Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16th March, 2023.

16th March, 2023.

It’s officially official: I’ve got some stuff I need to do in town … that I really could’ve done on Tuesday.

Which was busy: at least, for me!

At any rate?

I’ve got to go into town to pick up some medications: including a new batch of Semaglutide.

And … ?

And pick up some paperwork.

I’m really not in the mood.

Lord knows why.

But … ?

I do know the weather’s looking gruesome, out there.

~≈Â≈~

You’ve possibly realised — if you’ve been reading Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar for a while — that I live in Brentwood: and like the idea of having a cinema in town.

I’ve written a few posts about it, over the years.

Well … 

Brentwood Council have approved plans for development of the Bay Tree Centre: in the middle of Brentwood High Street.

I — notionally — support the idea.

But notice that the plans are, according to the article, for a four screen cinema.

Much as I’d love to see a cinema here in Brentwood?

From the little I understand, a four screen venue won’t be financially viable: it would need to be at least six screens.

I think the plans as presented … are duds.

~≈Â≈~

Writing on the Walls … of the Gazette …

Well, there’s a thing: a week without me getting a letter in the Gazette.   I had wondered how long it would last …

But, at any rate, something did crop up in this weeks edition; it seems someone’s been making threatening comments on Facebook.

Which is annoying, I think.   Mostly because it makes those of us supporting the cinema look bloody fantastic.

And incredibly mature …

At any rate, here’s what I told the Gazette.

“Dear Gazette

I’ve got to confess, I’ve just read the abusive comments on the Facebook group that Rhiannon Evans wrote about, in this weeks Gazette, and feel I should make a few small, but relevant points, here.   Facebook, as all such sites, blogs and other internet media, has ways to report abusive comments.   Something similar — called comment moderation — is in operation on most blogs.

I know — I’ve had to switch the comment moderation on, on my blog, after someone left anonymous, and possibly libellous comments, in regards to both the cinema and Councillor Lewis.   I’m all for freedom of speech, but I’d rather not have irrelevant posts.   And I’d rather someone leaving relevant, but potentially actionable comments made them under their own name.

I’d rather not get in trouble because that same person chooses to leave them anonymously.   I also know that Councillor Chilver’s uses comment moderation on her blog; I’m assuming for similar reasons.

Here’s my point, though.

Having read the comments, I can understand why someone would wish to let the local police know about this.   But I have to ask if anyone on the Stop the Cinema group has taken advantage of the ‘Report Abuse’ button, at the bottom of each post?

And hope they realise that the many of us in town who support the cinema development DON’T endorse the kind of behaviour threaten by the person concerned.

Lets face it, I’d prefer to be adult about this.   As do many of us.”

A Word on Moderation

Just as a quick thought, I’ve been wondering whether the anonymous comment I had, on the recent post about the cinema counts as potentially libellous.

Frankly, I don’t know.

Now, I’m all for freedom of speech, expression, religion, what-have-you.

They’re basic rights we take for granted, here in the UK.

And rights seen as fundamental, in the spread of the internet.

However, I’m also aware that the UK has libel laws.

And, to be frank, I’d rather — if someone were to make potentially actionable comments on my blog — see them the subject of legal action, for making them.

Rather than be the subject of legal action, for having them here.

With that in mind, I’ve switched on the basic levels of moderation; one that still allows you to comment anonymously, but only after I’ve viewed the comment, and worked out if it could get me in trouble.

There’s also an option to remove both the ‘Anonymous’, and ‘Name/URL’ buttons.   I’d rather you make use of the latter.   (If you’ve a Googlemail account, Blogspot can log you in, with that.)

But I’ve left myself plenty of room to tighten up moderation, should I feel the need.

I’m fully behind your right to say what you feel is the right thing.

I rather not get sued as a result, though …

The NIMBY’S Are Revolting!

Well, bit of a thing; I was so pleased about getting a letter released in the Gazette today, I didn’t read much further.

It seems that the Swan Paddock Residents Association are planning to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.

About the cinema.

I don’t believe it!!!

Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, a small bunch of NIMBY’s want to try and dictate the social lives and job prospects of the rest of us.

I’m ticked off.

To say the least.

By a residents association of a street in Brentwood, that I can’t evan find on Google Maps.

So, here’s what I’m going to do.

I’ve already sent an email about this to advice@lgo.org.uk, and use the email I sent as a template to try and forestall this.

But, Dear Lord!!!!

At any rate, here’s the text I use, and would suggest you use, as well.   But feel free to put your own name and address in.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing in regards to plans for a development to include shops, flats, and a six screen cinema in the William Hunter Way in Brentwood, Essex, recently approved by Brentwood Council.

This has been something of a controversy in my home town, about this.

While I realise there may have been irregularities in the approval, when brought before Hazel Blears MP, the Minister for Local Government and Communities, she did not call it in for appeal.

I feel that this should settle the matter.

However, I do know a small and vocal minority of my fellow residents are planning to complain about the council’s behaviour.

I’m someone who supports the planned development, and feel it will bring much needed jobs, homes, and entertainment to our town, and feel that a small minority should not dictate to a majority.

As such, I would like to ask what the Local Government Ombudsman will be doing, should the complaint from the Swan Paddock Residents Association come to your attention.

Yours, in anticipation, 

Paul Downie

I’ve also fired off another letter about this, to the Gazette, by the way; here …

Dear Gazette

I’ve got to confess that I mildly shocked.   I got today’s Gazette and was so pleased to see my last letter published, I didn’t read much further, until I got home.

So you can imagine my shock and annoyance in readin the letter from Phil Mynott of the Swan Paddock Residents Association, informing all and sundry that they were planning to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. 

About the cinema.

I couldn’t believe it!!!

Just when everyone thought the dust had settled, a small vocal minority want to try and dictate the social lives and job prospects of the rest of us.

I’m ticked off, to put it mildly.  If, for no other reason than annoyance that a small group are being seemingly more highhanded than a democratically elected local authority.

A residents association of a street that can’t be found on Google Maps.

I would urge those of my fellow residents who support the development to contact advice@lgo.org.uk and ask the office of the Local Government Ombudsman, ask what they intend to do, point out that Hazel Blears MP refused to call it in, and how we can speak in the favour of the plans.

I have, as ever, posted this to to my blog, and urge you to use the template I’ve included there, to contact the Ombudsman.

Front Page News …

24th March, 2009.

Ok, it’s not front page, exactly … but it is, at the moment, on the first page of the news section of the Gazette.

Page two, in other words.

And it’s definitely nice to get quoted in the article.   I was hoping they’d mention the blog by name, but either way, I’m feeling pretty good!

Either way, here’s the text in full, courtesy – and copyright – of the Brentwood Gazette.

LAST ditch attempts to prevent a cinema development coming to Brentwood have been scuppered.

Residents against plans to build a six-screen cinema, shopping complex and new homes in William Hunter Way hoped Brentwood council's decision to allow the development would be called in and even overturned by the Government.

But this week Communities Secretary of State Hazel Blears told protesters she had decided not to intervene and the council's decision will stand.

Swan Paddocks Residents' Association member Phil Mynott was disappointed.

Should the cinema be built, Mr Mynott’s Western Road home would back on to the development.

“It seems surprising to me because we are in a situation where the decision was made by Brentwood council and not by a body which was impartial, because Brentwood council will financially benefit from this going ahead,” he said.   “It seems inconceivable a higher authority should not call it in, because it has not been an impartial assessment.”

Secretary of the Save Brentwood Action Group, Gerry Bender, was equally discouraged.

He said: “The decision by the Secretary of State was disappointing, but not unexpected.   The whole process represents a dark day for local democracy.   The failure of the politicians to engage and captivate local people’s imagination is a singular failure of Brandon Lewis tenure as leader of Brentwood,” he said.

“The legacy of the approved 250,000 sq ft of development and the cynicism which Brandon Lewis has generated over this shameful episode in the town's history has caused a rift in the community which will take years to heal.”

However, some greeted the news with delight.

Cinema supporter and blogger Paul Downie of Rollason Way said: “I was as happy as Larry.   I know there are arguments about the size, but speaking as someone who needs a job and likes movies, it's fantastic. It looks like in the next few years we will get a cinema I can actually walk to.   I’m looking forward to when this thing gets built now.”

Developers Stockland also welcomed the news: “We are obviously delighted that the Secretary of State has decided not to call in the William Hunter Way proposals,” said a spokesman.

“We are looking forward to progressing the work needed to bring new shops, new homes and a new cinema to Brentwood town centre.”

Council leader Cllr Brandon Lewis said: “It just confirms the decision was made correctly.

"It was the proper decision and the Secretary of State doesn’t believe there was a reason to call it in.”

Labour party leader Cllr Mike Le-Surf said: “I didn’t expect her to call it in, because it doesn't really fit the criteria for it being called in.   Although it's a big issue, it's a borough-wide one, not a national one, so it was expected.”

© The Brentwood Gazette, 2009.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve some printing to do …

Another Letter

Phew.   I’ve got to adit to getting used to my “Annoyed From Warley” role.   Seems that Councillor Brandon Lewis has made the official announcement that he is to stand down from Brentwood Council, and stand as the Conservative party candidate for Great Yarmouth in the 2010 General Election

Which is no surprise, really, it’s been on the relevant websites for a while.

It’s something I felt annoyed about for a while, so …

“Hmmm.   Councillor Lewis is sensationally standing down?

I’ll admit, I think he has done well, in helping the Brentwood Council’s Conservative group push the cinema development through the council.   It had seriously got me thinking about voting Tory at the next council elections.   To the detriment of the Liberal party, who usually get me vote, at the local and national level.

But while I can understand a person being ambitious – something we all are, to some degree or another – I feel that standing down in 2010, a year before the most controversial building works this town has seen since the 1960’s, and that he help put through, is deeply insulting the ward he serves as councillor, to the people of the town he has help with the cinema, and, potentially, to the people of Great Yarmouth, who he may treat as cavalierly.

I may well be wrong.

But I feel that putting his career before the people he serves will backfire, somehow, on those in Brentwood he leaves behind him, councillor or constituent, and leave him relatively untouched.

And I’m pro-cinema.

Lord knows what those opposed will make of this.”

Make of that what you will!

Last night’s gig …

The things we do for enjoyment!! …

Or for other people’s. I’m enough of an attention seeking tart to admit I love it, though!

But there’s a serious note.

Sue officially put me on warning, last night, that she may have to cancel, if we don’t start getting a turnout.

Which means most of today, I’ve been contacting everyone I know, via Facebook, email, and everything else, to put in a bit of a plea, for help, just to send out posters, flyers, and whatever else, if they can’t get down, themselves.

Something I’d urge you reading this to do, as well.

I’d hate to have a second cancellation, in the space of as many weeks.

But anyway, let’s move along, shall we?

You can read last night’s statistic in the previous post; – the link here.

Anyway, last night’s bonus wasn’t won. And with this question, I’m not surprised; – “What’s Australia’s highest point?” Which is Mount Kosciuszko, so you know. Meaning, as if you hadn’t worked out, that next week’s pot will be worth a minimum of £15•50p.

Anyway, here’s the answer’s to last night’s St. Patrick’s table round.

Q1) Which Irish group have an album called “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb”?

A1) U2

Q2) By what other name is the song “Londonderry Air” better known?

A2) “Danny Boy”

Q3) Which Irish judge adjudicates at the ‘X-Factor’ talent show?

A3) Louis Walsh

Q4) “Mandinka” was the first hit for which Irish singer?

A4) Sinéad O’Connor

Q5) Which Irishman took over from Terry Wogan, as presenter of Eurovision?

A5) Graeme Norton.

Q6) U2 are the biggest selling Irish act of all time; – who’s the second biggest?

A6) Enya

Q7) Who had the 2008 Xmas in the Irish singles chart?

A7) Alexandra Burke; – her version of “Halleluelah” got everywhere!

Q8) How many members did Boyzone originally have?

A8) Five.

Q9) In which Irish city did alt rockers My Bloody Valentine form, in 1984?

A9) Dublin

Q10) The Pogues original name was Pogue Mahone; – what’s the rather cheeky English translation of the phrase?

A10) Kiss my bum.

And here’s the question set I used; – twenty-one, in a series of twenty-five.

ROUND ONE: – GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.

Q1) Frederick Austerlitz was the real name of which movie star?

A1) Fred Astaire.

Q2) What is the largest member state of the United Arab Emirates?

Q2) Abu Dhabi.

Q3) What part of the body does a yashmak cover?

A3) The Face.

Q4) How is the letter E transmitted in Morse code?

A4) A single dot.

Q5) What RAF rank is equivalent to a Royal Marine Colonel; – group captain or wing commander?

A5) Group Captain.

Q6) John Keats described which season as the “…season of mists & mellow fruitfulness”?

A6) Autumn.

Q7) After the 2 species of Elephant, what’s the next largest land mammal?

A7) The Hippo.

Q8) Which religious movement was founded by Mary Baker Eddy?

A8) Christian Science

Q9) What was the Stock Exchange called, when it 1st open, the Royal Exchange, the Corn Exchange, or the Pork Futures Warehouse?

A9) The Royal Exchange

Q10) Who said, “I think, therefore I am?”

A10) René Descartes.

ROUND TWO: – AT THE MOVIES.

Q11) What was the first film to gross $70 million; – “Gone With The Wind”, “The Maltese Falcon” or “The Wizard of Oz”?

A11) “Gone with the Wind.”

Q12) Major T. J ‘King’ Kong –famously played by Slim Pickens– dies gruesomely in which Stanley Kubrick film?

A12) “Dr Strangelove: or, How I learned to stop worrying and love the Bomb”.

Q13) Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, and Roy Schneider, all star in which movie?

A13) “Jaws”.

Q14) Which American Award ceremony was cancelled in 2008?

A14) The Golden Globes.

Q15) In which prison film did Danny Glover make his film debút?

A15) “Escape From Alcatraz”

Q16) “The Secret of the Ooze” was the subtitle of the second film in which series?

A16) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II released in 1991

Q17) Which Kevin Costner film had the best selling soundtrack of 1992?

A17) “The Bodyguard”

Q18) “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” was directed by the same director behind which classic series of Peter Sellars films?

A18) The Pink Panther series

Q19) Who directed the Oscar-winning film “The English Patient”?

A19) Anthony Minghella

Q20) In the film “The Great Escape” who played ‘The Forger’?

A20) Donald Pleasance

ROUND THREE: – TV DINNERS.

Q21) Paul Metcalfe was the real name of which children show character?

A21) “Captain Scarlet”

Q22) In the tv series “Alias Smith and Jones”, what were the real names of either?

A22) Hannibal Hayes and Kid Curry

Q23) On “The Two Ronnies”, who partnered Charley Farley in his investigations?

A23) Piggy Malone

Q24) What’s the name of the pub in “Only Fools and Horses”?

A24) The Nags Head

Q25) Which “Dads Army” character carried the 1st aid kit; – Private Godfrey, Private Fraser or Corporal Jones??

A25) Private Godfrey

Q26) Where in London was the fire station in “London’s Burning”?

A26) Blackwall

Q27) Which soap was originally called “The Midland Road”?

A27) “Crossroads”.

Q28) What was the first programme on BBC2 in 1964?

A28) “Play School”* was the first proper programme on April 21 after the launch the previous evening was abandoned due to a major power failure.

Q29) Which tv character’s email address is chunkylover53@aol.com?

A29) Homer Simpson.

Q30) Cartoon characters Beavis and Butthead wore T-shirts featuring the names of heavy metal bands; – name either

A30) AC/DC and Metallica.

ROUND FOUR: – SPORTING CHANCES.

Q31) Who was the 1st Swede to win the Men’s Singles’s Title at Wimbledon?

A31) Björn Borg.

Q32) Who was Marvellous Marvin?

A32) Middleweight boxing champ, Marvin Hagler.

Q33) Liverpool signed Fernando Morientes from which club?

A33) Real Madrid.

Q34) Bill Beaumont was associated with which sport?

A34) Rugby. (Union)

Q35) Was Geoff Boycott a left or right handed bat’s–man?

A35) Right–handed.

Q36) Fratton Park is the home of which premiership side?

A36) Portsmouth F.C.

Q37) How many Olympic Games have been cancelled because of World Wars?

A37) Three; 1916, 1940 and 1944

Q38) Which tennis player was stabbed while on court?

A38) Monica Seles.

Q39) Is professional Badminton played indoors, outdoors, or both?

A39) Indoors.

Q40) In which Sheffield theatre is the World Snooker Championships held?

A40) The Crucible.

ROUND FIVE: – ROUND THE WORLD.

Q41) From which country chill con carne originate?

A41) The USA

Q42) Some beaches – for instance, many in Tahiti – have sand made from lava; – what colour is the sand?

A42) Black.

Q43) Where does the world’s largest Mormon temple stand?

A43) Salt Lake City.

Q44) In which ocean are the Maldives; – the Indian, the Atlantic, or the Pacific?

A44) The Indian.

Q45) In which country did Venetian blinds originate?

A45) Japan.

Q46) Which ocean was formerly known as El Mar de Sur; – the Atlantic, or the Pacific, or the Arctic?

A46) Pacific.

Q47) There are 6 landlocked Central Asian countries; – name any of them.

A47) Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Q48) Some of the largest trees on Earth are to be found in the Redwood National Park. In which US state can this be found?

A48) California.

Q49) What is the title given to the ruler of Oman?

A49) Sultan.

Q50) The four largest States of the USA in terms of area in decreasing order are Alaska, Texas, California and Montana. Which state’s the next largest

A50) New Mexico.

ROUND SIX: – GENERAL IGNORANCE.

Q51) Approximately how many earths would fit inside the sun; – One hundred, One thousand, ten thousand, or one hundred thousand?

A51) 1,000

Q52) Which “Lord of the Rings” star appeared in the video for the Cranberries hit, “Ridiculous Thought”?

A52) Elijah Wood.

Q53) In which Robert Loius Stevenson novel is there an inn called The Admiral Benbow?

A53) “Treasure Island”.

Q54) What is the name of the man servant in “Around the World in 80 Days”; – Pas Partout, Cato, Giles, or Machu Picchu?

A54) Pas Partout.

Q55) In which film do the words “I love you” save the planet earth; – “The Day After Tomorrow”, “The 5th Element”, “Mars Attacks”, or “Independence Day”?

A55) “The 5th Element”.

Q56) “Goodbye Farewell and Amen” was the final episode of which American comedy series?

A56) “M•A•S•H”.

Q57) What kind of bird did Florence Nightingale often carry around in her pocket?

A57) An owl

Q58) Which ancient Greek wrote “…don’t count your chickens before they are hatched”?

A58) Æsop

Q59) James Bond was searching for what kind of airplane in 'Thunderball'; – 707, Piper Cub, a Vulkan, or a B-52

A59) Vulkan

Q60) Where did The Flowerpot Menº want to go in 1967?

A60) San Francisco

But, before I sign off, I’m going to confess I’m feeling pleased about something else. I’ve been talked to by the press!!

I had Rhiannon Evans, from the Gazette talk to me, this morning, so hopefully …

I’d also like to thank Jayde and Stuart, bless them, they}ve done me a bit of printing!!

* Had a bit of discussion with everyone about this, but there’s the reference for it! Courtesy of the BFI!

º And the reference for The Flower Pot Men’s tied in the the phrase, just in case Sue’s reading.