But I think the real reason for Woolwich’s demise is a little

But I think the real reason for Woolwich’s demise is a little more obvious. Under the Barclays umbrella, it has become a mortgage lender with pretty cruddy mortgages.It’s not just that Woolwich’s rates have rarely made the best buy tables, or that it didn’t drop higher lending charges until last year. A more fundamental issue is that mortgage brokers have been complaining about its levels of service for years. Since these intermediaries control two-thirds of the mortgage market, their reluctance to recommend Woolwich has been disastrous.Then there’s the issue of mutuality. The “with the Woolwich” feeling was an important part of the lender’s appeal in the building society days.

But once Woolwich disappeared into the Barclays corporate machine, this feelgood factor evaporated.Compare Woolwich to, say, Nationwide, which has consistently grown its market share over the past 10 years. The rates on offer at Britain’s biggest building society have rarely been in the best buy tables either, but customers’ perception is that this is an organisation with values, rather than an exploitative money-making machine.All in all, it’s been another embarrassing week for the big banks. While some may see this as business and politicians courting the pink pound and vote, it’s also a clear indication that, from business to the arts, gay people are finally being accepted without prejudice.. For this year, Pride is supported by Ford, British Airways, Virgin Mobile and the Mayor of London. But there is another list of high-profile names linked to this weekend’s celebration of gay and lesbian Britain that shows how times have changed since the Pride march was purely political and was attempting to win now accepted rights such as an equal age of consent. Serve with roasted peppers and cubed new potatoes fried with garlic and rosemary.Antonio Carluccio (recipe is from ‘An Invitation to Italian Cooking’, 1st Edition published by Pavilion).

Tonight, London’s EuroPride ends with a show at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring Graham Norton, Sir Ian McKellen, Julian Clary, Elton John and Sandi Toksvig. When they turn golden, add wine and let evaporate, then add the tomatoes drained of some liquid Cook sauce over a medium flame for 10 minutes, stirring. Season with salt and pepper, add basil then pour the sauce on the meat loaf, and put the lid on the casserole. Simmer for an hour or put it in a hot oven (200C) for an hour Turn loaf from time to time Remove lid after 30 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken The loaf should cool for 10 minutes before it is sliced. In a large cast-iron casserole, heat the oil and fry the loaf until it is a crisp golden-brown all over. Set casserole aside.In a separate pan, fry the onion and lamb in the oil.