Motor Mouth.
Councillor Colette McCormack. Mayor of Hyndburn. As the winter gets closer my diary seems to get busier and busier. We’ve had a wonderful month this month and met so many lovely people. I told you we were trying to break the record for the number of Macmillan Coffee Mornings attended in one day. I’m pleased to say we absolutely smashed last year’s record by attending 29. It was an extremely hectic, tiring but thoroughly enjoyable day. Macmillan are still collecting the donations so the total money raised isn’t know yet but I would like to thank each and every individual, business and organisation who put on a coffee morning and invited me and my apologies to those small number who we couldn’t reach. Last week we held an event at the Haworth Art Gallery and invited all the Mayor’s from across Lancashire to attend. It was a wonderful evening. We enjoyed a talk from a local goldsmith who works on all the mayoral chains and then a guided tour around the gallery. It made me very proud to be a resident of Hyndburn to be able to show off the gallery to the visiting dignitaries. I would urge everyone to spend a few hours there. We are so lucky to have such beautiful treasures in the borough. I would also like to thank the staff and apprentices at North Lancs Training Group who provided the delicious buffet for the evening. We’ve had a really busy week down at the Town Hall this week with Local Democracy Week. School children from local primary schools have been in to visit me and learn about the role of a council and the Mayor. It was a delight to meet them and they were all so inquisitive and well behaved. It is Remembrance Sunday next month and my office is busy working with the Royal British Legion and police to organise the various services and parades throughout the Borough. I would urge everyone to attend a service if they can to reflect upon the sacrifices made by our brave service men and women. If you would like more details of your local service please see the advert in the Accrington Observer on Friday 11th November. I can’t leave without giving you an update on my charity. I’m really pleased to say that the monies raised so far exceeds £2000. I would like to thank the Accrington Lions and Peel Park Primary school for their donations this month. We’d still love to raise a lot more for my three chosen charities – Help for Heroes, Hyndburn Macmillan Cancer Support and Hyndburn Crossroads Care. Our upcoming events are – Bag a Bag charity night, 9th November at the Peel Park Hotel, Accy Rockers Concert, Poplar Social Club Saturday 12th November and Christmas fair at Peel Park Hotel, 18th November 2011. Tickets and more information are available from my office. For more information about upcoming events, to invite me to an event you are holding or to put your name down for the Mayor’s Ball please
contact my office on 01254
themayoraloffice@hyndburnbc.gov.uk Thanks, Colette. 20.
Why go to a Bridge seminar? Well, to meet friendly, like-minded people and to learn a bit more about the game that you enjoy. Blackburn and Ribble Valley Bridge Club are holding a series of seminars on Tuesdays in October, November and December, at Blackburn’s Bridge Centre, just five minutes along the dual carriageway from Junction 6 on the M65. There’s plenty of parking space outside the premises, and the building is all on one level. The club is privileged to have the services of the 2008 World Champion, the Beijing Gold Medallist, Catherine Draper. Catherine is Lancashire’s highest-ranked player. What’s more, she’s an absolutely brilliant teacher of the game. Whatever level you’re at, you’re sure to come away from her sessions with a sense of confidence and enlightenment. Tuesday Seminars. Learn, and Lunch, and practise. For more information, email:
yvonne.dickinson@hotmail.co.uk OR Ring Yvonne 01254 384563 /07761107647(mobile)
380285 or
By Dan Woods Now last month I wrote about America, and their view of how a vehicle should be. What I didn’t even scratch the surface of however was the most popular form of vehicle in the states. The pick-up truck. They sell by the millions; the Americans love them. It is important to realise that the size of a pick-up truck in America is that of a small cottage. These things are huge. Again powered by extremely large engines they do ridiculously few miles per gallon, and require a small field to be parked on. This concept of pick-up trucks never really caught on in the UK. However, in more recent years we too seem to have become a sucker for a good old pick-up. There have been increasing numbers of them appearing on the road. The main reason for this is the VAT saving. This means that anyone who is VAT registered can claim the VAT back on one of these pick-ups, which is a significant chunk of a discounted price. In reality though, just how practical are they? Can they be compared to normal cars, and are they a viable choice when looking for a new vehicle? Well I wanted to find out, and so I borrowed a Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian for a week. When it
arrived, the first shock is at the sheer size of this
machine. At over 5.2metres long and 1.8metres wide, the double cab with a new long-wheel-base is gargantuan. It will overhang normal parking spaces; a trait which resulted in me parking on the roof of a notably small multi-storey car park so as to not obstruct anybody. Get behind the wheel however, and the Barbarian’s size is easy to judge and you don’t feel like you’re behind the wheel of a house; more a tall car. The cabin is generously equipped with leather seats, a touch-screen navigation/media system, cruise control and lots of storage in the armrest, glove box and even a sunglasses holder. Where the cabin is let down is the dashboard and door card trims. In contrast to the leather this trim feels cheap and isn’t as visually impressive. This is only a small complaint though, as the cabin is quiet and comfortable making it a nice place to be on long journeys. There is seemingly endless space in the bed, and it dealt with a heap of mountain bikes and gear effortlessly. If you were thinking of buying an L200, or any similar pick-up, I would suggest looking at the rear boxes as these make the bed more secure and the space more useable. To drive the Barbarian was pleasantly surprising. You will achieve around 30mpg, which isn’t too bad for a 2 tonne lump. On normal roads the ride is comfortable, and the 175PS diesel engine provides ample power and torque for the 5-speed automatic gearbox to put down on the road with notably smooth changes. On twisty, bumpy A-roads however, the ride can be ‘wallowy’ and the seats won’t give you much horizontal support if you are a small chap. Overall, the Barbarian has plenty of space and makes a great long-distance commuter. Prices for the Barbarian start at £23,824 (non-VAT) which means that unless you are VAT registered you will pay £28,588. This is quite a lot, and I can’t help but feel there are better ways to spend it. I did like the ease with which the L200 deals with long journeys and large loads, and how easy it is to drive considering its size. For a full review, score breakdown and photos see my blog. Score: 35/50
woodsie91@hotmail.co.uk Dan.
A young man was walking through a supermarket to pick up a few things when he noticed an old lady following him around. Thinking nothing of it, he ignored her and continued on. Finally he went to the checkout queue, but she got in front of him. "Pardon me," she said, "I'm sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It's just that you look just like my son, who just died recently." "I'm very sorry," re- plied the young man, "is there anything I can do for you?" "Yes," she said, "As I'm leaving, can you say 'Good bye, Moth- er'? It would make me feel so much better." "Sure," answered the young man. As the old woman was leaving, he called out, "Goodbye Mother!" As he stepped up to the checkout counter, he saw that his total was £127.50. "How can that be?" He asked, "I only purchased a few things!" The Clerk replied, "Your mother said that you would pay for her."
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