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“A quarter of my life is almost past”
All being well here, I certainly intend to raise a glass to him on 17th March 2034.
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Le gros commandant Whof Whof Whof: part 1
When I shared this rumour of our aristocratic ancestry with my daughter Rachel, she was initially excited, picturing her 4 x great grandfather as Colin Firth playing Mr Darcy. Less so after her first seconds of research uncovered le gros commandant Whof Whof Whof.
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Medal Going Home
…I was left with the impression that the government had regarded the recipients not as individuals but as a homogeneous, expendable mass.
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The Mint Juleps
There were no weaknesses – every song was a delight, and you couldn’t keep the smile off your face.
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Cecil Parkinson, Ken Livingstone, music and me
I don’t think I was aware of these political heavyweights being on the same bill that term, and just as well: I was nervous enough already.
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Take a Trip to No Dragon Wood
…but you don’t have to worry in the least ‘bout incineration by a mythical beast
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The University Challenge Challenge
It’s nice to know that occasionally you can make a tiny, tiny difference.
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Welcome to Harry Hornet’s Parade
When I was A young boy My father He took me into Watford To see the Hornets play
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Aelwyn’s War
“I paused to look out of the window, and saw a line of bullet-holes erupting on the upper side of the wing, heading straight for me.”
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Blackadder Goes Forth – “Goodbyeee” – Television’s finest half hour?
Darling is the pivot on which the episode turns from comedy to tragedy.
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The Gem of Tanzania
In December 2009 I sat in the Birmingham office of an accountancy firm, turning in my hands a gemstone which had been valued at eleven million pounds. I had the chance to buy it. How much should I bid?
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Rhys Jones in the Battle of Normandy
My father’s cousin, Rhys Jones was called up in 1941, and served as a tank driver during the Battle of Normandy, landing on D-Day, June 6th 1944. He set down this account of the war in about 1966, after retiring from running a shop in Llanuwchllyn in Wales.
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1996 and 1997: How Merrill Lynch ruined them
Merrill Lynch, the “thundering herd”, had turned its mighty power on to my cosy little domain…






