Non-Believer

No, the potholers were the ones who died in Derwent Drive in Onchan

The TT needs adjustments. Long overdue but I believe that commercial considerations (as I've previously posted) are taking precedence. Example. The sidecar class (albeit a breed apart) was subject to change for the 1990 event over concerns in power/speed/construction following fatalities inquests in previous years. The old open class was debarred and F2 350cc 2T/600cc 4T regulations were adopted to be the class standard (at questionably short notice if one listens to some competitors of the time). At that time the lap record stood @ 108 mph for the now barred larger machines. Where are we now? The lap record has been pushed to @ 120mph, largely through the development of engines and tyres (early 600s lapped @ 100mph), passengers still cling on by grace, in sharp contrast to the safety requirements of the 4 wheel racing car technology that now influences much of their design. Any sign of the informed concerns that imposed limitations back in 1990..? No. But what's majorly changed in terms of racing practices and safety requirements? Nothing. The sport knowledge and concern that had precedence in 1990 and imposed restrictions no longer has control. Because money and attraction has overridden safety.

But regardless of the projected ins and outs - would anything actually or substantially change...? Particularly given Beecroft's broadside that the Civil Service run the place (that everybody with a grain of interest knows to be true). ETA. But nobody in their right minds, not even Peel, is going to put Harmer back in again?

As do most frogs and toads. To which he bears an astounding resemblance.

Me...but just in the name of sarcasm

The camera gear looks like it was cobbled together in the DOI kitchen....

Scary looking at those lining up to replace May. Be careful what you wish for....

And for an extra £20k pa each, each house could have a permanent G4S security presence.

I haven't seen it personally. However I was recently told that it looks a bit sorry on account of unsuitability of location for the oaks, along with the density of planting, many of which have apparently perished. Which was apparently pointed out when it was first proposed. However it was hearsay and I stand to be corrected. My kids planted trees up there too FWIW.

Who was it posted a couple of days ago that they'd heard that the VAT rebate had been returned to previous levels? Any truth to it? And what might have changed in the IoM economy that would have raised the figure? Because we seem to be on money-pissing season again, another £2.4M for more new buses too, another loco being proposed to be resurrected from a museum, Lord knows what being spent on the horsetrams. All of which is in sharp contrast to proposed cuts in Benefits and what's generally being fed to the population? ETA, found it, it was the Stinking Enigma on the Bullying thread. Come clean Stinky and tell us all

They do though. At the end of the season. At least the ones they can access via climbing teams and helicopters etc. Although there are some that are a) inaccessible permanently due to location and b) those who are permanently lost and never found. Of a) above, there's one in a cave or on a ledge that climbers on one route have to pass on their way up, they call him Mr Green Boots or something like that.

Ask somebody about how the Millennium Wood of oaks that the Island's primary school kids planted has fared....

1) The sooner the better 2) Probably most of the population of the Island except 3) Most of the Civil Service who will remain to collect their pensions.

All on his land no doubt. Grant assisted, naturally

I don't think it's as clear cut as that, Max. With the speeds the bikes are now travelling at it's increasingly unpredictable. Spectators at 26th in 2007 sitting on top of a 10ft high bank must have thought they were safe (I've sat up there myself). They couldn't have predicted that the bike would have come up the bank almost behind them. What would have happened if the Paul Shoesmith incident had happened 1/4 mile further on towards Sulby bridge where the spectators sit on the bank doesn't bear thinking about. Or on the drop towards the 11th where the bank is another popular vantage point.