Tom Booth

I spoke to my accountant yesterday and hes fairly certain that aslong as you have over 12 months books submitted, your eligible, so they will tot up profits then divide by the amount of months books you have submitted. It's 100% going to wake some people up about submitting clear and accurate books, but then again if the self employed will be taxed harder in the future, it could push more people under the radar.

Relief package for the self employed is fantastic, can't say I'm thrilled about the 2 month wait (especially seeing as it seems like giving the kate tax returners 4 weeks grace has added to that period, you've had 2 months extra already!?) but its help regardless!

Seeing as were all gonna be inside for a while I decided to shave last night from a short beard to bitta Texas scruff and a moustache, may aswell try something new while nobody else is gonna see.

The whole speech was just kinda wet in my opinion, almost like Boris is just trying stay as your ol'buddy ol'pal. Which is a great tactic but given the situation we're in it's not possible to get people to do what you want and stay on side. Gotta just play the b*****d really. I'm surprised he didn't start last nights announcement with "I'm not mad, just dissapointed". I went to work for a few hours this morning but mainly to gather work to bring home. I've bought enough work to stay productive and to keep my brain occupied for atleast 5-6 weeks. As you say though, the customers are gone but the overheads remain, ok really fortunate my unit is very low cost as are the utilities. Sucks for bigger firms, my dads place was closed last night as they're non essential retail, but his higgest competitor are classed as essential as they do a bit of mechanical autoparts, which is a real kick in the dick for my dad. I do believe todays speech will bring ruther stricter measures and outline better rules for us all. I really hope so as the quicker we all down tools and sit it out the quicker its buggered off. I spoke to my polisher earlier who is strictly a metal polisher, he works on items for the food industry so is pulling that string to stay open!?

Is anyone else getting quite annoyed with Boris's announcements? He's telling us to stay at home, 1 exercise outing and 1 essential food shop, but I don't know if it's his demeanor, or just because its madlad Boris but it's almost more of a subtle suggestion rather then an order. Where does anyone think the guidelines fall on someone self employed and sees zero customers/people a day falls? Can I still go into work? I'm fortunate enough to have a garage that is now housing some of my work so I can stay at home, but given my circumstances can I go into the workshop?

Has anyone else in the midlands seen the pictures from Matlock Bath today? Absolutely crazy! Busiest I've seen it in a long time. Why did the country assume yesterday was some sort of bank holiday outing?

Small businesses are possibly eligible for a 3k loan to help out. I've heard all sorts on that though, some say its 3k, others say its 10k. Who knows! They are sending a letter to all eligible though.

Aaaaand my wifes been laid off, greeeeeaaat. 4 weeks of disrupted/failed deliveries so low stock, 3 weeks of poor buyer turn out (she works in an auction house). They were told yesterday would be the last auction before the business closes as they just have enough money to pay the vendors so want to go out whilst they're just about in the green.

I'm with @Mikee, I'm struggling to understand the lockdown mentality. I'm not saying its wrong, I just don't understand it, surely living your life with caution is how to handle this? Wash your hands more often, be more careful around populated areas and generally just be more aware. Life can't stop because of a virus, obviously we need to be more mindful towards the elderly and vulnerable, but this mass disruption is gonna cause so much harm in my eyes. I think it shows how much we distrust our neighbours and the rest of society to not be taking the precautions necessary. Futures a scary thing in my opinion if we carry on down this path.

Small businesses are f**ked unless you've got the coin to ride this out. I'm in the middle of restoring 5 jukeboxes at the minute for the upcoming shows in April, so I've probably spent close to 25k on machines, parts, chrome, amplifier work, speakers and the rest of the puzzle only to be told both shows have been postponed (read as cancelled) and the later September dates are in question dependant on what comes in the coming months. I'm fortunate that I work in a field that nobody does chrome, jukeboxes or parts on finance so if I fold I just keep this stuff till a later date, nobodys coming to take it away, but it's a huge kick in the balls to put 13 hour days in and all that money then the outlet you were gonna use is gone. It is what it is I guess, don't get me wrong health and wellbeing comes before anything and I completely understand all actions being taken, but as Ali says when .Gov is proposing people close and not dropping a nation wide closure, it sucks. Half of my dads company stock comes from Italy, his shelves currently look similar to supermarkets.

Any plywood work just gives me feelings I shouldn't feel towards wood. Picked up an old 50s Myford thicknesser/planer last night from Jenny's grandpa. It was my christmas gift from them, hes had it about 40 years. It's a nice feeling to know where it's been most of its life and itll stay with me for the long time too.

It wasnt a dig by the way, just something I've noticed A mate of mine had a turbo B18 dc2 (I think..) a few months after he found the shell was just rotten out so swapped it into a civic, couldn't tell you the chassis code. After that he got bored and shifted the shell on then dropped it into a CRX. All in that time he bought an Accord saloon, either rebuilt or swapped a K20 into that (struggle to remember what it came with). Swapped the saloon shell for an estate and just kept building. Think hes amassed about 6 or so long blocks in the mean time just to keep building and playing.

Why do Honda people just have engines then just keep buying shells to put them in

They scare the shit outta me when they bang a cage in and just stick to metro seats and 3 points.

Yeah its next level really, super happy with it! A few of us have sent it to local news and stuff and it's been picked up by local papers and stuff so thats pushed it around loads. His wifes doing like a fundraiser with loadsa gifts from local businesses.

Thanks guys, it does mean a hell of alot that you'd give to someone you've never met, nor going to meet. Theres a charity auction happening for him soon, and an evening fundraiser. A few folks are doing coast to coast bike rides and sponsored football matches etc.

Dusted the bike off for an hour in Yorkshire this afternoon on some woodland just outside Dalby forest. Missed riding so much.

Soz, we're all just proper slags round here.

Taken outta context it is, read in context it's pretty fine. Thanks guys, its massively appreciated. It's a strange feeling as the money isn't just to keep them going, its literally a lifeline for them. An Ed, nottinghamshire virgins? You'd have better luck asking for hens teeth.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/nathan-fs-cancer?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet That go fund me page is my wifes lifelong best friend and her husband, they've been through absolute hell and back for the past few years and I can't think of anyone who deserves it less. If you can dudes, a quid is amazing, a fiver is unbelievable for a man you've never met and anything more puts you in god mode in my eyes. Jenny's known Keely (Nathan's wife) since they were in primary school together, they live 30 seconds down the road from us and are just normal, hard working people that have been struck by the bullshit that is cancer. I'm pretty sure anyone reading this has been through issues with cancer, be it a friend, relative or yourself, I've dealt with it multiple times and its devastating watching your friend/family go through it and theres not much you can do other then be there. The difference is this time there is something you can do, as you might read in the story this money will fund the much needed surgery. They've funded pretty much everything they've been through already through their own pocket (that hasn't been NHS) and some of the costs have been astronomical. Please, give what you can dudes, if it means you go without a coffee or dominos tonight, you don't realise the difference you'd be making to a life. If you donate please let me know.

Some absolute f**king dweeb setting off fireworks for whatever reason tonight. When did fireworks become less about fun and more Baghdad.

I cant believe I ever used to watch the Koxxdays videos and think jesus how does Benito do that on a bike.

I'm still waiting for my letter from HMRC to let me know what I owe. Fortunately I have the info from my accountant but left to HMRC it's a case of just guess what you owe.

That was my frustration, the fact that they kinda go oh yeah I see the issue, we'll we will come and fix the issue, but you still owe the money.

I totally agree buddy, as I say your not in the wrong with it. I was exactly the same and stood my ground over £480 as its not right, I was told the same thing that once the issue is resolved I would be in credit the energy I hadn't used. Needless to say its biting me in the arse now I'm looking to move house and the last time I wanted a new phone contract.