HappyMaz

My son has an amusing review for the Bible somewhere

Well that probably wouldn't count under Beau's rules anyway Cait - it wouldn't be your original work. However if you can dig it out it might make amusing reading anyway!

Oh and Geraldine: I was apparently thinking of a different competition - pens/mugs etc are the runners up prizes so you're still in with a shout!

Maz

Just realised the closing date is 22nd April so only a week to go - I think we should keep quiet and not remind anyone then you can have the first prize and hopefully I might get a PEN :wacko: :rolleyes:

Ooh you're so single minded, Geraldine! I think second prize was a little better than a pen though wasn't it?

Maz

There was a thread about this a while ago - I seem to remember Archimedes being mentioned as a good Forest Schools trainer and if I'm right they offer a free 'taster' session. Here's the link to the other thread - started by Rufus! Glad to see the old grey matter hasn't completely given up the ghost...

There may be funding available in your area for this kind of training/initiative - its very much in vogue at the moment!

Maz

Happy birthday!

Maz

It's true though.....I was often found spluttering into my pint at the outbursts of certain old ladies in my company!!!

When my mum first landed in this country this was a word she used often, apparently. Funnily enough I never heard her use it - no doubt misunderstanding of its origin helped her to give it up because 'ladies' would certainly never use the 'f' word in polite circles...

Maybe we should all be saying these things to the PSLA

Perhaps you should, but bearing in mind that community run groups are the very bedrock of their ethos it is hard to see what can or will change. Perhaps you need more direct action and at a local level. Someone on here (sorry you'll know who you are but your name escapes me!) works at a setting which is a workers' co-operative and there have been lots of discussions about not for profit companies etc.

If you're lucky enough to have a Development Worker (and we in Maidenhead and Windsor don't because we have no local branch) then I guess s/he will be the focus of your lobbying. If your Local Authority can't help with committee training then the PLA should be able to - but if you want things to change then you need to get active and vocal and make things happen. There's nothing like a Development Worker being inundated with extra and unexpected requests for help to get things moving - its an effective way of getting messages passed up the command chain!

Are your committee members happy with the status quo? I'm guessing not since so many groups find it hard to find new committee members. They take on a huge respsonsibility without benefit of training or a salary and are are often cited as the cause of so many difficulties that I wonder why anyone would be interested in being on a committee of a pre-school.

Has anyone looked at the consitution of the PLA itself and how to go about getting a resolution passed at the AGM? Perhaps now is the time to get organised and face the organisation with a united front so that you get your voices heard. Venting your spleen on here is a good start and a great way to answer that "is it just me?" question. Clearly this isn't just a matter of one or two disaffected individuals: there is a common thread appearing each time committees are discussed on here. Maybe its time to draw up a manifesto for change and see what you can do to make it happen?

Maz

Have a look here Deb. I have been using the trial version (up to 50 children) and although I haven't got to grips with all its features, it does do invoices very quickly once you have put in term dates/dates you're closed etc.

Once you have put 50 children through the system you need to upgrade to the full version. However this is not the number of children you have on role at once - it is cumulative. So even if six of your 22 children leave, when you add a new child they become child number 23 and so on. Hope that makes sense - if not the people who sell the software are very helpful.

You can send them a copy of your logo and they will customise the software for you so that all invoices, statements etc have your corporate image on.

Maz

PS Steph and I posted at the same time - I have the feeling we're talking about the same company (and that I'm using the software she didn't find helpful!) so I'm off to the website and see what I'm missing out on!

Oh and Mrs Tiggy Winkle's laundry is officially closed!!

About time too! I heard her health and safety practices left something to be desired!

I'm gutted I've missed this party, not that I could have answered many!

Well Sue seems to think it should be a permanent feature: and I do always have a crossword on the go...

Maz

Im going through all words rhyming with seck now!!!

Are you a Father Ted fan?

yes mrs tiggywinkle; its eyestalk. thats the lobster bit!!!

Cheers tattybogle! You can tell I'm not a lobster eater!

ok i think your lobster one might be eyestalk... but i havent a clue why lol!!

Well I wondered about 'yes' because of 'certainly' in the clue... but couldn't figure the rest out.

If you're right MrsT then "spent some time on the radio" (4) is now: _ E _ K

Maz

Welcome to the Forum, Playplayplay!

I'm sure this has been discussed on here before - but I can't remember whether anyone found one. Will do a quick search and see what I can find...

Found the previous discussion - click here! From what I can see there are a couple of alternatives!

Maz

an acute pain is sharp and an acute angle is a sharp point ... ????

But it still needs the 'sweet' bit to work properly though, doesn't it?

Having interviewed many times and asked candidates to etach, it isnt always the all singing all dancing that we look for. Yes we liike to see some imagination, but we also want tosee that you have considered the task, the time you have, the age of the children, have thought to ask sensible questions, are well prepared, are pleasnt with the chidlren, can manage their behaviour, appear confident (even if you are shaking in yer boots!). In short, dont over complicate it with things you may not have time for, or you may forget if nerves kick in.

What brilliant advice - useful for anyone asked to do a practical-type exercise as part of an interview! I'll bear that in mind should the need arise!

Maz

PS Lucie: good luck with the interview - let us know how it goes won't you?

Acute?

I did think about that but couldn't see how it fitted - but cute as in sweet? Now that makes sense!

Thank you, oh wise one!

Maz

a bloomer being bread ... and gosh and all

Fab! That's that corner of the crossword done. See how you go with the final three:

"a sweet that's sharp" (5) A _ U _ E Not sure if they're talking about a sweetie or a dessert...

"spent some time on the radio" (4) _ E _ _

"part of a lobster certainly, say, put on back of plate" (8) _ Y _ S _ A _ _

Over to you lot!

Maz

Thanks! Had thought of Eglantine too - I knew it fitted but it was a gut feeling really - and as you say there is the anagram of gale there..

Just looking at it now I've come back from Stay and Play, I can see why Eglantine is the right answer:-

Clearly the EGLA is the 'devastating gale', as we thought. Then the T is the "first of trees" and NINE is the 'square' because it is a square number.

Easy when you know isn't it?

Thanks all!

Three to go now...

Maz

MrsT - you took the words out of my mouth. It came to me as I wrote it in!

Good to have you back!

Now. How about this one:

"Gosh, not much of a bloomer!" (6)

_ R _ M _ S

Maz

"Plant first of trees in square after devastating gale" (9)

 

E _ L _ N _ _ _ E

 

EGLANTINE is the only word in a crossword solver that fits it and the beginning part is an anagram of gale so that fits the clue not sure about the end part though

 

"Island where bird has feeling of resentment, made to go topless" (10)

 

_ _ R _ I _ _ _ U _

 

MARTINIQUE is an island in the Caribbean, fits the letters but not sure about clue?

Thanks! Had thought of Eglantine too - I knew it fitted but it was a gut feeling really - and as you say there is the anagram of gale there..

Martinique - a martin is a bird isn't it.

And the cruncher is that the words overlap and the I is in the right place...

Thanks! You're a star!

Maz

So here's another...

"Plant first of trees in square after devastating gale" (9)

E _ L _ N _ _ _ E

Or how about this one?

"Island where bird has feeling of resentment, made to go topless" (10)

_ _ R _ I _ _ _ U _

Over to you!

Maz

MINISKIRTS?

SUNGLASSES!

Only six to go and then I'm done!

Maz

At the risk of pushing my luck and sending you all crazy, can I have help with this one please?

"Offered notes on girls in summer wear" (10) I have an answer that I think is wrong - an anagram of 'notes on girls' minus the R and an O.

SINGLETONS

It seemed like a good idea at the time but now I'm not so sure. Anyone got any ideas?

Maz

Can't really help with advice - but you'll not be short of good ideas I'm sure!

Just wanted to wish you well for the interview!

Maz

Wow that's fab Wendles - cause for celebration!

Enjoy your evening won't you?

Maz