Former Headway Hotel Morecambe Lancashire

Former Headway Hotel Morecambe Lancashire.

Former Frankie and Benny's Morecambe

Former Frankie and Benny's Morecambe

Former BrightHouse Warehouse Manchester

Former BrightHouse Warehouse Manchester

Brighthouse was founded by Thorn EMI in April 1994 as Crazy George, and intended to be a sister company to Radio Rentals. Crazy George was rebranded as BrightHouse in 2002 

The company was bought by Vision Capital in July 2007. It was later sold to Apollo Management in December 2017.

Caversham Finance Limited, trading as BrightHouse, was the largest rent-to-own company in the United Kingdom, with 240 stores.  It was a national chain that provided home electronics, domestic appliances, household furniture and related products on a hire purchase arrangement. Cash loans were offered towards the end of the company's life cycle.

The company charged interest of between 69.9% and 99.9% APR

An investigation by the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme in 2016 cited an example of a washing machine costing £358, with a £55 delivery and installation charge and compulsory £136 warranty. The total cost of the appliance was £1,092 at Brighthouse's typical interest rate of 69.9%

The Queen once owned shares. 

Andy Burton Rutland Conservative Candidate Former East Yorkshire councillors won deselection appeal. East Riding of Yorkshire Council

People have asked what happened in East Riding Council where Andy Burton was a member?

Cllr Andy Burton with other councillors and the leader, were accused by East Riding Conservative Councillor of bringing he Tory Party into disrepute.

East Riding Council's Tory cabinet voted to make the discretionary payment of £360,000 into director of corporate resources Sue Lockwood's pension fund at a behind-closed-doors meeting in Beverley.

The same cabinet also agreed back dated 21% pay rises to other senior council officers. 

These decisions understandable caused a public outcry.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader Stephen Parnaby and 10 Tory councillors who were not put on the approval shortlist by their Conservative constituency associations.

Fortunately Andy Burton and 6 others won there appeal, so he was able to carry on with his political career.

At the time Andrew Allison, of the Hull and East Riding branch of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "I would challenge them to go out on the doorstep and speak to the ratepayers and justify the decision they have made. It's the elections next year and some might find it difficult to get themselves re-elected."

Conservative parliamentary candidate for West Hull and Hessle Gary Shores, who is also an East Riding councillor, said: "I think it is a deplorable waste of money. The public are being asked to tighten their belts and at County Hall they are having to keep an eye on every penny they spend.

"It was only the other year they that they were given a pay rise because they were deemed indispensable and now she's being pensioned off early," he said. "This is a disgrace, a waste of public money.

"If she wants to retire early we shouldn't have to foot the bill."

In just eight months last of 2009 the council spent more than 1.1m on 19 early retirements.

Gul Zada former Leicestershire Police special constable has been found to have committed gross misconduct.

Gul Zada former Leicestershire Police special constable has been found to have committed gross misconduct.

Following an accelerated misconduct hearing held on Friday 28 May, it was found that former Special Constable Gul Zada breached the standards of professional behaviour while serving as a special constable, namely honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct.

The hearing found that on 3 March 2020, Gul Zada was dishonest as to the information provided to an insurance company when applying for car insurance, specifically by providing a false date of birth with the intention of making a gain for himself, that being cheaper car insurance.

On 9 April 2021, Gul Zada was convicted at Leicester Magistrates Court following him making a guilty plea of fraud by false representation, contrary to sections 1 and 2 of Fraud Act 2006 in relation to the offence mentioned above.

The accelerated misconduct hearing found that had Gul Zada still been serving as a special constable, he would have been dismissed with immediate effect.

Gul Zada is a service manager for the refugee services with the British Red Cross in Leicester. He is also a interpreter.

Plans for Bar to open in Former Hambeltons Fine Foods Gaol Street Oakham Rutland

Plans for Bar to open in Former Hambeltons Fine Foods Gaol Street Oakham Rutland

The last time a bar opened in this street it did not go well, lets hope this turns out better.

Paul Beech, Former, Oakham Mayor, known by Laughing Stocks

Earlier I published a message received from ex Oakham Mayor Paul Beech's brother.

Paul Beech disputes part of his brothers message.

Does Mr Beech send me an email? No

He chose to release a statement to a local criminal blogger who the police say are attempting
to trace in a hope they are also responsible for other crimes.

The author of the  blog claims:

Laughing Stocks received today the following message which, having checked its authenticity, we have agreed to post since the Nobody in question in it doesn't allow a right of reply on his 'blog'

I have pointed a out a link to one of Mr Beech's friends and so far Leicestershire police have not followed the 

lead to Mr Harrison. Why?

The Laughing Stocks

There's more than one stocks in Oakham and this is it!

Monday, 14 January 2013

Message to a Nobody

Laughing Stocks received today the following message which, having checked its authenticity, we have agreed to post since the Nobody in question in it doesn't allow a right of reply on his 'blog'

Dear Oakham Laughing Stocks,

Through your blog pages could you post that I agree with Martin Brookes that I was never a Royal Marine please. This is the only time he has ever said something that is remotely true about me.  

What I would like to say though is that I successfully completed the army commando course in April of 1966 and completed the parachute course in 1967.  My parent regiment was, and still is, 29 Commando Regiment RA.  All those that doubt this should check my cap badge and not just the colour of my beret. 

I have two decorations that I wear on my left breast, that of the GSM 1962 for South Arabia and the bar is for Dhofar in 1973/4.  The other two medals on that side are from the Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (SOAF).  I wear all of these decorations quite legitimately.  I completed my 9 year engagement on the 12th October 1974 and left with an 'Exemplary' record.

I claimed, quite rightly, my grandfather’s medals with the permission of my mother and all the relevant immediate family, some 18 years ago.  I have worn them with pride ever since on every occasion I can.  28386 Cpl JC Carr (RGA) served throughout WW1 and was wounded in 1914.  He did not serve in three campaigns, as was stated on Martin Brookes's Blog, but in one only, The First World War.

If there are those that doubt the authenticity of this little nugget of truth then can I suggest that you visit me at my home and we will discuss the matter in depth.  Preferably after dark.

Regards,

Paul Beech GSM & Bar, BA (Crim)

Former, GRIMMERS DIY & GARDEN, Shop, 16, Church Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AA

Work has started transforming
Former, GRIMMERS DIY & GARDEN,  Shop, 16, Church Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AA