Following the reported 'power surges' on London underground, they are now reporting an explosion on a London Bus in central London.

Edit: This should be in News. Could a mod move please?

Blimey - i have just been reading about the tube explosions on the BBC news website.

There are reports that it was a network of bombs. But if it is a power surge, why and how could that cause explosions on the underground ?

Bonnie, I think they gave the "power surge" explanation to prevent panic or give themselves time to investigate. But now it does seem that it was a terrorist attack. God help those trapped and injured.

There has been an explosion in Tavistock Square that has destroyed the upper deck of a London bus. There have been fatalities.

Other explosions have been reported at Liverpool Street, Kings Cross, Aldgate, Edgeware Road and others.

Reporting is hectic at the moment - the latest official statement is that their is no confirmation yet about whether it is a power surge or a terrorist attack.

The emergency services seem to have everything under control and eye-witness reports seem to say that there is no sense of panic.

Doesn't sound like the sort of large scale attack other cities have suffered from, thank goodness.

Apparently the national grid have said that there have been no problems with power surges, so i think Critique is right and the police are trying to avert panic.

My god, those poor people caught up in it all. I hope there arent too many casualties. Im glued to the news website at the moment .... and hoping that nothing else will happen.

We have the BBC News on at the moment and no one is sure what is happening yet :sad:

There is now an unconfirmed report of a train crash at Kings Cross Station...

I am watching the news at the moment, it says that at least 20 are dead. Do you think this has happened today as most of the attention would be at Gleneagles? Terrorist bombing or not, the people who have done this awful thing are cowards. I just hope that the death toll does not rise. :(

I think it was just a question of time before this happened. It's very frightening. I heard that some train stations around the country have been closed, but whether this is just precautionary isn't clear yet.

Tony Blair has just said it was an act of terrorism.

Al Qaeda have just claimed it.

Sadly it was only a matter of time before we had a bombing and the underground does represent a bit of British culture.

This is why i refuse to travel on the channel tunnel. The thought of being stuck in the dark on a train thats hot and knowing that there are dead people in the next carriage. At least with the underground theres a chance to walk out, imagine being under the channel. I think we should be thankful that it was in the underground. Can you imagine if the bombs had been let off at street level? At least the tunnels dampened the blast. I realise that this in no way helps the victims, but I can't help being the internal optimist.

New reported 20 people killed and 150 injured in the attacks today.

I was on my way to town when I first found out and wondered why the bus was so busy.

Mr tiggs works on boilers in a lot of Underground stations and he also works at a place in Russell Square about once a week. Luckily today he was home. I am so glad he was not there today. One of my friend's husbands was on the train behind the Aldgate one. Many, many people where I live commute to London, and it's frightening to think how many people are affected by this.

It's tragic when things like this happen. We hear about suicide bombers etc in the Middle East and go on with our own lives not even thinking twice about it, until it happens close to us. It is just awful. Apparently there was a suicide bomber involved in at least one of the explosions.

My hat goes off to all the emergency personnel who have rose to the occasion and are a shining example to everyone of all they do. I think it's brilliant how London has managed to stay calm and not let hysteria take over.

Apparently there was a suicide bomber involved in at least one of the explosions.
.

Where did you hear that Tigger?

New reported 20 people killed and 150 injured in the attacks today.

The official figure is 2 killed but of course that could increase.

According to Radio 2 there are over 1,000 casualties and one confirmed fatality [suspected suicide bomber] - but the news is saying a further 20 fatalities.

I have been dipping in and out of world news sights...the fatalities range from 50 (an Italian sight) to 90 ( a French sight).
So nobody really knows at this stage.
I hope to God none of them are correct.
:-((

gawd..excuse my spelling.
SITE..not sight.

Different places are reporting different things. Earlier on today there were reports of 3 buses with bombs, but thankfully i think there has only been 1.

I think there are 2 confirmed fatalities, but im sure this figure will rise. It must be hard to tell how many casualties have resulted from this.

I wonder if the commuters will be able to get home tonight ? I have a feeling the hotels will be packed.

Where did you hear that Tigger?


It was reported on Sky News SF. They were talking about being able to trace who the person was and who they were connected to.

Am listening to radio. Am visiting friends in perthshire that do not have a tv. Am feeling very cut off from the outside world, thank goodness for BBC news website and radio. But would love news 24 right now.

Tonys heading back to london, but I can't see what use hes going to be right now except to put some ill thought out piece of emergency legislation through parliament. I know people are saying something should have been done and the blame game is starting. But can we go much further without giving up our freedom that we are trying to protect. I am quite anti id cards. Have spoken to several people who's job it is to know and they have all said there will always be terrorists and you will never stop them. If someone is determined then they will manage it. It it therefore a balancing act of providing as much protection as possible while allowing the nation to carry on living

Tigger glad to see you are not involved, or your husband.
As soon as I heard of this earlier I thought of you, Karen and Groucho, I know you all work in the city.
I hope Karen and Groucho are OK and anyone else on this site who lives/works in the city:hug:

I was watching BBC news earlier and they have reported 2 fatalaties and 150 injured.
One bomb going off on the open top bus and several more on the tube, mainly near rail stations.
All the trains into London are stopping short of the centre, there are no coaches going into the centre, the tube has been closed and there are no buses running in central London.
There will be lots of people stuck there and wondering how they are getting home.

Why oh why?:unsure:

Actually edit to say, the bbc site is now reporting 33 fatalaties and over 350 injured:sad:

This is something that London lived through before, when the IRA was setting off bombs in the 1970s. Then, people continued to go about their business, and, although not wishing to downplay todays events, I think London will be quick to recover this time as well.

I know what you mean, SF. I have lived and worked in London for years. I also used to live in Birmingham during the pub bombings, although I was a child at the time. I used to work in a hotel next to Paddington Green police station, where they used to hold IRA suspects. Consequently we used to receive bomb threats regularly. I worked in Cavendish Square off Oxford Circus when a bomb went off in a bin outside my office building. We all remember the Bishopsgate bombing. Thank God most of us have not been directly involved and hopefully never will be. I think this kind of desensitises you to it and the more it happens and the more you expect it not to happen to you.

First thing my dad told me when I woke up today was that London was bombed. Hope all are okay over there and that the casualty list remains low...

So it appears it was done by a European al qaeda group in response to Great Britain's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan? Anyone else heard any similar news?

I've just come home from work but been dipping in & out of the BBC News website all day - I just can't believe that after the euphoria of yesterday, there is now this.

What is the world coming to? I really worry what it will be like when Emma is an adult & making her own way in life.

This is truly dreadful..........those poor poor people

I have periodically checked back here over the afternoon to see if Groucho, Karen, Floops or Cockney have reported in .. and not yet - I hope they are OK and I hope anyone else here who have relatives or friends in the area are likewise OK. Sadly lots are not - and I feel numbed and deeply shocked and saddened by these attacks.

Thankfully for me [and our family] my eldest step son and wife are on holiday in France - but Ben does travel through the centre and is always rolls into work about 10ish!!

My god-daughter is a newly officiated policewoman working out of somewhere near Piccadilly - I haven't heard from her and I don't expect to just yet.

My thoughts and sadness are with those who have lost someone and who have to deal with this abominable situation.

Im sure i have seen them all on here Flippy - and i think Groucho has posted.

I have been watching the images on the news and it really is terrible stuff. I hope everyone is ok.

I definitely saw Groucho and Floopy earlier today.


My heart goes out to all the casualties and their families, what a terrible, terrible day!

Shocked and saddened by these terrible bombings. I'm amazed that the casualties are not higher, especially on that double decker.

Hope all our Londoners here, and their family and friends are all OK.

There's no excuse and no sense to any of this really, is there?

M

There's no excuse and no sense to any of this really, is there?

No, Marmy. There never is.

I think a lot of people suspected this would happen sometime, it doesn't make it any less shocking or any less when it does. The tube always was, and always will be a prime target for terrorists unless security is beefed up. I cannot imagine how frightening it must be, even for those who don't suffer the immediate effects of the blast to be confined in a metal can in the dark with no way out.

My niece normally travels from Kings X to Russel Sq and onwards with her partner. She was early and left before him - he was late.

In fact he was so late, he only just managed to get on the last carriage of the train as it pulled into Kings X. He would normally have gone to the front.

His lateness may have saved his life. They were stuck on the tube for about 30 mins, a lot of people were panicing but no one was injured in his carriage. He got off the bus that was going to take them to hospital and walked home. His GP advised him to take tomorrow off due to some smoke inhalation but otherwise he's just fine. He's a very lucky young man!

I was having trouble sleeping this morning and then my mate text me to say that she was sorry if her text woke me but she was okay and at home still in bed.

I immediately switched on the radio and heard about the bombings. I gave up on any idea of getting any sleep today so went down stairs and set my self up to hear the latest on the TV.

It's amazing no more people were killed and I have to say the emergencies services surpassed themselves and deserve a huge pat on the back for their efforts. :fireman:

Tony Blair handled it incredibly well considering the pressure he was already under with the G8.

I have a rather disturbing thought though.....

If the incidents were the result of suicide bombers then it is always frightening to think that people are willing to give their life for their cause however at least they are now dead and can't plant any more bombs.

It was interesting to hear what some of the members of the public were saying and indeed some of the victims. It would seem that for a country that survived the Blitz and has lived under the umbrella of terrorism for years what with Northern Ireland and now of cause Islamic fundementalists, there is a definate spirit which says we will not be beaten by this....we will not stop living our lives.....they will not tear the lions heart out of our nation.

I wonder if France had won the Olympic bid, then it maybe would have been Paris who were attacked.
Were the bombers set to go to whatever country won it, as a kind of statement to say, "yeh, you got the prize but look what we can do"
Don't know if it's just my mind thinking into it too much, but it does seem a big co-incidence.

there is a definate spirit which says we will not be beaten by this....we will not stop living our lives.....they will not tear the lions heart out of our nation.

Well said Coastie. We are many things in this country, one of the better qualities we possess is perseverence and pride under fire and attack, we pull together, we rally round and refuse point blank to be beaten by underhand and degrading tactics.

That is why we are GREAT!!

I wonder if France had won the Olympic bid, then it maybe would have been Paris who were attacked..

I doubt it. This one would have been meticulously planned well in advance, I can't see how they could switch cities at 24 hrs notice. Or else they would have had to have had a plan in place for each of the countries that was a contender for the Olympics - and that would be just too huge an overhead surely. And if it was meant as an Olypics related attack, why wait till today, surely it would have been more effective to have done it yesterday when the announcement was made?

I wonder if France had won the Olympic bid, then it maybe would have been Paris who were attacked.
Were the bombers set to go to whatever country won it, as a kind of statement to say, "yeh, you got the prize but look what we can do"
Don't know if it's just my mind thinking into it too much, but it does seem a big co-incidence.

I think it's probably more about G8 than the Olympics.

I sincerely hope that all are safe and well, and that relatives and friends are too.

It is a terrible tragedy,but one that we will take in our stride.
Terrorism cannot and will not win.
http://www.britishnativeallies.com/Links/AnimatedFlags/BritishFlag.gif

We heard his on our news at 9pm last night (10am your time) I'm glad you are all ok. It's terrible news.

Hi guys, Cockney and I are fine, nowhere near any of the troubles, but thanks for the thoughts :) .

Hi Floops. Good!!!

Mmmmmmmwa! xx

Good to hear from you Floops and glad you and your little family are ok :hug:

GMTV just reported that Euston station has been evacuated this morning. No details yet.

Good to see you back, Floops!

Mr B was coming home from Glasgow yesterday and he wasn't allowed to take his rucksack onto the bus, he had to put it into the hold. I don't see what that is going acheive as you could still walk off the bus and leave it in the hold. In fact it is probably more dangerous doing that as then people can't see if anything is being left!

I hope the death toll doesn't rise, I honestly thought that there would be more than 37 deaths, it is 37 deaths more than we would have liked and my thoughts are with those families of loved ones who didn't come home yesterday.

I wish Karen would write on here - i send her a pm yesterday asking if she was OK, but havent had a reply. I thought i saw her on here yesterday, but i could of been mistaken. Im sure she works near Russell Square :unsure:

I know Bonny, I am sure she will be ok but you just need that reassurance. Do you have her mobile number? What about sending her a text?

I know Bonny, I am sure she will be ok but you just need that reassurance. Do you have her mobile number? What about sending her a text?

Yes i have, but the few times in the past i have sent her a text she hasnt seen it. I think ill have a try though.

Good to see you are OK Floopy and Cockney.:thumbsup:

I hope Karen is fine:unsure:

I hope Karen is ok too. :unsure:

I don't know if it's connected but some of Romford Town Centre is cordoned off, with a Police guard. We just went by there and saw it. Not sure quite what is going on though. :unsure:

Fingers crossed Karen will log in or text Bonnie back, sometime today!

Come on, Karen. Give us a :thumbsup:, love. Prayers for you all up in London - I'm proud of you.

Doesn't she come in from the south. Thought she worked south of Oxford St she wouldn't normally be travelling south from the north (which were the routes affected)

Trust she's ok and just away with work etc. with fone off yesterday for work reasons.....I was still getting texts this morning?!?!

I was in the hardware shop just now and a chap came hobbling in with his legs and hands in bandages and his hair burnt. He had been on the Edgware Rd train when the bomb went off. He is still deaf from the explosion. He said that when the bomb exploded everyone in the compartment started to get electrocuted - not from the rails, but where the explosion had short circuited the train's electrics and the carriage had become 'live'.

Ouch SF that sounds nasty.

I spoke to my friend today whose husband is a Met Police Officer and there were two more bombs found at Liverpool Street Station this morning. He works with the sniffer dogs. Has there been any announcement of this on the media?

Has there been any announcement of this on the media?

There certainly hasnt been anything reported on the BBC website ..... i hope to god they dont find anymore.

I just read in my local paper that local hoteliers increased their prices and made huge profits yesterday! One man reportly paid £250 for an £80 room. Makes you sick, doesn't it? They are almost as bad as the terrorists. :(

Earlier today the shopping centre in Norwich, Castle Mall, was evacuated because of a bomb scare.

Not sure if it was just a bag someone had left and they were being extra cautious because of what's been happening, or whether they actually had a phone call.

I think its normal after something happens that people become very aware over bags being left and so it was proably just somebodys shopping.

Saying that they have diverted attention away from G8.

Come on Kaz - just one word will stop us worrying.:sad:

Crikey - I'm really touched that so many of you have been thinking of me :hug:

I'm fine. As fate would have it, I've been working in Kent for the last couple of days (doing the project with my ex), so I missed all the drama in London.

Thanks for thinking of me though! :wub:

Good to hear you are ok, Karen :thumbsup:

Good to see you Karen, and everyone else who's reported in. :bye:

Crikey - I'm really touched that so many of you have been thinking of me :hug:

I'm fine. As fate would have it, I've been working in Kent for the last couple of days (doing the project with my ex), so I missed all the drama in London.

Thanks for thinking of me though! :wub:

:thumbsup:

Hi guys, Cockney and I are fine, nowhere near any of the troubles, but thanks for the thoughts :) .

Well, I knew you two would be bomb proof :laugh:

...and you karen :)

I'm fine. As fate would have it, I've been working in Kent for the last couple of days (doing the project with my ex), so I missed all the drama in London.


:thumbsup:

Great to see you back Karen. :thumbsup:

Ditto ! :)


M

Yippeeeeee was getting worried.

Glad to see that you are ok Karen. You have been in my thoughts a lot and I was worried. :)

I'm really, really touched. Its lovely to think that so many of you even thought of me when it all kicked off.

I didn't have internet access during the immediate aftermath, but seriously, if I'd known anyone here might've been concerned I would've asked Mr H to log on and let you all know I was OK.

You lovely people! :hug:

I'm really, really touched. Its lovely to think that so many of you even thought of me when it all kicked off.



You know it is funny that this happens, my eldest stepson who works in central London and travels via bus and tube was equally amazed that me and his Dad were worried sick about him and his wife. They happened to be in France at the time [having not told us he was going] - but like you Karen didn't think anyone would be worried as they were elsewhere.

And if I put myself in yours or their situation I would be likewise unconcerned or even aware that anyone would possibly worry about me - because I knew I was fine.

I found out today that 2 people are missing presumed dead who lived in Archway which is where my stepson and wife live. Thank God for mobile phones - cos if we hadn't contacted him I dread to think how his Dad [and me] would be feeling now. Bearing in mind he is France and didn't tell us he was going - it was a last minutey type jobby!!

But Karen it is a relief to hear that you are still around, likewise to Floops, Cockles, Norm and Slip - who I think I know all live and work in and around London.

BNP uses attack to muster support (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4674675.stm)

BNP uses attack to muster support (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4674675.stm)

Thanks for that link sf. How low can people stoop?? Well having read that - lower than the slimey pit of hell seemingly.

Hopefully the majority of intelligent people will read that and see it for what it is 'cashing in on terrorism', 'wallowing in the mire of human misery' and 'toting for business amongst the grief stricken'.

I am not a Labour supporter, but in no way can the Labour Government be blamed for this attack on London, the blame lies firmly at the door of Fundamentalist Islamic Terrorists. Apparently British raised Islamic terrorists!!

But the truth of the matter is that the BNP will get support from certain areas, although I am not sure that the image of the blown up bus will be their main pull - I think the fact that these terrorists, allegedly, were born and raised in the UK - will add weight to their campaign.

I dont know if i heard this right, but they know this they were suicide bombers, and that 4 of the terrorists died in the explosions.

They are now seeking to find the ring leader. They all lived (I think) in or around Leeds.

I dont know if i heard this right, but they know this they were suicide bombers, and that 4 of the terrorists died in the explosions.

They are now seeking to find the ring leader. They all lived (I think) in or around Leeds.

I just read something similar on the BBC news site. I find it absolutely amazing that the police have been able to track the bombers back to a specific location (I think they even know an address).

I just read something similar on the BBC news site. I find it absolutely amazing that the police have been able to track the bombers back to a specific location (I think they even know an address).

It is amazing. I dont know for sure, but i think they found ID at the scenes of the explosions, and they also found their cars and put two and two together.

These people and their property / movements havent been monitored by police as they were unaware of their existence. I wonder how many more are out there ?

I am not a Labour supporter, but in no way can the Labour Government be blamed for this attack on London, the blame lies firmly at the door of Fundamentalist Islamic Terrorists. Apparently British raised Islamic terrorists!!

I think Labour should induce some of the blame!!! they are the government. Whilst they did not push the button, i'm afraid their domestic policies have made it inevitable. We (or shoul I say the Government) have been letting known terrorists and hatemongerers into this country for years, the reasoning believe it or not, is that we wouldn't then be attacked, rubbish of course.

For years this country has been apologising for past demeanors whether rightly or wrongly, we are actively discouraged from celebrating St Georges day as an example, to such an extent that to be British or certainly English is a dirty word.

We have a race relations industry (and it is an industry) that causes division or segregation and as such self segregation by minorities is encouraged. Such a predicament can only add to the confusion of 2nd, 3rd generation of persons who no longer feel that they have any cultural identity these are the one's whom are most vulnerable to the nutters who despise this country so. If all had one cultural identity, that being British, whilst respecting that persons wish to relate to their past heritage, then there would be no need for a race relations industry whom create the problem rather than help cure it.

I think Labour should induce some of the blame!!! they are the government. Whilst they did not push the button, i'm afraid their domestic policies have made it inevitable. We (or shoul I say the Government) have been letting known terrorists and hatemongerers into this country for years, the reasoning believe it or not, is that we wouldn't then be attacked, rubbish of course.

Are you saying then that the people who set off the bombs last week were known terrorists and the Government knew this when they let them into the country?

we are actively discouraged from celebrating St Georges day

Have to say I've never been aware of this. Who actively discourages us, and how?

Have to say I've never been aware of this. Who actively discourages us, and how?

I think he is right by what he says. I read in the paper that a lot of people / shops with St. Georges flags were asked to remove them because it could incite hatred. Gawd knows why, but that is what i read.

Are you saying then that the people who set off the bombs last week were known terrorists and the Government knew this when they let them into the country?



Have to say I've never been aware of this. Who actively discourages us, and how?

It is clear that the bombers were British born, what also is clear however is that although they are British born I think many have serious problems with cultural identity. In other words although they have British passports etc and are British citizens or subjects, it is difficult for many of all faiths and religions to fully embrace one cultural identity that binds all of us, ie Britishness for example.

The race relations industry has started to ackowledge this problem, take Trevor Philips for example who himself has said that multiculturalism has not worked, in other words there is no common denominator that binds all faiths or religions because the encouragement is for segregation. Unfortunately it is not only radicals or extremists who seize upon such a predicament, it is also the likes of the BNP.

Regarding known terrorists entering the UK, this is so. Take Abu hamza who has been sentenced to death in Yemen I for terrorist acts, although he lives in the UK, he can't be sent to Yemen because of the death penalty. Instead he was able to spew his bile on the streets of London. Take for example the fact that 12 Algerian terrorists with links to Al Quada and whom were convicted in absentia of terrorist crimes were able to enter the UK even though their names came up on a list of EU terror suspects, one even ended up working at Heathrow. There are numerous other cases. The general belief within Government was that although they were terrorists in another country, there isn't evidence to suggest they would commit terrorist acts in this country. As such, because the UK has provided asylum to these people, there is also a belief that they wouldn't pee on their own doorstep. Wrong!!

Lastly, with regards to St Georges day here's a coupple of links:

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/s/155/155418_fury_over_st_george_flag_ban.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/yourlondon/stgeorges/stgeorge_vote.shtml

http://www.thevalueofstgeorge.com/index.php?oURL=home%2FNews%2FMagistrates+not+liste ning+to+public+opinion

Just going back to your original post, where you suggested that the Government should take some of the blame for the recent London bombings because of their immigration policy, can I say that I don't think that changing their policy would make any difference to what happened. While I agree that allowing in the hate-preachers like Abu Hamza is a bad thing because of the malice he stirs up, I don't think it directly contributed to last week's incident. There is malice enough being stirred up in other countries which can influence people over here just as much as hamza does.

Re St George's day, I think lack of festivities is more to do with the English character than anything else. I used to live near Kilburn where St Patrick's day was a good reason for a booze up, but I have never known anyone to say @Ooh it's St George's day - let's go celebrate. Those links you posted - a local council asking a shopkeeper to take down flags, or a pub being refused an extension - I don't see these as an attempt to stop people celebrating - they can do it if they want to, it's just I think that people by and large can't be @rsed because it doesn't mean much to them.

I think he is right by what he says. I read in the paper that a lot of people / shops with St. Georges flags were asked to remove them because it could incite hatred. Gawd knows why, but that is what i read.

I have to say I agree as well about the flags.
Last year there was a car parked near where I work every day and it had St George flag on it. One day it had a notice on it - 'Displaying St Georges flag is anti social behavior'. Next day the flag had gone.
But I dont think it has anything to do with this current situtation - it is just polictical correctness gone mad, of which they're numerous instances around these days.

Anyway...was'nt St.George Welsh?


!!!
slinking away now....

Anyway...was'nt St.George Welsh?


!!!
slinking away now....

I know he certainly wasn't English, I thought he came from farther afeild??

Well..St.Patrick was Welsh..
so..thanks Wales....
:thumbsup: :wine: :holiday: etc.

St George was probably an early Christian martyr from the area of modern day Turkey, who was executed in Palestine in the third century, but no-one knows for certain.

Hmmmm.
I wonder:If England used a turkish saint to celebrate their national day...would that help relations any?


It's a funny old rock and roll world.

it's just I think that people by and large can't be @rsed because it doesn't mean much to them.

That's true however I believe that there has been deliberate dumbing down by local authorities etc. Take London for example, money's made available for St Patricks day and the Chinese new year but not for St Georges day that could be due to a degree of apathy I agree but then Local authorites should be bending over backwards to support their patron nevertheless. I guess also another reason for the apathy could be that people may reference the flag of St George with the likes football hooliganism etc, or in other words a symbol of negativity. That said, personally I think that the English have lost sense of pride in because England has historically been seen as an oppressive country and the liberal elite are only too keen to keep reminding us of this fact when in fact if you look at the impact Britain has had on the rest of the world, I think the good outweighs the bad.

This goes back to my earlier point with regards to the minority population. That is the sense of belonging. If people are confused as to where they belong, then their allegiances would not necessarily lay with the country of residence, this is a dangerous redicament for all concerned. With regards to immigration policy, I agree that the policy in itself may not pose a problem the checking at borders however does, as i've just seen from the TV in that some chappy from Cairo was able to enter and leave the country without any checks at all.

I believe St George was a Roman soldier who was then made a Cristian martyr and is also patron St to Lithuania and Moscow.

St Patrick was born in South Wales according to the many websites about him.

It wasn't Turkey in those days, Aondeag. One thread of my wife's genes originated on the Anatolian Peninsular and left there (possibly with the Roman Legions) for Scotland, but she and her family would never consider themselves Turks.

St Michael makes very comfy briefs. :thumbsup:

St Michael makes very comfy briefs. :thumbsup:


hehehe very good!! :thumbsup:

St Patrick was originally a slave boy from Wales..
after escaping he became a priest and in 432 AD he was sent by the Pope to Ireland to convert all the Pagans....hmmm

In the North of Ireland there is a 'flags and emblams' act to ensure that workplaces etc do not become hot spots.
Originally the flying of the Irish Tri-colour (anywhere...even in nationalist areas) was forbidden.
In recent years, because of the Good Friday agreement, workplaces are obliged to celebrate all the significant feast days/important days.
It used only be the 12th.There is now substantial funding for St Patricks day festivities.

Flags are very important symbols.

Interesting stuff Aondeag,

Thanks!!