Great Report From TD on Canadian Economy

CANADA – NOTING THE POSITIVES, BUT ALSO THE RISKS
Economists often get a bad rap for seeing the world
as exclusively a glass half empty. Given this reputation,
it is not surprising that economics is dubbed the ‘dismal
science.’ Still, we are also known to call a spade a spade
when we see it. We must do just this when we say that the
Canadian economy ended last year on a more positive note
than we had last predicted. This momentum represents a
solid hand-off into 2012. What’s more, financial markets
so far this year have enjoyed the absence of volatility that
was the dominant theme for 2011. The S&P/TSX composite
index has gained 2.3% so far in January, which is in stark
contrast to the 10.8% loss posted last year.

Our latest tracking shows the Canadian economy grew by
2.0-2.5% in the fourth quarter annualized, an upside from our
December forecast of 2.0%. An important part of the story
has been Canadian consumers. We saw evidence of this in
the retail sales’ numbers for November. They grew monthover-
month by 0.3% in real terms and an even stronger 0.5%
in nominal terms. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday
increasingly becoming important calendar events on this side
of the border, retailers were hoping to capitalize on greater
mall traffic as consumers stocked up for the holiday season.
We will have to wait and see if November’s gain comes at a
cost to December. However, data so far suggest that there is
an upside risk to our consumer expenditure forecast for the
fourth quarter of 2011. The 2012 economic outlook should
also be helped by higher consumer and business sentiment,
readings confirmed by separate releases this week.
Also this week, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) injected
further monetary stimulus into its economy by telling markets
and investors that it plans to keep its interest rates at
near-zero levels until late 2014, or eighteen months longer
than was previously stated. In the fallout of the announcement,
U.S. and Canadian bond yields fell across the curve.

In terms of currency, the loonie reached parity with the U.S.
dollar yesterday for the first time since November 2011.
Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick also took advantage
of the increased appetite for long-term, fixed-rate
products and raised a total of $1.8 billion yesterday.
With the change in the Fed call, Bank of Canada Governor
Carney will need to reconsider when to lift domestic
interest rates. The Governor has repeatedly said that there
are limits to how much Canadian rates can diverge from
those in the United States. In setting monetary policy
decisions, Governor Carney must manage the domestic,
export-based economy as well as implement policy to meet
the inflation rate target. He must also take into account the
heightened international risk and uncertainty imbedded in
the current global economic outlook. While the next interest
rate announcement is not till March, we believe there is
now increased pressure to delay the hike from the end of the
first quarter in 2013 to the end of the second quarter. When
the central bank does raise rates, we expect it to return to
equilibrium more gradually than our previous forecast. We
now have the overnight rate increasing to 2.00% (in quarter
percentage point increments) by the end of 2013. The growing
interest rate spread between Canada and the U.S. should
spur moderate price appreciation of the Canadian dollar, but
the currency is not poised to deviate far away from parity.
Business investment is expected to be a bright spot in
the outlook given the low borrowing conditions and strong
currency. We also forecast that Canadians will continue to
spend, creating positive pressure for the domestic side of our
national forecast. This spending behaviour does not come
without repercussions. Canadian households are already
posting record debt levels. What’s more, the longer low
rates persist, the more difficult it will be to reverse course.
If consumers continue to spur heightened real estate activity
as well, there could be a larger and steeper correction for
the housing market than the 10-15% we have incorporated
into our forecast over the next few years. Given where this
note has ended, perhaps it’s true that economists cannot say
sunny and rosy for too long. At the same time, it’s prudent
to constantly look for risks, such that there are no surprises
when and if they come to materialize.
Sonya Gulati, Economist, 416-982-8063

"It has long been considered necessary" - The London and South Western Railway Orphanage - Part 1

In the mid-Victorian period a strong community spirit grew amongst railway workers of all grades, with one of the most community-orientated railway companies to work for being the London and South Western Railway (L&SWR). Its employees banded together to form a Widows and Orphans Fund in 1861 to support families of railway workers who had been killed on the railways.[1]  Furthermore, the company’s staff magazine, The South Western Gazette, was established by railway workers to support this charitable cause.[2] Yet, if the father and husband had not subscribed to the fund, in the event they were killed at work their families were did not receive any money from it. Thus, with the support of many of the L&SWR’s managers and employees, the ‘London and South Western Railway Servants’ Orphanage’ was established in early 1886 to support these railwaymen's children.

Prior to 1886 there was only one orphanage for railway worker’s children in Britain, run by Midland Railway employees at Derby from 1875 and housing children from all over the country.[3] In November 1883 a letter to The Hampshire Advertiser noted that the daughter of William Parker, a L&SWR platelayer who had been killed the year before, had been admitted this home.[4] Like the L&SWR employee’s orphanage would be, the Derby institution was independent from the Midland Railway and was run on voluntary contributions.[5] Yet, by1883 it was reaching capacity and this fact may have been the impetus for an orphanage being started for the children of L&SWR employees.[6]

In 1884 the Rev. Canon Allen Edwards, who was known as the ‘railwaymen’s parson’, set about raising support and funds.[7] An article in the Gazette in January 1885 noted that many important individuals, both inside and outside the railway company, had already volunteered contributions. The list included names such as the company’s ex-General Manager, Archibald Scott, its Deputy Chairman, Wyndam S. Portal, the Right Honourable the Lord Cairns, and the Bishop of Winchester. In total, twenty-one notable individuals had given financial support, with nine individuals pledging to contribute in the future. The goal of the orphanage was given as the following:

‘It has long been considered necessary that a home should be provided for the orphans of men who, at the time of their death, were in the service of the London and South Western Railway Company, leaving families unprovided for, such accident being the result of accident or natural cause.’

The orphanage’s organisation was headed by a small committee of railwaymen, none of whom were L&SWR managers. Furthermore, there were sub-committees at each of the principal stations to put up children as candidates for entry into the home. These candidates were voted on by the subscribers, who each received a vote for each five shilling donation to the orphanage. The regional committees were also responsible for raising funds for the orphanage’s operations and the sending of a representative to the central committee.[8]

The orphanage opened in March 1886 at a private house in Jeffreys Road, Clapham; the initial intake being ‘ten fatherless girls’ under the age of fourteen.[9] The next elections for entry came in October 1886 and the Gazettelisted the circumstances of eight children who had been candidates for entry. The circumstances of the three that successfully entered the home were as follows:

1. Nellie Short, Father, a porter was killed in 1885. Mother has seven children, one in service; the rest she provides for by her own labour. – 504 votes

2. Ellen Elizabeth Hicks, Father, a brakesman, died in 1886. Mother has three young children and provides for them almost entirely by her own labour. – 412 votes

3. Edith Flora Burningham, Father a horse inspector died in February this year. Mother has eight children, three of whom are earning a little money. – 266 votes[10]

As the number of children in the home increased more space was required. Thus, the orphanage committee acquired the house next door in 1894, allowing it to accommodate a total of fifty girls. Yet, by this point it was felt that a home for boys was required, and a year later another house in Jeffreys Road was purchased, which by the start of 1896 was housing twenty-six boys. But the number of orphanages housed continued rising and in 1900 the committee purchased a larger house in Guildford Road, South Lambeth, to which all the girls transferred.[11]

While many of these developments were funded by the contributions of railway workers, large donations were made by individuals from within the railway company. The General Manager of the company between 1885 and 1897, Sir Charles Scotter, and his wife, Annie, were major supporters of the orphanage. The new home for boys in 1895 was purchased with a donation of 100 guineas from Scotter and for this reason Annie’s name was on the building.[12] Furthermore, the new home for girls in 1900 was purchased with a contribution of 500 guineas from the L&SWR’s directors.[13] Lastly, funds were also raised through fairs, such as one at Basingstoke in 1887,[14] and concerts, for example one the Duchess of Albany attended at Eastleigh in 1892.[15] Thus, the activities supporting the orphanage exemplified the community spirit that existed within the L&SWR between railway workers themselves, and between the company’s management and their employees.

By the early 1900s the two homes were again reaching capacity and a new site was sought. Indeed, with £2,800 bequeathed from Mr Thomas Parker Harvey a new orphanage was opened in Woking in 1909. The building of this institution, and its work in the 1920s, will be the subject of the next post.[16]

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[1] South Western Gazette, 7 July 1888, p.4

[2] South Western Gazette, June 1881, p.5

[3] http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=026-d3732&cid=0#0

[4] The Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday, November 24, 1883; pg. 6; Issue 3907

[5] South Western Gazette, December 1886, p.187

[6] The Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday, November 24, 1883; pg. 6; Issue 3907

[7] Unknown Author, ‘London and South Western Servants Orphanage’, South Western Railway Magazine, Vol. VII No. 70 (January, 1921), p.2

[8] South Western Gazette, January 1885, p.3

[9] Unknown Author, ‘London and South Western Servants Orphanage’, p.2

[10] South Western Gazette, December 1886, p.187

[11] Unknown Author, ‘London and South Western Servants Orphanage’, p.2-3

[12] South Western Gazette, 1 January, 1911, p.9

[13] Unknown Author, ‘London and South Western Servants Orphanage’, p.2-3

[14] The Hampshire Advertiser, Wednesday, July 20, 1887; pg. 2; Issue 4288

[15] The Hampshire Advertiser, Saturday, April 09, 1892; pg. 8; Issue 4782

[16] Unknown Author, ‘London and South Western Servants Orphanage’, p.2-3

Why Do We Need Mortgage Rule Changes?

There is all the talk about household debt and we are at high levels.Is the secured mortgage in Canada the reason for it? Not in my opinion. The reasons for that opinion, is we are now in the lowest mortgage rates in Canadian history. Canadian can secure their mortgage payments for 10 years at 3.89%. This has never happened before, so then why all the negative headlines.

The papers and experts are not focusing on the real problem which is unsecured consumer debt. Lines of credit, credit cards are the real issue. Banks are giving these out to everyone and not checking their current debt service levels. The worst part is they do not educate the consumer on how to use these products are pay them back. It is a ongoing cycle of one card to pay another, line of credit to consolidate and so on.

Mortgages in Canada have the lowest arrears and late payments. Every mortgage needs to be qualified based on debt service guidelines, income history, proof and property verification. Canadians make their mortgage payments and do not over extend as they are not allowed too.
The other important factor is that we have a recourse law here in Canada. Which means if you default on your mortgage, they come after you personally. In the US this law does not exist so that is why there was so many foreclosure.Along with the fact that the US did not have any guidelines for qualifying on mortgages at all. Canada has always had guidelines. The longer amortizations are not the issue.

A strong housing market is good for the economy and very vital for employment. We need to focus on showing Canadians how to pay down the mortgage faster by doing accelerated weekly,biweekly payments. Putting down lump sum against the principal, automatic reduction plans. Education is the key, not more government rule changes.

The Dynamics of Cab Fares from Waterloo Station in 1864

Recently, I received through the post a map of the London and South Western Railway that I suspect was published around 1863 or 1864 as part of a publically sold timetable. The map itself is very interesting. However, on one reverse of the item was a list of all the ‘CAB FARES FROM WATERLOO STATION.’ From the industry’s birth the railways of Britain always established relationships with road transportation companies so that passengers could continue their journeys after leaving the station. Therefore, indulge me for this post while I deviate away from railways and analyse the fares that cabs charged between Waterloo and places in London.

The document (Shown) listed approximately 150 different destinations that cabs could take passengers to from Waterloo. Five fare prices were listed: six pence, one shilling, one shilling six pence and two shillings. Only a journey to the West India Docks cost two shillings six pence. Using this data, I thought I would investigate the cost of journeys per mile and determine which trips were the best value. I used the ‘get directions’ function of Google Maps to measure the distance of each journey. Of course, many roads have changed since 1864 and this means that my results are not as accurate as if I had a map of London from that year. Yet, given London is a very old city and many roads have not changed, I considered that this wasn’t a bad way to find the distances out. At the same time as measuring the journey’s distances, I noted in which direction they were going to reveal if this affected the fare prices.

After sampling 100 journeys, the results clearly showed that the fare structure for journeys of different distances was as follows:

Less than 1 mile (9 recoded): 6s

Between 1 and 1.9 miles (41 recorded): 1s

Between 2 and 2.9 miles (38 recorded): 1s 6d

Between 3 and 3.9 miles (11 recorded): 2d

Above 4 miles (1 recorded): 2s 6d

However, of the 100 fares to destinations surveyed, nine journeys had rates that existed outside this price structure. Some of these anomalous returns may just have been because of the distances provided by Google Maps. For example, the Corn Exchange on Mark Lane, two miles from Waterloo on Google Maps, cost 1s to get to. Also, the fare to get to the London Hospital, which was three miles away, was 1s 6d. Therefore, if these journeys had been just 0.1 of a mile shorter the fare quoted would have been correct for the distance.

Nevertheless, five out of the 100 fares seem to make no sense. The 1.7 mile journey from Waterloo to St John Church, Horsleydown, cost 1s 6d when it should have been 1s. Furthermore, the 2.6 mile journey to Cambridge Terrace cost 2s, when the correct price was 1s 6d. I cannot proffer an explanation for these fares, so their cause will have to remain a mystery.

From my research I have also determined that the longer an individual’s journey, the better value it was. This is illustrated by comparing the best and worst value journeys in the sample. If we exclude the anomalous results, the best value journey was to Shoreditch Station, which was 2.9 miles from Waterloo and cost 1s 6d. This meant travellers on this route paid 6.24d per mile. The most expensive cab rides were those that cost 1s for a 1 mile trip. These went to Freemason’s Tavern (now Arms) in Covent Garden, Charing Cross Station and the Bank of England (now the Old Bank of England pub) on the Strand.

Furthermore, I worked out the average price of all the journeys in each distance range. This further confirmed my thesis that the further an individual went, the more value they received. The averages per mile for journeys in each distance range are as follows:

Less than a mile: 7.83d/mile

Between 1 and 1.9 miles: 8.53d/mile

Between 2 and 2.9 miles: 7.90d/mile

Between 3 and 3.9 miles: 7.05d/mile

Above 4 miles: 6.52d/mile

Lastly, I wished to look at whether the cost per mile of journeys was affected by the direction of travel, for example South East, North, etc. The results shown in the table clearly suggest that they were not.

With exception of cabs going to the South and South West of London, for each of the directions of travel the range in the cost of journeys was large. This suggests that price structure above was applied across London. This is confirmed by looking at the average cost per mile for the journeys in each direction. The highest average cost per mile was found on journeys to the North and West of London (8.16d). Whereas, those cabs going to the South and South West of London cost the least per mile (7.32d).  However, this latter result may have been affected by the small sample size. Therefore, given the difference between the highest and lowest average cost per mile was small, only 0.84d, and because the lowest average cost per mile was because of a limited sample size, it again confirms that the fare structure was the same for journeys going in every direction.

Overall, I can say that unless passengers were lucky enough to travel to a place for which the fare was especially good value for money, cab rates from Waterloo were standardised based on the distance of the journey. Furthermore, the direction passengers travelled did not affect how much they paid for conveyance. The only variable in the cab fares was that those going further were paying less per mile for their travel.

Lastly, as this is a railway blog, I thought I would end with a minute from the London and South Western Railway’s Traffic Committee that amused me. On the 10 November 1886 it recorded:

‘The General Manager recommended that W.C. Accommodation be provided in the above arch [at Waterloo] for the use of the cabmen at a cost of about £45.’[1]

                                                                Approved

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[1] The National Archives, RAIL 411/255, Traffic Committee Minute Book, Minute No. 1091, 10 November 1886

Million Dollar Neighborhood

OWN Network - Million Dollar Neighborhood - Jared Dreyer and Team saves clients thousands on their mortgages.
Jared Dreyer Vancouver mortgage broker was thrilled to participate in the OWN network Million Dollar Neighborhood challenge. Taking a community and working to save them a million dollars. "Saving clients money on their mortgage is what we do day in and day out" says Jared Dreyer, Vancouver Mortgage Broker who saved clients thousands on their mortgages. Participating in the show with other financial planners, bankers and other professionals, everyone worked together to help this neighborhood save money. The goal was one million dollars in total. "It was a great experience" comments Jared, "I am looking forward to finding out the total savings". To find out how much you can save on your mortgage, call us at 1-800-687-9020, we're here to help you get your best rate mortgage.

Mortgage Update and Hot Dogs

Good Day,

We are now 3 weeks into 2012 and continue to get inundated with predictions and commentary from everyone on what course this year is going to take. Since the financial meltdown of 2008 and the close to collapse of the world’s financial system, we have seen new shifts in the world at an unprecedented pace. With this continued economic turmoil I thought it timely to share with you again one of my very favourite stories. It truly is amazing how our attitude determines our outcome. And while we can all have opinions, no one knows the ultimate direction. I personally feel it is up to each one of us to use our intellectual capital and belief in ourselves to create the best year in 2012 and let the rest of the events fall where they may.

Please see below for my Economic Update and my favourite story… How's Your Hot Dog Business Doing these Days?

I wish you a productive and successful January.

Economic Update

As expected the Bank of Canada announced this morning that the Bank Prime lending rate will remain unchanged at 3%. This continues to keep us in the lowest fixed interest rate environment in Canadian history. Looking back over the last 25 years, its amazing to see the continued decline in mortgage rates making home ownership in this country a reality for so many more people. In 1991 for example, the average 5 year fixed rate mortgage was 11.16%, in 2007 we dropped to an average of 6%, and now we continue to enjoy a 5-year fixed rate mortgage average of 3.19-3.5%. With stable low unemployment rates and incredibly low mortgage rates, I predict we will continue to see stability, affordability and growth…. At least in my business! (tongue and cheek, this leads into my story…)
How's your business doing these days?
"A man sold hot dogs at the side of the road. He was proud of his hot dogs and made a good deal of money selling his hot dogs. Every day, he would put out his signs, go out and yell from his hot dog stand, "Come and get your hot dogs! The best hot dogs in town!" And people came from all over to eat his hot dogs. He would have lines of people all day long. He loved selling hot dogs and believed they were delicious, fresh, and the best. He talked to his patrons and was grateful for them. And they loved this man.

Anyway, the man saved enough money to send his son to college and one day, the son came home and asked his dad what he was doing during the day. The man said that he was still selling hot dogs and business was booming. The son looked at him and said, "Daddy, what's the matter with you? Don't you know we're in a recession? No one is going to buy hot dogs. I can’t believe you're wasting your time and money trying to sell hot dogs. You need to cut your losses and close that stand."

Well, the man believed his son; after all his son was educated, in college, and certainly knew more than he. The man became a bit despondent, but did not want to close his hot dog stand because people came to him every day. They depended on him for their hot dogs. He continued to go to his hot dog stand, but he no longer put out his signs nor yelled about his great hot dogs; he did not talk and laugh with his patrons as much. "We're in a recession," he thought, "What is there to laugh about?" Little by little, the patrons stopped coming and the man sold fewer and fewer hot dogs. Then no one came and he had to close his hot dog stand. He said, "Well, my son was right."

Attitude is often times more important than fact. The man did not know that the country was in a recession and, therefore, continued to behave in a way which generated a profitable business. Once his attitude changed; his behaviour changed and then his business changed.

If you know of anyone that would like to talk with me regarding the current rate changes please feel free to pass along my number, I'm here to help.

Your Friend in the Mortgage Business,

Jared Dreyer, AMP
Mortgage Professional
604 649-5991
www.dreyergroup.ca
jared@dreyergroup.ca


________________________________________
About Dreyer Group Smiles

Dreyer Group Smiles is a program dedicated to giving to facilities that provide safe and transitional housing to children and youth in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. By providing funds to these programs, Dreyer Group will make a meaningful difference to kids who otherwise may not have a roof over their heads, or hope for a bright future.
Dreyer Group hopes to expand this effort through their clients and business partners. In addition, they plan to raise additional funds through annual events and corporate fundraising initiatives. Dreyer Group is working closely with the Salvation Army to allocate these funds to the children and shelters.


About Dreyer Group Mortgages, A Member of the VERICO Brokers Network

As a senior mortgage consulting team with extensive experience in the financial services industry and thousands of happy clients throughout the Lower Mainland, we understand what it takes to build long-term relationships through service and expertise. As an independent brokerage, we are not restricted to one financial institutions mortgage options. We provide the best range of financing solutions by accessing over 40 lenders and hundreds of products coast-to-coast.

Each VERICO member is an independently owned and operated business.
Copywrite © 2008

From Railway Clerk to Railway Manager - Changes in the Route to Management 1840-1910

One of the questions that I ask in my PhD is how exactly did people get promoted into managerial positions within the London and South Western Railway’s (L&SWR) Traffic Department? This is important, as understanding who was making policy within the company allows me to better appreciate the factors behind the decisions the company made.

 

The vast majority of the company’s senior Traffic Department managers, which included Superintendents of the Line, Traffic Managers, District Superintendents, District Goods Superintendents and Wagon Masters, originated from the company’s primary labour market (PLM). This labour market consisted of the clerical staff and included office lads, junior clerks, telegraph clerks, clerks, station masters, chief clerks, inspectors, goods canvassers and goods agents. A ‘rough’ promotional tree in the department is shown. Furthermore, only a few of the department’s managers came from external sources or the secondary labour market (which encompassed all non-clerical posts).

Therefore, future manager’s careers was largely determined by the position they started in. Research on the position in which L&SWR’s Traffic Department managers started their railway careers is shown in the table below and the data is presented by the decade in which they joined the company.

Overall, only three of the seventy railway managers sampled started their careers on the secondary labour market (4.28%), two beginning as porters and one as a ticket inspector. Indeed, those who began their employment in clerical positions dominated.

However, one feature of the table that should be noted is that the proportion of future managers who started their L&SWR careers in positions higher in the hierarchy, for example clerk or chief clerk, diminished over the period. The proportion in the 1830s and 40s was 57.1%, while in the 1850s it was 83.3%. However, as the criteria to become a clerk became stricter, being increasingly restricted to school-leavers, these proportions declined, and only 40% of future managers joined the company in senior clerical positions in the 1860s. Therefore, by the1870s no future managers started in any position in the hierarchy above ‘Junior Clerk’, ‘Lad’ or ‘Messenger.’

The result of the policy of increasing restricting entrance into the PLM to school leavers was that as the railway industry matured the age most managers joined the company also declined through the decades. The table below shows the ages that seventy-one Traffic Department managers started their careers between 1850 and 1900. The data is sorted by the decade in which they joined the company.  

The future managers who had begun their L&SWR careers in the 1830s and 40s had a wide range of ages, with 46.7% joining the company when they were beyond their teenage years. But, because of the changes outlined above, the proportion joining above twenty years old diminished. In the 1850s it was 38.4% and in the 1860s 21.0%. Thereafter, all those who became middle or senior traffic managers on the L&SWR were in their teens when they joined the company.

The effect of these changes was that as the decades progressed, the length of time it took individuals to become middle or senior managers grew longer. The table below shows the average number of years that it took the managers to reach their first middle or senior management post. The data is collated according to the decade in which they reached that point.

While in some decades the sample sizes are small, and this would have affected the figures, there was a clear change in the 1880s. In the very early years of the L&SWR new middle or senior managers had on average only served the company for a short time.  While in the 1850s, 60s and 70s, individuals who were appointed to managerial posts had been employed for an average of between twelve and sixteen years. However, thereafter, all new middle or senior managers had been with the company above an average of twenty-five years.

Therefore, what the three sets of suggest is that there is a change in the starting position, starting age and length of career of new middle and senior managers around 1880. Before then managers could have begun their careers in fairly senior positions, above the age of twenty and would have gone into management after a short space of time. However, thereafter, new middle and senior managers had started their railway careers in their teens, usually in the position of junior clerk or lad, and had worked their way through the ranks of the company.

Therefore, the evidence shows that in the company’s early years, large numbers of people were appointed to more senior posts in the PLM, such as Clerk, Station Agent or Chief Clerk. This reflected the emergent nature of the industry and the fact that trained railway professionals were in short supply. Yet, as the company matured there were increasingly enough people being promoted up the hierarchy from below to fill any vacancies that appeared. Consequently, fewer people were appointed directly into higher positions. Consequently, after the 1870s the, only way to enter the company’s PLM, and have the chance of rising into management, was to join it out of school at the lowest point on the promotional ladder.

All data from company staff records, and the L&SWR’s Staff Magazine, ‘The South Western Gazette.’

Explosions, Crime and Rewards - Stories From The Victorian Station Waiting Room

The waiting room was an early feature of British railway stations. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830 and was the world’s first inter-city railway, built waiting rooms at its two termini. Nevertheless, at the stopping places in between they were not present and other early railways also placed little importance on providing waiting room accommodation.[1] Francis Wishaw, who surveyed all the railways in Britain being planned or under construction in 1842, rarely mentioned them.[2]

However, as the time passed they were gradually introduced. Indeed, larger stations started being equipped with separate waiting rooms for men and women and the different classes of passenger. Liverpool Lime Street Station in 1836 had five waiting rooms for first and second class men and women, and one simply designated a ‘ladies’ waiting room.’ Five was also the number at Edinburgh Princes Street in 1896, where the fifth room was simply a ‘general waiting room.’ Most small stations could not be said to have such commodious facilities, most only possessing ‘first class ladies’ and ‘general’ waiting rooms. Inside them there was usually a fire and seating, which if you were lucky was upholstered.[3] Indeed, waiting rooms were were variable in quality and a common cause of complaint. In 1867 a passenger travelling from the London and North Western Railway’s (L&NWR) Huyton Quarry Station stated that the waiting room was unpainted, a ‘fusty’ odour hung in the air and in the winter months the room’s ‘occupants are ingeniously roasted by the fire on one side and exposed on the other to cold blasts.’[4] Nevertheless, the facilities for passengers in country stations were usually better in quality, tended to as they were by dedicated staff.[5]

While the history of waiting rooms’ themselves in the Victorian period is essentially uninteresting, they were places where people met and from which stories emerged. Therefore, a bit of a dig in nineteenth century newspapers has revealed some interesting stories.

Clearly, exploding waiting rooms were a problem given the gas lighting. On the morning of Monday 14 October 1869 at Newton Abbot Station a gas leak occurred in the waiting room. On discovering the leak a Mr Hemmett, the station’s inspector, went looking for it and did this by ill-advisedly lighting a lamp. Unsurprisingly, the gas that had collected in the ceiling exploded, causing Hemmett some injury.[6] A similar event occurred at 5 O’clock on Sunday 2 November 1873 at Kew Gardens Station. On the up side of the station the porter had lit the lamps in the station’s two waiting rooms. Evidently this was done poorly and gas started to accumulate in both. Thus, when another porter began lighting the external lamps this caused an explosion which blew out the rooms’ windows and doors and destroyed the ceilings. A booking clerk and several passengers narrowly escaped injury or death, with the damage coming to around £200.[7]

While possible death by explosion was clearly a risk, the waiting room could also be the site of crimes. On the 23 January 1871 at Shanklin Station on the Isle of Wight, Charles Colenutt was found sleeping in a chair. The station master, James V. Sully, led him out with the assistance of a porter. Yet, Colenutt returned ‘two or three times,’ and on the last struck Sully’s hat with his fist ‘rendering it unfit for further wear.’ At the Hampshire Petty Sessions on the 5 February, Colenutt was fined thirty shillings for the assault, fifteen shillings costs and ten shillings damages.[8] Clearly, for Colenutt the waiting room was a warm place to sleep the day away.

However, sleeping in a waiting room was not a cause of crime in the case of Alexander Thompson who ‘dropped off’ in the Chesterfield station waiting room on 1 August 1896. On that day, while Thompson was asleep there, Linther and Walter Hall entered the waiting room and stole his pocket watch which was worth £15. On rising from his slumber, the victim became aware that his watch chain was hanging down with nothing on its end. A search was conducted and the watch was found nearby. The blame was quickly placed on the Halls, who were arrested shortly after. At the trial, Walter blamed Linther, saying that the former had told him of the crime while in the “House of Correction.” Yet, Linther argued that Walter was trying to save himself, then launched into ‘a torrent of invectives’ against his brother and lastly claimed that Walter had asked for a pardon from the prison Chaplin. Both were found guilty and they imprisoned for four months with hard labour.[9]

With so many people coming and going from waiting rooms, it is unsurprising that incivility also occurred. One passenger in September 1865 complained bitterly about the ‘female official in charge’ of the Ladies Waiting Room at Newcastle Central Station. She described how a lady ‘who held a first class ticket’ for a journey north arrived at the station early and proceeded to the waiting room where she placed her basket on the long side table. The attendant quickly pronounced that “the company don’t like such things placed there.” Having used the table for its purpose, the passenger ignored the comment. Yet, she quickly received another shortly after; “You must take it off the table the company don’t like things there.” The passenger, somewhat confused, asked what the purpose of the table was if it was not for putting things on. The attendant carried on with her work while mumbling and the traveller put the basket on her knees to end the ‘annoying conduct’. The same attendant also accosted two women who entered the waiting room when their train was late. Once they had passed through the doors, she placed herself in front of them stating that “This room is for no one but those going by train.” On the women informing her that their train was late, the attendant’s response was that “People should enquire whether trains were late before coming – the company did not like persons sitting there.” She attendent then proceeded to pace about, muttering. Lastly, another passenger went into the waiting room’s inner room for a little water. The attendant followed her and rudely stated that those who wished to have a drink usually went to the refreshment room.[10 – see below for some thoughts on this case.]

However, waiting rooms were not just used for waiting for trains. In the Gateshead Station Waiting Room on the 2 October 1887 the local Railway Servants Temperance Union held a meeting at which Mrs J.J. Gurney gave an address. [11] In 1878 at the Kew Gardens Station waiting room, which I presume had been repaired by then, the life of a sick animal was ended. On the 7 October a ‘large black retriever dog in a state madness took possession of the ladies waiting room.’ The station master contacted the Metropolitan Police and very soon police constable No.302, John Smith, arrived with a gun. Nothing more could be done than to shoot the poor animal.[12] Furthermore, like today, passengers also left things in waiting rooms. In May 1869 a resident of Richmond (Surrey) offered a reward of five shillings for a ‘large bundle of MS. Pamphlets, Plays, &c’ with paper which was ‘stamped with a coronet’, which had been left in the station waiting room. [13]

I have only mentioned a few events, amongst millions, that occurred in Victorian station waiting rooms. Indeed, what are missing are descriptions of the more mundane meetings between Victorians as they went about their daily lives. However, I will leave you with the following article from an 1894 edition of Hearth and Home, which describes, through the life of a waiting room mirror, the coming and going of passengers.[14]

SPECIAL NOTICE

I will be doing a talk on 17 January at 6.30 pm at Kew Public Library on Victorian Railwaywomen, looking at who they were, where they worked in the industry and their pay and status. Refreshments a provided, all for a mere £1. If you would like to attend, call the library to book a place on 020 8734 3352 (Opening Times: Tues - 10-1, 2-6; Wed 2-6; Fri 2-6; Sat 10-1, 2-6) or email kew.library@richmond.gov.uk 

------

[1] Biddle, Gordon, ‘Waiting Rooms’, The Oxford Companion to British Railway History, (Oxford, 1997), p.553

[2]Whishaw, Francis, The Railways of Great Britain and Ireland: Practically Described and Illustrated, (London, 1842), reprinted (Newton Abbot, 1969)

[3] Biddle, ‘Waiting Rooms’, The Oxford Companion to British Railway History, p.553

[4] Liverpool Mercury, Thursday, 21 November 21, 1867

[5] Biddle, ‘Waiting Rooms’, The Oxford Companion to British Railway History, p.553

[6] Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser, Wednesday, 14 October 1863

[7] The Pall Mall Gazette, Monday, 3 November 1873

[8] Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc, Wednesday, 8 February 1871

[9] The Derby Mercury, Wednesday, 28 October 1896

[10] The Newcastle Courant etc, Friday, 8 September 1865 – NOTE: On reflection I believe that the attendant at Newcastle was probably suffering from what now would be recognised as mental health problems. Indeed, given that the woman was probably a widow of a railwayman who had been killed in the course of his work and was probably living in poverty with dependents, these factors may have had an effect. The sad thing is that a letter such as this would probably have ended her employment, pushing her into even more hardship. Indeed, I have recounted a similar case HERE which ended up with in attendant going onto the workhouse.

[11] The British Women's Temperance Journal, 1 December 1887 p.134, Issue 60 and 12

[12] The Sporting Gazette, 12 October 1878, p.973

[13] Judy, Wednesday, 19 May 1869 p.38

[14] Hearth and Home, Thursday, 8 November 1894, p.923

My 5 Minute Business Plan

Happy New Year!
2012 is Going to be a Great One!!

For your reading enjoyment - or maybe not (don't want to be presumptuous), below is my brief economic summary, a quick 2012 business planning technique that I use and top New Years Resolutions and how to keep them. Wishing you and your family all the very best in 2012. If you know anyone that needs financing advice, please do not hesitate to call - we sure appreciate the introduction!


My 5-Minute Business Plan

If you have 5 minutes, grab a piece of paper and give this a try. Of course it is very simplified but a great quick snap shot of where your business has been and where you want it to go:

1. Draw a circle on a piece of paper and write 2011 on the top.

2. Section up the circle by % of where you generated your business from in 2011 i.e. 65% past customers, 20% referral sources, 2% web etc. Till you get to 100% of course.

3. Now, draw another circle under it with the title 2012. Segment out your pie based on where you would like your business percentages to be. Add in new sources of business as percentages if you are planning on deriving income from new markets in 2012.

4. Compare pie 1 to pie 2. It will become quickly clear where you need to spend your time, dollars and efforts.

Things to Consider:

Looking at your numbers in 2011, if you put down 65% of your business from past customers, did you spend 65% of your marketing dollars and time on this segment. Each segment should be proportionate to the percentage. This is only broken of course if you are trying to grow in one area then your time and dollars will increase.

Finally, for 2012 take your marketing budget for the year ( as an example $15,00.00) and divide it up by percentage of business sectors in your pie. It makes it really easy for budgeting. Of course then all my other activities are scheduled to support this plan.

I'm all about sharing. If you have a great business plan template you use, I would love to see it. If you would like to see a copy of mine, I like to keep things simple - it’s only 8 pages - send me an email and I’ll fire it off.

With economists leaning more on the Bear than Bull side these days, we need to keep all the press in perspective and consider the facts:

Canada continues to be one of the strongest G7 countries.


The Bank of Canada has been fiscally managing Canada's recovery interest rates predicted to maintain low until into 2013.


Pockets of the country are doing really well, while others are struggling more. Here in BC, pockets of housing areas are booming and consumer debt is lower than the national average.


Employment is lower with more predominant companies moving into BC and stimulating jobs.


While the Canadian dollar is predicted to weaken in the first half of 2012, it is expected to make a rebound by the end of the year. No matter how wonderful we are at home though, our dollar is at the mercy of global financial markets and commodity prices.


Western provinces are in strongest fiscal shape with brisk migration and immigration.

Economists are calling for inflation to be slowed (currently at 3% and moving downward to 2%) as a result of stable oil prices and lower overall food prices.

Top New Years Resolutions and How to Keep Them

What is it about a new year that makes us all want to change? Most of us have every intention of making a fresh start once December ends, but as soon as that first temptation comes along, our determination is really tested. In fact, less than 25% of people who make resolutions end up following through. Here are the top resolutions and ideas to help you sick with it….

Lose weight: Gym memberships see a jump as high as 25% in January with the New Year’s surge in motivation, but as many as 60% of new members stop using the gym after a few months. Since many gyms crank up their prices in January, make sure you’re serious about your weight loss before paying through the nose. To be successful with this resolution, experts suggest coming up with a concrete plan, like committing to exercise three times a week and eat smaller portions, and breaking your goal into smaller achievements that you will accomplish throughout the year.

Paying off debt and saving money: Changing your money habits can be as tough or tougher than going on a diet because it can affect all areas of your life. People often cave on their resolutions after they realize that it can mean anything from cutting back on Starbucks to moving to a more affordable home. One way to make sure your financial promise sticks is to set up contributions directly to a savings account so the funds are automatically separated from your spending money and you don’t even have a chance to talk yourself into that extra pair of shoes or dinner out.

Quit smoking: The health benefits of throwing out your tobacco are obvious and enormous, but nicotine has a way of hooking people. There are ways, though, to give yourself the best chances, including weaning yourself off cigarettes by using a substitute like a patch or gum. Some studies show that people are 25% more likely to stay smoke-free if they give themselves a penalty for not following through, like having to pay a certain amount of money to someone. So go ahead and bet your brother $1,000 that you can quit smoking. It might just help you succeed.

Get organized: While it’s a great idea to get your affairs in order, it’s normally not as easy as it sounds. When people look at the daunting task in front of them, they often just give up. Instead, if you really want to organize your house and life, you should break up the issue into smaller, easy-to-handle tasks and give yourself short deadlines for each one. This will make you more likely to follow through, and if you end up quitting halfway through the year, at least you’ll have accomplished something!

Find a new job: At the beginning of 2011, an insanely large percentage (84%) of people resolved to find a new job within the year. Some were unsatisfied with their positions and lack of promotion opportunities; others felt like they weren’t being paid enough and wouldn’t likely get a raise any time soon. If you find yourself stuck in a job you hate and can’t seem to find your next position, think about what you really want from a new job. If it’s money, consider freelancing on the side or rethink your money habits until you find your next move. If you’re looking for more creative freedom, find a hobby or a project that can keep you fulfilled until you land a new job.

Volunteer: Volunteering your time to help others in need seems like a good idea while you’re still feeling warm and fuzzy from the Christmas spirit. Well, it is a good idea, but it’s not one that’s commonly followed through on. With most of the other resolutions, there’s a goal that you’ll hopefully reach in the end after you’ve dedicated your time to it. Volunteering begins to slip down your priority list since you don’t see any real benefits, and when you find out that many organizations require paperwork and training before you can do your good deeds, you might just give up. For the best chances, volunteer with a group you’re already part of, like your church or kid’s school.

Drink less: Drinking less probably weighs heavy on your pounding mind right after your rocking New Year’s parties, but many people forget about their cruel hangovers as soon as the next party invite comes along. It can be easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had once you start throwing them back, making it almost impossible to consume less. The solution to keeping this resolution comes before you set foot in a bar or party. Figure out exactly why you want to drink less so you can remind yourself of it throughout the night and before you go out, set a limit to how many drinks you’re going to have and don’t stray from it. If possible, have someone with you who will keep you accountable or you could just volunteer to be the designated driver.

Fall in love: Falling in love takes two people who can meet each other’s needs and are ready for a committed relationship, and there really aren’t any shortcuts to finding it. If your goal is to find someone this year, the only thing you can really do is to become the best version of yourself you can and put yourself out there. Figure out exactly what you want out of a relationship and work on becoming a more patient, kind individual — the kind of person you would want to date. Then start moving outside of your comfort zone to meet new people and be brave when making your move

Continued Success in 2012!

Jared Dreyer, AMP
Mortgage Professional
604 649-5991
www.dreyergroup.ca
jared@dreyergroup.ca


________________________________________
About Dreyer Group Smiles

Dreyer Group Smiles is a program dedicated to giving to facilities that provide safe and transitional housing to children and youth in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. By providing funds to these programs, Dreyer Group will make a meaningful difference to kids who otherwise may not have a roof over their heads, or hope for a bright future.
Dreyer Group hopes to expand this effort through their clients and business partners. In addition, they plan to raise additional funds through annual events and corporate fundraising initiatives. Dreyer Group is working closely with the Salvation Army to allocate these funds to the children and shelters.


About Dreyer Group Mortgages, A Member of the VERICO Brokers Network

As a senior mortgage consulting team with extensive experience in the financial services industry and thousands of happy clients throughout the Lower Mainland, we understand what it takes to build long-term relationships through service and expertise. As an independent brokerage, we are not restricted to one financial institutions mortgage options. We provide the best range of financing solutions by accessing over 40 lenders and hundreds of products coast-to-coast.

Each VERICO member is an independently owned and operated business.
Copywrite © 2008



Slow Dance

This poem was written by a terminally ill young girl in a New York Hospital. Something to ponder as we go into 2012



SLOW DANCE


Have you ever
watched kids
On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to
The rain slapping on the ground?


Ever followed a
butterfly's erratic flight?


Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?


When you ask How are you?


Do you hear the reply?


When the day is done
Do you lie in your
bed With the next hundred chores

Running through
your head?


You'd better slow down


Don't dance so fast.


Time is short.


The music won't
last.


Ever told your child,


We'll do it tomorrow?


And in your
haste,


Not see his sorrow?


Ever lost touch,

Let a good
friendship die


Cause you
never had time


To call and say,'Hi'


You'd better slow down.


Don't dance so fast.


Time is short


The music won't
last..


Life is not a race.


Do take it slower


Hear the music


Before the song is
over.




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Dreyer Group Mortgages Voted BEST MORTGAGE BROKER 2010, Surrey, North Delta, White Rock, South Surrey by NOW Newspaper Readers. Many thanks to our valued clients and partners for voting for us!


Dreyer Group Smiles
When you do business with Dreyer Group, a portion of every mortgage funded goes towards providing safe housing for children and youth. Thank you for your support.




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The 10 Most-Broken New Year's Resolutions

Let's work on keeping our promises to yourself.

.January 3, 2012Connect: The 10 Most-Broken New Year’s Resolutions

By The E-Advisor Blog

What is it about a new year that makes us all want to change? Most of us have every intention of making a fresh start once December ends, but as soon as that first temptation comes along, our determination is really tested. Less than 25% of people who make resolutions end up following through with them, and it’s no surprise that the ones that are broken the most frequently are the ones that we make the most often. You’ve probably found these promises on your list sometime in your life, but how many times have you actually kept them.

1.Lose weight: With the pressure of holiday turkey and candy pushing our stomachs over the top of our pants, weight loss is at the front of our minds going into the new year. With the eating season over, it seems like the perfect time to start a diet or work out to shed the pounds. Gym memberships see a jump as high as 25% in January with the New Year’s surge in motivation, but as many as 60% of new members stop using the gym after a few months. Since many gyms crank up their prices in January, make sure you’re serious about your weight loss before paying through the nose. To be successful with this resolution, experts suggest coming up with a concrete plan, like committing to exercise three times a week and eat smaller portions, and breaking your goal into smaller achievements that you will accomplish throughout the year.

2.Paying off debt and saving money: Of course, in this economy, buying a ton of Christmas presents and traveling all over the country for the holidays has most people feeling pretty poor by the time January rolls around. In 2011, 43% of Americans were making financially motivated resolutions, like paying off credit cards or making an emergency fund. Changing your money habits, though, can be as tough or tougher than going on a diet because it can affect all areas of your life. People often cave on their resolutions after they realize that it can mean anything from cutting back on Starbucks to moving to a more affordable home. One way to make sure your financial promise sticks is to set up contributions directly to a savings account so the funds are automatically separated from your spending money and you don’t even have a chance to talk yourself into that extra pair of shoes or dinner out.

3.Quit smoking: The CDC says that 43% of smokers tried to quit in 2008, the most recent data year. It’s safe to say many of these smokers made it their New Year’s resolution to kick the habit for good. Statistically, though, only about 10% of those who try to quit smoking are successful in the long run. The health benefits of throwing out your tobacco are obvious and enormous, but nicotine has a way of hooking people. There are ways, though, to give yourself the best chances, including weaning yourself off cigarettes by using a substitute like a patch or gum. Some studies show that people are 25% more likely to stay smoke-free if they give themselves a penalty for not following through, like having to pay a certain amount of money to someone. So go ahead and bet your brother $1,000 that you can quit smoking. It might just help you succeed.

4.Get organized: Do you throw everything into your closet or under your bed when guests come over? Can you remember the last time you went through your junk drawer? Do you have to retrace your steps multiple times every day to figure out where you left something? You sound like the kind of person who has made this resolution year after year. While it’s a great idea to get your affairs in order, it’s normally not as easy as it sounds. When people look at the daunting task in front of them, they often just give up. Instead, if you really want to organize your house and life, you should break up the issue into smaller, easy-to-handle tasks and give yourself short deadlines for each one. This will make you more likely to follow through, and if you end up quitting halfway through the year, at least you’ll have accomplished something!

5.Find a new job: At the beginning of 2011, an insanely large percentage (84%) of people resolved to find a new job within the year. Some were unsatisfied with their positions and lack of promotion opportunities; others felt like they weren’t being paid enough and wouldn’t likely get a raise any time soon. The problem with this resolution is that there just aren’t enough jobs to be had for more than 3/4 of the U.S. workforce to switch to a new one. Searching for a new job in a slow economy can be incredibly frustrating, so it’s no wonder most people couldn’t keep this promise to themselves. If you find yourself stuck in a job you hate and can’t seem to find your next position, think about what you really want from a new job. If it’s money, consider freelancing on the side or rethink your money habits until you find your next move. If you’re looking for more creative freedom, find a hobby or a project that can keep you fulfilled until you land a new job.

6.Spend more time with family: When you’ve had a nice time with your extended family, you might think you’d like to see them more throughout the rest of the year. If you’ve been bogged down at work, you might also like to spend more quality time with your spouse and kids. It’s all nice in theory, but it’s harder to pull off than you probably anticipate. When family members live far away, you have to coordinate work schedules, use vacation days, and pay for flights to get together. Also, heavy work loads don’t often slow down when you want them to. If you want to keep this resolution, you should start planning now. Flights are cheaper and vacation days are easier to get off when you schedule them months ahead. For quality time at home with your family, start having weekly game or date nights or reserve a small amount of time each day to go outside and play with the kids.

7.Learn something new: This common resolution is so ambiguous, it’s hard to see it through. You probably have something in mind when you tell yourself on New Year’s Day that this is the year that you expand your horizons, but you also need to have an idea of how you’re going to accomplish this goal going into it. You’ve probably already mastered the skills you actually need in life, so you’re going to have to put effort into the more obscure ones. If you want to learn a language, you realistically need to join a class or group so you can practice speaking and listening to it. If you want to learn to woodwork, you’ll have to buy all the equipment and learn how to use it safely. It’s easy to see how learning one new thing can quickly become overwhelming. Some travel sites suggest making a vacation out of the learning experience and take a trip to a place where you can devote a week or two to the skill while still having fun.

8.Volunteer: Volunteering your time to help others in need seems like a good idea while you’re still feeling warm and fuzzy from the Christmas spirit. Well, it is a good idea, but it’s not one that’s commonly followed through on. With most of the other resolutions, there’s a goal that you’ll hopefully reach in the end after you’ve dedicated your time to it. Volunteering begins to slip down your priority list since you don’t see any real benefits, and when you find out that many organizations require paperwork and training before you can do your good deeds, you might just give up. For the best chances, volunteer with a group you’re already part of, like your church or kid’s school.

9.Drink less: Drinking less probably weighs heavy on your pounding mind right after your rocking New Year’s parties, but many people forget about their cruel hangovers as soon as the next party invite comes along. It can be easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had once you start throwing them back, making it almost impossible to consume less. The solution to keeping this resolution comes before you set foot in a bar or party. Figure out exactly why you want to drink less so you can remind yourself of it throughout the night and before you go out, set a limit to how many drinks you’re going to have and don’t stray from it. If possible, have someone with you who will keep you accountable or you could just volunteer to be the designated driver.

10.Fall in love: It’s probably obvious why this is a terrible New Year’s resolution. If you’re single, it’s not because you’ve never vowed to fall in love before, like it’s that easy to just promise yourself you’ll find “the one” in the next 12 months. Falling in love takes two people who can meet each other’s needs and are ready for a committed relationship, and there really aren’t any shortcuts to finding it. If your goal is to find someone this year, the only thing you can really do is to become the best version of yourself you can and put yourself out there. Figure out exactly what you want out of a relationship and work on becoming a more patient, kind individual — the kind of person you would want to date. Then start moving outside of your comfort zone to meet new people and be brave when making your move.

Clock of Time

Very timely srticle for the start of 2012. All the best this year.Jared

Clock of Time
By Napoleon Hill
The hands of the Clock of Time are moving swiftly onward! We cry out, "Backward, turn backward O Time in your flight," but Time does not heed your cries.
It is later than you think!

Arouse yourself, fellow wayfarer; awake and take possession of your own mind while you still have enough Time to become, during the yet unexpired future, that which you would have liked to have been in the past.
Make the most of your present allotment of Time, with the hope that you will not have to reincarnate in order to do the job all over again because of neglect.
You have been warned!

Now the responsibility is YOURS. There is a simple test by which you may judge whether or not you have been using your Time to best advantage. If you have attained peace of mind and material opulence sufficient for your needs, your Time has been properly used. If you have not attained these blessings, your Time has not been properly used, and you should begin now to search for the circumstances in connection with which you have fallen short.

The truly great people have no such reality as "idle time," because they keep their minds geared eternally to patterns of constructive thought. By this profound use of their Time, they develop an alert sixth sense through which they look, listen, and see from within.
If negative thoughts stray into the minds of the truly great, these thoughts are immediately transmuted into positive thoughts and exercised by positive physical action appropriate to their nature.
Tick, tick, tick - the pendulum of the Clock of Time is swinging rapidly!
The entire face of civilization is undergoing an uplifting operation.
Mr. Right and Mr. Wrong are engaged in mortal combat for supremacy. The Time has come for everyone to stand up and be counted. The use each of us makes of his individual allotment of Time will tell whose side each of us is on - Mr. Right's or Mr. Wrong's.

Something has speeded up the Clock of Time so rapidly that the last half of the twentieth century will reveal to mankind more individual opportunities for self-improvement that have been revealed during the entire past of man's existence.
Your share of these vast OPPORTUNITIES may be embraced and used only by the way you relate yourself to TIME!
Source: You Can Work Your Own Miracles. Fawcett Columbine Book. 1971.

Looking forward to 2012 with Turniprail (and a thanks to all)

I thought that I would use this first post of the year to lay out some personal goals for the blog, my research and myself over the coming twelve months. I really hope that all come true, but I doubt it.

PhD: I am actually in the last stretch of my PhD and I have to submit the thing by October. However, my academic task in the next few months is to take the eight chapters I have crafted over the last five and a quarter years and turn them into a coherent piece of work that can be submitted in draft form to my supervisor.  Theoretically, this should be easy, as in my head my thesis, which is on the management of the London and South Western Railway between 1870 and 1910, is pretty complete. The reality is that a lot of work needs to be done, especially to brush up on a bit of background reading. But I’ll get there, I have no doubt.

Blog: I have to warn you, given that these are the last ten months of my PhD, my blog may suffer due to a diminished number of updates. Already, the frequency of my posts has dropped to one a week and it is quite possible that as October nears I may need to reduce this further.

This said, I am committed to the blog and will hope to do some original research for it at points (naturally I may gush forth after October with a plethora of posts because of the freedom I will have). More importantly though, while I have made some wonderful friends through it, and hope to make more, it entertains many who read it and also helps my ultimate career goals (see below).

I don’t think the topics of my posts will change much. I am still interested in railway management, even though I may be sick to death of it by October. My continuing interest in Railwaywomen will feature, not just because I have already written a post on this topic for the future, but because I find it a fascinating area to study with new revelations coming forth every time do more work on the subject. I will also want to look at a bit more at the railways before 1870, as this area of railway history has received little investigation. Ultimately, however, all of Victorian railway history is still fair game for blogging about, and I hope to choose varied and interesting subjects to post on throughout the year.

Work:  As I have mentioned elsewhere, I work in a public library part-time to fund my PhD. Unfortunately, like all who work in libraries, I possibly may loose my job by March. Therefore, it should not surprise anyone that one of my hopes for 2012 is that this doesn't happen. Yet, given this has been a possibility for some while, and to avoid not having the finance to fund my PhD, I have already paid off my university fees.

Nevertheless, one interesting thought has crossed my mind. If I am made redundant I’ll be able to finish my PhD early given the free time. Clearly that would not be in any way ideal, firstly, because this is not the way I hoped my career would progress (see below), but also because I genuinely love helping people at the library.

Career: I suppose I had it in my head that in this year my career would begin – whatever would be. I’ve had two main ideas since my PhD commenced; the first to be academic, the second to be a journalist and freelance writer. The former is an option. However throughout my PhD I have not done any teaching (and therefore have had time to write the blog). I would be very willing to teach if it was to lead me to better things, but I have never been over-keen on the idea. I dunno, maybe I’d love it when I get there. Furthermore, I have always considered that there may be an opportunity to get an research grant to do a project, perhaps on the early railways, so I may look into that as an option.

However, I think I am more interested in becoming the journalist and freelance writer (while keeping firmly in touch with academic developments). Firstly, given the cuts, I am not sure that positions in the academic world will be flowing as easily as they did in years past, especially for an early career historian. But secondly, I so enjoy writing my blog and would love to do something similar for some money (don’t worry, I love writing my blog so much that that will always remain). Originally, before the crisis hit, my idea was that I was going to keep the part time job in the library while building up my profile as a writer. Then, when I was getting enough regular work to sustain me, I would reconsider my position at the library. However, if I do lose my job, parts of this plan may have to be advanced. Nevertheless, whatever happens, I suspect I will be on that career road before the end of the year.

Love: I am sure I will secure the love of many new friends in 2012 whatever happens, as that is what occurred in 2011. Indeed, one of the joys of 2011 has been that I have met so many good, kind, supportive and loving people.

Indeed, I want to wish everyone a happy and productive 2012. I love writing my blog for such wonderful, supportive, generous and friendly readers and Twitter followers. I am always buoyed by your positive comments, your support for my work and your friendship. I cannot begin to thank you all enough.  You are all so lovely.

And now for some blog stats from 2011:

Most visits on one day: 24 December – 284

Lowest number of visits on one day: 22 April – 12

Week with most visits: w/b 18 December - 576

Month with the most visits: December – 1,783

Total visits: 13,201 (Average - 36.17/day)

Unique visits: 9,651 (Average – 26.44/day)

Page views: 21,399 (Average – 58.63/day)

Pages per visit: 1.62

Average time on the site: 1 minute 13 seconds