[BITList] Situations Vacant

[HUGH]

I note they are looking for "a marine engine driver Grade 2 with steam 
certificate."  That's a somewhat obscure and faintly patronising 
qualification, so maybe that's why they're having trouble getting candidates 
for the post.  Regardless of that, it's heartening to know that experience 
is deemed necessary - all too often nowadays it's only necessary to fancy a 
go at something.  Indeed, it wobbles between requiring too much and too 
little.

A very recent case of the former here in Scotland involved a village hall up 
north (Aberdeen area) who planned to stage a pantomime at Christmas, the 
cast being local school children.  For years and years the hall has been 
used for concerts, whist drives, beetle drives, dinners, etc, without 
attracting the eye of Big Brother, but the news that they had a pantomime in 
mind caused heart attacks in high places among the terminally nitpicking. 
And an edict was issued - you must apply for a theatre licence.  Not having 
the 14 days to spare after formally applying demanded by the rules quoted at 
them, the organisers roped in the TV, and there was a feature on it during 
the evening news.  One child, I'd say around 9, said of it that Aberdeen 
City Council should may more attention to their finances (they had a 
shorfall of millions and a near scandal) and less to things like pantomimes. 
And lo! there has been a backtracking - subject to an elfin safety 
inspection, the pantomime can go on.  Any bets the hall will pass?

Hugh.