Author Archives: odeboyz

What is a car?

If you’re relaxed and intellectually playful then the question ‘What is a car?’ won’t set your teeth on edge. At first sight it looks puerile. After all, even very young children can identify a car successfully. So what is a … Continue reading →

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A worn shabby old book

The small book, given to me by my Dad, soon after I started my apprenticeship in the plumbing trade was called “Tables & Memoranda for Plumber, Builders Sanitary & Electrical Engineers”, by J. Write Clarke. It languished for years in … Continue reading →

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The ever wise Groucho Marx on political principles

Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others. (Chris)

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Old Age

It is said, three score years and ten Is your allotted span So after seventy, you have to wonder, when? Especially now you’re a shaky, old man. If lucky, I won’t have to wait too long I won’t miss this … Continue reading →

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George Osborne’s Politicisation of Welfare in Britain 2010-15

The Coalition government 2010-15 effectively won the economic argument that the British welfare budget had ballooned out of control in the Labour era (1997-2010). This intellectual and political victory produced the brilliant rhetorical flourish from the Chancellor ‘We’re all in … Continue reading →

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The River

I wait for winter The river will freeze solidly It will flow next year (Chris)

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A Dinner Party Conversation

Mummy: Don’t stare at Uncle Jim Jane. Jane: I don’t want to miss it Mummy. Mummy: Miss what Jane? Jane: I don’t want to miss seeing Uncle Jim drink like a fish. (Chris)

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Councils

Just about any Council, be it Local Authority, district, Parish or Metropolitan, usually is only as good as its leadership, strategic planning and the capabilities of its workforce to implement planned decisions. Also pivotal to success, can often be the good … Continue reading →

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Labrador: a joke

Jim: Do you want to buy a Labrador? Fred: No. I don’t think I do. Jim: Why ever not? They’re lovely dogs Fred: Yes, they are but all their owners seem to go blind. (Chris)

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I Know What I Know

Not metres, centimetres or millimetres What’s wrong with an inch, foot or yard As for centilitres – well, I know what’s a pint Time was a pound had twenty shillings With a thousand pounds you were rich You’d  struggle to … Continue reading →

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