The rumour mill
John chats for England
Curly is in full F.A. Cup mood today, trying to enthuse “Junior” about this afternoon’s game and Wembley Stadium, without a lot of success. It’s looking as though he doesn’t like Chelski at all, but there again he’s no fan of Manchester United either, I can imagine how mental he would go if Sunderland reached next year’s final, blokes eh?
You can hardly get a word in edgeways here this morning, what with Brandon and the other paper lads talking football, Curly and Junior, and now John comes in (he can talk for England).
John – “Mornin pet”
Madge – “How are you John?”
John – “Very canny, very canny, for an owld binman, eeh ah wuz jist thinkin uv gaanin on holida, itz the sun shine thu day ah think”
Madge – “It is nice John, makes a change, is it the Mirror you want?”
John – Aye luv, and have yuh got any of them travel broochas?”
Madge – “Where do you fancy going then John?
John – “Ooh ah deen’t knaa, a nice sunny beach sumwhere”
Madge – “Spain”
John – “Mebbeez, yuv gorra be careful yuh knaa, aboot whoo yuh mite bump in tee when yur ouwa there”
Madge – “What do you mean John?”
John – “Whey ah wuz taakin ti me mate in the booza last night, an eeh reckinz that them Branley’s iz gaan te give up politics and take an orly retirement. Mind ah deen’t knaa if it wuz only the beor taakin’ like. Aah mite just nudge intuh thum on the beach yuh knaa!”
Madge – “Early retirement”
John – “Aye, ye knaa, make a nice big deal, sell sum bizniz interests and gaan take a geet big chill on a sunny beach. Aah cudn’t blame thum if thuh did like, aahd dee exactly the siem, especially after yuv had a few rows withat Elzum fella. Yuh knaa eeh still tuk aal the money for bein’ the Leedah!”
Madge – “What money John?”
John – “Howay pet, itz a special allowunce for bein’ the Leedah of thu Oppuzishon, the wor meant to uze it pay for thuh elecshuns, but sum say hee aanly spent it on eez friends campainz, thatz why thu staarted aal this arguin'”
Madge – “So who is this mate of yours John?”
John – “Noo howay, if aah telt yuh that aad ave to kill yuh! He works in the toon haal, or mebbeez heez a travel agent, yee decide”
Madge – “So the two of you get sozzled over a few pints on a Friday night then you come in here telling your tales (which are nothing more than rumours or gossip John) and you stop us all gettin on with our work in the shop! You blokes are terrible”
John – “Aye aah knaa, noo handuz that holidaa brooshia”
Posted by Madge
Curly's Corner Shop, the blog! 
I know today’s post is in jest, but many of them on this blog and Peter Shaw’s blog aren’t.
What’s the big deal about the Branley family that upsets everyone so much?
There seems to be a lot of bubbling resentment among sitting and former councillors about the fact that they’ve grafted hard to run a business and are now reaping the rewards.
Envy does horrible things to people.
Anonymous
May 19, 2007 at 9:57 am
I bear no grudge against Mr. Branley for profitting from his businesses, and it’s good that he’s redeveloping the riverside. However I do find it hard to stomach claims that their Alliance is a united alternative to Labour here, when claerly they are very disunited.
I also resent the fact that I voted for him to represent me and be in opposition to Labour and he won’t go to meetings How can he counter Labour’s policies if he won’t turn up to the council meetings. It’s all very well talking to officials at the Town Hall when people have problems, bnut being in opposition requires more than that, lots more.
Councillors who dont go to meetings need to be exposed and curlys site seems to have a go at all sorts of councillors from all parties.
Ginger Geordie
May 19, 2007 at 1:06 pm
It seems strange having to defend myself about comments on my blog via some one else’s posting section but here goes. Of course the Branleys are legitimate political targets, as are Labour, Conservative and Liberal members. The Branleys of course draw more attention because they claim to be the only sustainable opposition in this Borough but don’t always attend meetings. How can they fight for change if you don’t turn up to promote the alternative view? Their stance on not claiming allowances and expenses is admirable, but that’s because they can afford not to. If you fully commit yourself to council and ward duties it can be a very expensive process and an allowance is therefore justified. The attention to their business dealings therefore comes from this slightly incorrect stance they take on whether councillors should be paid. Personally, I think they should receive something otherwise only the wealthy would be able to seek election and who wants a return to the politics of Victorian times. Envy therefore has nothing to do with it. Let me assure you, I’ve had the wealth and done the successful business bit, but a happy home life and a flourishing family is all I need and luckily I’ve got it. Finally, I have said before that the likes of Curly, myself and Rossinsbird are the only people in this Borough who are offering any type of opposition to Labour’s private club at Council level. Now if that upsets some people or the use of political satire ruffles a few feathers then good, but at least we are doing something. Remember, neither Curly, myself and most others in this area blog anonymously, so we stand to be criticised ourselves.
No doubt Curly will have his own views, but I can’t see them differing to greatly. Whatever you’re political slant, freedom of speech is freedom of speech!
Peter Shaw
May 19, 2007 at 3:30 pm
I didn’t read the blog entry as the dialogue gives me a headache, although I’m sure the picture has given Mrs Branley another foot in height. Or she’s standing on a very tall sandcastle. 😉
rossinisbird
May 20, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Well said Peter!
You have no idea what that photo does for me curly.
comingup4air
May 21, 2007 at 5:15 pm
Rossinisbird, it’s quite clear that Allen’s right foot is firmly stuck in a cavity!
curly15
May 21, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Word is Elsom DID give a contribution to the cause, but wasn’t prepared to support certain numbskulls in the independent ranks.
Interestingly Mrs. Branley has apparently been ordered by her fellow independent candidates to claim her leaders allowance and to donate it to the fighting fund for next year.
I seem to recall all hell breaking loose when Sunderland Labour cllrs put a levy on their members for certain a purpose.
Perhaps the District Auditor should be informed or at the very least the public.
What a councillor does with their money is their affair – but to blatantly say I’m claiming my allowances (money from the public purse) and then using that same money to fund political campaigns is a little bit iffy if you ask me?
What do you think?
Marcus Harrison
May 22, 2007 at 11:09 am
What do I think?
See this post about Bryn Sidaway, and this post, which at least shows that “at source” deductions do not happen in South Tyneside.
curly15
May 22, 2007 at 1:11 pm