Very warm for May

The council is struggling with this year's budget. One way to make a massive saving would be to switch off all the air conditioning in its buildings across the borough and knock some holes in the walls. Every building in the borough built after about 1980 has the air condition for the building that was designed, not the building that was built after some clown decided to change fundamental parts of the specification in mid-build. For instance, the services for the housing department offices were specified for a five story building, not the seven story building that was built. Which is why the air conditioning and the lifts struggle. But not why the roof leaks like a sieve... but that's another story.

During the very hot weather we were freezing cold down on our floor while the lending library staff were dropping like flies in the heat. Now the weather's cooled down a bit and is a bit muggy we're all of us gasping for air like beached mackerel.

A friend's office is even worse. They've been languishing in 90°F and over for the past three weeks. She's been threatening to go to work in a swimming cozzie, which I have to say is no bad thing as I still have fond memories of the leggings she wore when we used to work together twenty years ago. They've made representations to their buildings manager, who has responded with some extremely useful advice.

"These offices may appear to be very warm in the summer weather. Do not open the windows as this will impair the effectiveness of the air-conditioning. You may help you to keep cool by drinking water or by wearing loose clothing."