Eccentricity

[DimPrawn]

In Victorian and Edwardian times, the working class flocked to evening classes and self-improvement schemes were oversubscribed.
Then came the welfare state and the working class were robbed of their pride and turned into chavs content to get fat and watch plasma TV.
That's regress for you.

Who created the welfare state, was it Labour by any chance?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Welfare-Stat.../dp/1842751611

[sasguru]

Who created the welfare state, was it Labour by any chance?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Welfare-Stat.../dp/1842751611

That's a tulip book.
The welfare state was a good idea as a safety net - then it got too big.

[Sysman]

In Victorian and Edwardian times, the working class flocked to evening classes and self-improvement schemes were oversubscribed.
Then came the welfare state and the working class were robbed of their pride and turned into chavs content to get fat and watch plasma TV.
That's regress for you.

When I were a lad, there were some rather fine examples of architecture known as Mechanics' Institutes which bore testament to that.

[bogeyman]

I'm a great admirer of eccentrics.

I've always wanted to be one myself, but I think I lack the courage and sheer bloodymindedness to do it properly. I'm probably not quite mad enough either - but getting there.

When I was a lad, there used to be an old boy in the town known as 'Johnny Hat'. He was a veteran of the Great War and wore a ridiculously wide row of medals (collect from pawn brokers far and wide) and an ancient, battered top hat.

At any civic gathering in the town (esp. Rememberance Sunday), Johnny Hat would appear at the back of the crowd and suddenly launch into a tirade about how everyone and anyone in uniform (from air-vice marshals to traffic wardens) were 'a shower of treacherous f***ing bastards' and that 'Stalin had it right'.

[sasguru]

When I were a lad, there were some rather fine examples of architecture known as Mechanics' Institutes which bore testament to that.

And the old polytechnics were in some cases very fine technical institutions - till they were converted into poncy 3rd rate "universities" doing useless degrees.
Although to be fair that process happened under the Tories.

[Mich the Tester]

I'm a great admirer of eccentrics.

I've always wanted to be one myself, but I think I lack the courage and sheer bloodymindedness to do it properly. I'm probably not quite mad enough either - but getting there.

When I was a lad, there used to be an old boy in the town known as 'Johnny Hat'. He was a veteran of the Great War and wore a ridiculously wide row of medals (collect from pawn brokers far and wide) and an ancient, battered top hat.

At any civic gathering in the town (esp. Rememberance Sunday), Johnny Hat would appear at the back of the crowd and suddenly launch into a tirade about how everyone and anyone in uniform (from air-vice marshals to traffic wardens) were 'a shower of treacherous f***ing bastards' and that 'Stalin had it right'.

Glad to see you back old chap

[bogeyman]

Glad to see you back old chap

Thanks Mitch.

I must say you're looking rather spiffy with your top hat, cane and all.

[Moscow Mule]

There was a chap who used to eat from the bins at the back of the village shop. Apparently he was a Lord of some description.

My mum called him an eccentric. I called him a drunken tramp.

I think it's a fine line.

[Sysman]

And the old polytechnics were in some cases very fine technical institutions - till they were converted into poncy 3rd rate "universities" doing useless degrees.
Although to be fair that process happened under the Tories.

I note from the Wiki link I gave above that the Manchester Mechanics' Institute became UMIST.

The Mechanics Institute in one place I lived is still in operation, and the bigger one down the road which got demolished in the 1970s still has an operational library. Damn. I 've got the urge to see what they are like nowadays, but it's too far to make it home by teatime.

[Mich the Tester]

Thanks Mitch.

I must say you're looking rather spiffy with your top hat, cane and all.

Indeed, I felt that a little sartorial improvement might raise the tone in here. All in vain, I fear.