Thunderer

What about Advent? Christmas starts on Christmas Day! A period of quiet reflection before the big day would make it so much better. Jeff

Agreed. And F1 seems to me a triumph of marketing over dull reality with PR people having a tight grip on what reaches the public domain. But living abroad perhaps they have parallel lives to what the PR people tell us about. Jeff

He can do what he likes with it within the law so far as I am concerned. I suppose as a PAYE wage slave I could never understand the concept of what it would be like to pay 40% of the income from £60milion pot, or even £60thousand. If I had £millions I think I would buy agricultural/forestry land, live on the rents and be a benevolent steward of a corner of England. Jeff

A good debateable point I think. I am tempted to say expose them given there is a lot of chatter about Starbucks etc even though those companies pay property tax and employ lots of people. I think there is a limitation on how many days Englishman Lewis et al can spend in England without paying personal tax here. Otherwise I would be tempted to have my pension taxed in Bahamas! Jeff Annual property tax seems the only way to get a bit back from them.

And Jenson is domicile do in Monaco which I suppose is a good way to keep HMRC away from his £60million.

I should have mentioned that the word "personality" is in the programme name and it is something else I do not understand.

Are we talking about the same man? To me he seems very far up his own a..e. And wholly lacks charisma. Rather like othe F1 people. Just seems a bit insensitive to avoid paying a bit back to your country while wrapping yourself in the flag. I agree the Bullingdon boys have behaved very badly and maybe continue to do so. I would assume that in other countries the scum also rises to the top - or alternatively the cream rises to the top. I agree about the programme. Jeff

It is reported today that six ( or it maybe nine ) employees of the British arm of the above charity earned over £100,000 last year with the top fat cat getting £234,000. An awfully large amount of collecting can rattling must be needed to keep them in their luxury. Perhaps the next person asking for a donation for this charity can be asked their views on whether those salaries are adequate. I'll check out other charities and their pay scales. I used to think people high up in the charity world did the work as a vocation or second job after a distinguished military career but that illusion has been corrected. Jeff

Does anyone agree the above award should only be open to people who live in the UK and pay their personal taxes here. It is a bit "off" of L Hamilton to drape himself in the Union Flag to celebrate winning a race. Same applies to golfers although their patriotism is slightly less in our faces. Let's celebrate those folk who are brilliant at their sport and contribute to our countries that nurtured them. Just thought about Chris Frome who is African and does not live or pay taxes inthe UK but still, somehow, is British for sporting purposes. Jeff

Phew. You had me going with that rant. Problem is I fit the description of a couple of the caricatures - socially inept and boring. Jeff

A case of hope v experience. If I can get to talk about photography it should be ok. My comments about comps are a bit tongue in cheek as you might guess. I'll see out my year's subscription :-)) and see how it goes. Anyhow now going out to my art club for a bit of daubing in acrylic. Jeff

I would guess your guess is good I think they have been knocked off their perch by Chorley PS. I live in Chorley ( for the time being ) but they are far too good/competitive for me. But good for them in rising to the challenge of shoving Wigan 10 aside. Jeff

Subjective? That would be easy. Just look at their galleries and copy and job done Seems to me that the normal way is to start at 20 then deduct for " not on thirds", "sloping horizon", "wheel spokes not blurred", etc. etc. IE stick to the rules of composition or slide down the greasy pole. Only joking. It must be a difficult job for people without an educated appreciation of art to judge art. Jeff

Aha. I am aware of that trap. It is so difficult not to fall into it. Also I think a good objective test is to put photos up for sale and see which sell. Often they are the least expected. I should say I am referring to sales in local galleries and library. Jeff

A good club then. And it does seem that the photographers at the top are the most helpful. Jeff

Too early to have informed view of other members. Some might say I am the one who is a bit odd and socially inept, so perhaps I might fit in in a couple of years. Jeff

It didn't occure to me that there could be demotion. That really would make the judge's job impossible. Looking around I think it fair to say there have been no young recruits recently! Actually I am not a beginner but as a newcomer the rules say I start at the bottom. This does not bother me much because the judges comments rather than marks are what wil interest me and I am not foolish enough to try to be competitive. What I would like is to talk about making photographs and get some comments about my pictures - even if I disagree. PS Couldn't attach the pictures so will post them separately

If only :-(( Jeff

Against my better judgement I have joined a photo club. For competition purposes I have to start in the beginners section and if I get a minimum number of marks from judges I get promoted next year into the intermediate section. Strange thing is I have been told I am the only entrant in the beginner section. Therefore I will get best and second best marks ( 20 and 19 ) for each competition and get auto promotion. I hope the judges comments are useful. I handed in the attached photos tonight - two prints and two DPIs - and await the outcome in two weeks time. Couldn't bring myself to stay for the meeting which is a matching dpi battle - arghhhh. I'll put the pictures in the appropriate sections and see how comments compare with judges remarks. Jeff

Thanks for considered reply. I have no need for an excuse to get out and about and have other interests that involve looking at what is around me in the NW. It is the photographers block that I need to get round! I must say that photography has brought little social contact ( unlike painting ) and I don't see that changing. I joined a photo club in the hope of some chat about photographs and photography but with little success. My planned move 120+ miles South should help to get out of my rut :-)) But at the moment I am in a rut, or have reached a plateau, and seeing the great photos in today's newspaper gave me a reminder of how stuck I am. I'll put some images up for critique and see what comments are made. Jeff

Fair comment. I need a project for an ARPS potential panel but just can't find it. We have put our house up for sale to move nearer to family. A move from West Pennine area to Vale of Evesham/Warwickshire/Worcestershire might give me some inspiration - after all the "idea" in art is the most difficult part and getting out of familiar surroundings should help. Jeff

I was like that until recently! Jeff

I usually go to see this annual exhibition and go away inspired to emulate the technique and artistry of the exhibits. I, of course, fail in my attempts. I have seen previews of this year's exhibition eg in the Sunday Times today. As usual brilliant stuff. However my reaction has changed to one of why bother to even try when there is such enjoyment to be had from looking at the exhibits and when my futile efforts cause me little but frustration and disappointment. Do other people feel the same or am I just a sad old git whose mojo has gone awol? Jeff