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[Nickbat]

The problem we have in the UK is lawyers.

They are horrifically overpaid and are the direct cause of the ambulance-chasing culture in which we now live. You only need to see the sort of ads on Channels 4 & 5 (Fred slipped on a droplet of water and received £15m compensation, call 0800...etc.), to see why so many organisations (like your Scouts, Mark) live in fear of being sued.

When convicted criminals can sue under the Human Rights Act, you know we're in trouble.

As for the practical side, when I was young I had to learn about mechanics and DIY as our family was not wealthy and I had to nurse a succession of cars (Anglia 105E, Morris Minor, Mini, etc.) that needed weekly care just to get them to go! I remember changing a hydrolastic sub-frame on a Mini in the dark in December (on the roadside) in order to pass an MoT. These days, all the kids seem to have 06 reg Puntos and Pugs. They wouldn't know a plug if it hit them...and don't ask them to locate an air filter.

OK I know I sound like a typical old git ("youth of today - they don't know anything"), but if the chips were down, I think I could see off quite a few youngsters in a practical challenge. At least I can re-wire a three-pin plug....how many 18-year olds could do that?  


  

[MikeDundee]

Berry pickin, tatty pickin, that was my school hols for nine yrs, don't see much of that happenin down south, money in the morning mum kept fr school clothes, pm, was all mine, always seemed to be less productive pm. Mind u I am sure ma mum spent it in the pub and bingo

[Tony H]

The problem we have in the UK is lawyers.

They are horrifically overpaid and are the direct cause of the ambulance-chasing culture in which we now live. You only need to see the sort of ads on Channels 4 & 5 (Fred slipped on a droplet of water and received £15m compensation, call 0800...etc.), to see why so many organisations (like your Scouts, Mark) live in fear of being sued.

When convicted criminals can sue under the Human Rights Act, you know we're in trouble.

As for the practical side, when I was young I had to learn about mechanics and DIY as our family was not wealthy and I had to nurse a succession of cars (Anglia 105E, Morris Minor, Mini, etc.) that needed weekly care just to get them to go! I remember changing a hydrolastic sub-frame on a Mini in the dark in December (on the roadside) in order to pass an MoT. These days, all the kids seem to have 06 reg Puntos and Pugs. They wouldn't know a plug if it hit them...and don't ask them to locate an air filter.

OK I know I sound like a typical old git ("youth of today - they don't know anything"), but if the chips were down, I think I could see off quite a few youngsters in a practical challenge. At least I can re-wire a three-pin plug....how many 18-year olds could do that?  

Couldn't agree with you more the litegation society is suffocating so much in this country especially where young people are concerned, schools the uniformed organisations etc are having to think twice before organising any activity that may carry a even a remote possibility of risk.
As for the slip and trip culture, I was abroard recently and was staying in a hotel on a road were a large tree had been removed from the pavement resulting in a 3 feet deep hole which had no barriers around it or warning signs however it was perfectly visible both night and day. If someone had fallen down this hole and tried to put a claim in for" compo "I could just see the local authority officials responding with "you should watch were your fooking walking then" a side effect of all the claims made in this country is WE ARE ALL PAYING FOR THEM through higher premiums.
I believe that the American government are looking at the whole blaim/claim culture in an to regulate it. High time it happened here.
  




 

[Omega-MV6]

I agree!

But don't get me started!!!

Cheers

Matt

[Timbuk]

Bring back National Service