Saturday 22 June 2013

A ramble, no a moan about the airshow at Manston, technology and the problems for secondhand bookshops.

I had to work today which meant I missed the airshow and while Manston airport are normally perfectly happy to overfly Ramsgate, this didn’t seem to happen with any of the interesting planes they had there today.

In fact the only unusual aviation sighting was when some old chap got very nearly killed by a cyclist on Madeira Walk, which according to Kent Highways is in Margate.

Margate, B2054 Madeira Walk: The road is closed in both directions at the junction of Albion Place due to an RTC, Avoid the area if possible
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Anyway I got a few pictures of the helicopter that rushed him to hospital in London.

You can see it by the Custom  House.

Not much blogging due to Amazon, my main competition in the secondhand book world, the key for me is either my books are cheaper than theirs or I don’t remain in business.


The actual business of checking every book in my bookshop to make sure of this is very labour intensive. 

It is interesting to note just how astute the internet enabled shopping public are, mind you I suppose this is partly down to it being books and a large proportion of the people who actually buy themselves books being by definition, pretty sharp. 

I may ramble on   

84 comments:

  1. Apologies Michael but having given Hammy an opportunity to examine the facts he still fails to refute the evidence posted on my blog

    Past utterances’ from the BS Supremo:

    "Off you f**k my boy, go find James, I'm sure that c**k s****r takes you seriously I am WAY brighter" 01:12 22/6/2013

    "the nimbys don't like being challenged, and nobody else is prepared to challenge them it seems. If you just want to pander to them, you go right ahead, I prefer to present facts and challenge BS. What they think of me really is of no consequence. You have a good day now" 4/6/2013 In Touch with Thanet

    " James really does take advantage of gullibility to ensure that those who challenge his/their BS are silenced, if you want to provide him with a platform where he can yet again simply rehash the same BS you go right ahead, but please don't try to present it as a fair debate. I would be quite happy to go toe to toe with James or any of the rest of FORS combined, but they will never allow that to happen, as they have no a scrap of evidence to prop up their BS and they know it." dated 3/6/2013 In Touch with Thanet

    "That James posts BS he simply can't back up is not a personal attack, it is a simple statement of fact. You'll notice he doesn;t even try to evidence his BS, he simply posts inuendo, and hopes people will make the connection he wants them to with proof. I will challenge that where ever I see it". 4/6/2013 In Touch with Thanet

    As seen above your own opinion is to stand up against BS so I presume that not trying to refute anything printed there means you cannot.

    To make it clear to you I have no problem with the site being developed as it has been an eyesore for far too many years however this so called "developer" has no intention of building they are just following your advice "Any decent businessman maximises his opportunity of income" completely amoral and they are taking the people of Ramsgate for a ride.

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. More BS from you Hammy

    On Big news Margate you post the following "Any decent businessman maximises his opportunity of income" John Hamilton - talking sense and cutting through bullshit Friday, 21 June 2013 05:31:00 BST yet on Say Yes to Arlington FB page you are complaining about an award winning B&B in Hawley Square "gouging" and "fleecing" holidaymakers?
    Mind you this is what you really thought of her “John Hamilton - talking sense and cutting through bullshit14 June 2013 16:11
    “Would that be the Oldfield who was utterly rejected by the residents of Margate during the KCC elections?

    Shame the dumb bitch doesn't get a train back to where she came from and leave Margate alone, It will do a LOT better without her.”
    Bless you Hammy for admitting you have read the blog it seems however you are unable to understand that although it was set up by Solo it is entirely my work and that includes building it and posting to it."

    A challenge for you: find something that is untrue and refute it!!! You can post it on my blog something so far you have failed miserably in doing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Do you have anything of your own to say, James, or do you just recycle John Hamilton comments. He makes a lot more sense than you but we really are capable of reading it the first time without your repeat show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, I really don't see the point of reposting it all on other blogs.

      Much as I support John Hamilton's stance on Tesco and some other things, I don't agree with everything he says. Certainly, Louise Oldfield is far from a "dumb bitch", no matter how much some of us disagree with her opinions and campaigns (if anything I'd say it's her intelligence and charm that have helped her get so many on her side).

      Peace! : )

      Delete
    2. Peter I understand your point of view however I'm sure you now understand mine. As I said I think Pleasurama should be developed just not by these "developers". TDC got us into this mess and should get us out and start again.

      However to be abused by Hammy over and over again is unforgivable.

      As you see I have posted the results of my investigations over the last 2 weeks and Hammy just ignores it.
      So I say again find something to refute and post your evidence to the contrary.

      Delete
    3. Yea - I tend to agree with Peter on this. I have said to John that if he removed the hate from his words, I could potentially support him. Its the hate i object to. Hosing down old people.... its just not very nice, is it? No need to be personal. And - unfortunatly - thats what John does. He has also closed down his own blog site to only allow authorised views to be expressed. That sounds like something the KGB would do! Shame.

      Delete
    4. Oh James, I look forward to you posting something accurate one day, rather than rehashed posts of smithsons pvts, and your continuing BS having hijacked a thread to talk about me yet again, I find it amusing that I take up so much of your thought.

      I have addressed you BS on many occasions, and challenged to to provide evidence of wrong doing by anyone. Sadly, you have utterly failed to do so, merely hiding from me when I humiliate you on FB. On my blog, I simply do not allow certain spammers to post, EVERYONE else's posts are published, got the balls to post on a forum you don;t control James....

      I have no intention of posting to a blog where it is unlikely to appear, I know you don't have the courage to be challenged in an open forum, and simply prefer to post BS to a gullible and naive audience, and defend gouging of visitors rather that undertakings which will benefit the towns concerned.

      The nimbys are at last on the decline, there is hope for Thanet at last!

      Delete
    5. John "Proof" (which you confuse with "Evidence") is obtained by investigation. The first test is "Are any offences revealed".

      To that end it is reasonable to test "Has right been done" ?

      (The objective of law since Anglo Saxon times "Let right be done". And which is reflected in the Justices' oath "To do right by all manner of people")

      For all of your belligerence you have produced not one shred of "Proof" that right has been done. You have nothing to say on the Proceeds of Crime Act council guidelines, which define due diligence. Nothing to say on the Bank Draft letter. Nothing to say on claims that Whitbread had an interest in developing the site. Nothing to say on the track record of Colin Hill which does reveal a civil offence.

      Your claims that there is good business practice are laughable. Would you buy a dwelling you may find is uninsurable ? It makes no business sense to build such dwellings. And does a good businessman develop a site which could open up huge damages actions ? Are the foundations fit for purpose ?

      Your constant prattle JH tries to put a burden of proof on others. The role of the others is to justify their concerns and they make a compelling case. I have long suspected that JH is an invention of ECR. Not a man but a blimpish caricature spouting rhetoric.



      Delete
    6. So that's a NO then Hammy.

      Funny that you do not even deny saying that which is stated so confirming their veracity

      Who is the joke now Hammy

      Delete
    7. Farnie BarnardJune 23, 2013 9:10 am

      And just who are you, Anon 8:50? A nameless wonder without the guts to even prove who you are. What price your contribution when it comes from a shadow. Give me someone like John Hamilton every time who is not afraid to voice opinions publicly.

      As for your proof. When people make allegations of wrong doing it is for them to back them up. Not for those that say that in the absence of proof you have no case.

      Delete
    8. whoever you are Farnie go check out my blog plenty of verifiable links there. when you have read please post anything you wish to refute.

      Delete
    9. Not that I was addressing you, Barry, but checked out your blog which poses the question "your point is what?" Verifiable links ain't proof of anything, mainly just more opinion.

      Delete
    10. Anon 8:50, innocent until proven guilty usefuly destroys your entire "thought process" and thus i won't waste any more time dealing with you laughable post.

      Still waiting for you to post some kind of evidence of wrong doing either in the past or present James. As always James, I treat your post as the delusional comedy that they have always been, and as yet there is no evidence that the quality of your posts will be improving.

      Who's the joke, YOU James, same as it's always been. Post some PROOF of wrong doing, then I MIGHT take you seriously, till then you remain a joke.

      Well said Farnie, as always, James uses LOTS of words to sling mud, and cast unuendo, but can actually prove not a word of it. Once again James, post some PROOF of wrong doing, I DARE you!

      Delete
    11. Here's a "John Hamilton" from Margate:

      https://plus.google.com/110124895922591591158/posts

      Delete
    12. Nope anon 9:06, my blog is here, you don't need to try to find it boy, it's here;

      http://johnhamilton3rd.blogspot.com/

      Once again James, I have no intention of posting to a blog where it is unlikely to appear, I know you don't have the courage to be challenged in an open forum, and simply prefer to post BS to a gullible and naive audience, and defend gouging of visitors rather that undertakings which will benefit the towns concerned.

      Delete
    13. In that case you won't mind if I post a link to Kirsty, the young woman in the photo with you...

      Delete
    14. You may post a link to whomever you wish, if you know "Kirsty", then I'm sure that's very nice for you, but less pleasant for her. Having never met the girl, I can make no comment comment.

      Delete
  5. Unfortunately he wasn't just "very nearly killed by a cyclist"...

    http://www.thanetgazette.co.uk/Elderly-man-dies-Ramsgate-cycle-crash/story-19360580-detail/story.html

    All very sad.

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  6. Allan MallinsonJune 23, 2013 11:52 am

    Pleased to see that the Manston Airshow was so well attended, despite the weather, and that the Aquifer Man's predictions of doom and burning proved unfounded. Indeed, as Michael has confirmed, there was no over flying of towns, just some top rate aerobatics and superb vintage aircraft all over the airfield. Let's hope it was a really miserable day for old Aquifer.

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    Replies
    1. It will be remembered for the appalling traffic jams! Doesn't anyone understand that you have to plan properly for an event and Thanet is just a perceived as a laughing stock, especially not being able to help organise an event that people actually want to come to!

      Thanet as a destination by car is just a motorists and families nightmare.

      Delete
  7. Allan Mallinson,

    Oh Allan! How wrong can you be. The Aquifer Man was there, on the airfield, tossing bread crumbs to helicopters.

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    Replies
    1. Allan MallinsonJune 23, 2013 1:01 pm

      Now you come to mention it, John, there was a guy there in an NBC suit and respirator holding up a banner saying 'NO TO ALL AIRCRAFT' and shouting something about everyone getting cancer. I guess that must have been him.

      Delete
  8. Yes, Allan that was him, but he had to leave early because he got hit by a parked car.

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  9. Marvellous. Holyer and Mallinson on form like the two elderly Muppets from days gone by.

    And good there were few overflights of the towns - the danger seems to have got through to the Police and Infratil. there are meant to be no overflights by any planes (and fines for there are occurence) as detailed in the S106.

    However, the effects of fuel leaks etc on the aquifer will only be determined in the future won't it? Already Southern Water describe it as seriously polluted. As you'd expect.

    Holyer's previous comments on pollution were to deny it then admit it and confirm he didn't care anyway. Now only dull insults. And Mallinson now squeaking up briefly but silent on 0% salaries and missing monitors and fines. TDC isn't corrupt so he says.

    The pensioners of yesteryear have nothing to offer Thanet

    Aquifer Man.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Allan MallinsonJune 23, 2013 8:12 pm

      Aquifer, old chap, you may well be a pensioner, but I am most certainly not. That said, do you think that pensioners should have no opinions or any right to express them. There are laws about ageism you know.

      Delete
    2. Ageism Mallinson? Thank goodness you didn't call me old chap then. Or that I took umbrage. You are a silly old fool though. Next we'll have Gramps Holyer piping up with his lukewarm jokes to hide his idiocy.

      You were telling us though about TDC corruption though and how there is none? 0% salaries?

      Delete
    3. Allan MallinsonJune 24, 2013 7:31 pm

      Michael, are you going to persist in allowing this unpleasant person to continue to use ageist remarks. I am sure if it was racist or homophobic you would delete it and there is really no difference in law. I am not old, but I am offended the way this troll dismisses everybody as senile, old, gramps or silly old fool. You either delete him or I will make a formal complaint to the police.

      Delete
    4. Allan,

      The poster is not young. Rather he is crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas

      Delete
    5. We'll all be old before Mallinson replies on the 0% salaries. Unpleasant racist etc accusations are attempts at distraction and delay. I think the police will laugh at you before arresting you for wasting police time as a silly old fool. I'd also describe you as a twit and buffoon. The police telephone number is 999.

      Delete
    6. How strange , Anon 9:44, that whereas you are always prattling on about people being arrested for a whole range of non criminal alleged offences you happily dismiss the laws on discrimination that apply in this country. Also, just why should anyone respond on 0% salaries when introduced by you totally out of thread and without any explanation of what you mean.

      Delete
    7. Anonymouse 9:44 am,

      So why don't you dial it and tell them of your concerns about aquifers and 0% salaries. Though a word of warning. Your call will be immediately traced instantly revealing your phone number, name and address. But you wouldn't mind that - would you?

      Delete
    8. The police are informed of aquifer pollution and 0% salaries corruption JH - but the increasingly ridiculous Mallinson was talking of police complaints over the outrageous ageism he feels subjected to here. And denied that there was TDC corruption in general and specifically the 0% salary fraud. Do keep up you doddery old fool.

      Delete
    9. Anonymouse 12:39,

      I do not have the faintest idea what you are going on about.

      You are a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas.

      Take a rest. Go back to throwing crumbs to the toilet duck.


      Delete
    10. John the issue is explained here senior officers as a team got less, individuals got more.

      Over the past four years 0% has spammed this issue over all the local blogs, to the point were few councillors are prepared to comment, I think this individual is on some sort of drive to try and stop councillors from communicating wiht the people who elected them.

      Delete
    11. Bizarrely Michael you're spamming yourself - your comment here is incorrect and duplicated from your press release site.

      This post was about Mallinson's views on 0% salaries and a police investigation for ageism: he's silent on both having realised the ridiculousness of his views.

      Delete
  10. Thus spake the Aquifer Man. He's so stupid he once put a stamp on a fax.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Manston Aquifer Man @ 9:51 pm,

    I like the way that you never let ideas interrupt the easy flow of your discourse.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think manston has proven it can't handle traffic to get passengers too and from the airport. I wonder if they will use this to their advantage to force the lemmings at TDC/KCC to build a new road for them.

    I'm glad to say I stayed at home, in ramsgate, did seriously contemplate going, saw the weather report, drove past it on the Friday and saw all the tents. It looked like a boot fair.

    Got offered some free tickets Saturday morning, but some neighbours travelling up the A299 told me of the traffic to whitstable. I stayed at home.

    I also picked the mrs up from ramsgate station - that had a few hundred people outside waiting for coaches undoubtedly stuck in the traffic.

    If the brain that is "John Hamilton" 'knows' every air show has queues of traffic, why didn't the organisers of this one know?

    Coming down the A299 Friday there were at least three signs for parking at various roundabouts. How would people know which one to go to?

    Couldn't organise an air show at an airfield.


    Shows a total disregard for your customers and th surrounding area if you ar happy to clog it up with traffic for a day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Couldn't organise an airshow at an airfield just about sums it up. Shambolic Manston again.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous 12:34 pm,

    So pleased to learn that the Manston Air Show made you happy. You post a fine example of schadenfreude.




    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You wait 'till you see my posting when the airport actually closes

      Delete
  14. anonomous 4:31pm,

    Presumably that event, albeit unlikely, will truly make you happy. Your meagre stature grows measured by your delight in the failure of others.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I can't imagine why you think it unlikely that the airport will close. You can't seriously believe that it makes any money and it's been like that ever since it was sold by the MoD. Infratil have already announced that they want to sell it and, nobody has bought it. I think it's only a matter of time before Infratil pulls the plug. At that point we may have a real problem because TDC and KCC are so besotted with the airport that it isn't difficult to imagine them buying it using taxpayers' money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you think KCC will buy the airport that rather contradicts your claim it will close. Nobody actually knows what will happen but with the UK needing more airport capacity it seems unlikely Manston will close in the short term. Much depends on other factors like extra runways at Heathrow and/or Gatwick and the Thames Estuary ideas.

      As it stands we simply argue about the unknown which none of us are likely to influence one way or the other.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous 7:54 pm,

      You state that you cannot imagine why I would think it unlikely Manston will close. This does not surprise me. After all imagination is not your strong point. You just have an irrational hatred of the airport, don't you.

      Delete
  16. Hi JH. I don't think I know you but, having read your previous contributions, it comes as no surprise that you decide to weigh in with a few insults. I don't have an irrational hatred of the airport. On the contrary, I would contend that you (and your alter ego John Hamilton) have an irrational love of the airport. Over the last 13 years the airport has been a colossal failure. It has consumed tens of millions of pounds, delivered precious few jobs and has been in the way of alternative developments which could have done far more to aid regeneration. Real potential solutions to the Heathrow's lack of capacity are now being discussed and Manston isn't in the frame. It's time to close it down and do something with the site.

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  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous 10:23 pm,

      You should not dissemble; you well know who I am and I recognise you. My argument with you is and always has been over the way you delight in what you perceive to be the failure of others.

      What do you suggest should be done with the Manston site bearing in mind that I've heard all about Kings Hill before?

      Delete
    2. You think Manston is a viable business John so presumably it should continue as an airport, soak up more public funds and we should all ignore the air and noise and water pollution.

      In reality, Infratil can't sell it and TDC will compulsory purchase it for one penny, so as to leave it as a field to clean and refill the aquifer.

      It's unlikely you'll receive any benefit before shuffling off this mortal coil but your cancerous grandchildren may yet thank you.

      Delete
    3. Well now aquiffer man, what an unpleasant small mined person you turn out to be. You really are a one trick pny aren't you, and not even very good at that one trick ;)

      Delete
  18. Anonymouse 12:50,

    You say. " your cancerous grandchildren may yet thank you." In this you really are an odious little creep.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Takes one to know one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymouse 6:58 pm,

      " Takes one to know one", Really - the last time I heard that retort was in the playground. Come on, even you can do better than that.

      Delete
  20. Great news that the organisers are now paying compensation to people who couldn't get into the airshow because of their staggering incompetence. I just hope that this episode makes people realise just how limited Manston is and how the infrastructure simply wouldn't cope with any kind of major expansion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymouse 7:00 pm,

      Nope, doesn't make me realise anything of the sort.

      Delete
    2. It would have to be a massive airport to get that scale of traffic on a regular basis. A few problems on a one off airshow proves nothing not to mention the fact that thousands of people did get through ago and enjoyed a good day out. You were not even there, Anon 7:00 and are just relying on some negative reporting.

      Delete
  21. Perhaps Manston could become a permanent museum for aircraft, have regular flying displays and air shows, and be ideally located for the whole country to visit.

    Oh damn, we've got one of those already at Duxford.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Perhaps manston could become a major airport to serve a new china focused business park. A airport right next door will undoubtedly attract huge interest to such a site. It won't be long before someone signs a deal to get things going.

    Oh damn, they've done just that in the royal docks/cit airport in a town called London. Room for another one?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Perhaps manston could become a new short haul holiday destination airport for budget airlines serving sunshine destinations across Europe.

    Southend! How dare you!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ok. Last attempt. Perhaps manston could be a long haul, short haul, belly hold cargo, cargo aircraft airport serving worldwide destinations.

    Heathrow, stansted, gatwick. Damn it!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Got it. Lets handle cargo planes only, one biz jet, one passenger destination with half a dozen package tours each summer. Now who is going to give me a fe kiln quid each year to support it?

    ReplyDelete
  26. SORRY. SHOULD HAVE READ
    Got it. Lets handle cargo planes only, one biz jet, one passenger destination with half a dozen package tours each summer. Now who is going to give me a few million quid each year to support it?

    Reply

    ReplyDelete
  27. With all of these trolls - anons and the JH's- you wold have thought there was an effort to close down the blogs and their valuable contribution to open debate in Thanet.

    Don't let the JH's get you down. Remember this is the life at the moment. Before too long, something will come along to distract them and they will be on their merry way. Like a new series of last of the summer wine, or a brand new packet of werthers originals.

    ReplyDelete
  28. The above seven rather silly posts emanate from our regular curmudgeon. He is a miracle of nature: he has an IQ of two, and yet he's still able to write. Though he can never disguise the spite. He has a brain of feathers and a heart of lead.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Excellent comments on the failure of Manston. The sooner it closes the better. Not only have Infratil put it up for sale but its current roster of flights are two half-empty KLM flights for the last 3 months and one weekly Cargolux flight. And a disastrous airshow once after 20 years.

    These are of no use to Thanet's economy or environment. BA loop training flights are even worse.

    It's finished and will close. What replaces Manston? How is the cleanup going?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anon 12:55 and preceding anti-Manston comments, for someone who is dismissive of others because they are elderly, you seem to have a lot of time on your hands to blog when others are out earning a living. Maybe it is just a mid life crisis in your case, fear of your own advancing years and certainly a lot of senility linked to bitterness. Relax, man, chill out a bit and try not to take everything so personally. Manston will survive or fail regardless of what you do so just try to ignore it in the meantime.

      Delete
    2. So how is the pollution cleanup at Manston going? Anyone know? The MOD fire station is a concern over its fires and chemicals.

      Delete
    3. No, nobody knows or cares apart from you, you tedious bore, 11:38.

      Delete
    4. You may not be interested 2;31 in the pollution cleanup at Manston but many people are. What is the MOD pollution like?

      Delete
    5. I don't know so you tell me? By the way, how do you know there are many people. The only one asking these questions round the blogs is you as it has been for years.

      Delete
  30. Anonymouse 12:55 pm,

    Of course you would approve of the comments on Manston. For you are the anonymouse that made them.

    ReplyDelete
  31. No, I'm Spartacus.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anon 3:10pm,

    No,you're a twit.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yippee! John Trollyer's using "anonymouse" again. So droll.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You mean troll ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK then let it be 'Anonymous', if you so wish and you're still a twit.

      Delete
  35. Oh dear. Get a grip Michael


    ReplyDelete

Comments, since I started writing this blog in 2007 the way the internet works has changed a lot, comments and dialogue here were once viable in an open and anonymous sense. Now if you comment here I will only allow the comment if it seems to make sense and be related to what the post is about. I link the majority of my posts to the main local Facebook groups and to my Facebook account, “Michael Child” I guess the main Ramsgate Facebook group is We Love Ramsgate. For the most part the comments and dialogue related to the posts here goes on there. As for the rest of it, well this blog handles images better than Facebook, which is why I don’t post directly to my Facebook account, although if I take a lot of photos I am so lazy that I paste them directly from my camera card to my bookshop website and put a link on this blog.