Dr Strangelove (how I learned to stop worrying and love Boris)

The decline of the traditional local pub and club is, like you say, at the heart of many of our ills. I grew up in a village and the local pub and WMC were the heart of the community really. That and our community centre (town hall). Most things that needed sorting were sorted in the club, everything from getting some new wire netting for the chickens on the allotment to having a word with someone who had been out of order. Everything in between as well. I remember one time playing darts with one of the old boys on a Saturday afternoon and he said the gate to his back yard had finally fallen off, next day two lads round his and fixed it up, no dramas. We dont have that sense of community anymore, sadly, and I think the loss of the pub is part of it. You could sit in the club and you would be next to a decorator, driver, farmer, coalman, builder, street sweeper, doctor, teacher, business man etc. All the same with a pint of bitter waiting to see if they have won the meat raffle.

I still have a local, but it isnt the same. The only thing better these days is the beer. I cant wander in on a Sunday afternoon for a pint and expect to just sit down next to people I know for some company. Big shame.

 

It was much worse when we had three day weeks electric turned off 3 out of four days and having to go to the Monetary fund to save the country going totally bankrupt, but I agree with you this feels much worse because I didn’t believe people were as corrupt in those days as these bent bastards who run the country now, sooner they are gone and hopefully never seen again the better, but I seriously haven’t got a clue where this leaves us because the next set of bent bastards are no different to these now.

 

Just to add to the above, your milkman postman coalman were the same people day in day out and you knew their names as well.

 

We have had 5 milk men in the last 2 years and every time I have to change the bacs payments. Gets on my tits.

 

Do the birds still peck away the foil to get the cream mate. Me and my brothers used to fight like mad for the cream off the gold top. Gorgeous.

 

There is no cream mate we get semi skimmed

 

I knew someone would mention that time which was why I said 'generally worse'. This current malaise seems right across the board and every aspect of our lives seems affected. We have Chancellor after Chancellor and PM after PM and billions being thrown away on nonsense.

Even during the worst of the three day week period we didn't have the NHS in tatters or Minister after Minister being sacked and investigated.

I'm with Rod Stewart on this and he's older than I am

 

Rod Stewart's wives

 

Where did it all go wrong for Rod

 

Our village pub closed several months ago!

 

Was talking to my local butcher. He is bloody fantastic by the way. He was saying to me electric bills will kill more business than covid. He says it is utterly grim and he is trying everything not to pass on price hikes. Proper local man.

During covid he put nothing in the counter so he could make sure locals and regulars got what they wanted. He never once hiked his prices for anyone round here. And he always had pigs liver tucked away for me - delicacy. Along with couple of bones for my dog. He is a real gem, and a throwback.

 

People like him would always try to look after the vulnerable people in the community. Me Mam would go to Yagers, in Consett, every week and they'd have a big bag of scraps to make broth. My Dad had a reputation as a drunken street fighter, quite an achievement in 1950's Consett when that described half the population

The family knew me Mam was trying to feed four kids on the remnants of the pit wages after the bookies and Federation Brewery had taken their cut ...

... family butchers who actually cared for their community, not just their bank a counts.

 

Good point. How can we expect him to know whether it's Wednesday or Wembley.

Tbf I'm wary of any celebrity who spends decades abroad, comes back and then starts making their mouth go about how **** it is here.

 

Ah the tactics of attacking the man (a tory supporter) to try and discredit his opinions!

 

I've spent decades abroad but that doesn't stop me loving my country and feeling for those who are suffering.

Suggesting he's a doddering fool isn't clever tbh, the bloke is still touring and remembering the words to dozens of songs ...

... some of us can barely remember where our car keys are

 

Correct but he’s not the only one

 

I took Mrs Smug to Sheffield Arena to see him recently, and blagged VIP seats ...

... he seemed quite sorted to me.

 

Rod and Jagger with the stones are two of my favourite musical artists of all time, but it’s hypercritical and wrong to wrap yourself in the Union Jack, accept knighthoods then fcuk off to exile for tax reasons and expect to be listened to by the hard working tax paying British public

 

I don't think Rod 'wants to be listened to' tbh.

He has little to gain and even less need to gain anything.

He'll be well aware of the kind of criticism that'll come his way.

He's an outspoken Tory who's defended the party for many years.

His circumstances may give his words less credence but I still believe his U-Turn will strike a chord with many people.

 

The laddie is for turning