Business
Spending priorities don’t match up with the public’s need Over the years, I have held maze days at schools in Britain and the United States. Two weeks ahead, teachers ask pupils to “make a maze on a tray”, and bring it along. This works wonders, since the day is already guaranteed to be a success. Parents become aware of the maze day, and often help their children. Everyone puts in time, effort and imagination before the maze day has begun. Wonderful things arrive using Lego bricks, pipe cleaners, balsa wood, cardboard and paint. I once suggested “little green scrubbies” cut into strips make nice model hedges, and probably caused local shops to run out of stock. On the day, we have a game where we learn a new form of maths. We then get the head teacher to come in, and try
challenges on the pupils. I start it off: “What’s two fives?” “TEN” they reply. “What's 15 times four?” “SIXTY” they all reply. “Over to you, head teacher!” I say. Then the fun begins. “What’s seven sevens?” “FIFTY!” they shout with relish. “What's eight nines?” “SEVENTY!” they shout with even more relish. Finally the penny drops with the head teacher. “Yes, you are right,”
he says, “It’s rounding arithmetic, and you are only allowed to use one number other than zeroes.” What possible use is this, you might ask? Try this: “The Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier cost 3 ....illion.” “Fibre Broadband direct to ALL 29 million UK premises costs £15 ....illion“ “4,000 miles of new roads over 5 years costs £27 ...illion.“ “330 miles of HS2 railway costs £106 ...illion”. “Dorset County Council's budget this year is £295 ....illion.” Questions: [1] What percentage of all these is for Dorset County Council? [2] Which is worth more to you: Fibre to EVERY premises in Britain, or the existence of HS2? Answers: £3 billion; £15 billion; £27 billion; £106 billion; £295 million.
Percentages: 2%; 10%, 17.8%; 70%; 0.2%. As a graph: the slice of the pie for 0.2% for Dorset County Council can hardly be seen. As a value judgement: HS2 costs seven times as much, and yet to the UK is perhaps seven times less valuable than Broadband FTTP (Fibre To The Premises). Thus one might surmise that broadband is 49 times better value for money than HS2. The crucial thing is the correct order of magnitude. It’s not that easy! I will be glad to arrange a maze day for the entire cabinet; I suspect some of them could benefit from learning more about orders of magnitude. n Adrian Fisher OBE is an award-winning maze designer from Durweston
Recruitment
Experienced/Skilled Ground Workers Required We are looking for skilled and experienced ground workers to work with our installation teams on our local water, drainage & civil engineering projects. Experienced in drainage installations including underground tanks and pipe laying, concreting, kerbing, etc. You will be confident working from plan and understand levels. Customer facing, conscientious and hardworking. You will be familiar with the operation of small plant and will hold a full UK driving licence. You will work from the Company Head Office in Dinton. Excellent pay and conditions for this permanent position. Please contact for an application pack Closing date will be Friday 25th June 2021 Mrs J Simmons M J ABBOTT LTD, Bratch Lane, Dinton, Salisbury SP3 5EB
Email: jules.simmons@mjabbott.co.uk mjabbott.co.uk (M J Abbott Ltd is an equal opportunities employer) 78
