Grahams ramblings

This air Raid shelter sign is still visible near the new Railway Station.

What can I say, I’ve met the nice man from the ministry!

Our unexpected visit from those health and safety folk occurred today. I honestly believe we passed with flying colours.  A true gentleman visited us, he rightly condemned areas we already knew were ‘a bit shady’ but also praised us for our ‘include eveyone’ intranet website that allows a free and open forum for each staff member to make things better. I just wish our government were as open and approachable…

So, we need a new licence, this one is issued by the Environment agency and it entitles me to … wait for it:!? hold yet  another licence to dismantle scrap motorcycles.  £2500 a year so I can ‘depollute’ your Jinlun texan that only cost £500 new or your dream110 pitbike that cost £200 new. This government just loves the really  big guy who handles 50000 tonnes  plus of scrap a year but makes no allowance for our family business, trading steadily for 59 years and now caught up in very red conservative tape ? My MP just passed my letter to the D.O.E. Who reiterated the same ridiculous figures from the current seriously flawed legislation.  The footsoldiers who visited me today  are tied by their superiors. they’re genuine enough,  in fact really nice people, however, just like many historical figures who blame their superiors; it’s still me who receives the bullets from the firing squad, no matter how much they are apologetic. the end result is the death of every small motorcycle business in the UK who dismantles a bike now and again to keep their customers happy..
The way I feel tonight I’m ready to give up.  Other motorcycle shops I’ve spoken to are so frightened, they just dare not join my fight so I’m alone, VERY alone.

Mark,

Your Funeral was an inspiration, I wish we could have exchanged naughty anti-religious uncivil jokes about it . Thanks for being there when I was at my most vulnerable. I know you were there for other people too.

 repairing the flat roof after thieves broke in by creating a 4 foot by 2 foot ‘skylight’ How come the SAS are never there when you need them.:-)

Not bad for an old codger spent the day mixing concrete to fill in the holes left outside the shop by some thief nicking all the yorkshire stone slabs. I wish those thieves bad luck and a premature death, hopefully a painful one.