Ramblings

  • Broken toilets and the ton of pennies

    Broken toilets and the ton of pennies

    Understandably Trog was furious. A school assembly was called in the middle of the day – possibly even replacing a lesson – and we assembled in an atmosphere of freaky holiday.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • “Can’t win here!”: a foot soldier for the Liberal Democrats

    “Can’t win here!”: a foot soldier for the Liberal Democrats

    Before the first leaflet went through the door a questionable assertion leapt out at me.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Logging micro-mistakes

    Logging micro-mistakes

    I’m talking about the dozens – perhaps hundreds – of tiny mistakes I make every day.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • George Orwell on Edward Lear

    George Orwell on Edward Lear

    When I discovered that George Orwell – one of my 20th century heroes – had written an essay on Edward Lear, my biggest 19th century hero – I was fascinated to see what he had written.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Get to know: Lonnie Donegan

    Get to know: Lonnie Donegan

    There’s much more to Lonnie Donegan than My Old Man’s a Dustman. Without him the course of British pop and rock music – and so, world pop and rock music – would have been much the poorer.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Last of the pre-9ers

    Last of the pre-9ers

    I didn’t want to do it, but the money they offered was good, really good. I had to think of my 34 great-great grandchildren.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Rain

    Rain

    The first time England won the World Cup, Paperback Writer was on its way down the charts, and had just gone out of the Top Twenty.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Thank you, William Hogarth

    Thank you, William Hogarth

    I wonder what lesson Hogarth took from his exchange with Mr Beale.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • The worst holiday

    The worst holiday

    Mike Smith and Sarah Green were asked what they had said in the seconds when they thought they might be about to die. Mike Smith replied that he had said “I love you,” I’m afraid I doubt that. I’ve tested it under laboratory conditions.View post to subscribe to the site’s…

  • Kathleen’s letters to Aelwyn 1950-51

    Kathleen’s letters to Aelwyn 1950-51

    It is fascinating and lovely – if disorientating – to observe your parents’ courtship, and I have had that opportunity.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • The Image Comes In

    The Image Comes In

    Debbie removed her glasses, and I had a clearer view of her face. Kind, open, humorous, gentle, soft. Beautiful.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Ripley’s “Believe it or Not!” – fact check

    Ripley’s “Believe it or Not!” – fact check

    Reunited with this strange and sensational book, I have the opportunity to satisfy the curiosity of my twelve year old self.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Going deaf slowly

    Going deaf slowly

    How much of the rest of my life would I spend allowing my vanity to ruin conversations with loved ones, when help might be at hand?View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • “the Morbids”

    “the Morbids”

    When I was seven I woke up one winter’s night in tears because we weren’t on a camping holiday.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Poems by Kathleen Edwards

    Poems by Kathleen Edwards

    My mother loved writing poetry, and her best friend Elspeth Yule – known as Speff – presented Mum and Dad with this beautifully transcribed and delightfully illustrated book of Kathleen’s poems to celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 25th August 2001.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Difficult Christmas songs

    Difficult Christmas songs

    Dammit, it’s time someone told the truth about those Christmas songs.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • “How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear” by Jim Grant

    “How Pleasant to Know Mr Lear” by Jim Grant

    Jim Grant’s outstanding school play captures perfectly the joy and the sadness which ran through both Lear’s life and his work.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Joining the dots

    Joining the dots

    My mother’s birth was “illegitimate”, although she probably never knew it.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Hawkwind: the drummer’s naked pedicure (illustrated)

    Hawkwind: the drummer’s naked pedicure (illustrated)

    “My brother helped organise a Hawkwind gig at Watford Grammar School (!) in the early 1970’s. After the gig he had to go and explain to the band that they didn’t have enough money to pay the full fee.”View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.

  • Sorry, Fauja

    Sorry, Fauja

    Knowing Singh’s true age is crucial to assessing his athletic achievements.View post to subscribe to the site’s newsletter.