply reply

"Well, as I'm paying for your beer anyway I thought I'd at least get the benefit"!

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Apr 23 2010, 05:31 PM

What, and miss all your pompous lectures? I think not...

Posted by: Iommi Apr 23 2010, 05:49 PM

By assuming I was referring to you, it must mean you recognise the description in my post; you admit to be being a pedantic irritation? Regrettably, I am not a moderator, so you are free to post as you wish. I'd like to think, however, that I add more than I detract, from debates on this forum.

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Apr 23 2010, 06:37 PM

I'm afraid that, to me, you come across as a politician, and a mildly pompous one at that - perhaps you were a councillor at one time?. Put me down as a heckler at a pretty dull political meeting. Dear God, do we really need just to keep hearing about the doings of desperadoes that allegedly haunt a small quarter of Newbury on a lot of the postings on here? Certain individuals posts are made almost entirely in their employers time and using their facilities and then they have the nerve to complain about others who rip off society. If some people worked for Michael O'Leary (Ryanair for any of you sad dullards), they wouldn't even be allowed to charge their mobile phones at work, much less spend hours of the working day surfing the net. No grievance against you, Iommi, some of the stuff you come out with I quite like (damned by faint praise..) One thing a wide experience of places and life has taught me is never to take things too seriously

Posted by: Iommi Apr 24 2010, 12:52 AM

Hugh Saskin, I don't like being known as pompous, but I guess if the hat fits, I have to put up with it. I'm not a politician (councillor and stuff), I'm too thin skinned for that! I'm just someone that reads stuff on here and responds accordingly!

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 26 2010, 10:33 AM

You are amazing.
Your post epitomises pomposity and arrogance. It is not only patronising it is also rude.
I don't understand why you bother if your only contribution is to attempt to agrevate other poster.
What is your point?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 26 2010, 10:45 AM

As I said before Bloggo - He is sad dullard who only criticises othe posters on this forum and has no meaninful views of his own. The fact that he criticises other people for posting on here during 'work time' when he has no idea what our jobs are is a sad indictement of what a little proposterous man he is.

p.s The Drunks are on the bench again!!!

Posted by: Hugh Saskin Apr 26 2010, 06:50 PM

Oh dear, TDHBloggo, I obviously hit a raw nerve. Why not also complain to your employer?

Posted by: Strafin Apr 26 2010, 08:39 PM

Holy mackerel, chill out girls!

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 27 2010, 07:32 AM

Yep, you're right. There's nothing to be gained by encouraging this trivial antagonism.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 27 2010, 08:11 AM

My main beef with you Hugh is that:

1) You endlessly post on trivial matters such as grammar
2) You appear to endlessly support freeloaders and scroungers and criticise people who through hard work pay thousands of pounds into the public coffers through tax and N.I every month. I'm not blowing my own trumpet but if we all took the attitude that the world owes us a living Britain would be even more broke than it is now. So what if I post on here during working hours? I'm sure my employers are aware of it but bearing in mind I quite often work a 50 to 60 hour week for being paid for 40 hours I doubt they will be that bothered.

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 27 2010, 08:14 AM

you should get on to the EU about that.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 27 2010, 08:33 AM

Very funny. I presume you were joking....

Posted by: user23 Apr 27 2010, 09:47 AM

How can you do a 50 to 60 hour week and manage to walk past the winos twelve times a day and post on here?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 27 2010, 10:22 AM

Cos I walk to work, walk back home for lunch, walk back to work from lunch and walk home again in the evening.

And I start work at 7am and finish at 6pm most days and occasionaly work weekends. Anyway you and Hugh seem very bothered about my working day. I have no reason to feel any 'guilt' about posting on here. Perhaps you do and that is why you question so......

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 27 2010, 10:36 AM

TDH, you could have ignored the question as being irrelavant.
Why do so many posts degenerate into pathetic comments about posters grammatical errors, their personal circumstances or even their right to make an observation at all.
I guess it is easier to attack the poster rather than respond to the spirit of the post in a sensible manner.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 27 2010, 10:49 AM

Thanks Bloggo. I concur. It's always the same posters though. Perhaps User23 and Hugh are the Internet Police!

Posted by: x2lls Apr 27 2010, 11:08 AM

Bickering does nothing to encourage new members to contribute. I'm sure there are many lurkers out there who love to be involved in public debates but are discouraged by such behaviour.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 27 2010, 11:52 AM

I seem to remember having to defend myself to the hilt from fellows members on here regarding using the forum when I told you who i work for.............

Perhaps now you guys know how that feels.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 27 2010, 11:52 AM

Oh and by the way, I'm on my lunch break!

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 27 2010, 11:55 AM

Yes, but now I am wiser and more mature.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 27 2010, 11:56 AM

You don't have to explain to me Bill, I completley understand.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 27 2010, 12:22 PM

I expwct it takes Hugh 10* as long to post on here as anyone else anyway. He'd have to do a spell check and then run every post through a thesaurus to ensure he made no mistakes!

Posted by: user23 Apr 27 2010, 12:31 PM

Don't take it personally. It's just you're questioning the daily activities of some members of the community, so I thought I'd ask about yours.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 27 2010, 12:40 PM

Just had a quick wander round the church, no miscreants to be seen I'm happy to report. Were four cleancut lads walking up Bartholomew street, two of whom were drinking from cans of Stella though, but weren't being threatening or abusive in any way.

Unlike the older (60 plus) and recognisable as veteran daytime pub guys drinking outside The George and Pelican (how they've afforded it for 30 or so years I'll never know) who, on observing a lady struggling up the road with 4 big bags of groceries, proceeded to shout such helpful comments as "Hurry up love, I'll be home for me dinner soon"................

Posted by: dannyboy Apr 27 2010, 01:09 PM

what about those lurking in the 'Deli' on the Market Square......

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 27 2010, 03:47 PM

I'm glad a lot of you find it funny. These miscreants use our office bushes to take a dump and a pee......

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 27 2010, 05:06 PM

Who said it was funny?

Have things not improved now the weather has and other minded citizens are now using the benches etc as I've noted a few lunchtimes this week?

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 27 2010, 09:43 PM

Ah yes Bill, but you work for an organisation that I have no option to pay towards unless I go to court and jail so I have no choice but to pay for you to use this forum in work time.

I should imagine TDH works for an organisation that I can choose whether I patronise or not so I can choose not to pay for him to use this forum.

Big difference!

Back to the drunks............

Perhaps if we clubbed together and bought them a laptop and a wifi connection they would have something better to do!
http://www.moderndrunkardmagazine.com/

Posted by: user23 Apr 27 2010, 10:09 PM

Of course you have an option not to pay, you can move somewhere else.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 27 2010, 10:38 PM

BRILLIANT!

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 28 2010, 09:13 AM

Quite Biker1 - I don't think my jobs at risk due to the meltdown in Public Financing in the next Government (whoever wins) as we are a profitable organisation and if were not I'd be out. People who work for Councils / Police / NHS / Army / Government etc are the ones who are going to be sweating. We did all our sweating last year to 'streamline' the business and ensure its continued profitability.

The deficit is huge and the Goverment 'machine' has not yet felt the full pinch. It will soon though...

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 28 2010, 09:20 AM

Yes, I guess you are right but my worry is that instead of sacking the excessive back room management and administration staff they will cut front line staff such as nurses, social workers and the like.
There will be a lot of job protection going on at the upper levels (high salary) and the ones that actually do the work (low salary) will get tipped out.

Posted by: Bill1 Apr 28 2010, 12:37 PM

OFF TOPIC ALERT!!!!!!!!!!


Anyway, taking on board what people are saying it's good that I am doing this in my lunchbreak then yeah?

Oh and by the way, without decent admin and back up staff large organisations would be "shagged"!

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 28 2010, 12:45 PM

With respect Bill, having worked in one for a while, they ought to be!!!!

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 29 2010, 08:31 AM

I had 12 people in my department until 14 months ago. I have 3 now and the same workload coming in. It's amazing what you can do when you are 'driven'. I would have thought that at least 25% of staff in Public organisations are 'waste' and will be for the chop. Sorry but this is the fate that awaits you guys.

And this comment just makes me laugh....

'Oh and by the way, without decent admin and back up staff large organisations would be "shagged"!'

Nothing against you Bill1 - I quite like your humour. I just don't think that Public organisations have yet to face the truth about just what a perilous and calamitous situation the Labour Government has left the Public Finances in.

Posted by: user23 Apr 29 2010, 09:11 AM

I kind of agree with this, though there have been large cuts in Local Government for the past few years. What is being proposed by all parties is cuts in Central Government.

If there are more cuts to be made and given people want to pay less and less towards their local infrastructure we'll most likely the niceties of the public sector go, like the community activities, support groups and possibly even facilities like Librarians.

Under some parties' plans Local Government would essentially become an organisation that empties our bins and fixes our streetlights, which is fine if that what people want. Just don't get old or ill as you'll be paying through the nose for help from the private sector.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 29 2010, 09:33 AM

Although I understand your point I think that what we want is value for money and the eradication of all of the "non-jobs" in local and central government.

Posted by: user23 Apr 29 2010, 09:47 AM

As far as Local Government goes hasn't this largely already been done under Gershon and the initiatives that came before it?

Remember, a private company came in and tried to run some of the services of our local council ten years ago. As far as I understand it, they couldn't make a profit because it was run so efficiently already so had to pull out of the deal. That was ten years ago before many of the recent cuts in local government.

Perhaps it should be made mandatory for people to work a week at their local authority, to see how things operate there from the inside.

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 29 2010, 09:57 AM

Yes, maybe so but WBC are in the process of making 20 or so Managers redundant adding weight to my argument and I would suggest that there are many more opportunities for streamlining their workload

Posted by: user23 Apr 29 2010, 10:15 AM

Well of course you can keep streamlining it until you have just one bloke emptying the bins, fixing the roads and answering the phones but what level of service would you expect from that situation though? Very, very cheap Council Tax, but an absolutely dire level of service.

As I said, I understand a private company couldn't make a profit from it 10 years ago and there have been many cutbacks since then.

Look for non-essential services to be cut in the future if people still want to pay lower and lower Council Tax, as of course is their right to choose to do so.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 29 2010, 10:19 AM

I am quite happy to make do with one bin and no Green Goblins if my Council Tax is reduced.

Posted by: user23 Apr 29 2010, 10:34 AM

What are Green Goblins? The recycling boxes?

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 29 2010, 10:40 AM

Green Goblins are Traffic Wardens or CEO's

Posted by: user23 Apr 29 2010, 10:45 AM

Oh right. Shouldn't they bring money in. Surely you want more of them if that's the case and you want a society based on capitalism?

Posted by: Ron Apr 29 2010, 10:46 AM

One way to reduce local council costs is to make 'our' employees suffer the same changes in pension provisions that we have had to suffer in the private sector!

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 29 2010, 10:51 AM

If they made money then perhaps. It would appear that we subsidise them though...

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?articleID=12340

Posted by: Bloggo Apr 29 2010, 10:58 AM

Not an unfair observation.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 29 2010, 11:02 AM

I quite agree. Whats good for the Goose is good for the Gander.

Posted by: user23 Apr 29 2010, 04:34 PM

Seems they're being far too lenient on handing tickets out. A zero tolerance approach would bring more money in and enforce the law to the letter.

As as a Capitalist and someone who wants a tougher stance on crime from our authorities this must be the ideal solution for you.

What will end up being cut first is community based activities that don't bring in any income. Like I said, just don't get ill or old and you'll be quids in.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 30 2010, 08:28 AM

Not at all. They cannot recoup the costs of employing them all because Newbury is too small and not enough cars are parked illegally.



Like it or not the 3 main parties are all lying to us. As the Governor of the Bank of England stated on his US state visit last month - Whoever wins this election will be so unpopular because of the cuts that they are going to have to make that they will then be unelectable for a generation. Perhaps Gordons 'gafffe' was not such a gaffe after all. Arise Sir Peter Mandelson.....

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 30 2010, 08:34 AM

Back to the main topic as this thread has gone off track. I understand that complaints have been made to the Council about the Street Drinkers at St Nicholas's Church and on the Public footpaths around the Church. I understand a request has been made to make this whole area an alcohol free zone punishable with £500 fines. I do hope that WBC enforce ths as soon as possible and that anyone caught drinking in this area is punished and their alcohol poured down the drain. It is spoiling the enjoyment of this lovely Church for many locals and visitors to the area and gives a poor impression of Newbury.

Posted by: Biker1 Apr 30 2010, 08:54 AM

Absolutely and the sooner the better.
And I hope it is stringently enforced like the parking regulations.

All we have to do then is stop the druggies visiting the railway station!

Posted by: user23 Apr 30 2010, 09:48 AM

Simply not true, I see many illegally parked vehicles every day. If they were less lenient they could rake in the money, which is after all what you think a local authority should do and fits with your "tough on crime" stance.

Personally I don't think this would be right, but be careful what you wish for. Anyway, this is off topic as someone has pointed out so I'll leave it here.

Posted by: TallDarkAndHandsome Apr 30 2010, 10:09 AM

At least its raining today