I think I might be about the same age. Spangles... especially the Old English flavour :) and carting books and books of Green Sield stamps to trade them in for stuff, usually Christmas presents. We had Hornby railways though and, of course, Airfix. Happy Christmas, Jim.
Chrimbo down the years, what no Harvey's Bristol Cream or Lambs Navy Rum and my old Dad would get in Cigarettes for the silver plated box, I presume either Players -its the tobacco that counts (our Scout Leader had a 'camp fire yarn' that ended with that punchline) or Senior Service, meanwhile Uncle Charlie smoked Kensitas for the coupons and a gift for the Mrs, something useful like a fancy cruet set!
Life was so simple, The cowboys were the goodies and the Indians the baddies and The Daily Express told us never vote Labour and Jack Kelsey was the world's best goalkeeper and he played for the top team, Arsenal - I had never heard of Leyton Orient, or Probation, when I did life got more complicated.
Happy Chrimbo, to one and all and thanks Jim, I guess not many will get to read this with the stronger editorial policy, never mind - it is your blog!
NAPO East Midlands @NAPO_EastMids DLNR CRC CEO and snr managers publish their safe jobs leaving staff hung out before xmas anticipating n/y redundancy announcements!” ???
I suspect I am older than you Jim and could add to your list(eg Smiths Crisps with the little blue salt wrapper,but you made me smile with that lovely list of nostalgia Perhaps NPS, in its original wrapping, should be up there too!
Have a fine time Jim, and stuff TR and all who had a finger in the pie.
Well, last appointment done, need to feed Delius then I plan to 'lean on my shovel' for the rest of the day :) Merry Christmas to one and all and a big thank you to Jim and all those who have contributed to this blog.
Brilliant nostalgia-fest Jim. Izal - my family was more Bronco - but is it correct that,due to an unfortunate gsi.gov predictive text misunderstanding,the RAF is now bombing Izal?
My w.c was out on the landing, shared with 2 other families and our bog roll was whatever newspaper found lying around, usually the Daily Record! Awh, Glasgow in the sixties......brutal!
You missed out a pack of sweet cigarettes, 5p crisps and a 10p tip-top drink for the kids.
And for Christmas Day .... Watching 007 on the box, and playing with a doll or action man, Lego and an original Rubik's cube, and if you were really lucky ... Atari!!
I'll go for them all Jim apart from the shiny bog paper. Many thanks for your blog & best wishes to you, all readers & all probation employees (even if not union members)...Bobbyjoe (about to enjoy my first festive season in retirement).
2 loose ciggies (loosies in scouse) No 10 or No 6, I wan't fussed, black jacks fruit watzits and the day was mine. Merry Christmas to one and all. We will survive this mess, because today was christmas eve and the gates opened and the bedeveilled, the lost were released to us and we waited for them, wished them a happy yuletide, appointed them to visited us again and hoped, with them, that things will be better this time round. God bless one n' all
Merry Xmas Jim. My memories are of course Carols, jelly and trifle, the colder winters especially 1963, woolle mittens and my grandmother liking babysham.
Merry Christmas to all. When I was a child my grandfather bought me the annuals from comics like Twinkle, Jackie etc. And I had mandarins in the bottom of my stocking !! Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow'
Thanks to JB & all contributors for an ongoing, essential & outstanding source of information, debate & consultation. Equally for its efficacious qualities as somewhere to take a metaphorical dump every now & then, aka confessional with 'Father' Brown.
1970, Comput-a-car, anyone? I was lucky enough to get the GT40 version (white with blue stripes). It came with a variety of pre-programmed racing courses, plus blank cards so you could programme your own instructions. The dog eventually worried it to death.
Having lunch later with friends, one of my friends partners works at the MOJ and she tells an interesting tale of how the rank and file are not supportive of the changes and rumours of closed discussions in t he last few weeks about the state of play and its potential for damaging the reputation of the CJS.....
A very happy Christmas and may the coming year be gentle on all those struggling with their future in TR, as well as all those who Christmas has left behind. And thanks Jim, for never giving up on the fight, in spite of the vitriol thrown at you on occasions. You have far more supporters on your blog.
Maybe you've been asleep, but you have had a massive revelation of the results of TR, and the MOJ are now reeling with embarrassment. More TR areas will follow soon, which will make Grayling Lies and South Yorkshire look mediocre. The clock is ticking slowly, but it is ticking!
I think everyone is entitled to a break, maybe not as long as the parliamentary recess, but a bit of a break, from the misery of it all! If your are desperate for a fix, you could always go sit outside in a tee-shirt for a few hours!
Do you remember many postings about the Business Risk Register when TR was mooted? Well, top of the business risk may now be litigation. MOJ may well be a bit panicked as threats are growing to sue. In pole position is Concentrix which became 'preferred bidder' for the outsourcing of court debt collection which that nice Mr Gove has decided he will not pursue further as the in-house system is errr cheaper and more efficient. Now Concentrix has spent £8 million so far and according to Private Eye (1408)is determined to recoup this through the Courts as they thought the contract was in the bag...... Now remember how TR under nasty Mr Grayling was trotted out with 'preferred bidders' and just look at the disaster it has become. Well, it appears much could be learnt about Grayling's processes when this one comes before the Courts..or dare the MOJ allow it to get that far? Lawyers for the CRC's may be watching this one closely me thinks. Lots to come out about just how these contracts are awarded and whether Public Contracts Regulations 2006 and EU law has been observed. Now, Mr Grayling has gone from the MOJ but many people especially the likes of Spurr still are around. Someone will take the fall eventually and I for one cannot wait to see who this will be. It is gathering momentum and TR is about to be scrutinised with the benefit of hindsight rather than the full scrutiny and due diligence it should have undergone from the very beginning. I can't wait. A PO
Hands up if you gave a rats ass about probation work and the impact on those sentenced by the courts BEFORE it had brown envelopes stuffd with performance related cash in every virtual file.
Okay, you can go home. The rest of you are in detention until further notice.
I have heard that 2016 is likely to be the year of legal challenge as CRC parents realise just what they have been sold and the talking up that went on pre TR is tantamount to the MOJ acting like snake oil salesmen but dont despair...I believe that a massive back covering exercise is taking place as we speak to prevent reputational damage hitting the MOJ and how do they intend to do this? Step forward Mr Sacrificial lamb Grayling....looks like your time could about to be called..
Press Association FOI reveals prisoners release in error (Independent): "Prisoners in custody for suspected murder were among many released by mistake in the past year, including a killer who waited for a bus for several hours before being hauled back into custody.
Forty-eight suspected or convicted criminals held for violent offences in England and Wales were freed due to blunders in 2014-15, according to Ministry of Justice data released after a Freedom of Information request."
What's most worrying is that its just one fewer than in 2013/14, and the total is now 505 in the last decade. Maybe wrongly releasing 50 prisoners annually is the default?
Fabulous!!
ReplyDeleteI think I might be about the same age. Spangles... especially the Old English flavour :) and carting books and books of Green Sield stamps to trade them in for stuff, usually Christmas presents. We had Hornby railways though and, of course, Airfix. Happy Christmas, Jim.
ReplyDeleteChrimbo down the years, what no Harvey's Bristol Cream or Lambs Navy Rum and my old Dad would get in Cigarettes for the silver plated box, I presume either Players -its the tobacco that counts (our Scout Leader had a 'camp fire yarn' that ended with that punchline) or Senior Service, meanwhile Uncle Charlie smoked Kensitas for the coupons and a gift for the Mrs, something useful like a fancy cruet set!
ReplyDeleteLife was so simple, The cowboys were the goodies and the Indians the baddies and The Daily Express told us never vote Labour and Jack Kelsey was the world's best goalkeeper and he played for the top team, Arsenal - I had never heard of Leyton Orient, or Probation, when I did life got more complicated.
Happy Chrimbo, to one and all and thanks Jim, I guess not many will get to read this with the stronger editorial policy, never mind - it is your blog!
NAPO East Midlands
ReplyDelete@NAPO_EastMids
DLNR CRC CEO and snr managers publish their safe jobs leaving staff hung out before xmas anticipating n/y redundancy announcements!” ???
And SWM with the same CEO. Nests feathered all round. Merry Bloody Christmas
DeleteIngeus RRP manager let slip, looking to announce 42% staff cut in the first few weeks of January
DeleteIs there a working hours policy. Our manager is making us stay till 5pm today. Anyone know a good national union rep. We're fuming
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Jim
ReplyDeleteThank you for the blog it is outstanding
I suspect I am older than you Jim and could add to your list(eg Smiths Crisps with the little blue salt wrapper,but you made me smile with that lovely list of nostalgia Perhaps NPS, in its original wrapping, should be up there too!
ReplyDeleteHave a fine time Jim, and stuff TR and all who had a finger in the pie.
Oh damn of course, Smiths crisps! How lucky we felt if per chance there were TWO liitle blue twisted packs of salt! Simple pleasures - happy days...
DeleteHave read your opinions from the very beginning. Those who are about to be sentenced salute you as do I.
ReplyDeleteThank you, your sentiment a very welcome crimbo present!
DeleteWell, last appointment done, need to feed Delius then I plan to 'lean on my shovel' for the rest of the day :)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to one and all and a big thank you to Jim and all those who have contributed to this blog.
Have a great Chrimbo
xxxx
Brilliant nostalgia-fest Jim. Izal - my family was more Bronco - but is it correct that,due to an unfortunate gsi.gov predictive text misunderstanding,the RAF is now bombing Izal?
ReplyDeleteMy w.c was out on the landing, shared with 2 other families and our bog roll was whatever newspaper found lying around, usually the Daily Record! Awh, Glasgow in the sixties......brutal!
DeleteI remember that .... visiting gran in Springburn in the late 50's & 60's. Then they knocked most of it down to build a motorway.
DeleteYou missed out a pack of sweet cigarettes, 5p crisps and a 10p tip-top drink for the kids.
ReplyDeleteAnd for Christmas Day .... Watching 007 on the box, and playing with a doll or action man, Lego and an original Rubik's cube, and if you were really lucky ... Atari!!
I once got an empty Action Man box - my father said it was an Action Man Deserter. How we laughed.
ReplyDeleteI'll go for them all Jim apart from the shiny bog paper.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your blog & best wishes to you, all readers & all probation employees (even if not union members)...Bobbyjoe (about to enjoy my first festive season in retirement).
2 loose ciggies (loosies in scouse) No 10 or No 6, I wan't fussed, black jacks fruit watzits and the day was mine. Merry Christmas to one and all. We will survive this mess, because today was christmas eve and the gates opened and the bedeveilled, the lost were released to us and we waited for them, wished them a happy yuletide, appointed them to visited us again and hoped, with them, that things will be better this time round. God bless one n' all
DeleteWebsters! Watch out for Webbo. And his sister.
DeleteMerry Xmas Jim. My memories are of course Carols, jelly and trifle, the colder winters especially 1963, woolle mittens and my grandmother liking babysham.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to all.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child my grandfather bought me the annuals from comics like Twinkle, Jackie etc. And I had mandarins in the bottom of my stocking !!
Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow'
Thanks to JB & all contributors for an ongoing, essential & outstanding source of information, debate & consultation. Equally for its efficacious qualities as somewhere to take a metaphorical dump every now & then, aka confessional with 'Father' Brown.
ReplyDelete1970, Comput-a-car, anyone? I was lucky enough to get the GT40 version (white with blue stripes). It came with a variety of pre-programmed racing courses, plus blank cards so you could programme your own instructions. The dog eventually worried it to death.
Sign of things to come....https://uk.news.yahoo.com/capita-loses-performance-payments-missing-army-recruitment-targets-104426307.html?nhp=1
ReplyDeleteAs the four horsemen ride roughshod around the globe, lets hope they don't bump into an old man on a heavily laden sled.
ReplyDeleteAnd despite the evil at play in the world, I'd like to wish for Peace & Goodwill.
Happy Christmas to all Probation staff!
ReplyDeleteHaving lunch later with friends, one of my friends partners works at the MOJ and she tells an interesting tale of how the rank and file are not supportive of the changes and rumours of closed discussions in t he last few weeks about the state of play and its potential for damaging the reputation of the CJS.....
ReplyDeleteA very happy Christmas and may the coming year be gentle on all those struggling with their future in TR, as well as all those who Christmas has left behind. And thanks Jim, for never giving up on the fight, in spite of the vitriol thrown at you on occasions. You have far more supporters on your blog.
ReplyDeleteJim when are the great write ups coming back such as the axe revealed and 5 grayling lies? I have your contacts stopped feeding you bones?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you've been asleep, but you have had a massive revelation of the results of TR, and the MOJ are now reeling with embarrassment. More TR areas will follow soon, which will make Grayling Lies and South Yorkshire look mediocre. The clock is ticking slowly, but it is ticking!
DeleteThe explosion is coming
DeleteI think everyone is entitled to a break, maybe not as long as the parliamentary recess, but a bit of a break, from the misery of it all! If your are desperate for a fix, you could always go sit outside in a tee-shirt for a few hours!
ReplyDeleteDo you remember many postings about the Business Risk Register when TR was mooted?
ReplyDeleteWell, top of the business risk may now be litigation. MOJ may well be a bit panicked as threats are growing to sue. In pole position is Concentrix which became 'preferred bidder' for the outsourcing of court debt collection which that nice Mr Gove has decided he will not pursue further as the in-house system is errr cheaper and more efficient. Now Concentrix has spent £8 million so far and according to Private Eye (1408)is determined to recoup this through the Courts as they thought the contract was in the bag......
Now remember how TR under nasty Mr Grayling was trotted out with 'preferred bidders' and just look at the disaster it has become. Well, it appears much could be learnt about Grayling's processes when this one comes before the Courts..or dare the MOJ allow it to get that far? Lawyers for the CRC's may be watching this one closely me thinks. Lots to come out about just how these contracts are awarded and whether Public Contracts Regulations 2006 and EU law has been observed.
Now, Mr Grayling has gone from the MOJ but many people especially the likes of Spurr still are around. Someone will take the fall eventually and I for one cannot wait to see who this will be.
It is gathering momentum and TR is about to be scrutinised with the benefit of hindsight rather than the full scrutiny and due diligence it should have undergone from the very beginning. I can't wait.
A PO
Yes I've heard the lawyers are circling - like you, can't wait!
DeleteHands up if you gave a rats ass about probation work and the impact on those sentenced by the courts BEFORE it had brown envelopes stuffd with performance related cash in every virtual file.
ReplyDeleteOkay, you can go home. The rest of you are in detention until further notice.
I have heard that 2016 is likely to be the year of legal challenge as CRC parents realise just what they have been sold and the talking up that went on pre TR is tantamount to the MOJ acting like snake oil salesmen but dont despair...I believe that a massive back covering exercise is taking place as we speak to prevent reputational damage hitting the MOJ and how do they intend to do this? Step forward Mr Sacrificial lamb Grayling....looks like your time could about to be called..
ReplyDeletePress Association FOI reveals prisoners release in error (Independent): "Prisoners in custody for suspected murder were among many released by mistake in the past year, including a killer who waited for a bus for several hours before being hauled back into custody.
ReplyDeleteForty-eight suspected or convicted criminals held for violent offences in England and Wales were freed due to blunders in 2014-15, according to Ministry of Justice data released after a Freedom of Information request."
What's most worrying is that its just one fewer than in 2013/14, and the total is now 505 in the last decade. Maybe wrongly releasing 50 prisoners annually is the default?