u/Big_Fuel_5885

Having just about every key release (broadly speaking) I'm in my 'mopping up' phase, focusing on some of the stragglers. Just picked up American Stars 'n' Bars which, after a number of listens, I would genuinely rate as another essential release. Not just for Like a Hurricane, either. The album has so much more to give - it's excellent (see Will to Love, Hey Babe, Star of Bethlehem etc. for confirmation of that). Prairie Wind - been meaning to grab this for a a long while. Very good, later-period stuff with moments of greatness and more than a few echoes of former glories.

Oh, and Eldorado - man, how did I not get this sooner? Freedom's evil twin - and all the better for it. It absolutely rocks. The journey gladly continues.

Hi - I sold a relatively high-value item (approx. £800) and sent it via Ebay/UPS (other 48hr courier option) this week, photographing the box (in good condition) when the courier came to collect. The item was being delivered to a collection point at Sainsburys/Argos. I have just checked the tracking and see this morning that 'The receiver refused, the package appeared to be damaged. UPS will notify the sender with the details'.

The buyer has confirmed they have not seen the package, and were awaiting notification of delivery, so presumably someone at the collection point refused the item.

Obviously we need to get a case opened. I haven't heard anything from UPS as yet. What should I advise the Buyer to do? I wasn't sure about reporting the item damaged, as they haven't seen it themselves. Again, presumably someone would have photographed the damaged box. I want to ensure we're both protected so need to be clear on an appropriate course of action without creating an administrative nightmare. Thanks in advance.

As the incredibly protracted and wantonly wasteful shutdown of the CSUs/NHSE continues, we have been told by our organisation that they have frozen new applications to the NHSFS salary sacrifice scheme. I am already a user, and my agreement expires later this year. I have not taken VR, and am currently in limbo, expecting (eventually) to land with another NHS organisation - although this will likely take some time (certainly not before September).

Whilst I am aware that I can keep my vehicle on a rolling monthly basis on expiry, I also understand that NHSFS are perfectly willing to transfer agreements (new or otherwise) between organisations - particularly given the current climate. My preference (for several reasons) would be to opt for a different vehicle. In light of the above it seems extremely unfair that permanent staff should be denied access to such a scheme, due to factors beyond their control. I have queried this with HR (initially) and may pursue further up the chain, dependent on the response.

Have all CSU staff been told the same? Has anyone else challenged this decision?

The production on Mirrorball is famously muddy, with Neil's vocals buried in the mix. I'm considering getting the 2025 Official Release Series (26.27,28 & 29) purely for Mirrorball (have all the albums on CD already) which I understand has been remastered from the original analog tapes, with 4 of the tracks also being remixed. Can anyone confirm whether the sound has been noticeably improved...at least to warrant forking out again for the albums? I lover Mirrorball, but the production has always let it down for me.