The Post Office is trying to confuse, not just with a change of name to the unpopular Consignia, but by suggesting that the second class post is being abolished, which, I expect, would not concern most of us. In actual fact what they are hoping to do is abolishing the first delivery in residential areas and suggesting we make do with what in the past has been the second delivery, midmorning or later. There has been no explanation as to how this will save money unless the postal workers are going to work longer hours and take on more responsibilities. Some areas are already receiving this second class service 'on an experimental basis'. Does this mean that those living in such areas will have to put forward strong vocal objections if they are not to lose the first delivery, apart from business areas that is?
You may ask how this term for the completely bald originated? It appears that this bird has a white frontal shield which gives the impression of baldness. Some 6.5 million men in the UK fear they will eventually look the same. All sorts of quack cures have been put forward over the years but now there are tablets, clinically licensed, to stop hair loss in men. Note that these are to stop it getting worse. It is said to work "within six months" and two out of three men are said to have actually grown some more hair during this time. Three-quarters of those on dummy tablets suffered further hair loss.
An elaborate brochure found its way to me. Luckily I do not need to spend £30 a month on these finasteride tablets which are on private prescription only. The news release makes light of the possible side effects of accompanying impotence and testicular pain! In a larger dose the same substance is used to reduce acute urinary retention.
Our members are usually quick to point out our mistakes on those rare occasions that we make them. It was surprising, therefore, that no one noticed that I muddled the Postal Preference Service with the Mailing Preference Service. The former has obviously been formed to increase the amount of direct mail received by those who respond. to their extremely intrusive questionnaires, though it will be slanted towards those subjects that are likely to interest them. However,
if you complete the questionnaire and send it off, you will have given away a great deal of the information many of us would prefer to keep away from prying eyes. As they work in association with the Royal Mail, one Plymouth Group member thought that completing the form was compulsory. The Mailing Preference Service, on the other hand, is the organisation to write to if you want to stop unsolicited mail. It can be found at Freepost, London W1 E 7EZ, or telephone 020 7766 4420.
This is a campaign, promoted by Friends of the Earth, who point out how little we know about the possible effects of many chemicals used in food processing and food products. An effective way that many organisations now campaign is to supply their members with pre-printed cards which can be posted off either to the Minister concerned or your own MP or MEP A response from Michael Meacher MP to such a card states "The Government is concerned that there are many chemicals for which even basic data on their impact on the environment and human health is not available. This is clearly unsatisfactory. We need to identify the chemicals of most concern and ensure that those posing an unacceptable risk are phased out and replaced with safer substances. "
The European Commission published preliminary proposals in February 2001 which, it has been agreed, must be strengthened.
Do you visit the local cinema or do you wait for the best films to eventually have their TV screening? Or perhaps you go along to the nearest video shop? In that
case you will probably be ignorant of the fact that cinemas and other film exhibitors have been unable to set their own admission prices. Not only this, but, up until very recently, the Film Distributors' Association controlled the number of times and the specific screens on which individual films could be shown. Exhibitors were even limited as to the use of complimentary tickets to promote the films.
The Office of Fair Trading has persuaded the Association to amend its rules, effective from 1 February, as, in its view, the previous agreements infringed competition law. The FDA's members account for 90% of UK box office film receipts, totalling £621 m in 2000, and two thirds of all films distributed in the UK.
A footpath near Woking The Ramblers has been saved for the public to walk along. It used to be a well-used route but had become . . overgrown. Developers were threatening to build over it and were keeping people off it. It had not been registered on the definitive maps of rights of way. If you know of a similar footpath that has become obstructed, then. you too should report it to your nearest branch of the Ramblers' Association. he maps are being revised throughout the country and Ramblers' members have become
involved in helping to draw them up. This is an important task which will benefit generations to come. you can contact the Ramblers at 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW or by telephone on 020 7339 8500 or by e-mail at ramblers@london.ramblers.org.uk.
Have you received any of those You be the Jury faxes? The latest asked "Would you prefer the BBC with adverts and no licence fee?" To vote you simply tick 'yes' or 'no' and fax back the reply. If you are in a hurry and feel your opinion is important you might fax it back without reading the small print at the bottom which informs you it will cost between £1.50 and £3.00 per minute as it is a premier fax polling company. There is a promise to present the facts to the BBC but we wonder if the results ever see the light of day. If you want to stop unwanted faxes the Fax Preference Service is run by The Direct Marketing Association, telephone 0541 554555 (charged at the National rate!).
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