The day the earth stood still!
 

A bit of snow and the morons were out in force this morning…

Impatient charlie….even though his exit was blocked because of a stuck milk float he decided to turn right at the junction totally blocking the traffic flow when the lights changed..stuck for 25 minutes cos of this particular Darwin award winning Audi driver.

He-man the immortal master of the universe…happily cycling in poor visibility without lights, risking life and limb undertaking cars that could have lost traction at any moment.

Jay walking Jack…the one that thinks its a good idea to walk in the road instead of the pavement.

No lights Nora…..the one that thinks it costs extra money on her electricity bill if she turns her headlights on.

Lost count of the idiots who hadn’t even bothered to remove the snow off their roof and bonnet.

Only good thing was that the snow had filled in all the potholes and I had a relatively smooth ride for a change.

Don't even get me started on the number of people who rang in today cos of childcare problems because of school closures.....I may have a selective memory but I honestly can't recall school being closed because of snow when I was a kid....you know, when we had to walk to school, carrying big heavy satchels.

Couple of hours later..the roads were fine..go figure

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

It's the same over here in southern Ontario - especially for the first snowfall of the winter. Silly beggars doing silly things.
I don't remember schools being closed when I was a young lass either, and I lived in Accrington for the nasty winter of '62. Or was it '63?
With bare knees, wearing Wellington boots, we walked for miles to get to school :)

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

I cannot remember missing school because of snow.
I also never ever missed work because of snow......I have walked it to QPH from Clayton le moors and I have walked it home in theatre wellies....because the public service vehicles weren't......a service that is.

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No school closures for me either even in the winter 0f 62/63, when all the pipes for the school boilers where frozen, as a special treat our teacher allowed us to wear gloves in the classroom. They weren't much use though they were already soaking from all the snowballs we'd make on the way to school. Oh, and it was Junior school so no long trousers allowed, I think there was something wrong back then with teachers allowing kids to get a chap on the legs.:D

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Spot on, no school closures also had to sit with coats on in class cos heating was non functioning, ashamed to say we have produced a nation of wimps and do-gooders.:rolleyes:

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And today we have this gem from the County Council chairwoman Margaret Brindle....'I can understand why schools have to close for the day. Pupils travel from greater distances than they did in the past and no-one wants to see them put at risk'

Anyone would think that kids were coming in from the outback or the steppes.

Then again, she obviously does..'I was supposed to go to County Hall but I looked out of the window this morning and saw that my trip to Preston would be impossible'

Strange that, because many others, like nurses, carers, shopworkers, firemen, paramedics etc..etc.., didn't have the luxury of not trying to get to work. She should hang her head in shame!

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The peons don't get the choice, because the pigs have decided it's so! (And a little thing known as personal integrity, something it appears our "Betters" have disregarded)

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The difference is that,
nurses, carers, shopworkers, firemen, paramedics etc..etc.. all do essential work, she is a politician, Parliament proves that we can survive quite well for months in the summer when they are on holiday, so her not turning up for one day, no great loss.

Would have been better though, if instead of looking out of her window, she had at least attempted to make this so called impossible journey, at least she'd have got Brownie points for trying.

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And don't forget those brave men and women who deliver pizzas:alright:

Maybe you guys need some of these ... They were still in use as school buses in Saskatchewan in the late sixties. I actually got to drive one; and there are still lots of them left sitting in farm yards all over the west.



Bombardier B-12

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

What...no mention how winters were colder for folk of past era's or how kids these days don't know their born? :D

I don't wish to encourage it,but Im guilty of being a "jay walking Jack".
I find walking on the road in bad conditions is sometimes safer because the snow on the pavement tends to be compacted into a desth trap.
When it comes to the safety of our children I don't believe it should be put at risk and so agree with schools shutting for the day.
It certainly shouldn't be put at risk because folk in the 'I remember when' days walked to (and from) school in skin blistering conditions.Plus the recommended minimum temp for the workplace is 16degrees....


...Besides,kids can enjoy a extra day off and they get to play in the snow (every cloud).

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So you don't believe in putting children at risk?
Risk is about being able to recognise what is dangerous and what is not......and if we do not subject children to the opportunities of finding out what is risky for them, they will never be able to risk assess and cope with risk.
When councils talk about risk, what they are actually saying is ' we don t want anyone to have the chance of suing us' whether that be a teacher or a pupil.
I walked from Woodnook to Peel Park every schoolday....come rain hail snow or shine.....was I at risk?
Has this harmed me? No of course it hasn't.
We are breeding a nation of milk sops, wimps and whingers with the help of the authorities who should be making sure the roads and pavements are suitable for purpose......NOT stopping services and closing schools.
Try getting the school to give your child an extra day off to enable them to go on a family holiday....See what their reaction to that is......because everyone knows that even a day makes a difference to a child's education!

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

As usual you are in contrary mode, however nothing to do with winters being colder back then, nothing to do with kids not knowing they are born.

A great deal to be because of the attitude of those in secure jobs and folk like you.
The attitude of today is:-

I don't need to be responsible and turn up, my life is good, stuff the kids and parents that will get to the school, I'm not taking my 4x4 out of the garage, I'VE got an excuse to stay home.

As for kids at risk? Obviously, back then we would (as kids) have enjoyed a day off school to spend in the snow, but, by example the teachers went to work, our parent's faught their way through blizzards to work, it was an example of being responsible and not letting others down (or expecting others to cover for your lack of responsibility) that seems to have skipped several generations, you seem to go out of your way to prove it...


...why?

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Why ? i could answer that but i prefer to stay on the forum.;)

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I had to walk from Huncoat village to Woodnook school on Hudson Street and back, probably six or seven miles in total more times than I care to think about and as you rightly say it has done me no harm at all, in fact the walk, although I did not think so at the time did me more good than harm.

With the demise of p.e. in our schools and the selling off of the school playing fields, also the latest load of rubbish about stopping lads being able to tackle one another in a game of rugby fills me with dread for our future generations, life itself is hard, if our our grandchildren are brought up to believe that they should not attain to be the best that they can be then what is the point in trying to teach them anything.

P.S. Marge; Please have a look on the post under Accringtons oldest supermarket, there is a question from me about someone you me remember.
Yours as always, stay happy, Taddy.

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Sorry, the last line should have said, (may remember).

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I agree with most of what is being said,but I don't think folk can just decide to stay at home when it suits.
Let's not forget that nowadays there is a lot more traffic (and tools driving) on our roads...that increases the risk to our kids.
Perhaps those folk from the 'I remember when' days could fight the weather and make their way to our schools to care for the kids who get stranded by bad weather and difficult driving conditions.

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Rubbish its yer usual back tracking nowt else.:rolleyes:

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There might be more traffic in the normal course of events, but if those who think they have no responsibility to even try to get to their job, pull the duvet up under their chin and point two fingers to their duties.....then there is less traffic, add to this the lack of public service vehicles, the bin wagons the bread vans etc......then I guess the roads would be relatively quiet.

Those who see a dusting of snow as a good reason to absolve themselves of the responsibility of going to work do not deserve to have a job.
As I say, in all the time I was working I never EVER missed work because of the weather.
Even if this meant I had to walk it.
My total concerns were for my patients and for the colleagues I was relieving. It was they who needed me to be there......and my work ethic was to get there by whatever means....motorbike or milk float. Usually though it was shanks pony.

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Well Cashy got there first, (he often does), U turn, we were brought up by parents that faught for a future, that future didn't include mamby pamby I need an excuse to allow others to work but not me.

I suspect this attitude came in somewhere around the 80's, when a certain lady said stuff the rest, 'the rest' in reply said, stuff you, what a mess we now have, no-one want's to walk that extra mile, you, me or Joe Bloggs. We all want everyone else to do that little extra.

Any excuse especially from those in charge not to do anything if anything is too much (for them).

Lead by example, Politicians, you volunteered for the job, if you can't travel 10 miles travel 2, turn up at a depot, ask how you can help, you volunteered for the job lead us into a positive, we can do, attitude not a simpering hand wringing, well, nothing I can do about it, I may as well stay at home. You show yourself, maybe the real workers will be encouraged?

Too much to ask in reality isn't it?

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Our children have grown up with this increased level of traffic, so this invalidates your argument.
They deal with these risks every day.....and the same fools are driving around in all weathers.
We cannot wrap our children in cotton wool.....though many would have us do this on grounds of health and safety.....but we do our children a disservice in believing that they do not have the strategies to cope with what they meet on a day to day basis.....and we also do them a disservice in not allowing them to deal with risks,you have to be exposed to some risks in your life or you will never learn how to handle risks in your life.
We also have a duty to instil in our children a healthy work ethic....a 'can do' attitude rather than a give up attitude.

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Less, you got in there before me...I agree that we should always always encourage the 'can do' approach, the undaunted attitude.
And it is about attitudes, and seeing those who consider themselves to be better than us, giving up,is a very poor example.

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Plain and simple, if we all say, 'Nowt I can do' nowt will be done.

My parents went through a hell of alot, (mustn't mention Hilter) they still managed to bring up a family, maybe they spoilt us a little, with what was their gift of not wanting us to have their life repeated, we have certainly spoilt the next generation, they are in power and prefare to do nothing if it involves themselves.

Actually I do know several of the following generation that are wonderful caring people, strangely none are politicians, let's not change society, lets change politicians attitude.

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Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Perhaps going back to, a politician doesn't get a wage, but does it because they have a calling? (Not really daft, a good politician (not necessarily an honest politician) would get sponsors to pay their way).

Of course if we re-introduced such a system we would also have to ignore any claims for expenses, every politician should be able to claim for his moat to be cleaned or indeed a place for his ducks:-

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...-_1407400c.jpg

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Ah, yes I agree, but at least if a labour M.P. was only paid by sponsors from the labour community, s/he would only get a living wage making it difficult to forget where their roots lie, we've had it seems, 30 years of Tory leaders of the Labour party, done as much good for most folk as a wet fart.

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Not to mention the alarming, and rapidly climbing incidence of childhood obesity. It's a kind of irony ... you think your kids are safe at home; but they ain't. They're chowing down on botulism burgers, pies, and fries while they rot their brains sitting in front of one screen or another.:rolleyes:

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Ah, at last, I can connect with the yoof, I eat all the wrong things, drink far too much, and am at the moment sat in front of 3 screens, T.V. Computer & my 'phone.

Is my brain rotting? NO! It went years ago. :)

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Cue Monty Python

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

Re: The day the earth stood still!
 

Just read through this post and I too have to say as far as I remember Peel Park or the high school were never closed for snow while I was there. To go back to the original post about the lady who didnt go to Preston its a pity she didnt think to catch the train like ,y daughter did that day .She would have found no snow at all there.