What annoyed you today?

[picsfor]

Not sure any one has any suitable words for news like that Keith, or your situation.
Just hope things don't get any worse/

[irv_b]

So sorry to hear that news Keith (my father had dementia  but luckily my sisters and a brother lived close) at least they have your full support, unfortunately some people don't get much at all!

[Oldboy]

Sorry about that Keith. 

[krennon]

Thanks guys just been down there for the weekend got back yesterday afternoon, and although my mum has always been away with the fairies (really she has) I could tell that she really is not quite with it now, just little things that unless you knew her you'd know that she was behaving differently to hwo she used to.
All that said she is now on a wonderful drug that is supposed to inhibit the progression of Alzheimers and is apparently a by-product of high altitude grown daffodils of all things...so that's a good thing, and they're just waiting for the various depts' to get in touch with them with regards to the various meetings and support etc that is available.....
I don't think that it's so much the Alzheimers diagnosis as in this day and age that seems to be almost inevitable imo (that or the mind stays but the body goes) it's just the fact that they are 200 miles away so I can't get there quickly if needed...but as I said at least there is lots of help in that part of the world 
WAMY on the way back from Devon MASSIVE hold up on that alternating single lane/dual carriageway part of the A303 just after the a358 turn off...why because there had been a 3 car crash, it was more serious than a fender bender as front and back ends of cars were damaged but you could tell that that was all it was no casualties or anything but of course the world and his auntie all had to slow down to have a look...as soon as they got past it foot down back up 60-70mph......Bloody Rubberneckers added at least 30 minutes onto my journey.....

[skellum]

Sorry to hear about your parents Keith.  I am sure you are doing the best you can for them so lets hope this wonder drug helps.

WAMT......  The school holidays are here and so are the drunken youths to litter the back of my shop. In my day ( 70s ) we all had the odd under age drink but would never think of leaving a mess like this for someone else to clean up. In fact we most probably would not have been able to afford the amount they appear to have consumed last night. They seem to have had quite a party. Thought about reporting the event to the local police for them to keep a eye on the situation but I doubt they would do anything about it so why bother..

[krennon]

Definately not what we used to do when we had the odd bottle of Merrydown cider down at the river, we used to make sure we threw the rubbish away properly we never left it behind or threw it in the river it used to go in the bins (this was the days before recycling) every time.....
not sure what you can do about that Dave like you say not sure the police would be particularly interested but at the same time if you let them know they may be able to keep an eye occasionally. if you don't tell them then they won't know at all, I'd let them know just in case (do you have a local neighbourhood team normally a copper and a couple or more pcso's) ours are really good round where we are...

[picsfor]

Following discussions, i have found myself out of a job on medical grounds (one of the weaknesses of a train drivers job).
So, time to start looking round for another career and training options, though the trip to Vegas will still go ahead...

Ipswich (my home town) is not exactly bristling with vacancies so will have to look at other parts of the country. Too expensive to live in Sussex...

[Beaux Reflets]

Following discussions, i have found myself out of a job on medical grounds (one of the weaknesses of a train drivers job).
So, time to start looking round for another career and training options, though the trip to Vegas will still go ahead...

Ipswich (my home town) is not exactly bristling with vacancies so will have to look at other parts of the country. Too expensive to live in Sussex...

I hope something turns up for you Andrew. I know full well what it is like, having now been provided with an invalid certificate when it was the last thing I ever wanted; coupled with the much reduced income through the physical inability  and the ever increasing cost of education as my eldest goes on to university this year. Real bummer but hopefully we will find a way forward.

[ABERS]

That's a blow Andrew, let's hope things will not stretch out too long before you get settled and in a new career.

[Oldboy]

Following discussions, i have found myself out of a job on medical grounds (one of the weaknesses of a train drivers job).
So, time to start looking round for another career and training options, though the trip to Vegas will still go ahead...

Ipswich (my home town) is not exactly bristling with vacancies so will have to look at other parts of the country. Too expensive to live in Sussex...

Sorry about your bad news. 

Hope you can still draw your full pension, as that's at least a help while you search for a new position. 

[irv_b]

So sorry about the news Andrew hope you can find something to get into soon take heart from how quickly (relatively) that Keith managed to get something > Good luck mate and try to stay positive

[krennon]

Andrew having just been made redundant out of the blue I feel for you feller, hope you find something you enjoy doing, and hope you don't have to move to far, you never know something may come up sooner rather than later in your area...good luck though

[picsfor]

Thank you all for your kind wishes.

It is the thing with train driving that it doesn't give you any transferable skills - but i hope to get enough in severance to pay for some training.
As for pension - sadly i'm still a few years away from getting that - you have to be a minimum of 55 to draw a pension now...

Right now - i'll just absorb it all and work out my way forward - oh and go visit the grandchildren. They always bring cheer to my heart 

[Alfonso_Frisk]

Will you qualify for "failure of health" ( or sometimes known as benefit 3 ?
Some final salary pension schemes would pay out on this giving you a pension.
Also I retired last year at 50 and qualified for my works pension in full despite the law change to 55 in April last year. This was because my pension rules allowed it and  was verified by the tax man.  Some schemes still have this written in their rules so it maybe worth chasing up.
Good luck
RR
Alf

[Oldboy]

Will you qualify for "failure of health" ( or sometimes known as benefit 3 ?
Some final salary pension schemes would pay out on this giving you a pension.
Also I retired last year at 50 and qualified for my works pension in full despite the law change to 55 in April last year. This was because my pension rules allowed it and  was verified by the tax man.  Some schemes still have this written in their rules so it maybe worth chasing up.
Good luck
RR
Alf

You beat me to it Alf. Yes, most pensions allow you to take it early on medical grounds and should be the same amount as if you had retired at your normal age. The union rep should inform you about this, if not chase him up.