Well that is wonderful news jane- bravo. Those Rutlanders are obviously real ruffians compared to the Geordies.
Jingl- not a single chippie, chinese or otherwise, where we saw so much dumping in lay-bys and entrance to fields- just lovely, wonderful stone and slate/thatch villages. Kent I agree is a different kettle of fish due to all the foreign lorries. Point is though, is that mentioning it does no make you anti-British- au contraire. Noticing and being upset by it indicates how much you love the country- Be it schools, NHS, litter, waste, etc.
Had lunch with ex-colleagues who told us what is happening to the schools where we used to teach, and all were totally dismayed and truly saddened about it- such a mess. Yes, because we were dedicated to those schools.