Archive for July, 2009

Poirot digs for the mole

Poirot, he notes that on the webbsofleverington website the question it is asked “Who is the mole behind the newsinsider website. This is indeed a puzzle which will stretch the little grey cells but already they are working. The mole he is …. perhaps two people …. perhaps more. We will have to wait as the evidence, she unfolds.

Poirot, he makes no excuse for copying what it is printed on the site of Monsieur Webb, for it is here that we may find some clue to the identity of the mole.

June 16th 2009
PHONE CALL received JUNE 16TH (715 am)
.
Webbo my old chum, where did you hear of news insider?
We haven’t started using it yet, but we will and god help those that don’t play ball!

What makes you think it’s a newsagent who has opened a new website?
You may be right, but you certainly could be wrong!.

We intend to tell the truth where certain publications are made to tow the party line,
look at RN this week, accurate reporting, didn’t do them any favours!

No Webbo, I’m not a newsagent, BUT I sure know what goes on,

On behalf of everyone within the trade your efforts are much appreciated for the ordinary
Newsagents, keep it up, I will be watching your site and may use your stuff!

Have a good life Webbo! And keep pulling those Inserts out!

Bye!
Who was the person?

Was it a Newsagent? Was a Publisher? Was it a Wholesaler?
Who knows,
but it certainly was NOT the NEW NFRN National President !

Monsieur Webb, he writes of the “we” but then his caller to him says “I’m not a newsagent”. Why then does Monsieur Webb seek the identity of a mole?; a little brown thing that undermines you, has teeth like the snippers, and who trips you up with la taupinière …. how do you say …. the mole-hill. This, it suggests to Poirot, is somebody on the inside of the NFRN; Mon Dieu, c’est possible, an employee of the NFRN? Poirot, he does not yet know.

Is it a publisher? L’homme with the longest nose, it is Monsieur Des O’Do Dah. He it is that cultivates Les Présidents like they are the species most rare. He sniffs around their private parts like the faithful dog licking his way into their confidence. He is too obvious to be the mole and in any case the mole he snips not licks.

Monsieur Webb, he discounts Monsieur Le Président Khonat but no explanation does he give. Why is this? Monsieur Webb, he knows already there is a mole and his identity it is known to him? They are the chums …. mais oui …. Monsieur Webb, it is already known to him the identity of the mole and it is not Le Président Khonat.

Monsieur Le Snipper, it is not because his command of the English – it is lacking. Mais oui, a mole he looks like …. mais oui, a mole he behaves like …. the mole that Poirot seeks …. mais non. Le Snipper, he does the deals most clandestine and his little arms they reach into every orifice of the Federation. But to Poirot, he is an insignificance.

Monsieur Le Serpent-Blanc, he is never sure what it is known to him so him it cannot be? Or could this be the bluff? Could it be that be that he plays the double agent? He puts on the charade of incompetence in order to mislead? We know he can be decisive when it is necessary but the decisions, are they right? It is not for Poirot to rake over the ashes here because it deflects him from his quest for the mole. It is sufficient that Poirot, he says that Monsieur Le Serpent-Blanc is too narrow minded to be the mole.

Monsieur Le Jagged-Edge, he also could be la taupe but he I am thinking he is la vipère, how do you say, The Viper. The snake in the grass that spreads his poison like the black adder. He that is feared by the hierarchy of the NFRN because, for his favours, he extracts the price most high. Monsieur Le Snipper, he will soon find this out and the day he met Le Jagged-Edge he will regret …. a clandestine deal too far.

Poirot, he suspects it is Monsieur Pissoir that is the mole because it is he who runs the National Executive Committee. Monsieur Webb and Monsieur Pissoir, they have kept their allegiance well hidden, behaving as enemies, waving at one another the big stick, how do you say, the Rule 34. Here is the bluff most brave. But the proof, it is lacking.

For now, Poirot, he rests the little grey cells and will return another day with the answer most profound.

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CTN World moves to late November. WHY?

The sub-Postmasters have jumped ship because they can’t afford it anymore. Thats no problem for the new Business Development Committee and their affable boss, Reggie Perrin, who’ve made a blessing out of a crisis and moved it to November 21st and 22nd suiting National President Solly Khonat in the process.  He said: “The new date in November works very well and will accommodate all those members who would have had difficulty attending the September show due to the restrictions on travelling whilst fasting in the month of Ramadan”.

The only problem that I foresee is that it is too late to order for Christmas 2009 and too early for Christmas 2010.  Fortunately I eat crispy pork anytime so long as there’s apple sauce to go with it.

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Which National Newspaper will go FIRST?

Whilst everyone has their own ways of dealing with the Country’s current “Credit Crunch”  the three main players in the News Industry face bigger problems, the main one being survival!

Publishers are bending over backwards offering money off vouchers to the consumer for regular sales of their newspaper in a time when daily sales are certainly on the decline. Publishers are still fighting each other at a cut throat rate, and the news that that News International has cut the Sun price to 20p Monday to Friday in the North of the country clearly says it all.

It was News International who caused a storm a few weeks back by withdrawing their contract with Dawson News, and newsagents were given 48 hours notice that they would be delivering their supplies direct. What was the reason for this sudden decision?

News International were concerned that Dawson’s had servere financial problems, which was not to difficult to understand why considering this wholesaler had recently suffered a major setback when a number of publishers gave their business to Smiths and Menzies. It must be also said that NI did offer Dawson’s nine areas, but the lost of other titles was causing immense concern. 

Rumour has it that Dawson’s have debts running into millions of pounds, and its quite possible that one particular situation may break the camels back and this well known National tabloid Newspaper may be the first to go from the news stands.    

Its been widely reported that the Independent is having a difficult time and it would be no surprise to the news industry if this title disappeared, its also been said the Express is struggling, but if the Dawson rumours are true then its highly possible the Daily Mirror may be beat them both to it!

The Mirror has been losing sales over the recent years but to lose this title would have a serious effect to everyone connected with the industry, which could have devastating effect to newsagents all over the country.

 

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