RootsChat.Com

Andrew ... that made me laugh! 

Regarding chasing up the census,  I think it is almost like they have gone into panic mode about it .. sending out people to people's doors only a day or two after and as you say, Groom, wasting money sending out chase up letters when the forms may very well be in the post or perhaps with them and just not processed yet. 
I hope they do get around to processing mine soon which was sent last Wednesday.  I think I will be on tenterhooks now waiting to see if I get any more visits or letters in the interim. 

Yes, you are right Boo.  It does look like there might be another fixing hole where an F seems to be.  I am no longer at the cemetery to have a closer look but thanks for spotting this. 

Scratch that idea of mine that a message might be relayed to the government via the postal process. 
I have just received a letter now in the post stating that they have noticed I have still not submitted my census yet.  I have!  Last Wednesday!
More warnings of the fine.  However, this does go on to say if I have submitted last week to ignore the letter.
Hopefully, they will notice that I have submitted the form soon and this might finally be the end of it.

I think this would be a great idea to for these servants' rooms to be accessed as part of the Heritage Opening Day events.  I would imagine this sounds well possible, if these events do go ahead again this year.  Totally agree with your idea of dropping a few pebbles to try to achieve this, Mowsehowse.

The article just seems to suggest that this hasn't been accessed for 'many years'.  I think you could well be right, Dave, judging by the old office items that this might have been as recent as the 1980s.  Perhaps whoever had access then  had no appreciation of history and didn't understand the value and importance of the maps or the quarters.

And what is that on the mantlepiece?  I think there is an old book on the left hand corner. 
I wonder if there will make reproductions of the maps soon.  I would imagine the originals will go to Tyne and Wear Archives.


 

Yes, I agree Gillyg, I would prefer that we have a choice in things.  Not everyone has the internet or apps after all.

(Recently at a local bus station a notice went up telling people to check online for revised bus timetables. Some one wrote on the notice asking what those are meant to do if they have no internet.  Fair point.  I saw a staff member tear this down after looking at the message.)

I can understand, I suppose, that they want the census information fast but I hadn't expected someone coming around only two days after the census to chase things up and a card to say they would call around again in two days if necessary and a reminder of the fine.  Perhaps, this might be meant as a helpful thing but it felt to me a bit of a Big Brother/Gestapo element to it. 
They don't appear to have been around since so I wonder if the little scanner part that has to be shown in the envelope window might send a message to the government  via the post office that the form is on its way?   Or might that be too much of a Big Brother concept?  I wouldn't be surprised though.