Fellowes321

Moving house soon - what's the cheapest thing to buy in big cardboard boxes?

Posted by princemephtik@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 86 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

It surprised me just how heavy books get. Those A4 boxes are just right for me. Of course you then fill loads of those boxes and then think, “ok that’s half of one shelf done”.

Moving house soon - what's the cheapest thing to buy in big cardboard boxes?

Posted by princemephtik@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 86 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

The packs of 5 reams of A4 paper come in handy boxes. Not too big or too small for packing books and they stack. Every large office gets through loads of them.

Would you put your parents in a care home?

Posted by Limp-Bunch-4708@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 189 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Are they not abale to consider their own situation? If not, is it the best thing for them? The Care Quality Commission inspects care homes. [https://www.cqc.org.uk/](https://www.cqc.org.uk/)

How do you know its safe to drill/screw into a wall?

Posted by ShahHazard@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 19 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Other than the general answer of buy a detector, there are some clues. Electricians don't randomly stick wires all over. They're either dropping down from above or coming up from below in a straight line to a socket. They may be horizontal between the two sockets. Dont drill above a socket or between those two sockets. You know what's on the other side of that wall. Is it a solid wall? - does it join to your neighbour or is it an internal wall between rooms? What's above it or below it? These give you an idea whether a water pipe is in line with your drill bit.

Do you feel the level of dog dirt on our Uk streets has increased post pandemic?

Posted by WearingMarcus@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 79 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

No smartphone. Just the indestructible Nokia at the time. I remember wondering whether I would ever be able to leave the car because I didn’t want to spook them into running randomly all over the place if I got out. It’s about 20 m between the car and the front door.

Do you feel the level of dog dirt on our Uk streets has increased post pandemic?

Posted by WearingMarcus@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 79 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Do you remember years ago (about 2000) when there was closure of some country parks because of foot and mouth? I came home one snowy evening and was surrounded by deer which had wandered out of the park. I sat in the car for ages until they wandered on.

Do you feel the level of dog dirt on our Uk streets has increased post pandemic?

Posted by WearingMarcus@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 79 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

There seems to be some idea that cats are clean. The fact is that if you don’t give them somewhere to shit in your garden, they do it in your neighbours garden or driveway, footpaths or pavement. Being semi-rural, we get the odd deer passing through too.

Do you feel the level of dog dirt on our Uk streets has increased post pandemic?

Posted by WearingMarcus@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 79 comments

Is Buying Jewellery from Cash Generator a smart idea?

Posted by kai-hope@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments

How can I find the value of furniture?

Posted by Widda97@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 96 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Look at the big charity places BHF, Emmaus etc who have solid wood furniture. It’s sold for peanuts. It costs more to hire a van to collect it.

Is there any reason why UK trains can’t run until at least 1am?

Posted by ss2811@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 309 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Maintenance is often done at night. 5000 people leave an event. Most are local, some have hotels or mates to stay with, some take a bus. The number getting your train to your destination will be a handful at most. The train will then need to return to be in the correct place for the morning start. That’s a long overtime for the driver and others for a small number of people who won’t be there tomorrow.

What happens if an emergency turns up at a "no A&E" Hospital?

Posted by kiindrex@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 101 comments

Is there an official record of deaths in the UK?

Posted by C-i-d@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 70 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Unless it was something so unusual it made the papers, the death would be recorded in a short simple way. You need to contact family or people who knew them to find any details. Of course they could equally tell you to clear off for upsetting them. Fewer people put death notices in the papers now because there are weirdos who attend funerals and wakes for people they don’t know or worse claim debts that don’t exist. There is a freebmd site which is trying to digitise government records but I have no idea of its progress.

Can I still complete my NI contributions to qualify for a UK State Pension?

Posted by San-A@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 5 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

The UK was in the EU for most of that time. You may be able to count the UK work towards the French pension. I’d start there to see what your current status is in France. You may not need do anything!

Is it normal to be asked to pay £600 for a "mandatory 1:1 digital device" when starting a public secondary school?

Posted by Koolio_Koala@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 996 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

For reference. [https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/charging-for-school-activities/#elementor-toc\_\_heading-anchor-0](https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/charging-for-school-activities/#elementor-toc__heading-anchor-0) [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charging-for-school-activities](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/charging-for-school-activities) I was a teacher and some headteachers have lost any sense of the mission and what’s important. I worked in a relatively poor school and some parents would support anything the school suggested no matter the cost. They assumed teacher knows best. In this case the head is an arse. Expensive uniforms are not needed to learn. Ipads are not essential tools. Evidence of their effectiveness is spurious at best.

Is it normal to be asked to pay £600 for a "mandatory 1:1 digital device" when starting a public secondary school?

Posted by Koolio_Koala@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 996 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

They said ”I'd get the cost for a private school or if it was just a voluntary scheme, but this ain't that.” The rest of the post suggests they mean state school.

Is it normal to be asked to pay £600 for a "mandatory 1:1 digital device" when starting a public secondary school?

Posted by Koolio_Koala@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 996 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

No. State schools may not charge for activities which are a part of the normal education. They can charge for extras such as a foreign trip , they can ask for donations for an educational trip but they may not tell you what you are spending your money on. Talk to the head and state that you will not pay and that the school must provide any resources that are a part of the normal school day. My son’s school tried this. I refused to pay and they were obliged to provide him with an iPad. We demanded to see the evidence that an iPad was beneficial (it isn’t) and they could only provide a survey saying people liked it. The school no longer runs this after I and others started a big fuss, complaining to the Head, the board, Ofsted…. Do not let them do this. People in poorer areas are more likely to try their best to pay. The school has a multi million pound budget. They pay.

Why is getting a DBS Checks so difficult for individuals?

Posted by The_Grieving_Golem@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 124 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

When I was a teacher, they wanted a copy of some ID and proof of address and then they did all the rest. What was a laugh is that they didn't accept our payslips. When they did their biennial refresh of the EDBS, they wanted a new photocopy of my passport when it expired. Apparently working in the same place for 20+ years wasn't enough to say who I was. I think they did it just to laugh at the passport photos.

Why is getting a DBS Checks so difficult for individuals?

Posted by The_Grieving_Golem@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 124 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

A basic DBS check is quite quick and easy. The enhanced version where you may be working with children or vulnerable people is more involved. You're checked against other lists. It's not called this anymore but "List 99" was a list of people who already had convictions or cautions but also those with particular mental illnesses or known drug or alcohol abusers. Controversial because it's not a crime to be mentally unwell or have an alcohol problem but you're on a list which will prevent you from working in particular occupations. The enhanced version is more appropriate where the person would be in a position of power or responsibility for others. The basic is more appropriate for work where a conviction bars you from part of the job for example a conviction for fraud if you want to work as an accountant and complete a company audit.

Why is my daughter’s school teaching American English spelling?

Posted by Hour_Course_9876@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 216 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

As a former teacher, I noticed that many newly qualified teachers offloaded their prep to the internet. It is lazy. The contracted hours are not fixed at 1265 and teachers have prep time. An organised department should already have a wide collection of suitable resources. As head of faculty, this teacher would be getting a quiet word.

Why is my daughter’s school teaching American English spelling?

Posted by Hour_Course_9876@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 216 comments

What happens when hot air balloons land in private fields ?

Posted by Stunning_Buyer_64@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 77 comments

What happens when hot air balloons land in private fields ?

Posted by Stunning_Buyer_64@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 77 comments

What happens when hot air balloons land in private fields ?

Posted by Stunning_Buyer_64@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 77 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Mark Thomas, the comedian activist found that Menwith Hill the secure NSA listening station in the UK didn’t have a no flight zone so decided to fly a balloon over it for a laugh. He then made phone calls with words likely to interest security services. He got quite anxious when it looked like he’d land inside it. The police were waiting when he landed just outside but as he hadn’t committed any crime they shrugged and drove off.

Would it be socially acceptable to use a leisure centre pool with visible scarring?

Posted by pinkestpenny@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 377 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

I go for early morning swims in my local pool. It’s mostly old people but each day has a class that starts as I’m getting out. One class has a couple who need a special hoist to get them in the pool. Others in the class are missing limbs. Another exercise group has a guy who is rather large. I’m no oil painting myself. It’s a public pool. You’re a member of the public. It’s for you. I can’t say say small children will not stare but kids are weird. They stare at anything.

Are there any "UK vs US" differences where you feel America gets it right?

Posted by Secure_Front_7766@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 6068 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

The IUPAC works to harmonise chemical terms. Sulfur became the standard spelling but aluminium remains as does caesium. We’ve not been consistent in this country either because both have been used in the past. People are resistant to change so even though the IUPAC required sulfur as the spelling over 30 years ago, sulphur, sulphuric and sulphurous are still used.

Is there a fire risk from buying an e-scooter and charging it at home/work?

Posted by InternetPerson00@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 41 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Which roads were you thinking of using? [https://www.gov.uk/electric-scooter-rules](https://www.gov.uk/electric-scooter-rules) [https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/](https://www.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/)

Are pre-paid funerals and cremations vast Ponzi schemes?

Posted by EUskeptik@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 111 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

I seem to remember them asking whether they wanted to pay for a notice in the local paper but they also suggested not to because they've had people show up to funerals and wakes for free food or to check for the wealth of the deceased. The only extra they asked about was the booklet with the hymns and service and flowers beyond which were already sorted. The guy who visited also suggested shopping around fo flowers and if necessary, they would pick the flowers up for them and for no payment.

Are pre-paid funerals and cremations vast Ponzi schemes?

Posted by EUskeptik@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 111 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

That depends on the people providing it. A blanket statement about all providers is not likely to be true for all of them. A recent funeral I attended for a relative was through a coop plan. The widow was looked after and one of the guys made a point of checking in on her and taking his time when asking how she wanted the service to run. When she first visited the office to get things in motion, they made a point of saying that her husband had taken care of everything, she had nothing extra to worry about and that the day would run as she wanted.

What happened to the Cats Eyes?

Posted by jamgattleton@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 347 comments

Yorkshire accent?

Posted by QueenShewolf@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 145 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Alistair McGowan did a TV programme about accents. He found Middlesbrough to be the most unusual in the north. The growth of steel attracted people from across the north of the country and there’s a mix of Geordie, Mackem, generic Yorkshire with a strong helping of Scouse in the Smoggie accent.

Yorkshire accent?

Posted by QueenShewolf@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 145 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

My uncle lives in North Yorkshire. He can tell which part of his town you’re from. There’s a distinctly different way of speaking between the poorer and wealthier parts. Accent variation is weakening but York, Barnsley, Sheffield and Whitby are all Yorkshire but even people not from those places can tell they’ve not got the same accent. Sean Bean is from South Yorkshire. Wuthering Heights is set on the West Yorkshire Moors.

Is the word 'cock' meaning 'an adult male chicken' commonly used in the UK? Or do you use 'cockerel' instead to avoid jokes and giggles?

Posted by ksusha_lav@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 570 comments

What Do Male Primary Teachers Wear?

Posted by woody_19901@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 129 comments

Why are there so many diesel trains in the UK?

Posted by PodcastListener1234@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 224 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Ask Chris Grayling. He cancelled lots of the northern electrification schemes. As trains are used for decades, it will be 2040+ before this changes.

Why doesn't the UK have public minibuses?

Posted by gill_d@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 28 comments

Is healthy eating in the UK basically inaccessible if you’re poor, disabled, and exhausted?

Posted by Opposite_Position125@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 476 comments

Can someone explain an ISA to me?

Posted by SirPhipps@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 38 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Normally, when you save you get interest on cash or gains on stocks and shares (S&S). Beyond a certain amount you pay tax on these. If you do the same thing in an ISA, there's no tax to pay. You can put in £20000 a year (and another £20000 every year) into an ISA. There's a cash version and a S&S version or you can mix them up to the total allowance. In summary, it's just a savings or investment account.

How is this the furthest we have been ever?

Posted by jshcfc@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 187 comments

Does a cyclist have right of way through a crowd?

Posted by Soomroz@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 79 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

They can have a right to cycle but they also have responsibility to cycle appropriately and with regard to other people. The cyclist is lucky. From my point of view you did nothing wrong.

Has margarine fallen out of fashion?

Posted by MadameDePom@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 402 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

When it was found that the partially hydrogenated fats were high in trans fats, the health risks caused people to switch away. There are reduced trans fat products now but as the National Trust put it, I trust cows more than chemists.

Coworker is astounded that the Artemis II launch isn't blowing everyones minds (that he's spoke to). Why do you think that is?

Posted by PaddedValls@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 1221 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Rockets have been used for over half a century. Why people need to be on this one is unclear so appears to be an unnecessary risk and they’re not landing. Can your co-worker name the current occupants of the ISS?

Why do (some) parents think they know better than their more experienced / knowledgeable kids?

Posted by Same_Confusion_4452@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 302 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Oh dear are your parents expressing an interest in your life and even if inaccurate offer well meaning advice? Easier for much of history? Nonsense. Take a glance at unemployment figures in the 1980’s. Unemployment rate now is relatively low compared to the last half-century. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment\_in\_the\_United\_Kingdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment_in_the_United_Kingdom)

Is it actually worth it to join a union?

Posted by TalosAnthena@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 184 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

I was the union rep when I was a teacher. The crap some headteachers try to pull is ridiculous. Some have little understanding of the law or even the contracts their staff have signed. That's before you get into the number of malicious allegations against teaching staff members which is the reason most teachers join a union. Unions in this country do not have the freedom and power found in some other countries. Action can only be taken in specific cases but it remains the only way for employees to balance power in a workplace, especially when the Tories cut legal aid and so access to tribunals. (Teachers take their unions for granted and are dreadful at supporting their own union. Many will cross a picket line or not work to rule so tend to give their own union a weak hand in negotiation.)

No car and have about one week; Snowdonia, Lake District, Scottish Highlands… or only one?

Posted by wxf3109@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 16 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

[https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/getting-here-and-travelling-around](https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/getting-here-and-travelling-around) It depends when you'll be here and what you hope to see. Wales is often overlooked but if you're set on the Scottish highlands the other two options are already non-starters.

What would be a good first car to have?

Posted by Delta1Dan@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 16 comments

how does one survive on maternity pay or am i missing something?

Posted by Clear_Raisin@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 50 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

SMP is the baseline. Some employers pay on top of that too. Maybe read your contract or see HR to see what they offer you. In some jobs you must have a minimum number of years before any maternity payments are made on top of SMP. My partner’s work paid three months full pay then dropped to SMP. After that it was my salary only. Then there’s the childcare costs when you go back to work! It’s tight but that’s life. You make sacrifices for more important things.

Porton Down what’s happening?

Posted by SaysPooh@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 11 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Things appeared a lot because writers steal ideas that seem popular. When I was growing up the “karate chop“ and quicksand seemed to be common things to avoid. Cars should be entered by sliding over the bonnet first and sometimes through the window. Porton down is slowly disposing of hazardous waste which is not exciting telly or investigating new threats which is not for public knowledge.

Back in England after living abroad for 10 years. Is there any good chocolate left?

Posted by No_Basket_9192@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 288 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

I get a small number of chocolates from a local independent shop. 10x the price of supermarket stuff but at least I enjoy it. It also stops me shoving half a kilo down my throat in one go.

Back in England after living abroad for 10 years. Is there any good chocolate left?

Posted by No_Basket_9192@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 288 comments

Fellowes321@reddit

Most supermarket chocolate has become dreadful. Tony’s is awful too. Lindt is well made but made out of garbage. Buy better. You get less in volume but more in enjoyment.