One side of the argument... http://www.thelondoneconomic.com/ne...evil-unprincipled-mini-mafia-landlords/14/06/ Something that possibly could have been avoided had a proposed law that required private landlords to make their properties fit for human habitation been passed last year last year.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-mays-chief-staff-sat-10620357 More starting to leak out about the government's lack of action...
I think we should be careful about jumping to conclusions. Years ago I was involved in having building materials tested and approved or not for use in domestic and commercial buildings. The tests were long, involved and very very strict. There is a constant supply of new material being produced and I do wonder if the testing is as strict as it once was. There is pressure applied to government by businesses in many fields, medicines etc. to get their products to the market as quickly as possible. This is one of the reasons that some want to sidestep EU regulations on safety.
There is also the possibility of fake or unsuitable materials being used and poor quality workmanship, both of which are top of my suspicion list for the spread of the fire. There should be fire stops at every floor with the stairs and lift shaft protected. Costs are cut to the bone. Landlords aim to more than maximise their income for the minimum expenditure, as do developers. Corners are cut by unscrupulous business people. The residents have been complaining for years. The cause could be anything from a discarded cigarette, kitchen accident, faulty wiring, arson... I've done a structural investigation into a burnt out home in Holywell, the children were playing with matches. All survived, alas the home didn't. This is unacceptable.
Good morning from a sunny St. Helier with a bit of light cloud about. As you can see, I've changed my username. This is because I got so frustrated with the amount of matches and training I have missed over the last 2 years due to injury and illness that I have quit softball. However, as far as my team-mates are concerned from the message I put on Facebook last night, I'm out for the rest of this season and will decide further in the new year before the indoor season, but jerzeypie knows the truth - I can't hide it from my son, especially as he now plays for the same team. My picture will change this weekend.
Bad luck that - over the years I've found that one of the hardest things to do is give up a sport that you love. Due to a combination of age and injury, I've had to give up a few - but the one that hurt the most was Squash.
I was told to stop playing tennis after I snapped my Achilles tendon as the surgeon said it would be more difficult to join it up a second time. It does mean that most sport is out, petanque is ok, but I really don't want another three months in plaster, so do as I am told.
It's hard giving up playing a sport you love. I gave up cricket in my mid-40s...not through injury but because I didn't like playing at a lower level. I tried umpiring a few times but it's very dull after playing for so many years!
I have a hospital appointment next month to try and sort my wrist out, or at least get a definitive diagnosis. My golfing days, for the foreseeable future, are over. Very frustrating. My youngest sister, a GP herself, manages her epilepsy insofar as it allows her to. Swimming is her passion. I feel for you Barry.
Good morning all from a warm and dry Weston-super-Mare. We have a heatwave promised over the next few days! Have a good day!
Forty years ago I bought my first colour TV. It still works well, although there is a bit of a constant hum on the sound. Because of the hum I was pushed into buying a new one five years ago. When the new one went wrong two years ago the repair man said they are only built to last around five years these days and often spare parts are only available for that length of time. Two months since the extended warranty expired and it has gone wrong again. It appears to be overheating and after the events in London I feel a bit nervous about keeping it. Looks like I will have to get a new one, or return to the hum. The good news however is if I buy something similar it is now €100 cheaper than it was five years ago.
My 87 year old neighbour just appeared at the front door with her elbow crutch that she uses to steady herself since she had a fall last autumn, and a shopping bag in the other hand. At the bottom of the bag was a large glass bowl filled to the brim with beautiful red cherries that she wanted us to have. She has several cherry trees in her garden that are quite tall, so I asked her how she had managed to pick them. Amazed that I should ask I think, she said she has a ladder that allows her to get all of them except for the ones at the very top that she is happy for the birds to have. Hope I am still as active at her age.
