Well bully for Virgin-timed to the minute going south and up north again from the depths of the Midlands. Mind you it does move sedately and can easily make up lost time (we were held up by a 'frequently stopping train' ahead of us (between Derby and Sheffield) by accelerating to nearly 25 mph when it has to.
NIMBY is an expression which has been bandied around these parts in connection with unwanted and unwarranted development. Used as a derogatory expression about people who are concerned to keep the world away from their Back Yard for purely selfish reasons. An expression often on the lips of developers and their natural allies, the land owners. Being of a Nimby tendency myself I was delighted to find support for the species from Zac Goldsmith the editor of the Ecologist. In his view Nimbies(? correct plural? Blog-ed) are to be praised for their efforts to maintain the quality of their neighbourhoods and preserve the integrity of their communities, as the builders, aided by the deputy Prime Minister concrete over our speedily becoming less green and rapidly disappearing pleasant land. More to be praised than censured in his book. A recent poll found 84% of people-and not just 'selfish' incoming city fleers-describing themselves as Nimbies. Our host, himself a major land owner, said that his version of a NIMBY was a Native Independently Minded British Yeoman' I am not sure if Yeoman is understood in the Borders-it is a very English expression but I think you will get the picture. Out with the pitchforks and the anti-tank mines and get the bull dozers moving along-perhaps to Mr Prescott's Back Yard?
