Peugeot to close Coventry plant

It's been announced today that Peugeot will close it's massive Ryton plant on the outskirts of Coventry in a years time. The news has not come as a shock, because PSA had refused to earmark any more investment. Last year we saw the demise of MG Rover in nearby Birmingham and the closure of the Browns Lane Jaguar plant in Coventry.

The massive motor industry in Coventry has just been dealt another nail in it's coffin and is another example of the effects of globalization. At one time it was British companies that made cars at this plant in Ryton and then PSA bought out Talbot in the late 1970's and even after millions of pounds of Government handouts to keep production in Britain - it is the end of an era for the 1939 car plant. Production is moving to Eastern Europe, where it is cheaper to produce models.

Over the past year or two Peugeot has cut shift numbers down in a general wind-down in Coventry, so the loss of 2,300 jobs doesn't seem as bad yet it's 1% of Coventry's population who will have to find a new career. This will have a devastating effects on the local economy.

The Humber and Hillman were models that had been previously produced at this factory and it's another example of Britain becoming weak in Europe. This would not have happened in France!

A bad day for the people living here........................

Prince William - Real or fake?

I just "stumbled" across this picture as I was surfing the net.
It looks like Prince William but is it really him, you can never tell on the net these days!
What do YOU think?

Danish Easter

Hello folks, it's been a busy few days, lots of alcohol and lots of food. On Easter Sunday I spent time with my good friends Torben and Simon, who had some Danish friends staying over the holidays. So we had a proper Danish Easter - I had food I'd never tried before.
I love experimenting with new things, and this Easter has been a good example of that.
Back to work tomorrow, so back to a more normal routine. I need to get posting to get fitter again and cut out the alcohol................

Talk To God.................

Bored Website I've replaced the Spanking Monkey cos the noise was getting on my nerves everytime I opened up the Blog. If you still want to spank it, just click the "Hot Topics" on the right and you'll find it ! Meanwhile, try this quieter more spiritual bit of fun. Have a chat with God and you'll be amazed just how much he knows!

Latest "robmacca" pic

For those that haven't seen me for a while - here is the latest pic of myself (might as well post it since this blog is about me!).
Hair has been cut slightly shorter but much along the same style as before, since I prefer it longer these days.

Hum de dum............... I'm bored now!

Teachers

This blog entry is dedicated to teachers all over the world! To Pete in Australia, Susan in Canada and Ben and James in the UK....................

I was delivering on a post round and delivered to my old tutor and biology teacher from my secondary school. This got my mind thinking, and I started to feel really grateful for the hard work and dedication such teachers show over the years.

As an infant/junior pupil I was a nightmare because I had behaviour problems, which meant I rebelled against authority. Yet it was the loving care of my teachers from my secondary school that helped me grow up and respect authority. I have a lot of tales I could tell about the little extra things my teachers did for me as a poor pupil and at the time I was unable to repay such kindness.

Today I was able to show how grateful I am, in a small way by writing a card and buying a bunch of flowers for my old teacher. She may have gone grey but I'm sure she would have lost none of the zest she had when I was a pupil.

As I've got older I now realize that teachers often do a thankless job, which is harder now than ever before. Yet they provide a vital part of shaping the nation they teach in. I can confidently say my life has been made better because teachers gave me inspiration to reach my potential. If it were not for their care and love my life could have taken a dire course.

So if your a teacher reading this - be encouraged to know your hard work doesn't go unnoticed, even if at most times it goes unrewarded. You are helping to shape lives for the future and that is so precious.

A real fire and a random picture

I went to my friend's (Martin and Paul's) on Monday night to see their new cottage and was treated to a real open fire in this really old property. As you can see in the picture above, it looks the bee's knees and made Monday night very warm indeed............


Above is a picture on one of my walls at home, I've always loved this picture by Tony McGee and think it's so romantic. That almost kissed look gives it a slight erotic feel to it as the guy lies on the sand with goose pimples!
Random I know but expect even more in the coming days.................

Meet my cat!

My name is "Dillon"

What Goes Around Comes Around!

The car in the picture is the car that hit mine while pulling off recently, but they didn't report it or leave a note - even though a neighbour saw them do it. They just looked and drove off!
I decided not to take any action as it had just scratched my car not dented it.








Now, if you take a close look at the rear wheel arch, you will see a massive dent in the car.

Ha! What goes around comes around.

(Sorry just had to share that cos it made me chuckle.)

France - Youth Job Law Scrapped

I've never been to France, and being British - the relationship between the two countries has never been good. But I am proud of the French young people for standing up against the proposed Youth Job Law (First Job Contract). The law would have meant that French youths (18-26 yrs old) could have been sacked from their job and would mean they could do nothing about it.

Instead of sitting back and allowing it to become law, the young people of France rose up and stood together as one shouting "Noi!" Weeks of strikes and protests has caused the President to back down and announce that the proposed law was now dead.

I've been following the story as closely as I can over the weeks and I'm full of pride for the victory the young people of France have won. They spoke out and made a difference, which is what democracy is all about. I like the French way of doing things - the unions have a lot more power over there and have defended the rights of the lower paid for many years.

Over here in Britain we have lower unemployment and a more flexible workforce, according to the Government - but at what cost?
It is at the cost of the lower paid, who's working conditions and pay is under constant attack. Had the British Government introduced such a law here, the British youth population would have just moaned but accepted it.

Well done to the French youth!