Archive for December, 2006
Today’s the day some people are more aware of Times Winged Chariot clipping at their heals, and it’s true none of us are spring chickens, but that doesn’t explain why more than a third of us, according to the TUC, believe they won’t be able to do their job after 60.
‘The report, Going Strong, shows the great majority of employees have no significant health impediments to prevent them working up to 65, or beyond if they wish, yet poor health is the most common reason why people over 50 leave a job, with only half retiring early by choice,’ it says in their newsletter.
And with the ‘demographic timebomb’ ready to explode (this is the bit we talk about pensions and council tax), older workers should use the age discrimination act to make sure they’re not pushed out.
Same old story…
Posted by Cptn
December 31st, 2006
Those people with the shiny glow around them are either eating Readybrek, Russian spies, or rushing towards the TUC Trident debate on January 20.
‘A motion from UNISON calls on the South West TUC to oppose future replacement of Trident nuclear weapons, currently serviced at Devonport Dockland in Plymouth. The TUC has responded to the government’s announcement of three months’ consultation by demanding more time,’ so says the TUC newsletter.
If you want to stick your carbon rod in, get in touch.
Posted by Cptn
December 30th, 2006
The power of the son - sun, sorry (a bit nativitied out ) can now be viewed at Occombe Farm. So if you need more convincing other than the warmth on your face and so on, go and have a look at the information panel in the farmyard. There are 60 photovoltaic cells on the barn and you can watch the display of power. Funky, non? Unless of course the display takes all the energy…
Posted by Cptn
December 29th, 2006
You don’t need to have the fairy lights adorning your home to put on a bit of a light display, especially this time of year. But of course you’d never do that. Ha! That’s where you’re wrong. The Bovey Climate Action Group is working with Plymouth University to produce funky and colourful thermal images to show just how much heat and energy your home is losing. Of course the less colour the better. So put on your thermals and beat those thermal images.
Posted by Cptn
December 28th, 2006
Wise at work
If you’ve got a great environmental idea for work but the suggestion box is filled with requests for ‘a pole for dancing’ (seriously, I saw it once at a fire station!), then pop along to Envirowise, who would love to hear from you in their over to you section. For these guys this kind of stuff means increased efficiency, and that means saving money, and that means more profit - for everyone. So hubba-hubba people!
Posted by Cptn
December 27th, 2006
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Noises off
The clanging of church bells on Christmas Day may not be the only ringing that music lovers will have to endure if they ignore warnings from RNID’s Don’t Lose The Music Campaign.
Tinnitus, which is experienced by 4.7 million people in the UK, is the term for any noise that people hear in one ear, both ears or in their head that doesn’t come from any outside source.
It can be triggered by over exposure to bangin’ choons, which is why the people behind the campaign want music fans to protect their hearing from the cumulative effects of loud music over the party season.
Research from RNID, the largest charity representing deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK, shows that a worrying 73 per cent of citizens who go clubbing at least once a month report ringing in the ears, while 76 per cent of gig goers experience ringing on a similar basis.
This ringing is a warning that repeated exposure to loud music could result in permanent tinnitus and hearing loss.
If you are worried that you may be suffering from tinnitus, further information, products and services are available to help manage the condition.
Posted by Thin White Duke
December 26th, 2006
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PRSD Christmas message
Hullo citizens of the People’s Republic. It’s December 25 and it’s 3pm (or thereabouts), so it must be time for our alternative Christmas message.
The big surprise this year is, despite our lefty humanist principals, the message involves Jesus!
But don’t worry folks, in an appropriately PRSD move, we’ve also found a way to mention Equality South West. Hooray!
They’ve broached the theory that Jesus was a migrant worker. It is well-known that he was an asylum seeker in Egypt - his family fled from pesky King Herod shortly after his birth - but no-one knows his employment status.
There is a gap in the narrative of his life from when he visited the temple in Jerusalem aged 12, to when he began preaching aged 30 and, while he is described, once, as a carpenter, there is no further direct reference to his trade.
Equality South West chief executive Paul Dunn told PRSD: “As a travelling preacher, Jesus must have worked to earn a living, which makes me wonder whether he was employed in the grey economy.
“If he was, he’d have hardly been alone. In fact, he’d probably have encountered the same hardship faced this Christmas by migrant workers in the South West.
“It’s appropriate at this time that, whether or not we believe the Christmas story, the season’s underlying message of peace and community is heeded.
“After all, it’s the time of year when most families try to be together and it’s important we should respect other people’s cultural and religious festivals and, where possible, join in. This is the best way to increase understanding and mixing between diverse communities.”
An interesting thought, ain’t it? Not sure how convinced the Daily Mail readers are gonna be though.
So all that’s left to say is we wish all our viewers a very merry Christmas. It’s been a real annus brilliantus for the PRSD, and that’s down to yous lot, buying the t-shirts, supporting Melting Pot and checking in for your daily dose of pinko smuggery.
Now, for heaven’s sake, switch off your computer and go be with your loved ones. It’s not so bad. Honest.
Posted by Thin White Duke
December 25th, 2006
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Warm reception
This crimbo, some three million people in the UK will have difficulty heating their homes or paying fuel bills.
That’s why those caring folks at the Home Heat Helpline have a solution for people worried that a friend, neighbour or family member is having trouble keeping warm.
They’ve launched a phoneline (0800 33 66 99) offering free advice and information on grants which could really make a difference for the PRSD’s most vunerable citizens.
Funded by Britain’s energy retailers, the helpline has also launched a range of guides for consumers, charities and advice groups, which can be downloaded from the Home Heat Helpline website.
Posted by Thin White Duke
December 24th, 2006
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Get the message
Christmas is coming, the Duke is getting fat. And so is Captn for that matter. But we’re not worried, for life is good here at PRSD towers.
So fulla the festive spirit are we, that we’ve put together an alternative Christmas message for your delectation. Yes, you can choose between the mad old lady on BBC1, the moderate Muslim lady on Channel Four (quelle controversial!) or you can log on to your friendly neighbourhood PRSD to see what we’ve got to say.
We don’t wanna big it up too much (for a fuggen change), but our message is,
as you would expect, quite interesting. And it’s got Jesus in it! Step back in amazement!
So why not make a date with the PRSD at 3pm on December 25? After all, that’s what Christmas is all about. Kinda.
Posted by Thin White Duke
December 23rd, 2006
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Crimbo selecta
More than a third of citizens in the People’s Republic are determined to show how pinko they are this crimbo by buying ethical prezzies. That’s according to a survey by Friends Provident, the founder of the UK’s first ever retail ethical fund, Stewardship.
Nearly a quarter of shoppers believe their friends and family will appreciate ethical gifts while over a fifth are determined to like, really make a difference this festive season.
Indeed, some two-thirds of South West shoppers plan to spend up to £100 on ethical gifts this year. At the top of South West shoppers’ Christmas list are charity Christmas cards, with ethically produced or organic food and clothing also proving a popular present choices.
It is not only gifts that people are thinking about in ethical terms this Christmas, ethically produced consumables are also in demand in the People’s Republic. Throughout the festive period, people will be buying Fairtrade or organic chocolates, organic produce and more than a quarter will buy a free range or organic turkey.
Unfortunately, all that good work will soon be undone by the amount of electricity used to keep the TV blaring throughout Christmas day. Still, it’s the thought that counts, ain’t it?
Posted by Thin White Duke
December 23rd, 2006
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