AN anonymous emailer makes an interesting point.
"I noticed in your newspaper last week that there was an advert in the jobs section for an 'anti-social behaviour co-ordinator'. What does this job entail? Does somebody stand in front of a gang of youths and say 'you, you, and you... go smash up that phone box. You... set a few fireworks off, and you two trample through a few old ladies' gardens'. All very strange!"
We are inclined to agree. Presumably the anti-social behaviour co-ordinator will receive terrific help from York's Youth Offending Team. Elsewhere, North Yorkshire has at least one domestic violence co-ordinator. And to ensure those babies come along at an even rate, the Selby and York Primary Care Trust has a teenage pregnancy co-ordinator. Good to see so much joined-up thinking.
MORE as promised on the letter said to be from the "National Gasometer Collection". This spoof organisation entertainingly purports to be campaigning to save the Layerthorpe gas holder.
Why? Because "the main aim of the NGC is to create a central national repository of gasholders, gathering a wide range from across the country into one location, so that they may be enjoyed by generations to come.
"This location has not been found.
"York, already a successful tourist venue, is acknowledged to still need further attractions in order to satisfy true international expectations.
"What could be better than, instead of tearing down its one remaining - and in aesthetic terms, extremely attractive - gasometer, to keep it, and supplement its worth by bringing other fine examples from across the UK to join it?"
What a fine idea: York as home to the best of British gasometers. They didn't come up with that at Without Walls. Alas, the 106ft-high Layerthorpe gas holder will be demolished if owner Transco gets planning permission to redevelop the site.
If you are upset by this, complain to the pan-European body quoted on the letter. It's called ISOTOPE: L'Institut Scientifique pour L'Obtention et Tmoignage des Objets Petrochimiques Europens.
AN eagle-eyed Scottish reader watched Sir Richard Branson's Flying Scotsman celebrations with interest.
She was delighted that the old engine is coming to the National Railway Museum but was disappointed to see Sir Rich had his kilt on back to front.
It's true. "The billionaire's Scots wife Joan will have been horrified to see his out-of-kilter dress," reported the Scottish Daily Record the other day.
"And his Edinburgh-born mum Eve won't be impressed either. One of his aides claimed Branson's kilt got in a twist as he climbed off the train."
Yeah right. How did this man build up a global business empire?
IF your love life is in the doldrums, try Channel Five. Not to watch one of their sex documentaries, but to be in one.
TV production company Angel Eye Films is making a programme for Five studying the science of aphrodisiacs.
It is "looking for couples to take part in the programme who'd be willing to talk about their sex lives on camera and try out a handful of the world's most intriguing aphrodisiacs (behind closed doors), then report back on what effect they had, if any".
Couples should have a good reason to take part: "You may be struggling to find the time and energy for sex in between looking after the kids or you and your partner may have very different sex drives and would like to experiment in bringing them up to the same level." Interested? Thought so. Contact Libby on 0207 287 9360, or email libby.g@angeleye.co.uk
Write to: The Diary, Chris Titley, The Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN
Email diary@ycp.co.uk
Telephone (01904) 653051
ext 337
Updated: 09:53 Thursday, April 08, 2004
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