I've had an idea!

If the government were to install a long treadmill in the few remaining Post Offices that they haven't closed, we could all exercise as we wait in the queue. I reckon I'd have done 1.25 miles at a brisk pace in the time I queued to post a small parcel this morning.

A stepper type arrangement that generated electricity might be better.

They could be sited in schools and public spaces perhaps with some form of incentive e.g. competition prizes or credit for a given amount of generation saved to a smartcard.

Roger I like that idea even better!


Money off your fuel bills! Imagine all the pensioners running like mad on the treadmill every day to get free gas and electricity!

Ban all vending machines!!!

That will get rid of the chocs, the crisps and the fizzy drinks!!!

JENNIFER

Roger, fiona- I love it!!
each village/ community could have its own huge hamster wheel that we could run round on, generate electricity- fuel crisis solved

What a brilliant idea. Someone once told me that there was a gym that generated power, I don't know whether this is true - but why doesn't someone invent a home treadmill that generates electricity. This would solve the obesity problem and global warming together!

... and give you something to do when you're queuing at the Post Office, which I think ws the cynical point I was trying to make. Anyway, I emailed my MP and got it off my chest (Post Office queues, not treadmills!)

Our Post Office is now in the local branch of WH Smiths.

I have always been tempted to pick up a magazine to read while in the queue and put it back on the shelf on the way out.
Haven't yet , but it is soooo tempting ...

Go ahead Doug, I have done this many times, mainly with newspapers though, when in a queue, but not only in WH Smiths. Perhaps they should supply tea or coffee while we wait....The queues are somethimes horrendous.

In other countries the people would not put up with it.

I notice that some purchasers go for the newspaper or magazine underneath the top one anyway. No.... not because I had read the top one!!!!!They do it anyway...........

I work for a small charity which funds local projects. We've recently funded (through one of our donors) a green energy project at a youth club where the kids are making their own power generating equipment through recycled machinery such as bikes and old blenders. They generate enough power from furious youth pedal power to run the blenders while the staff encourage them to make smoothies to promote exercise, healthy food and environmental issues all in one go. And the kids thinks its great fun... Fantastic idea! Don't know how the project's going as it's in the early stages but will be interesting to watch.

Aha - you've obviously been in the particular Post Office/newsagent I was in on Saturday! They had large hand-written signs everywhere saying that newspapers and magazines had to be paid for at the newsagent BEFORE going to the Post Office bit!

Must admit was tempted myself just to see who had been quoted this week in B&S!

I went to a festival once (The Big Green Gathering ) where the dance tent was powered by bikes - a great incentive to get pedalling!

They're already doing something similar in Africa:

http://www.playpumps.org/site/c.hqLNIXOEKrF/b.2559 311/k.7BCB/Playpumps_International_and_the_PlayPum p_water_system_Kids_play_Water_Pumps.htm

Jane - great to hear what your youngsters are up to. You must give us an update as soon as you know more.

I am intrigues.

JENNIFER