I think China has re-named some of it’s towns so it can put things like “Made in Germany” on it’s labels. 
1 Like
It has happened before ,Japan renamed a town Sheffield in the 40s or 50s for a similar reason. Where is Sheffield Steel now/
1 Like
The Net Zero nutters have closed it down…I think they make steel in China now.
1 Like
Frankly I doubt it was Net Zero nutters (could be wrong) I suspect it was too expensive when you have few natural resources and costly labour.
As I understand it your hero Thatcher oversaw the majority of the steel works shutting in the 1980s, surely she was not a net zero nutter? The rest were killed off during the GFC again nothing to do with Net Zero.
Actually Margaret Thatcher re Privatised British Steel in 1988 and put in a massive capital investment to make BSC competitive once again on the world market.
The Indian company,Tata Steel took it over in 2007 It became too expensive to run when the green lobby decided that they could no longer use coal in their processes, so the Indians closed down the plants making thousands unemployed and destroying local communities, and took steel making back to India. Thanks a bunch Net Zero…I hope the planet realises how much poverty and reliance on benefits these closures in the UK have produced. India and China have stepped up their production of steel making still using coal.
So, nothing to do with Margaret Thatcher Bruce. But that only appeared on local news stations, so I don’t expect you would hear about it in Australia.
Wiki says…
By the 1970s, the Labour government’s main goal for the declining industry was to keep employment high. Since British Steel was a major employer in depressed regions, it was decided to keep many mills and facilities operating at a loss. In the 1980s, Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher re-privatised BSC as British Steel. Under private control, the company dramatically cut its workforce and underwent a radical reorganisation and massive capital investment to again become competitive in the world marketplace.[1]
2 Likes
The Arctic is not a continent,like the Antarctic,because it’s just ice floating on top of the sea. I expect a lot of you knew this but it was news to me.
5 Likes
Don’t you remember the US nuclear sub that crossed the north pole under the ice in the late 1950s? I can even remember its name USS Nautilus (you can blame Jules Verne for that)
Was only done because it could.
4 Likes
The leather is also sourced from ranches that don’t use barbed wire for the same reason.
It is not true that the only sound you can hear when travelling inside a Roller is from the ticking of the clock. The main sound is from the creaking of leather from the derrieres of the occupants as they move upon the seats with the movement of the car.
4 Likes
They are grafters though.
1 Like
It is funny how one nationality seem to dominate an industry, for example at the moment, Indians seem to dominate at servos, certainly the independent ones. Whereas the Chinese have taken over the food industry from the Greeks and Italians.
I say that not being able to distinguish between Indians from Fiji, Africa or other parts of Asia or Pakistan and likewise I can’t tell the difference between Chinese, Japanese or Korean. My Chinese friends assure me there is a definite difference but I can’t see it. The only take away from that is that they are poor at distinguishing between Europeans and muddle up characters in movies for example.
3 Likes
Overseas investors (Indian based) like to invest in new high-rise blocks in London, but it’s (London based) small family businesses buying sub prime property to rent out to the desperate, that make up property numbers.
1 Like
What, you mean small Russian families d00d?
Na, Indian families. You know what they’re like, work together like mafia. For example, our local pharmacy: Indian pharmacist, shopkeeper wife, three youngish sons all finished uni pharmacist training. The old couple now passed retirement age but will continue with a finger in the pie. They pool their resources … possibly opening another branch.
Anyway, not all Indians have the formal training, they do rentals keeping a close eye on things. HMOs can be a fulltime job if you intend squeezing the most out of it.
3 Likes
Adult dragon flies can’t walk.
4 Likes
Crystal Gayle’s voice captured hearts, but it was her long, flowing hair that captured imaginations. As her career blossomed in the 1970s, so did the legend of her floor-length tresses a feature that became as integral to her identity as her soulful, smooth vocals.
Crystal Gayle, born Brenda Gail Webb on January 9, 1951, in Paintsville, Kentucky, grew up in a musical family, surrounded by the sounds of her older sister Loretta Lynn’s rising career. Unlike her siblings, Crystal spent her formative years in Wabash, Indiana, where her family relocated in search of better opportunities after her father’s health began to decline. This urban setting exposed her to a diverse range of music styles, influencing her own unique sound that would later blend country with pop sensibilities.
As a child, Crystal’s hair was kept short, a common style for many young girls at the time. However, everything changed when she visited Nashville and saw a woman with knee-length hair. Inspired by this sight, Gayle decided to grow her hair long, a decision that would become a defining aspect of her public persona.
By the late 1970s, Crystal Gayle’s hair had reached considerable lengths, becoming a hallmark of her image. It wasn’t just about aesthetics; her long hair symbolized a certain grace and elegance that perfectly complemented her smooth vocal style. This combination of beauty and talent set her apart in the competitive world of country music, where image often plays as crucial a role as the music itself.
During this period, Gayle’s music career was reaching new heights. With hits like ‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’, she became a crossover sensation, appealing to both country and pop audiences. But as much as her music captivated listeners, her hair fascinated them. The flowing, dark tresses became synonymous with her name, often featured in media and fan discussions alike.
In the early 1990s, as her hair reached the floor, Gayle considered cutting it. The maintenance was time-consuming, and she experienced headaches due to its weight. Despite these challenges, her daughter persuaded her not to go through with the drastic change, saying, “You can’t cut your hair you won’t be Crystal Gayle.” This sentiment resonated with many of her fans, who had come to see her long hair as an essential part of her identity.
Crystal Gayle’s decision to maintain her long hair despite the challenges it posed was seen as a commitment to her image and the persona she had cultivated over the years. Her hair, like her music, was a signature element of her brand, making her instantly recognizable in the crowded landscape of country music.
Even as her career evolved, Gayle’s long hair remained a constant. It was featured prominently on album covers, during performances, and in interviews. The media often highlighted her tresses, sometimes as much as her music, underscoring how integral her hair had become to her public image.
Her hair was more than just a physical characteristic; it was a symbol of the elegance and poise she brought to the stage. It represented a continuity in an industry where trends often come and go, and it helped solidify her status as a country music icon.
In addition to its symbolic significance, Gayle’s hair contributed to her appeal as a sex symbol in the 1970s and 1980s. The combination of her smooth, polished vocal delivery and her striking physical appearance created a powerful image that resonated with audiences. She became known not just for her musical talent but also for her distinctive look, which set her apart from other artists of the time.
Crystal Gayle’s long hair remains one of the most talked-about aspects of her legacy. It is a reminder of an era in country music when artists were not just singers but also icons who embodied the spirit of their music in every aspect of their being. Her decision to keep her hair long, despite the challenges, speaks to her dedication to maintaining the image that her fans had come to love.
3 Likes
I knew the name and the big hit but didn’t know she was just as famous for having long hair.
1 Like
A great post Minx. Just one year younger than me, but with longer hair and considerably more well known…
1 Like
