Census 2021

I received this in the post recently, reminding me that within a month the UK wide census will be due. Once every ten years the government tries to capture data that will assist long-term policy making. 

It has been suggested in the (respectable) press this may be our last census, that the Office for National Statistics believes it can better capture the required data via other means. I hope they don't mean those silly quizzes that populate social media? I feel quite sad regarding this prospect. Future historians won't have the same access to a one stop single snapshot of life here. Progress I suppose they call this...

Advertising

Unilever's marketing for their new explosive version of Marmite is pure genius!

Boom!

Marmite with added chilli. What's not to like LOL?

All Change!

Fifty years ago today, the UK joined the modern age and adopted the decimal system for our coinage. Out went Pounds, Shillings and Pence, and in came Pounds and "New Pence." Our old system dated back to the 8th century and the time of King Offa of Mercia, the relative monetary values and names go back way further.

It is baffling to younger generations that there were 12 Pence to the Shilling and 20 Shillings made up the Pound (240 Pence). This all seemed quite natural at the time and many I believe were bewildered by the concept of only 100 Pence equaling a Pound. Today the tiny half Pence has gone, having effectively devalued, the 5 and 10 Pence coins have reduced in weight and size. We've also seen the introduction of the 50 Pence, later resized, the 20 Pence and finally the one and two Pounds as general circulation coins. 

Brrrr!

Just saying.

Twenty Million

Based on my age and health profile, I have approximately 20 million adults in England (not UK) ahead of me for a Covid-19 vaccination. That's more than some countries entire populations LOL.

Sir Tom

Captain Sir Tom Moore, a modern day hero, died today. A true inspiration to many.

Again!

This past year, due to the global pandemic, for many people each day has seemed pretty much identical to the previous. Happy Groundhog Day everyone!