Nice people thread part 3- Nice as pie

GDB2222

Nikkster wrote: »

When Census Collection proper starts, the focus is definitely on getting forms sent back rather than on checking what people have put.

I hope that you are right. Mother-in-law's census form was filled in by DW, as MIL is very poorly at the moment. But DW said she was going to get MIL to sign it when better. I'm afraid that I just signed it for her and posted it. Will I go to census hell?

GDB2222

lemonjelly wrote: »

Apparently, the fukishama plant was built with safety precautions, including a earthquake up to 7 point something, and also had tsunami defences, but the wall was 1.5 metres too small.

What I heard (and I don't necessarily believe this):
Everything worked fine for the first hour after the quake. Then the tsunami washed away the diesel generators, so they switched to battery backup. That worked, and they had 8 hours to ship in new generators. That worked, too. Only the new generators did not have the right connections, so they had a nuclear catastrophe.

GDB2222

silvercar wrote: »

Ahh the census.

Youngest insisted he fill in his section himself, then proceeded to check every answer with me to make sure it was OK.

Eldest had already filled one in at uni, so wasn't bothered and told me to do it, so there is a real risk that the answers won't match. Last night he was going to staying over at a friends party, so that would be a third census form he appears on.

No wonder the population is growing.

silvercar

GDB2222 wrote: »

No wonder the population is growing.

:rotfl:

Hopefully its all correct, with one completed as home, one as term time address and one as visitor.

Nikkster

GDB2222 wrote: »

I hope that you are right. Mother-in-law's census form was filled in by DW, as MIL is very poorly at the moment. But DW said she was going to get MIL to sign it when better. I'm afraid that I just signed it for her and posted it. Will I go to census hell?

I very much doubt it. Once the census collectors start, as I understand it, we'll just be given a list of properties for which no paper or internet submission has been recieved, or where a request for assistance has been made. We then have to try and get 100% submission by visiting over about 4 weeks. Nothing about checking information provided.

After that there is something which I'd never heard of before - the Census Coverage Survey, which asks some (but not all) of the same questions. This is held in a certain number of randomly selected postcodes to check the accuracy of the information gained through the census. I would think that the comparision is only made on pooled data rather than specific properties.

As for the signature - I would think so long as it was signed by someone who believes the information is correct it is fine. And leeway is made for those who are very ill/ recently bereaved etc anyway.

Thats how I understand it all anyway

fc123

lemonjelly wrote: »

Your tales are never dull nor boring. Indeed, I have found much interest & insight into a world I am not usually part of, that I really miss the tales you have posted!:)

I also love your posting style...very accessable & friendly.

Awwwww .....(as written in a PN stylee)

Have you waded through all those links yet?..........must apologise but they were for the ideal day (with zero regard to any kind of budget at all) so went from best bed, best brunch to best dinner.

On a budget I would recomend the camping site above the Marina in E Brighton ( OH's dad stayed there in his campervan when he came down and said it was A*) and I am gutted I no longer live around the corner, buy a pack a lunch from infinity foods ....(and get God's Candy from it (dried mango slices)) and night time....go super budget and don't eat at all...just hang out on the front.;)

PasturesNew wrote: »

In case FC123 pops by, item on the news of interest today. Some North Devon firm went to China to look at moving their sewing shop over there and decided to leave it where it is.

They do a lot of lightweight wetsuits - and also quite a bit for the film industry (e.g. Pirates of Penzance); they take calls from film makers with a bunch of measurements and quickly knock up what they need. They source their materials from the UK. I've no idea who they are though.... I'll see if I can identify them, maybe they're on your list already.

They seemed to be switched on, able to move/adapt fast, have a good work ethic, able to manage a multitude of materials. It's better to know of them and dismiss them, than to never know they existed, I figure.

One thing they've learnt in China is about a cutting machine, which can cut in 2 months what it takes them to cut manually in a year.

Edit: Here they are http://www.itv.com/westcountry-west/company-staying-put75848/
Reed Chillcheater

Sounds like wetsuits/waterproof materials are their thing by the name though.

They've developed their own lightweight fabrics, ideal for films etc where stuff needs to look heavy but not drown actors if they're filmed in water
http://www.chillcheater.com/fabrics.php

That's fascinating and I will click on those links later...love to read about things like that...makes me not feel so alone.......the whole speed to market is key in our sector and clobbering (on a costing level) many who relied on air freight for their speed. Costing them a fortune right now and customs you can never plan for. Will they won't they release the goods straight away? It's a bit like rolling black.
In fast fashion, by the time it's out of customs, it can be on the sale rale already as it already passed it's moment.

Tonight I am replying to a chain in Italy (and bless OH as he did a thorough google today to prep for the reply after he had an embarrassing incident 2 weeks back) but am a bit stuck on what to say as we are completely up to the max on capacity for at least 6 weeks.

I'll write out his embrrassing incident later on or tomo..one of those little moments/ things that has changed his approach for ever.

GDB2222

fc123 wrote: »

Well....an exciting (but scary thing happened 2 weeks ago) as we supplied a website owned by a huge UK chain who bought out a niche label last year and want to retail other brands on their site. Small order but sold out in 2 days so then got huge order.
So huge we just gasped and said 'we no can do' in the lead time they wanted.

This is really very scary. The chain store like what you are doing right now, but effectively they require you to do it differently. You are saying that you need to find new suppliers, and you have to give them large orders immediately without any chance to check how good they are. You'll be stretched to run all the QC on these large orders with your existing staff.

As for setting up your own production unit overnight, what a nightmare. How do you know whether the staff you take on are any good?

What a choice! If you don't take the order, you'll end up kicking yourselves for the rest of your lives, but you run the risk of a catastrophe if you go ahead. It's a nice choice to have, but a difficult decision.

Davesnave

Tried to do our Census form yesterday while eating lunch and listening to the radio, so I messed up my employment section and forgot I had a student daughter, who should have been mentioned.....:o

Then, neither of us could agree on our religion, or how healthy we are. In the end, we pushed it to one side, as it was just causing grief.

Anyway, up with the lark & I've just done it on-line instead. No arguments, and no re-accessing it now its done...Easy!

vivatifosi

fc123 wrote: »

Also, I accidentaly uncovered a grant scam recently (and am not too worried about posting a few details on here) but I am not sure how to whistleblow it...I mean who do you call?

I'd write to the head of the government department responsible for the funding, which is probably the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) but may not be. Here's a link to their website:

http://www.bis.gov.uk/

If you don't want to do that or are not sure, you could always write to your MP, or as a last port of call, the Taxpayers Alliance. Personally I don't like the idea of the latter as the government may already be dealing with the scam and going to the TA or the press may undo undercover work they are already doing. Fraud tends to leave a papertrail so they may be aware already, but further evidence is always good.

silvercar

Davesnave wrote: »

Then, neither of us could agree on our religion,

I thought "Jedi Knight" in the "other" box covered that angle.