dAVe80

Cheers mate, and it goes without saying, I've got nothing but admiration for you, and wish you all the best.

I'm normally a fairly pragmatic person, and I kept getting told it could be a number of things, but when you get told you're on a cancer pathway, your mind does get the better of you. I nearly posted on here about it, but for some reason I never did. I appreciate this thread giving me the chance.

Very recently I'd been showing symptoms of bowel cancer. When you're sat on the bog for the 4th time in a few hours, you start to look at the back of the loo roll packet, and start ticking off most of the symptoms. Scary shit (pun intended). I went and got checked out, and got put on the cancer pathway, and sent for a colonoscopy. I'm thankful to say that although I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, it wasn't bowel cancer. As such I absolutely endorse every word you've said there. I totally admire that on top of dealing with everything you've been through, you also had it in the back of your mind to tell people to go get tested. I'll say the same thing, and tell everyone go get tested if you start to feel symptoms. It is scary, but the sooner you know, the sooner you get sorted.

Some serious issues for social services to sort out here. Shame Birmingham council is on its arse, and probably can't afford to investigate all of the abhorrent child abuse mentioned in this thread. All of you subjected to having to go to the temple of doom for a quid, remember, it's not your fault.

I've blasted through the first two seasons of Mr Inbetween. Excellent stuff, I've really enjoyed it. However:

I can't find the post now, not that I want to go to far down a rabbit hole trying to find it, but a I happened on a Reform UK post on Facebook, that was suggesting the Royal Navy deploy US Navy Seal style boats into the Channel, to help turn back "illegals" to France. In the comments, I learned that the RNLI are woke traitors, who need defunding. Also the Post Code Lottery are woke, but I'm not sure why?

I live in the North East, and the knock on from the strike, and decimation of the industry, and the towns and villages that surrounded it can still be seen today. With regards the strike, the miners and their union had the feeling that they would win, the same way they had won their previous dispute, but the state, and Thatcher were ruthless. They used everything at their disposal to smash the NUM and the striking miners. There have been recent documentaries that show the lengths they went to, but similar to things like Hillsborough, and even recently with Horizon, the state, with the help of legacy media controlled the narrative. It's hard to fight against that, even if you have all the spirit in the world. I regularly attend the Durham Miners' Gala, and the ex miners and their families (some of whom wouldn't even have been born when the pits closed), still come out to march their banners through Durham City Centre. It's truly a sight to behold, and would recommend a visit to anyone with any interest in social history, or working class culture. The spirit of the miners and the sense of communities still lives on, despite what happend to them. As a trade unionist myself, I take inspiration from what they did, even if you see it ultimately as a failure. Standing up for what you belive it right can be hard, and it takes resolve that some that sneer could only dream of. More power to them, and justice for Orgreave.

Every day is a school day.

There's a gig on in my local on Saturday, and the support band is called The Misfits. After checking it definitely wasn't actually Glenn Danzig, I now feel I should turn up to let them know they should change their name. I get that some bands will end up using the same name, but your really shouldn't use the name of a well known band.

Comedian and actor, Richard Lewis gone, aged 76. Loved him in Curb. Coincidentally one of the last episodes of Curb, he told Larry he was putting him in his will.

Jamie Carragher having a swipe at Chelsea for spending money, like the bloke who scored their winning goal, wasn't a then record for a defender, £75m purchase. I did chuckle at Neville, calling Chelsea, "Blue billion pound bottle jobs" mind.

I think Villans of a certain vintage, or with a Dad, or Grandad, or Uncles, or cousins etc of that vintage, will know about Chris Nicholl's goal in the 77 League Cup Final. It used to get further away from the goal, everytime I got told about it. Very sad news that he's passed away. As mentioned, he battled with dementia later in his llife. Would have been very difficult for his loved ones. A Villa legend, and mentioned in most conversation about all time XIs. Rest easy. HEITS

Nothing confirmed, other than Villa Facebook and Twitter pages, but lots of people saying Chris Nicholl has passed away.

Aston "Family Man" Barrett, legendary Reggae bassist, gone at 77. Best known for being Bob Marley and The Wailers bass player, as well as working with Burning Spear, Augustus Pablo, Harry J All-stars, Peter Tosh, Max Romeo, Peter Tosh, Lee Perry, and basically anyone who is anyone in Jamaican music. Rest in power. Jah bless.

Was well made I thought. It was quite interesting to see the scab's point of view in the first episode. The Orgreave episode was tough to watch, but important that it was included. Still very raw for some of the miners, and they deserve a proper enquiry, and some justice.

Only on the East side of town.

Sorry comrade, sounds like the Gulag awaits. That does sound quite bougie.

Get yourself a massive vinyl record collecting habit. That'll soon empty your pockets of any disposable income you've got kicking about. If I get in a position where I've got some spare money and/or time, I think I'd start following the England cricket team around the world. Get to watch the cricket and visit some lovely, warm places. I get if you're not into cricket, that might not be for you though. Can you start doing more of the things you enjoy? Have you got time to do some volunteering? Could you get invovled in a local community group? If you're in a trade union, could you start getting more involved in that? Are you into local politics? Could you try and become a local councillor?

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we'll keep the Rosa Luxembourg tea towel flag flying here.

I've got a Rosa Luxembourg tea towel. Make of that what you will.

Thom Yorke

Nothing to add. I said what I said. If you hate them, fine. I get it, I understand why you might. I just dislike other teams more.

The fact they took a club away from a community and moved it away from then. Similar to the way Amercan sports franchises do. I suppose I should also add all the Red Bull teams that took over existing clubs.