Virgin: the world's best passenger complaint letter?

The Telegraph has reproduced this wonderful complaint letter. Have a look here, and let me know what you think. Genius. I am also impressed to know that Mr Branson called up the customer. Good business sense.

Hearbeat is axed

I was a fan of Hearbeat when it first began, but I have not been for the last few years, because it's tired itself out! One of the things that always bugged me was the show's chronology. When the programme began, it was set in 1964. The setting then moved on, approximately in "real time", until it reached early 1969, where – apart from the Christmas episodes – it has now remained for some years. However, the show's chronology has been seen to be quite flexible: the inhabitants of Ashfordly and Aidensfield have certainly celebrated more than four Christmases between 1965 and 1969. What?! I just can't handle that, especially as they should be somewhere in the mid 70's by now!

All's well that ends well though, as ITV have announced they are axing it. It was on the news media today, please see here. I am pleased to say I thoroughly enjoyed adding this fact on the Wikipedia page for Heartbeat.

Until next time!

Doctor Who and Martin Clunes

I can only apologise for writing another blog, but I still appear to want to, so I may as well carry on! I can see in the future that these will become less frequent, but for now, I hope someone out there in the wilderness of the internet is looking and enjoying my blog!

I am a Doctor Who fan, and I particularly like the old stuff - William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton, although a lot of their stuff is now lost by the BBC, see here. It's a shame that we can't watch classics like "Evil of the Daleks" and "The Highlanders", but sometimes it's a relief that we can't watch some obviously dire stories!!

Although I like the old stuff, I have enjoyed the new stuff (and still do)! I really liked how David Tennant played the Doctor - with characteristics of previous Doctor's within, and so I think it's a shame that he has decided to hand over the Tardis keys. The BBC recently announced that an unknown actor, Matt Smith, would be taking over - fair enough! I'll trust them, and if they honestly believe he is the guy, then fine. However, I recently saw this news item about Martin Clunes - apparently he was offered the part, but was too expensive! How much has probably changed since Mr Clunes was last in Doctor Who, wearing a very garish costume!! See below!

Sky

Since I wrote my last message about the BBC's decision NOT to show the emergency appeal, Sky has now confirmed they will not either. Have a look here. Why is this seen as being "inpartial", when both channels look like they are siding with Israel by not showing the appeal...

Why is it that so many real "bad guys" in the world are so easily ignored?

Gaza and the BBC

I might be quite Victorian in a lot of my attitudes, but the BBC has angered me this week for not being forward thinking:

The recent conflict in Gaza has been distressing for all observers. Over 1,300 Palestinians have been killed and many thousands injured. The destruction has left people without homes, schooling, power, food and water supplies. The United Nations has highlighted the plight of the ordinary people of Gaza (as reported on the Middle East pages of its website http://www.un.org/).

Charities around the world have sought to respond to the plight of Gazans. In such times of crisis a number of British charities work together as one umbrella organisation to raise funds for aid; known collectively as the Disasters Emergency Committee or DEC (http://www.dec.org.uk/), the organisation comprises charities such as CAFOD, the Red Cross, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid, Action Aid, Help the Aged, and others.

The DEC has produced a television appeal asking for donations to help relieve the crisis. Since 1963 the major broadcasters in Britain have given free airtime to DEC appeals, which highlight only the greatest disasters needing aid. Amazingly, and in contrast to other UK broadcasters, the BBC has decided not to screen the appeal. They claim that it would ‘compromise its impartiality’, even though the DEC has stressed that its relief-work is non-political. The DEC Chief Executive has stated that its work is to relieve short-term needs; it does not comment on the longer-term situation in Israel-Palestine.

Rather than preserving its impartiality the BBC’s decision not to broadcast the appeal arguably highlights political bias within the Corporation. As many commentators and politicians (including members of the Cabinet) have stated today: How can anyone be impartial to human suffering? You can read the BBC’s own account of the dispute on its website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7848673.stm. The Guardian also reports the incident: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/23/bbc-refuses-gaza-appeal

I would like to ask you to consider supporting charities work now by complaining to the BBC about its decision. You can do so by telephoning 03700 100 222, via the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/, or writing to: BBC Complaints, PO Box 1922, Glasgow, G2 3WT.

You might consider donating: https://www.donate.bt.com/bt_form_gaza.html

If you feel able to, please:

- complain to the BBC about its decision
- donate to help the people of Gaza via the DEC
- pass the news on to others so that action can be taken
- pray for the people of Gaza and of Israel, that peace will flourish in this land

Census 1911

I live in a very nice area of London, but sometimes I get annoyed by "youths" who are clearly up to trouble. Near my house there's a small, but picturesque pond, which is full of ducks. In amongst the noise of the planes going to Heathrow, I can often hear the ducks minding their own business, quacking away. HOWEVER, as many of you probably experienced, the first full week of January was freezing and below 0 degrees in lots of areas. We were the same. This meant, of course, that the pond froze over and the poor ducks couldn’t swim anywhere.

However, some “youths” thought it would be really cool to throw rocks at these poor ducks and dance on the ice too. What could I do about this? Well, as usual I got involved, but for once I decided against shouting at them. Instead I told the “youths” that they should get off the ice immediately, as I’d seen a crack on the other side of the pond. Well, it worked. The “youths” moved sharpish and have yet to return. I really don’t understand what goes through peoples heads to think it’s OK to throw stones at innocent and defenceless ducks?

OK, rant over. And now for something completely different.

I am loving being a blogger. OK, I know I've only just started, but I have already become fascinated by it all by looking at other peoples blogs. One blog has taken my interest the most. I have been interested in my family tree for a number of years, and was most excited by the news that the 1911 Census is now LIVE! I had a look at some blogs on the 1911 Census, and found just one: http://familygrowsontrees.blogspot.com/2009/01/1911-census.html

It’s an extremely interesting blog, and includes a link to an excellent article by the BBC. I may even consider asking these people to do some research for me. I know a lot about my family, but there's still so much for me to find out. Well done to them for creating the blog!

The weather is still cold in Britain and I’m looking forward to spring – my favourite period! In my next blog, I’ll try not to moan so much, but it really is hard not to!

Until next time!

My favourite game - Sudoku

Sudoku is my favourite game and I love it. It's such a challenge and always throws up new things to annoy me - especially when they take me a while to complete. I am not going to rabbit on too much about the intricacies of the game, but I recommend you give it a go: http://www.websudoku.com/

Introduction to me...

Why the Victorian Gentleman? Well, because I like to see myself as a bit of an old fuddy duddy and there were lots of them in Victorian society! I also admire the Victorian period greatly, and we should always remember how much we have to thank them for many of societies creature comforts!

So that’s sort of me. In this blog, I’ll talk about many random things and I hope someone enjoys reading about it.

PS I am a miserable person, but I hope I am not too annoying. More of a Victor Meldrew kind of character.

Until the next time.