https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/11-worst-things-going-out-3684509
Yet to be fair I’ve never really been one for strutting my stuff and risking embarrassment. Far better to stay at home for a quiet meal, reflect on the old year and toast the new one.
All we ask for is a year a little less crazy than the last… Happy New Year.
copyright Francis Barker 2019
There is beauty and stunning imagery to be found at any time of the year, in any place in the world.
The latest controversies, decisions which have swung on measurements of no more than a few millimetres, plus perhaps inconsistent interpretations of the offside rule, have affected the course of games and perhaps even decided the results of some.
For years there was a clamour for the use of such technology, now it seems many can’t wait to get rid of it. I also detect that there is a sense among some that the technology somehow favours the ‘bigger’ clubs, although I don’t think this is true.
However, when you examine the great majority of incidents, even if the decisions are minimal, they are invariably correct. Yet, as in some cases, a player is adjudged to be a few millimetres offside after the referee initially gave the goal, there is no leeway, no place for ‘commonsense’ or the application of the spirit rather than the rule of ‘law’.
My own opinion is that VAR should only be used sparingly, and, if an attacking player is only the merest snip offside through VAR but looks onside by the naked eye, then the referee’s original decision should stand and the benefit should go to that attacker, otherwise I believe the whole nature of the game (and it is a game) is surely in doubt in the long term.
copyright Francis Barker 2019
www.reddit.com/r/FreeEBOOKS/comments/ehka7k/happy_birthday_rudyard_kipling/
He was a man of his time, born in India to British parents, into a culture which was to inspire his output: ‘The Jungle Book’ and ‘Kim’ being two of his more famous works.
Town centres and high streets in England have been in decline for some time, yet action by local and central government has been slow, inconsistent and at times non-existent.
Now, at last, it would appear some concerted action is being organised.
What is puzzling is that is has been clear for some time that the odds are stacked against town centres. Three factors should have been recognised and addressed over a decade ago:
Until the government seriously addresses all these issues, English town centres will continue to experience a slow decline and eventual death.
copyright Francis Barker 2019
