Are you old enough to remember the 1970s? Are you familiar with the county and equestrian show circuit? Maybe you can help me identify where, and possibly when these pieces of footage were filmed.
Category: Something to Say…
“…It’s better to burn out than fade away”
When Ancestors Go Bad
Henry and Ann's eldest son, William sounds like a particularly undesirable person. Aside from cultivating the nickname 'Billy Dog', it is he who, at best, fails stop stop Healey from attacking the boy - and may even have encouraged that kind of behaviour. These event take place two years before the publication of Black Beauty, a story of common Victorian attitudes to animal welfare. One can only imagine if 'Billy Dog' was the kind of horse owner that compelled Anna Sewell to comment on the horse cruelty of the day.
From White Hall to White House
We were delighted with Washington, the streets being very wide and well laid out. The public buildings are also of a very high order, and we were privileged to enter the ‘White House’ where the President and Cabinet were sitting in one portion of the building.
To Absent Neighbours…
Sadly, we didn't have time to venture out to Pin Oak Court - the real life name of 'Ramsay Street' - situated about eight miles east of the city centre. The closest I got to considering it was as we looked out over the sprawling suburbs from the top of the Eureka Tower. If I'm honest, I'd 'moved on' from Neighbours, years ago. It had served its purpose, both as adolescent entertainment and as a portal to another world. Thanks, in no small part, to the 1980s residents of 'Erinsborough', I was there, looking at it - sort of - from 975 feet up.
If It’s Not All Right, It’s Not The End
My email to Simon Mayo & Mark Kermode on the occasion of their last 'Wittertainment' film review show on BBC 5Live... Dear “Goodnight From Me” and “Goodnight From Him”, I like to think of myself as a LTL (approx. 13 years) but, this being a church, I’m aware that there will always be those, ‘holier-than-thou’ …
To Russia, With Love
Muscovite life was like that of any other city: bustling, energetic and fast-paced. More than anywhere else I’ve been, I found it a very physical place. People physically barged each other in crowds and you had to be most careful of little old women with sharp elbows - as I learned to my discomfort one afternoon. Like New Yorkers, Parisians and Londoners, they were both dismissive of their city's iconic sites and proud to see the reactions they elicited in others.
Сообщение для русских друзей
Please don’t be swayed by what others tell you about the rest of the world. We understand that Russian people are not the same thing as Putin - but to justify his actions, he needs you to believe that other countries are full of people who hate you. Like everything else he says, it’s just not true. We’re worried for Ukraine but please know that we’re also worried for you. None of us know how long Putin can last but the more you disbelieve his lies, the less power he will have over you.
Higher, Faster, Stronger
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to wish a friend “good luck” as they compete at the Olympic Games, so I had the very great pleasure of sending my very best of wishes to Carlos Parro of Brazil – as he competed with his ride, Goliath, at the Tokyo Olympics.
20 Years Engaged…
1) Not everything goes as planned. 2) Don't forget to live in the moment. 3) If you're not prepared to deal with the unexpected by facing it together, how will you ever know how good it can be?
Whatever Happened to Likely?
We appear to be at a crossroads, in which some in the field of linguistics consider it to be a vulgarity and others a natural progression. It is, essentially, the same argument that purists and pragmatists have waged since well before Shakespeare's day. The difference is that Shakespeare knew he was concocting a new word - one of the key tenet of so-called 'poetic licence' is that you have to know the rules in order to break them.
Still Feeding on Birding Lessons
Hovering is, as you might assume, an energy-consuming activity, requiring kestrels to feed on upto eight small rodents a day, to survive. As long as food is abundant, their expert ability to hunt this way will sustain them. When it isn't, they still-feed.
So Far Ahead of the UK
"It's difficult to avoid the conclusion that a combination of circumstance and leadership quality has lead to this diametrically opposite outcome on the other side of the world."
From Grange Hill to The Palace – And Back
I'm so proud of him for listening to me and to everyone else who encouraged him to write this book. I can't begin to describe the admiration I have for him for actually writing it and I think he deserves every bit of recognition due to him as he continues to reduce the stigma of a condition that can affect any of us. The heir to the throne could do a lot, lot worse than enlist his help in some way.
Taking Liberties With Labels
The old notion of American Liberty seems to have become annexed by Libertarianism, the right for the individual to be free in all aspects of life, without recourse or consequence.
Lockdown Challenge: 10 Travel Photos
Travel teaches you the understanding that you will, at some stage, have to reconcile expectation with reality. Once you've arrived, some places will surprise you and others will disappoint you. Just occasionally, you find a place that is everything you always wanted it to be.
‘1917’: My Wittertainment Email
If you're familiar with the programme, you'll be aware of a) the conventions of the letters they receive and b) the fact this one did not get read out. If you're not familiar with the show, you'll have no idea whatsoever why I'm taking this opportunity to say 'Hello to Jason Isaacs'.
60 Miles? Nothing in the Scheme of Things
After all the seemingly pointless Strava updates about random cycling sessions you may have seen, it's time you all knew the truth I've been keeping under wraps - I'm going to do the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride.I've been asked to ride to help raise money for the iMRI Scanner Appeal at Manchester Children's Hospital. …
Thanks For Your ‘Great North’ Support!
As a result of their efforts, I'm delighted to confirm that Charlie and Warren have managed to beat their £500 sponsorship target for Amelia's specialist support. As I type, the appeal has reached £665, a third more than they'd hoped to raise. Of course, don't let that stop you adding to that figure, if you wish to. Every pound raised is as important as every other. Once again, thanks to all of you who made that happen!
To see how the sponsorship money helps - and to add to it - have a look at Warren & Charlie's JustGiving page.
Just When You Though It Was Safe, He’s Back In The Water…
Please consider helping Charlie and Warren as they raise funds to help with Amelia’s progress for another year. The link is below. Oh, and as Warren works for United Utilites, we’re hoping that every pound that he and Charlie raise from this page will be matched by UU - so for every pound you donate, you can get two pounds’ worth of feelgood.
Really, what’s not to like about that?
Obituary: Marley
Marley was different. Possibly because he was the runt of his litter, he possessed a legendarily meek nature and always accepted his obligations without complaint. His reward for compliance was the years it added to his life. Without doubt, the biggest hurdle in owning a diabetic dog is overcoming the natural reluctance to believe that you can inject an animal so regularly. You just have to - but it’s so much easier with a compliant dog.
The Forester’s Needs You!
It's a lovely pub these days with a good beer selection and a wide choice of good food that's very reasonably priced. Now, with staff reportedly out of pocket, it needs your help to trade its way out of the fate that has befallen it. With the weekend upon us, why not go there for a meal and see if you agree with my recommendation?
Obituary: Ben
Today, his message was heeded and, after consultation with the vet, the decision was taken. We buried him by the front lawn, in the shadow of the rhododendron bush, next to Sam.
So Near Yet So Far: The Story of Charles Asbrey…
Among the first names on the Peace Gate list of Standish men lost in the First World War is that of Charles F. Asbrey. Despite the fact his death occurred on 2nd December 1918, almost a month after the Armistice, he was still on active service in France, which is why his name appears alongside …
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A Corner Of A Foreign Field That Is Forever…Standish
With the centenary of the Armistice almost upon us, this year’s Remembrance Day will be especially poignant. Anyone with strong family links to serving personnel, especially those who were killed in action, will be keen to participate in the many commemorative events that will be held. I grew up believing that no-one from my family …
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Southgate, Redemption & Coming Home
Today, I went to Chorley. Nothing particularly noteworthy or even relevant in that, on this day of all days, you might think. In fairness, you’d be right - unless you’re aware of then significance it has to me. What’s the tale? Okay, ‘long story short(er)’ version: It’s Euro ‘96. I’ve managed to get corporate tickets …
Notes On A Shrinking Planet
Travel. It’s such a short, functional word which has come to represent something far more profound than its brevity implies, like ‘time’, ‘life’ and ‘politics’. Too often, it’s a word associated only with the mechanics of moving around the world, rather than the effect of doing so. Perhaps the term ‘transportation’ would better describe the simple relocation that is the very minimum requirement of ‘travel’ in its correct, widest sense.
Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics?
I can only presume that in 2017, ten years after the stadium's opening, the debenture terms have elapsed and different rules now apply. The good news is that 68-odd thousand is not really any lower than any other year so the "lowest attendance" story is (and I hasten to give this term the credence it ill-deserves) 'fake news'. The bad news, rugby fans, is that for a decade, we've been kind of kidding ourselves about the true numbers.
Going the Extra Half Mile for Amelia
With a few days to go until the Windermere swim, I'm delighted to reveal he's now passed that notional target of £500. There are so many people who have already said some wonderful things about him and pledged their hard-earned money to support a cause that they may only be aware of because of Charlie's efforts. It really is humbling stuff to see and we'd like to thank everyone who has already donated.
Unbridled & Saddled: Settling for 3rd Place
Living with a horsey partner – and by extension, the horse as well – is a challenge not every mortal is capable of meeting. At its most demanding, it requires reserves of diplomacy that can have ambassadors offering you chocolates, military-grade levels of resolve in the face of adversity and a Solomon-esque ability to apply judgement fairly and honestly. If you can cultivate this particular set of skills, you’ll need them because they will be tested, possibly on a daily basis.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 10.3
I’m sorry if this sounds like a combination of ‘Mein Kampf’ and the American constitution but a visit to America provides so much insight as to what we in Britain lack. It is only through reflecting on the successes across the pond that we can be made to fulfil our own potential.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 10.2
The sun has gone down now; only a red hue exists over Chicago — and the vapour trails of another plane as presumably, others are going home too. The seat-belt sign is on, the (video) emergency performance is about to begin and we’re asked not to use electrical instruments until we are in flight.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 10.1
Last night, we went to Double Dave’s again. In a bout of wanton decadence, I bought us two huge pizzas - unlimited toppings. We all but demolished them, leaving enough only for breakfast this morning. Ahhh, wake up and smell the pizza!
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 9
Imagine the bar in any Burt Reynolds film, the bar out of ‘Terminator 2’, the bar off the Carlsberg ad: (“You English”?), blur them all together and there you have it; a stereotypical American bar.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 8
Today I got my first real “gee you have a really cute accent — are you English?”. This is a much stronger form of accent recognition, more than the generic “Are you from England?”, especially in this case where the woman in question asked me to say her name — presumably so she could hear it pronounced properly!
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt.7
Friday, we walked to the Holiday Inn and had the Mexican buffet (‘Fajita Friday’) — damn hot and only $3 for the pleasure of having one’s internal organs systematically corroded. We came back and caught a bus into downtown Austin. It was Friday night and we checked out Emo’s, a live act night spot, one of many on 6th Street, for which Austin is apparently quite famous
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 6
Ch 2, 3 and 4, there are the usual crappy soap operas that all seem exactly the same; flicking through them, you see an identical man/woman scene with a sort of strained silence, with slightly different variations in the room and in the faces.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 5
A verbatim record of a diary I wrote while visiting friends (Paul & Rice) in Austin, Texas during the Easter holidays of my second year at University in 1994. Re-blogged on the anniversary of each entry. 2017 Commentary, where necessary for context, added as footnotes in italics.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 4
A verbatim record of a diary I wrote while visiting friends (Paul & Rice) in Austin, Texas during the Easter holidays of my second year at University in 1994. Re-blogged on the anniversary of each entry. 2017 Commentary, where necessary for context, added as footnotes in italics.
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 3
A verbatim record of a diary I wrote while visiting friends (Paul & Rice) in Austin, Texas during the Easter holidays of my second year at University in 1994. Re-blogged on the anniversary of each entry. 2017 Commentary, where necessary for context, added as footnotes in italics. Sunday 20th March 1994, 11:39 (CST) PAUL’S FLOOR, AUSTIN, …
Diaries of a Texan Traveller – pt. 2
A verbatim record of a diary I wrote while visiting friends (Paul & Rice) in Austin, Texas during the Easter holidays of my second year at University in 1994. Re-blogged on the anniversary of each entry. 2017 Commentary, where necessary for context, added as footnotes in italics. Saturday 19th March 1994, 08:39 (CST) PAUL’S FLOOR, AUSTIN, …
Diaries Of A Texan Traveller – pt. 1
A verbatim record of a diary I wrote while visiting friends (Paul & Rice) in Austin, Texas during the Easter holidays of my second year at University in 1994. Re-blogged on the anniversary of each entry. 2017 Commentary, where necessary for context, added as footnotes in italics. Synopsis: I call this account “a video diary in …
Buddy, Can You Spare A Minute?
Hey America! Hi there. I'm a friend of yours from way back. In fact, I come from the same place as Myles Standish so I guess I may even be related to a whole lotta you guys. Anyways, I just wanted to say something to you, you know, 'As A Friend'... We in the rest of the …
Arriverderci, Allerdici
For once in English football's long and undignified history of 'hitting rock bottom' has come a scandal that I've actually welcomed. Proving that sometimes, two wrongs actually do make a right, Sam Allardyce has come to the rescue of all those who thought him woefully under-qualified and over-rated to lead the national team - by …
Let It Go, Elsa!
First, thanks for all your expressions of sympathy after we lost Sam, last month. He really was a once-in-a-lifetime dog and it amazed us how many others thought so too. We were therefore thrust into the state of being a one-dog family for the first time in 8½ years - something which saw the household considerably, …
BBC: Britain’s Biggest Controversy?
- Oh, he's not going off one one about the BBC again, is he? Well, yes I am, I'm afraid. Normally, I'm motivated to assault my keyboard (and your attention) by the need to defend dear old 'Auntie' in the face of some current slight or attack on her being. This time, it's slightly different. My …
Obituary: Sam
We never knew Sam's real birthdate but as he joined our family on March 31st 2005 at the age of "10 months", as far as we were concerned, he was born on May 31st 2004. He died on August 31st 2016, aged 12 years and three months. Sam came into our lives in March 2005. At the …
An Open Letter to St. Wilfrid’s Primary Academy
To Mr Colothan, Mrs Kneale and all the staff and PTFA at St. Wilfrid's, Today was Charlie's last day with you and I want to thank you all for everything you've done for him and the rest of the Class of 2016. In 2008 (two minutes ago), I remember visiting the school's open day to …
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Remaining To Be Convinced
If I’ve learned anything over the last few weeks of pitiful so-called ‘debate’ leading upto today’s EU Referendum, it’s that politics is even more of a sham than I had previously dared imagine. Whichever way the vote goes, the most depressing conclusion is that due to the forces that have led to this conclusion, such …
The Greatest Legacy?
Since Muhammad Ali's death was announced yesterday, there's been a flurry soundbites, platitudes and #RIPMuhammadAli hashtags floating about on social media - and I confess, I'm responsible for a number of them. What can this blogpost possibly add to such a weight of collective emotion? Well, this, I hope: It's an understandable reaction to the loss of an icon of our …
Amazing Amelia’s Amazing Daddy
You may or may not know that I have a wonderful god-daughter called Amelia. Amelia is seven and has a rare combination of learning difficulties and spectrum conditions which mean that she doesn't speak and has a mental age well below her actual age. You may think this defines her but it doesn't. She loves swimming, …
Resonation 
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