BBC GAELIC

So tonight was all set to watch Tudors — a good bit of escapism even if not historical fact. And what do I find? For 90 minutes of TV prime time (starting 9 pm) we have a Gaelic program. Of course if those bastards (I'd say c**ts) at the BBC had any any responsibility at all to their providers they would never have done this. But there they are safe in the knowledge that what ever they do they will get their cash from every household in the kingdom. Every other company has to provide what customers want but the BBC are free to follow their political agenda. Why the hell can't al-Qaeda drop a bomb on BBC centre instead of targeting the ordinary hard-working people of Britain. Simple — the BBC men (and women if under 45) are their friends.

SCHOOLING

The new class of pupils entering English secondary schools this year will now have to stay on until 17 instead of the previous 16. I'm amazed. Every year examination results have improved out of all recognition at both A-level and GCSE. This is partly because children are much cleverer than in my days and partly the result of excellent teaching. Surely the sensible response to this surge of knowledge would be to reduce the leaving age. Children could leave at 15 and still know as much as 16-year-olds in the bad old days.

WELLINGTON BOOTS

Today I'm returning to Chichester District Council where "the man in the street" is off limits. Within their little kingdom was a metal bin which fell into a stream (4 inces deep) and rubbish started to pour out. The vice-chairman, David Barnard, of Harting parish council rang the department at Chichester DC which dealt with fly-tipping. He was told they could do nothing as they had no-one "qualified to wear wellington boots". In the end the men of Harting PC did the job themselves. I didn't know it was possible to get a qualification in wellington boot wearing. Do shoe shops now ask for the diploma when you buy a pair or does the rule only apply to council/government workers.