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January - March 2012

Sunday, 1 January 2012

Good day at the Races

Had a good day at Fakenham races with four winners, a second and only one longshot unplaced in the last race. Only my second ever visit to the course. Very compact and very crowded and big queues to put bets on which meant the odds of horses changed as we stood in line. On one occasion I had to watch helplessly as my horse's odds came in whilst I was waiting to get the bet on.

So a decent day and a real wish that 2012 will be kinder to our family than 2011 which was an horrendous year.

Thinking about my favourite albums and tracks of the year. Favourite album was a tough one and
probably a surprise choice for somebody very much into rock. I would have to go for the Glenn Campbell album simply because it was such a pleasant surprise with it's beautifully crafted songs and optimism despite the artist suffering from alzheimers. Track of the year came right at the end - When the Thames Froze by Smith and Burrows.

2012 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens and I'm hoping to read as many of his novels as possible during the year.

Main hope for the year is that we all treat each other with more love and respect. Sadly I can't see it happening.

Monday, 2 January 2012

Christmas is Over - Official

Christmas is officially over. Today we took down most of the decorations and all the cards. We have left the tree up because I understand it's bad luck to take everything down until Twelfth Night or January 6th.

Mind you we have already bought Christmas cards for next year in the sales. Next year I'm not doing any Christmas shopping. I will be buying things as I think of them throughout the year and have a large box which can be raided next December. It's called Being Prepared.

Football, Music, and Getting Fit

One of my favourite games is trying to guess what whinge Neil Warnock will have after his team has lost yet another match. Today Norwich won 2-1 at QPR but rather than admit that Norwich were the better team for the second time this season Mr Warnock will go ballistic, blaming everyone but himself and his own players.

Joey Barton got sent off for violent conduct and guess what - he's protesting his innocence on Twitter. Of course Mr Barton is whiter than white. Message to Joey Barton - start acting like the intelligent human being you think you are and you might find life becomes more pleasant.

Strangely Mr Warnock is a person I would like to meet. Okay he's a nutter when it comes to football, but he seems to be much nicer outside of football. love to chew the cud with him on life, nature and the universe - in fact love to chew the cud on anything but football where he seems to become irrational.

First session of the new year in the gym. One down, 59 to go. Why is exercise so beneficial but so boring? If I sit at home and listen to music on headphones I'm totally happy. put me in the gym on a running board or bike and give me the same headphones and music and I instantly become bored.

On the subject of music I have been searching today for some new artists to listen to. Tried Cass McCombes and Kurt Vile. Okay in a fairly basic way but I ink the search will go on. thinking of all those poor souls who are back at work tomorrow. Personally I'm walking from Overstrand to Cromer along the cliff top with fish and chips in Cromer - it's a tough life but somebody has to do it.

Tuesday, 3 January 2012

Stephen Lawrence

Good to hear that two men have been found guilty of murdering Stephen Lawrence. Justice at last but it really shouldn't have taken all this time. There should be no place for racism of any kind in our country. Attacking somebody because of the colour of their skin defies comment. It is what is inside a person that matters.

News that rail fares have gone up by 6 per cent. How can this be when there is a recession on and wages and pensions are being eroded? Is there any wonder that there is industrial action. If wages are pegged than fares and prices in general should be pegged as well?

Last year was the worst on record for scrap metal thefts from churches. Now the Government is being asked to tighten up on legislation with regards to the sale of scrap metal. Putting in legislation to capture a trail of sale seems to be an obvious and simple thing to do. So why is it taking so long to bring action?

Too Windy to Walk

Well the proposed walk from Overstrand to Cromer was called off. After a number of very mild days and good weather woke up to high winds and driving rain. So abandoned plans.

A few weeks ago I wrote to the Prime Minister to obtain some national recognition for our village of Hethersett after we had been named Norfolk sports village of the year and Norfolk Champion of Champions. Thought we deserved some kind of plaudits for all the voluntary work put in by so many people and fitting in with his idea of a big society.

Waited sometime for a reply which eventually came from a minion stating that my concerns had been sent to the cabinet office for a reply. Do these people bother to read what they have been sent? I was asking for recognition for the work in the village on fitness and health issues and not expressing any concerns.

Also rather miffed that certain people in the village were nominated to carry the Olympic torch on its way to the London games in July. One person in particular deserves the honour for setting up a village Olympic committee and organising a weekend full of events over the past two years with an Olympic theme. He was turned down. Those that have been successful include the usual Lollipop school crossing person and even a woman who walked round her village hall for charity and a shop owner who has modernised his shop. Another example of decisions not being made on merit but rather on fulfilling quotas for the various categories.

Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Count on Me

Now I am officially concerned that I might be a bit weird.

Have just been watching Deal or No Deal which is weird enough in itself. One of the contestants had everyone laughing because of his obsession with numbers. He explained that when out walking he picks a point in the distance, estimates how many steps it will take him to reach the point and then counts to see how close he can get. I do the very same thing although I take it a step further (please pardon the pun) by attempting to get within 10per cent either way of my estimation. Yes it may be weird but it stops walking getting boring.

Which reminds me. Been to the gym today and getting fit is really boring. The fitter you get the more running and cycling you have to do, which makes it even more boring.

Today I had a bit of spare time so re-visited two Pink Floyd albums - The Final Cut and Momentary Lapse of Reason.. Two very different albums. The first a Roger Waters obsession with war and the second a more typical Floyd album after Waters has left. I have now virtually reviewed all Floyd's albums on my family web site www.stewardfamilyweb.co.uk/pink.htm

Thursday, 5 January 2012

It Took Some Time

A day or should I say half a day in London. Spent the morning filling out my tax return which is always stressful.

We were booked on the 1.30 pm from Norwich to Liverpool Street but it was cancelled at the last minute whilst we were having an overpriced coffee. So we had to wait another half hour. Was booked into first class - strangely cheaper than second class on the Trainline web site. Even first class had ripped and tatty seats. National Express provide a pretty flimsy service.

Eventually got to our Hotel near Hyde Park - very basic, that's the hotel and not Hyde Park. Had tickets in the evening for War Horse at the New Theatre in Drury Lane. Decide to walk the three miles in order to take in the Christmas lights of Oxford Street before they come down tomorrow. Thousands of others seemed to have the same idea. It was tough avoiding all those on mobile phones who seemed to be quite oblivious of anybody else being around.

One of the delights of London is eating at the small cafes that seem to be on virtually every street corner. They usually sell good food, cheaply and we found one right by the theatre.

As for War Horse. Well the staging was very clever and you really did think the puppets were real horses but ultimately I found it all rather disappointing with much of the second half pretty incomprehensible and much of the dialogue being muttered with too much German and French which just made it all confusing. The guy who played Albert had a squeaky voice when he got excited, which was quite often and midway through the second half I wanted them to shoot the damn horse so we could all go home.

The British characters were supposed to come from Devon but many of them seemed to have more of a Norfolk accent which was an achievement because on TV actors trying to put on a Norfolk accent sound more like Devonians.

Had another walk to get to our hotel as there was a signal problem on the underground so we got off a stop early at Lancaster Gate.

Friday, 6 January 2012

Round London with a Suitcase

Author Tony Hawkes famously went round Ireland with a fridge and wrote a book about it. Today I went round London with a suitcase but won't be writing about it - oh sorry I just did.

Today had a decided Olympic feel about it. Was gobsmacked when we checked the Olympic information having previously thought we hadn't been successful in getting tickets for the London games. But today showed that we have an amazing array of tickets including two for the opening ceremony, two for a day of athletic finals and two for a day of gymnastic finals.

After that news we had a morning walk through Hyde Park and then onto the Underground to go to Bromley by Bow to enjoy a two hour guided Olympic themed walk. It was a hugely interesting area. Before meeting up with our guide we wandered to the Lea Valley Park in search of a cup of coffee.

Failed to find coffee but did find the Mills Yard Studios and was passed by somebody I recognised. At first I thought it was someone from Norfolk but then realised it was actually film director Danny Boyle who is masterminding the Olympic games opening ceremony. I later found out that indeed Boyle has an office in the complex and works there three or four days a week.

The tour took us round the periphery of the park which still resembles a building site in certain areas. Plenty of work to do but it will be a very pleasant park once it is finished. Later visited the new Westfield shopping centre at Stratford before returning to Liverpool Street to get the train back to Norwich.

Isn't it incredible how you can walk past something hundreds of times without realising it is there. It took a Jewish friend of mine from Brooklyn to tell me that Liverpool Street station was the entry point in this country for thousands of Jewish children coming into the country in 1939 fleeing from Nazism. There are commemorative statues both inside and outside the station as recognition of the British people in potentially saving the lives of so many young people. Heart-warming stuff. My friend also pointed out that Liverpool Station is situated on the original site of the first Bedlam Mental institution. Certainly something to look into next time I'm in the area.

Spent the evening at the latest Bawburgh Golf Club quiz which our team won by five points - more glory.

Finally just to explain I had to cart my suitcase around all day in London which considerably lengthened my arms by the end of the day.

Saturday, 7 January 2012

Typo Time

As if to illustrate how easy it is to make a typo. Yes I made one in my previous blog. It should have said that Ed Miliband referred to the quiz as Blackbusters. Whoops.

Also forgot to say that when visiting Cromer Church today saw a face from the past on some promotional material. Derek Osborne was rector of Cromer when I worked there almost 40 years ago. Lovely to see that such a nice man is still heavily involved in local life.

More Racism in Football

Racism continues to rare it's ugly head in professional football.

Last night Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi was visibly upset after being racially abused in the FA Cup match at Liverpool. This is a tough call. Tom is on loan to Oldham from Norwich City. I know him a little from his time at Norwich when we acted as landlords for a number of Norwich's academy players. Tom visited us on a couple of occasions. In addition Tom attended my old school The Norwich School. Tom is a highly intelligent and polite young man and it is easy to see how he would become upset. So in this situation we have a highly intelligent black footballer being abused by a moronic scouser who just happens to be white.

The problem is just where do you draw the racism line and how far can players go in complaining against what is chanted at them during a match. Recently when Norwich played Tottenham, Spurs' world class player Gareth Bale was subjected to considerable verbal abuse. He got on with the game.

Ultimately football has to somehow end all obnoxious chanting and fans have to realise that swearing and chanting remarks at players whether they be racist or not should not be tolerated. The Liverpool fan should have been arrested for his racist remarks. Unfortunately matches cannot be stopped whenever a player is subjected to abuse. On those grounds no match would ever finish.It is the fans themselves who can put an end to the abuse by 1/ cutting it out themselves and 2/ reporting anybody guilty of unacceptable behaviour. Somehow I can't see this happening.

That leads us onto a rather ridiculous situation whereby Labour leader Ed Miliband has been openly criticised in his Twitter message about the passing of Bob Holness. Miliband's crime was to make a typo error in his message, calling Holness' quiz blockbusters instead of Blockbusters. Some newspapers went on the racist slur front again. Now I'm no lover of politicians but actually feel sorry for Milliband on this one. It was just a typing error, the same as we all make. I'm sure there will be typos in this message. To suggest it is racial is utterly ridiculous. The only crime the Labour leader has committed is not checking his message before either he or somebody else sent it.

Today we went to Cromer for a walk. It was cold but very bright. Missed Norwich's comfortable 4-1 FA Cup win over Burnley on the grounds that I expected them to get knocked out as they always seem to do in the early rounds of the cup. So at least a nice surprise there.

Sunday, 8 January 2012

Tied up in Knots

It seems that UK tycoon Richard Branson got slightly tied up in knots when interviewed on Breakfast TV this morning about Virgin Money taking over Northern Rock. When asked by Sian Williams why current account holders were going to be charged a fee, his reply was that people could either pay a fee or not pay a fee which seems something of a contradiction. Sian Williams' next question was along the lines of "why would anybody voluntarily pay a fee" and Sir Richard seemed to struggle for a plausible answer.

He did get his own back when Ms Williams asked him a rather stupid question about the public being slightly suspicious that he had obtained the bank at a cut price. Branson is first and foremost a businessman. Was the interviewer really suggesting that he should have voluntarily paid more than the going price? It is unlikely that the man or woman in the street will care two hoots about how much Branson has paid for the bank. They will simply be interested in what kind of service they are offered and how rates compare with other banks!!

Glad and sad in the same breath at news that Neil Warnock has been sacked as manager of QPR. Glad because we no longer have to be subjected to the man's tirades about every team he plays cheating, glad that we will no longer have to put up with claims that Joey Barton is whiter than white, but sad because deep down Warnock is passionate about football and outside the game seems like a regular bloke. Sad also that he hasn't failed but has still lost his job despite taking his team into the Premier Division.

It was so warm and unseasonable today that I spent well over an hour clearing up leaves in the garden and didn't even need to wear a coat!! Buds are peeking through. I just hope they don't have a rude awakening as there is still plenty of time for the weather to turn nasty.

Hiding it Under the Carpet

Apparently Prime Minister David Cameron has praised the new film about Margaret Thatcher but expressed a view that, with MT still alive, it is too soon to feature the dementia angle. I haven't seen the film yet but would say that anything that raises awareness on the issues of dementia can only be a good thing.

Having experienced this terrible disease within my own family and spoken to many people with similar experiences, there is no doubt in my mind that there is still a lack of awareness and the care afforded in hospitals to the elderly is still poor.

So what the PM is in effect highlighting with his comments is a fear that greater awareness will reveal just how far his Government has brushed this whole subject under the carpet!

Somebody said to me recently that we still live in a civil service culture where arrogance is rife and where the phrase "it's the rules" usually overshadows common sense and humanity.

Monday, 9 January 2012

Joey's Rant

What a sad and troubled soul footballer Joey Barton appears to be. Tonight he has been ranting on Twitter and openly attacking people in general along with the Irish in particular. This really is the kind of mindless drivel we can do without. Racism and prejudice seem to be rife in professional football.

Tied up in Knots

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Truly Awful Television

Is it me or is the new host of Countdown Nick Hewer truly awful? He seems to be way out of his comfort zone and something of a sour and bullying presence, mind you that hasn't stopped Jeremy Paxman hosting University Challenge.

Whilst we are on television I think today it hit a new low. Just seen a promo for a programme showing women cooking their placentas. That's about as gross as you can get and the trailer was shown at 4 pm. The programme, and the title and time deliberately escape me, will also show how to make placenta prints.... Yuck.

Not everything is bad in tele land. Caught up today on Law and Order UK which is exceptional drama with Bradley Walsh in great form as a laconic cop.

Today I had to visit the dentist for my first filling for years. The numbness has just warn off, thankfully in time to take my son and his fiancee out for his 28th birthday.

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Film and Music

Listened to an interesting debate on Radio Two today following comments by Prime Minister David Cameron along the lines that the primary objective of British films should be as money earners rather than artistic losses.

This is an interesting debate as film director Ken Loach pointed out. When a film is released how can you judge how popular it's going to be with the public and how do you decide whether a film has more artistic merit than money earning power?

As Jeremy Vine pointed out it was pretty obvious that The King's Speech would be a box office draw as it had many of the elements of successful cinema - a good story, the Royal Family, top actors etc. The same can be said for the Iron Lady which covers an interesting era in British politics and also stars Hollywood great Meryl Streep. But as Loach pointed out who will be the judge of the money-making potential of a film. His own film Kes was seen to be a likely loss maker but did "quite nicely" and what about Slumdog Millionaire and "The Full Monty" both relatively low budget films whose success far outweighed their potential as earners.

To me one of the problems in our country at present is a stifling of initiative and art and this will be one of the great failings if British films only gain funding according to some committee or individuals whim or view. It was interesting to hear a second director whose name escapes me as I was driving at the time who said that he had deliberately been involved in producing a film that was set up to achieve funding. I can't remember the title but I do remember it being about Asian Lesbians cooking curry. The producer said the plot ticked so many boxes that money was thrown at it. It's almost certain, however, that it was a box office flop.

It seems at times that all we are concerned with in this country is box ticking and meeting minority quotas. I can see so many worthwhile films never seeing the light of day in the future that we could be left with a kind of X-factor of the film world where only the most benal films with little or no artistic merit see the light of day. I worry that standards will drop and we will lose the ability to surprise and amaze.

Lots of people have been having fun on Facebook recently by using a little gizmo that tells everyone what the number one record was on the day they were born. The British charts as such didn't begin until the 25th of October 1952 so I have always stated that the number one on my date of birth - 9th October, 1952 - was Here in My Heart by Al Martino. Now I find an excellent series of CDs has been released taking the charts back to more than 13 years previous. Apparently the first music chart show appeared on Radio Luxembourg around 1939 with the charts based on the sale of sheet music. So technically the first number one on the day of my birth was The Homing Waltz by Vera Lynn and Alma Cogan.

Today saw me keep up my New Year's resolution to cut my weight and improve my fitness by regular exercise. That means either the gym or a lengthy walk each day. Today I played golf. I always get more exercise on the golf course than my opponents simply because I hook and slice the ball more than them, which usually takes me on a rather circuitous route around the course.

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Bravery and The Same Old Story

I was speaking to my cousin today and she told me that she thought there were some details of her father in law's war record on the Internet but she wasn't sure how to access the details. So I spent an enjoyable hour or so reading about the bravery of Squadron Leader William Cowan Ollason and his many decorations.

Squadron Leader Ollason, who I believe later became a Group Captain, was involved in 15 bombing raids over Germany and Italy. His bravery was rewarded with numerous awards including the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). On one occasion he managed to bring an aircraft home despite being bombed and losing colleagues.

Nice to read about a genuine wartime hero. It does underline the futility of war and loss of life, however. Whilst the British were bombing Hamburg, Berlin and Dresden etc the Germans were bombing Coventry, Norwich and London etc. Thousands and thousands of innocent people butchered in the name of obsession and power. The sheer futility of it all.

And talking of futile things it's getting round to American election time again. There seems to be some feeling that Barack Obama won't be elected for a second term. What on earth does that say about the man - even George W Bush got eight years in the White House?

I just wonder when disillusionment will finally set in with politics. Obama was heralded as the great American hope, the man who was going to make the USA great again. The fact he may fail appallingly makes you ask the question just when will a charismatic politician who also has great policies come along? How many times have we been promised a new golden age only to find that the new great hope is no better than what has gone before? The same happened in the UK with Tony Blair but ultimately it's always a false dawn.

Now we are faced with months of inanely grinning American candidates shaking hands, smiling as only American political candidates can whilst they promise the earth and subsequently deliver virtually nothing - that's the name of the game, all spin with little substance. What would I give for a political leader to concentrate on his or her own policies rather than just rip the opposition to pieces. The only thing that does is illustrate the lack of policies and the lack of original thought.

Friday, 13 January 2012

Ed Sherran

I think I must be the only person in existence who finds Ed Sheeran dull and uninspiring.

He has been put forward for so many awards, his album is top of the charts and his concerts sell out in minutes, but I just can't understand the attraction.

Today I have been listening to James Taylor, Paul Williams, Phil Ochs and Jackson Browne. Now they can really write a good song.

Cricket, Music and Wimpdom

Yes okay I know Wimpdom isn't really a word but it does sum a certain part of my day up.

Started the morning by flicking through the Sky Sports channels and came across an absolute gem. Australian cricket opener Dave Warner hit the fourth fastest test century in the history of the sport - 69 balls. He destroyed the Indian attack and reached his century with a huge six.

The programme was only spoiled by the commentary team who seemed obsessed with getting Tony Greig to agree to wearing a Mankini. There's something very unwholesome about Middle Aged men trying to regain their youth and be trendy whilst they are just being sad. The image of 6ft 7in Greig wearing such a garment is too painful to think about.

Felt in rather reflective mood during the afternoon by playing one of my favourite all time albums - just an Old Fashioned Love Song by singer songwriter Paul Williams who is relatively unknown but wrote many of the Carpenters' hits such as We've Only Just Begun and Rainy Days and Mondays. Also re-visited Sweet Baby James, a very patchy album by James Taylor but one that contains one of my favourite all time songs "Fire and Rain." Some pieces of music just hit the spot with stunning lyrics. They don't come much better than "I've Seen Fire and I've Seen Rain, I've Seen Sunny Days that I thought Would Never End, I've seen Lonely Days When I could Not Find a Friend, But I Always Though that I'd See You Again.

As for the wimpdom well I should have gone to the gym but it was cold and wet so I chickened out although I did manage a two mile walk.

Saturday, 14 January 2012

Iron Lady and Footie

In many ways I don't like praising services, being wary that at some time most things go to pot in some way, usually due to ridiculous cuts. Having said that the Norwich Park and Ride system is, at the moment, excellent.

Today we didn't have to wait a single minue to get on a bus either into or out of Norwich. So it takes away the hassle of parking in the city.

Started the day by going to see our son Matt's partner Emma who was celebrating her 23rd birthday. So it was cake and coffee before setting off for Norwich. Did some shopping and then had lunch at Morellos cafe opposite Debenhams. Visited Norwich Cathedral for a quilting exhibition which was sadly unimpressive and took just a few minutes to get round.

Went to Cinema City to see the Iron Lady - a thought provoking and very interesting film. Meryl Streep's portrayal of Margaret Thatcher was superb and certainly deserving of an Oscar. It is a difficult film to sum up. Much of it concentrates on Thatcher in old age and this has been commented on by current Prime Minister David Cameron who feels it is too soon to depict Thatcher's frailty whilst she is still alive. I disagree. It is a relatively kindly portrait where we tend to side with Thatcher in the light of some of the toadying male politicians and the sexist make-up of Parliament in the 1970s.

Although it is of course about politics it is more about manners, morals and the course of history. Many of the main events of the era such as the Falklands War, the Brighton bombing and the Miners' Strike are covered but it feels like this is just an aside to Thatcher's character, as if we are viewing her life through a vacuum set aside from the actual events. The power of the film is in not preaching. At the end we feel sorry for a sad, elderly lady rather than feeling angry at her policies. The film leaves us to once again make our own mind up as to whether Thatcher is one of the greatest leaders this country has ever had or a tyrant and autocratic leader that heaped misery on our country.

Left the cinema to find that Norwich had achieved another excellent away win - this time 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion. What price the Canaries to beat Chelsea at Carrow Road next Saturday?

An e-mail from American relatives brought a tear to my eye. My third cousin has become a grandmother for the umpteenth time. One of her triplets has had a baby boy and wanted to include a part of the Steward heritage within the baby's name. So they have called him Blake Owen. It is the second of these names that is the relevant one. My middle name is Owen, my grandfather's middle name was Owen and my eldest son's middle name is Owen. For years I believed it was due to a Welsh connection but some research showed that my great grandmother's maiden name was Owen. It's nice to know that the tradition has now moved to the USA.

Sunday, 15 January 2012

Cold and Grey

One of those cold and depressing days when it just proved difficult to get going. I call this kind a mark time day when staying in the warm is preferable to going out.

It was cold and grey. Popped down to the Hethersett Memorial Playing Field in the morning to take a photo of our Sunday Men's side (Hethersett Athletic FC) who have been given a new strip through the continued generosity and support of Park Farm Hotel. Stayed to watch the first half which saw them drawing 1-1 with Hingham. Sadly I think they went on to lose the game.

Whilst at the playing field I took some photos of the new play equipment to send to Veolia who have met the majority of the cost. Also will be doing some publicity for the local newspaper on the coming official opening of the new equipment which will be on January 25th. The playing field is looking in excellent nick with the new equipment cut off from the playing area by a metal fence which will effectively stop dogs getting in to foul the area. Additional trees have also been planted.

Hethersett is by and large a very progressive village with so much happening and so many good people putting in so much effort. I like to think I contribute to that and over the next few days in this blog will be looking at and discussing some of my roles within the village.

Monday, 16 January 2012

Varied Day

This was a pretty varied day with some highs, but also some lows with the funeral of a neighbour at Earlham Crematorium near Norwich. Another sad occasion, although lunch at the King's Head in Hethersett afterwards was as joyous an occasion as could be expected under the circumstances.

Before going to the service I popped down to Woodside School to take some photos for the Press of a cheque presentation to the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf charity. Then, after an afternoon of writing, went to the latest meeting of Hethersett Athletic Football Club of which I am chairman.

We always meet in the excellent facilities of Park Farm Hotel. Quite a difficult meeting tonight as there is a lot happening and so many things to sort out to keep our 14 teams running smoothly. We give competitive football to all ages from six to adult and both sexes and have eight youth teams, one girls team, two ladies teams and three men's sides.

The club has been in existence since 1991 and holds two national FA awards - one of which is for community involvement. I have been chairman for numeorus years and it really is like running a small business and relies on people giving their time freely. Football is just one of my sporting passions and just one of the things I am involved with in the village. I will feature more in subsequent blogs.

I recently wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron in praise of our village and its efforts in the field of well being, fitness, health, sport and the environment. My original letter got passed to the Cabinet Office and today I received a reply congratulating us on our efforts. Unfortunately the letter spelled my surname incorrectly which doesn't give me a great deal of faith in them if they can't get the basics right.

Must mention how much I have enjoyed the BBC's Sherlock series which puts Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in contemporary London. Excellent drama.

They are still banging on about the portrayal of Maragret Thatcher as a confused old lady in the new film The Iron Lady. The only people criticising the film seem to be those that are embarrassed by the portrayal of Alzheimer's Disease. Anything that highlights this horrible illness has to be for the general good. It is not something that can be ignored or swept under the carpet. So let's continue to raise awareness.

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Cricket, colouring and Poetry

Got up nice and early to catch up on some paperwork and to watch some of the First Cricket Test between England and Pakistan and what a disaster that turned out to be. Pakistan brought the spinners on after just six overs and had England all over the place with wickets falling at regular intervals. Were we really watching the world's number one test team batting? What made it worse was England won the toss and both sides agreed that it was a good one to win and a good batting pitch.

Mind you there was a more interesting game to play - spot the spectator. I swear I saw one at one point. Playing cricket matches in Dubai to a virtually empty stadium seems a pretty pointless exercise. There was scarcely any atmosphere. Then we were subjected to the thoughts of Bob Willis on Sky TV. Now in his time Bob was a pretty fearsome test bowler. He was good to watch. Bob the pundit looks ill at ease, wears badly fitting suits in the trouser department and gives a good impression of a startled rabbit caught in the headlights. He almost makes Nick Hewer, the new host of Countdown on Channel Four, seem interesting. Please note I said "almost." At least Countdown has the delectable Rachel Riley to act as Hewer's sidekick. Bob Willis just had Marcus Trescothick!!!!!

Talking of empty cricket grounds reminds me of a visit to Napier in New Zealand a few years back when we walked into their test ground to watch a first class match and counted the number of spectators on one hand!

Went on a very pleasant five mile walk around the Thorpe area of Norwich with lunch at The Cottage Pub. Visited one of my favourite areas - Thorpe Green - which I used to know as Whitlingham. Took some photos and enjoyed the January sunshine despite the cold. On the way back to the car passed an interesting Middle Aged lady with long bright blue hair. Obvious comment was "That colours not natural" (I'm quick like that). Second thought was "why would anyone of her age want to colour their hair blue? Why would anyone of any age want to colour their hair blue?" Green and yellow for Norwich City supporters I can just about accept but not BLUE.

Thorpe Green is very picturesque with the river area, boats, a train line running alongside and a green for picnicking (but not when it's cold). I was reminded of my impressionable youth when I wrote a hideous poem entitled "A Poem Influenced By Wild Swans at Coole by W.B. Yeats". It was set in Thorpe Green and included the following:

We came to that place where swans drink,
Their thirst an unquenchable feeling of desire.
The water lapping, quietly refreshing in its dignity.
Scenes of childhood in those swans
Solitude, love and emotions,
A craving to better myself.

Scenes of childhood when as a boy I watched,
Silently, gazing at the thrill of things unmeaningful.
The trains with steam hissing smoothly,
The quiet blue engulfing skyline
Encompassed by our complete world
A world within a world.

If you think that's bad you should read the rest of it which is actually worse. I'm glad you will never get to read the rest (whoops I forgot it's all on my family web site.

This evening I'm off to the Hethersett village pantomime which is always fun and goes back to the 1970s. Sitting in the front row I could easily be a target for the Dame or smart arse from on stage. If anyone has a go at me my retort will be sharp:

"I don't have to come here to be insulted."

To which the obvious reply from the stage will probably be "Where do you usually go?"

It will be quite late when I get back from panto so I will tell you what I thought of it tomorrow.

Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Politics - Such a Turn Off

Can't quite make my mind up about what is the biggest turn off - politics or the X Factor. Pretty close thing I would say.

To sum up the current political situation purely from a personal point of view of course. We have a prime minister who is not wanted, a leader of the opposition who is unelectable and a leader of the Lib Dems who is an irrelevancy. So just where do we go from here? Where are the people with charisma and where to the point are the people with genuine policies? I loved Ed Miliband's latest gem - expecting workers to take pay cuts to save their jobs. Dear Ed must be very naive if he thinks pay cuts will save jobs!! Of course everyone would love to voluntarily earn less whilst we are in a vast recession where things are hard but prices continue to soar. Mr Miliband has managed in one swoop to alienate the Unions and half his own party. Is this really a man capable of becoming Prime Minister? To me British politics are in a mess - fuelled by self centred arrogance where the man or woman in the street is expected to foot the fat cat bill whilst finding themselves in serious financial difficulties. What we need is a leader that stands up for the people, a people's champion and not somebody that toadies to the rich whilst selling the poor down the river. IMHO.

Last night's Hethersett pantomime Dick Whittington was the usual mix of colour and fun and thoroughly enjoyable. Much of the fun in village pantos comes from the fact that those on stage seem to be enjoying themselves as much as the audience and there are plenty of in village jokes. The best bits are where the cast forget their lines and start ad libbing. Hethersett village panto is definitely one of the highlights of the village year - two hours when you can forget your troubles and just have a good time.

Thursday, 19 January 2012

Big Crowd cancelled!

Apparently they are expecting a big crowd in Dubai for tomorrow's play in the test between England and Pakistan. Sad they didn't tell the England batsmen who have just fallen apart and handed Pakistan a massive victory and I thought we were the top test team in the world.

Norwich City look as if they may just have bagged one of the best bargains of the season if they sign Jonny Howson. A midfielder in the style of Frank Lampard.

I understand that Hethersett has been nominated for a national Big Society award in recognition of all the hard work put in by so many people over the past few years. Watch this space as they say.

Friday, 20 January 2012

Why are Cups of Tea Always Nice?

Just been asked whether I would like a nice cup of tea. Have you ever wondered why nobody asks you whether you would like an ordinary or a nasty cup of tea? For some reason cups of tea are always designated as nice.

Which brings me on to one of my pet hates - the use of degrees of uniqueness. There are no degrees. Something cannot be completely or totally unique or almost or nearly unique. If it is the only one of its kind it is unique. If there is more than one it cannot be unique.

All this must lead you to think that today has been pretty boring. Not so. Spent the morning organising an opening ceremony for new play equipment on Hethersett Memorial Playing Field next Wednesday. Being a trustee of the playing field is another of my functions and an enjoyable one at that. Trustees look after the field and 2012 promises to be a bumper year for events - more of which later. We are trying to make the field one of the hubs of village life.

One of my ambitions this year is a minimum of 60 visits to the gym. Today was visit five so any more visits in January will be a bonus.

Now excuse me if I finish reading Are We There Yet by Ben Hatch. It's an enjoyable book about his family's 8,000 mile journey around Britain. Oh and it must be time for a nice cup of tea.

Saturday, 21 January 2012

Football, a horse and some canals

Sometimes a day is so busy that it becomes impossible to fit a Blog in. So although this Blog is dated 21st January it is being written on the 22nd, but it is still about the 21st (if that makes sense).

I told anyone willing to listen that Norwich would at least get a draw against the overpaid so called superstars of Chelsea. Just remember that any one of the Chelsea players is valued at more than our entire team and any one of their players will be earning more than our players put together. That should put the 0-0 draw at Carrow Road into perspective. Norwich battled away brilliantly and the reaction at the end from the crowd said it all.

Fernando Torres was tamed, Frank Lampard got injured and only Matta looked like a world class player and that was only on a few occasions. Norwich played as a team and manager Paul Lambert is the most tactically aware manager we have ever had. Not to mention I have won a free lunch from a bet on this game!!!!!

That set the rest of the day up nicely and in the evening we went to see Stephen Spielberg's latest film War Horse at Cinema City. In many ways it was an amazing film and certainly much much more enjoyable than the London stage play which we saw a few weeks ago. Unlike the stage version, this was easy to follow and understand and, despite lasting for almost two and a half hours, never dragged.

One of my least favourite words is "awesome" because it is totally overused, especially by young people. How many times have you heard them use it to describe something that is at best good and usually very often average (like a particular performance on the X Factor)? I think it probably comes from their lack of life experience. I try not to use it but have to say that from a cinematography point of view War Horse was awesome. Okay it's not the best film I've ever seen, it wouldn't even make my top 20, but the action shots are almost unexplainable. How the director and his crew got the horses to act in such a way is well beyond my comprehension. It is one of the few films I have seen that really underlines the futility of war as well with soldiers going "over the top" to be cut down by the enemy.

The film is also very clever in viewing the war from four different perspectives - firstly the perspective of the War Horse, secondly the British perspective, thirdly the German perspective and fourthly the French perspective. This turns the film into more of a narrative rather than just a film about animals and their part in the First World War. It shows the shared fears of British and German troops alike and the futility of that war is summed up in a beautifully crafted scene where a British and German soldier meet in No Man's Land to cut the hero horse Joey free from barbed wire. The two soldiers find common ground, chat like friends and shake hands. They share the futility of their position and the horrible waste of the conflict.

The futility is particularly underlined by the power of the British soldier going out of the trench under a white flag to try and save Joey the Horse. Having had most of their men cut down by the enemy in "going over the top" this one guy is entreated not "to be a bloody idiot." Here we are left to focus on one individual and his heroic/stupid act rather than the thousands who have already been butchered and massacred. It makes a very powerful image because it shows that the individual is important and not just canon fodder.

So having seen the play and now the film, all that is left is to read the book to complete the 2012 month of War Horse!!!

Somewhere on television, I believe it was yesterday, there was a piece about the poor state of bridges in Milton Keynes. It was pointed out that Milton Keynes has more bridges than Venice. How many times do we point out that something has more of something than Venice?

Birmingham continually points out that it has more canals than Venice, places are referred to as the Venice of the North, South, East or West and even in China we visited a city that was so unremarkable that its name escapes me. We were told that it is known as the Venice of the East.

Guys let's get this into perspective. Venice is unique. It is one of the world's greatest Cities and certainly one of the most memorable, unusual and historic. You cannot liken Birmingham, Milton Keynes or a random Chinese City to it because it wins hands down. With respect to Brum and MK just ask anybody where they would prefer to visit and I think Venice might just come out on top,.

Sunday, 22 January 2012

Books, Manics and Loud Music

Before I go to bed at night I try to read for half an hour. As the years have gone by reading has become an increased pleasure and now new e-readers make everything so simple. I love downloading library books to my Sony Reader or books from the Kindle Store to my Kindle. They are so easy to carry around for the odd half hour waiting somewhere or travelling on a bus etc.

Just occasionally I actually read a printed book and libraries are still my favourite place to visit. I was able to spend an hour in Norwich's excellent Millennium Library yesterday. I love this building. Apparently it is the most visited library in the country. Many years ago the old library was destroyed by fire. Everyone thought it was a disaster. Thankfully thousands of books were saved but, above all else, a wonderful Phoenix rose from the ashes in the shape of the award winning Forum building which also hosts restaurants, archive centres and many other delights with regular sales and exhibitions in the large foyer.

It puts the old and new together in Norwich. Within a few yards you have the historic Guildhall, City Hall, the Theatre Royal, St Peter Mancroft Church and Norwich Market Place. Oh and that's not forgetting the very new Chapelfield shopping mall which is accessible by walking through a church graveyard.

So yesterday I took out a novel entitled "Richard" by Ben Myers which is based on the life of tragic Manic Street Preacher Richie Edwards who mysteriously went missing in 1995 and was presumed dead in 2008. I have never been a huge fan of the Manics but reading the first 100 pages of this book has tempted me to return to their back catalogue with renewed interest and particularly to their album The Holy Bible.

Edwards was a tortured soul - anorexic, a self harmer who suffered severe bouts of depression. He had very limited talent as a musician and often used to mime on stage. So where lies his appeal? Edwards was no Syd Vicious character. He was a humble man from a solid Welsh family background, erudite and intelligent, who got straight A grades and a 2:1 degree at University. He almost masterminded the lyrics and musical direction of the Manics but was always somebody who could relate to others suffering the same anguish as himself. I was particularly interested to read whilst doing some research that one of his most notorious incidents took place at the excellent Norwich Arts Centre which over the years, despite being a small former redundant church, has hosted some the rock musics greatest from the Manics to Nirvana, Muse to Coldplay, the Stone Roses to Kasabian and two of my all time favourite artists Judy Collins and Jimmy Webb. The incident in question saw Edwards carve the words "4 Real" into his forearm with a razor blade after an argument with DJ Steve Lamacq over the band's authenticity and values. The photograph of this incident has become one of the most famous in rock history.

Ordered tickets for the Maccabees concert at the University of East Anglia in March. Not only do we now have to pay a ridiculous �1.50 per ticket booking fee but we also have to pay for postage costs as well. I think shortly live venues are going to shoot themselves in the foot with these hidden additional charges. Anyway back to the Maccabees. Their latest album Given to the Wild is my favourite of the year so far, which admittedly isn't saying a lot. I'm sure it will be overtaken by a number of others as the year progresses but it is a half decent effort and they will be worth seeing live.

Loudness at concerts is one of my pet hates and it isn't my age. I love to pump up the volume with the best of them but when you go to see a live band and they are so loud that every song sounds the same and the lyrics cannot be heard over the noise it all becomes pointless. This was really illustrated last year when I went to see an American band called the Hold Steady. Sometimes myself and my mate take what we call "a punt" on bands. The Hold Steady were recommended by some mutual friends and are one of the favourite bands of Uncut magazine which I subscribe to. They are known for their literate songwriting. They were playing a small venue - Norwich Waterfront. I have to say it isn't one of my favourites. the acoustics aren't great and there always seems to be a preponderance for heavy bass.

We left the Hold Steady gig before the end (first time I have done this for many years). They were over the top, ear shattering loud and listening to them (if listening is the right word) was a complete waste of time. If bands want to be so loud and indistinct why bother to write lyrics. They may as well just scream into the microphone which is basically exactly what they were doing.

Sadly you can never be sure how loud a band will be. So I will report on the Maccabees and their volume control in due course.

Monday, 23 January 2012

The Reasons for a Health Kick

When I'm out and about in the village nowadays I try to leave the car at home for a number of reasons:

1/ Walking improves health
2/ It cuts down petrol costs
3/ It's good for the environment.

I think number one is the primary motive. I spend a lot of my time promoting health, fitness and well being in the village, urging people to cycle, walk and exercise. So it would be a touch hypocritical to not practise what I preach. It also all ties in with the aims of Hethersett and the Meltons Sports Association which has been in existence for a year next moth.

Mind you I'm lucky to be around today. Was just plugging a vacuum cleaner in yesterday when there was a loud bang and a bedside lamp exploded! It threw out all the fuses. I showed my prowess as an electrician, however, by repairing the damage and getting everything back working relatively quickly. Actually I waggled some switches and pressed some buttons and hoped for the best!

This morning I walked to the village hall to meet with the parish clerk to talk about proposed development in the village and then in the afternoon went to the library for some research. Other than that Monday is always my writing day when I get various web sites up to speed and also send newspaper copy over for the Norwich Evening News and the Wymondham and Attleborough Mercury.

Archant (a newspaper and magazine group) have launched a new web site called IWitness24 which opens itself up to contributions from the public - a kind of online publication featuring stories and photos sent in via the Internet. mobile phones etc. I sent a number of photographs taken in early morning Norwich and they have been published.

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

What a Grey Day

Grey, damp and cold - the kind of day when you want to pull your duvet over your head and hibernate rather than get up and face the elements.

Some strange items on the news today like suggestions that families that have two or more teenagers having to share a bedroom should be classed as homeless. Can't quite work that one out. I thought it was called growing up with brothers and sisters.

Then there was the young guy who was asked to pay over �2,000 for car insurance and, as a test, changed his sex (only on the form of course) from male to female and was offered the same insurance for �1,000. Sex discrimination he claimed. Not so said the insurers, young male drivers are twice as likely to have an accident as female. Make of that what you will.

So some bright spark attached a monitoring device to a young male's car to check his driving habits. Doh - do they not realise that with a device in his car he is going to drive very differently!!!!!

Then we had the wonderful U Tube clip (and apparently one hour's worth of additional footage is being uploaded to U Tube every second) where a classical violinist (name escapes me) was in the middle of a piece when a mobile phone went off. So what did he do next.

You might expect him to stop playing and get angry. Yes he stopped playing but he then started playing the ring tone with embellishments and more than a little twinkle in his eye - absolutely priceless.

Tonight we are off to the weekly quiz at Wymondham Railway pub. Tomorrow will be a big day in the village with a pledge to fitness day at the local Infants' school and the official opening of the new play equipment on Hethersett Memorial Playing Field. I have enjoyed arranging a short opening ceremony and will be at all the events with my camera, recording everything for posterity.

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Great Day in the Village

What a great day it's been in Hethersett and so many people to thank.

2012 promises to be an exceptional year with so many events taking place and so many people working so hard to make us one of the best places to live in Norfolk, in East Anglia and in the whole of the country.

Today saw the Active Norfolk pledge to fitness pod at Woodside Nursery and Infant School which gave local children and adults the chance to pledge towards improved health and fitness either on paper or via a simulated velodrome video link from within a tent like structure. High tec fun yes but also a serious side to it. Lovely to meet up again with Norfolk Olympian Paul Evans who wants to start an athletics group in Hethersett and has the funding to do so. Paul will be coming to the next meeting of Hethersett and the Meltons Sports Association to outline his proposals.

Then in the afternoon we had the official opening of the new playground equipment on Hethersett Memorial Playing Field. The equipment is in place thanks to the generosity and funding from the Veolia Group, the Geoffrey Watling Foundation and the South Norfolk Neighbourhood Scheme.

We had a very pleasant ceremony with Norwich City's Andrew Surman cutting the ribbon and then having his picture taken with and signing autographs for local youngsters. Andrew really entered into the spirit of the event and was an excellent ambassador for Norwich City Football Club.

Oh and he visited the school to pledge to help keep Norwich City in the Premier Division.

Many thanks also to Woodcote Sheltered Housing Complex for providing refreshments at the end of the event. It was a day that will long be remembered, but just the first of many such days we will see throughout this Olympic year.

Top Fours - All a Matter of Choice

Somebody asked me yesterday to name my four greatest loves in life and put them in order. What an impossible task. Of course number one would always be my family, but excluding them and thinking more along the hobby lines they would have to be (in no order) - sport, music, reading and writing.

Trying to put them into an order is virtually impossible as it's difficult to separate them. I read about music and sport, I write about music and sport, so they are all intertwined. Suffice it to say they all give me incredible pleasure.

But of course each of those can be sub-divided. Name my four favourite sports. That would have to be football (soccer if any Americans are reading this), cricket, tennis and golf - all of which I have played to various degrees of success. Then there's reading and favourite authors. Well one would have to be Dickens but where do you go from there? As for writing well I like writing about virtually anything whether it be in diary form, poetry form or prose form. Give me a computer keyboard and I'm happy (probably might be a tad happier if it is attached to a computer).

That takes me to music which is obviously subjective and open to personal taste. I was very interested in the comments made by violinist Nigel Kennedy on Radio Two yesterday when picking his favourite pieces of music for "Tracks of My Years." Kennedy is renowned as a spiky haired classical violinist with rock music leanings.

Ken Bruce asked him about his favourite music and his reply was interesting. He basically said that to pigeon hole people and musical styles is wrong as tastes differ and most people have a surprisingly open mind about what they listen to with a huge variety of styles on their Ipods and MP3 players. As he pointed out, many people categorise music as either classical or pop whereas in reality there are two much more distinctive types of music - good or bad - irrespective of whether it's classical or popular.

In other words keep an open mind and listen to all styles and types of music. Today I have listened to English classical composer Patrick Hawes and Swedish alt country/folk duo First Aid Kit whose music is better than their name. It's a kind of swingalong harmonious country. Well worth listening to.

Interestingly the two tracks played by Kennedy were rather unexpected. - Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple and the sublime River Man by Nick Drake. You can't get two more different tracks than those.

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Catching Up, The People of Abu Dhabi and Cold Callers

I have always liked the phrases After the Lord Mayor's Show and hoisted by his own petard to mention just two. Today was certainly an occasion for the former. Yesterday was such a busy and buzzy day in the village that today was always going to be something of a comedown and a day catching up on all my promotional stuff like placing yesterday's information and photos on my village web site at www.hethersett.org.uk, sending off thank you e-mails and photographs to individuals and supporters of the events and putting details on the new Archant iwitness24 web site.

So a day tied to my desk while England showed some sense of normality in the second test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi which reminds me of that awful Flintstones joke about the people of Dubai not liking the Flintstones whereas the people of Aba Dhabi Do - seriously strange.

For the first time in my life I have agreed with something said by professional footballer Joey Barton. I may have mentioned him before. He's in trouble again for tweeting and has just received another letter of warning from the dinosaurs at the Football Association. His crime this time was simply tweeting what he thought the results of matches involving Manchester United and Manchester City would be at the weekend. The kind of comments passed by millions every weekend. Problem is the FA think by telling us who he thinks will win Mr Barton could be compromising or having some affect on the outcome of the games - I don't think I've ever heard anything so ridiculous.

I seem to be the subject of regular cold calls - three in consecutive days from people wanting me to take part in surveys. They all come from India and start with the words "I am not trying to sell you anything." Well indirectly of course they aren't. But once they pass your details and contact numbers on to various other organisations I just know I would be subjected to rude hard sell once again. I'm afraid I told this morning's caller to p--s off. I really do view this as an intrusion in my privacy and it's particularly annoying when I'm in the middle of some quite intricate work that needs considerable concentration.

Friday, 27 January 2012

Tax and Breasts!!!

Relief today after having filled in and submitted my tax return - a horrible task self employed people have to do each year.

It ends up as a very complex matter, that is more than a tad confusing as well. The problem is that not only are the forms difficult to understand and fill in, the whole payment thing gets very confusing. Now that payments have to be made on account for the coming year the whole thing gets even more confusing. The worst part is the system works out the amount of tax you owe but doesn't take into account anything paid on account which you are left to subtract. Get it wrong and you get charged interest! It's all extremely complex and confusing. Certainly glad it's behind me for another year although at times I question what the point of working hard is when much of the money gets taken away. But I mustn't get started on the benefits situation or I would go on all day.

Which leads me to a subject that certainly isn't a benefit - breast implants. Call me old fashioned but I really don't see quite where this kind of cosmetic surgery should fit into human existence. We are what we are and should accept that fact. I hate being short but wouldn't want any kind of leg stretching operation. Feeling unhappy with your shape is all down to the consumerist and throwaway society we live in. It really is what you are inside and not what you look like that is important, although it is important to take a pride in your appearance. But taking a pride doesn't or shouldn't involve having your body carved about in so called enhancements.

There was an item on the national news yesterday that featured in quite graphic detail an operation to remove a silicon breast implant that had ruptured. The woman involved said "I always wanted big boobs" and then complained because she was having to pay for the implants to be removed. I can't see there being much sympathy for her in her financial loss. Why should the National Health foot the bill for an operation that should be unnecessary and is all centred around vanity? Yes I understand the psychological situation but I still come back to the point - be happy in your own skin and with what you were born with. Stop trying to fight the forces of nature. Take care of yourself by keeping fit, exercising and eating properly and let's leave the skills of the surgeon to necessary operations. Stop listening to the advice of fatuous people.

There seem to be so many good films around at the moment. Often you go months without anything of note and suddenly four or five good ones come out at once. Over the past couple of weeks we have seen The Iron Lady and War Horse. Today we have decided to go to Cinema City again but can't decide between the film about J Edgar Hoover, Shame, The Artist or The Descendants. Could be a late choice based on seat availability. I will let you know which one we decided on tomorrow.

Saturday, 28 January 2012

Wild About Hethersett and Newts on the Moon

So last minute change of plan meant we didn't have to choose a film to see yesterday. Instead went to the monthly quiz at Bawburgh Golf Club. These are usually over subscribed and so thought we had missed out this time around but an early morning phone call established differently. We came fourth or fifth which was disappointing as we usually finish in the top three and won the last one. Still another very good evening.

This morning I went to Hethersett Methodist Church for the launch of the Wild About Hethersett book - an excellent publication detailing all the nature witnessed in the village in 2011. The cost of the book has been part met by a bequest from dear old George Beckford who died a couple of years ago and left money in his will for a specific project in the village. George was a leading environmentalist and chair of the parish council and an all round top guy. He would have been well pleased with the book which acts as a scrapbook of biodiversity. Yet another example of Hethersett working together as part of a Big Society concept. Yesterday I launched a new section on my village web site to reflect all the excellent work in the village to improve sport, leisure, fitness, well being and the environment.

Went from the church to Norwich City's training ground at Colney to see the first half of the club's Under-18s game against Chelsea. Norwich were leading 2-0 when we left. Now I'm trying to thaw out as it is very sunny and bright but very cold (well it is still January). Interesting to see the five minute tirade from the Chelsea coach aimed at the referee at half-time. It probably surrounded Norwich's second goal. As somebody who has a diploma in sports psychology this kind of thing interests me. Basically the referee can do nothing about a decision that happened minutes earlier, whether it be right or wrong. The coach would have left his players on their own in the dressing room, would probably gone into them moaning about the decision and unsettling them even more when what he should have done was put the decision behind him and concentrate on working out how his side could pull back from being two goals behind.

And whilst we are on the subject of sport what on earth were England doing losing the test match against Pakistan when they required under 150 to win. Admittedly the Pakistan spinners were excellent but England allowed themselves to be psyched out of the game through negative tactics in trying to grind their way to the very modest total. They got bogged down. Had they have attacked the Pakistan bowlers they would have made them look ordinary rather than world beaters. Now we have lost the test series let's hope we adopt a more positive attitude for the final test in Dubai.

Fascinated to see that American presidential candidate Newt Gingrich wants to see a colony developed on the moon by 2020. Presumably only Americans would be accepted. And I thought I was the only person living in Cloud Cuckoo Land. Gingrich may not make it to the White House on policies but he does seem to have enough potty ideas to get there. He wants to make the moon an American state apparently. Maybe Gingrich had been at the alcohol hence the phrase p----d as a Newt!!

A friend said they had fallen behind with Eastenders and could I tell them what's been happening recently. Well basically Phil Mitchell shouted at people, Phil Mitchell hit some people, Phil Mitchell felt sorry for himself then Phil Mitchell shouted at people, Phil Mitchell hit some people, Phil Mitchell felt sorry for himself and then everyone shouted at everyone else and that's about it. Oh sorry forgot Pat Butcher died.

Sunday, 29 January 2012

Engrossing Tennis and Holiday Decision Time

Engrossed in the Australian tennis men's singles final around lunchtime today. Unbelievable match between Djokovic and Nadal. These guys have spent the last few years (along with Roger Federer) taking tennis to new heights.Supreme athletes with supreme skill. The result almost doesn't seem to matter as it's hard to take sides for or against such fantastic players.

Last night we came joint first in the Little Melton Village Hall quiz. Lost out on a tie breaker which was to name the two stations at the ends of the London Victoria Underground line. We got Brixton but not Walthamstowe. Respect for the other team for getting both!

The weather was good enough today for more gardening and another three bags of rubbish collected. We are still well ahead of where we would be in a usual winter and now are beginning the job of cutting things back.

Where to go on holiday this year. That's the question. With everything that is happening in the village and all my involvement it's getting increasingly difficult to pick a date. There are three short breaks we really fancy from an historical point of view. The first is a six day tour of Northern Ireland including Belfast - somewhere I have been wanting to go to for many years but never got around to. Then there's a five day visit to Dresden and Berlin - two more places I have wanted to visit and finally Krakow in Poland with a visit to Auschwitz included.

Norwich City have been drawn home to Leicester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup. This is a game they should be more than capable of winning and reaching the quarter-finals.

Monday, 30 January 2012

Manufactured Pop But It's Okay

There is an unbelievable number of things going on in our village at the moment. Today I tried to put as many on my village web site as I could and it took virtually all day. 2012 is going to be a huge year for fitness, sport, well being, health and the environment.

So pretty much stuck in the study all day. On days like this I need music to keep me going and today worked my way through a whole host of new releases through my Napster account. I wuite like the Lana Del Rey album Born to Die which I have been looking forward to ever since the release of Video Games. There is a lot of criticism of Del Rey for being a manufactured artist. But does this really matter? It has scarcely stopped Madonna or Lady Ga Ga. Del Rey is really common or garden Elizabeth Grant but the fact is that Video Games was an Internet phenomena and responsible for gaining the artist a major record deal. So the question is whatever her name is this a good album and the answer is yes. Del Rey has a sumptuous voice that has depth as well as variety. Okay the album falls far short of being a classic but it is half decent and in these times of so much dross that's probably good enough.

Other albums I listened to included Old Ideas by Leonard Cohen, Ringo 2012 by Ringo Starr, Hello Cruel World by Gretchen Peters, The Lion's Roar by First Aid Kit, Stage Whisper by Charlotte Gainsbourg, Be Strong by the 2 Bears and Barton Hollow by the Civil Wars.

Enjoyed the offerings of Gretchen Peters (morbid country/folk), First Aid Kit (Swedish female harmonisers) and Barton Hollow (slightly too country for me but still enjoyed it and was surprisingly impressed by their version of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean). 2 Bears was just too techno for my tastes and Charlotte Gainsbourg left me cold. So what about the two from aged Septuagenarians.

Ringo Starr is 71 which might account for the shortness of his latest album. It must have taken him ages to think of the title Ringo 2012. The album weighs in at a less than impressive nine tracks and lasts just 28 minutes and 51 second!! Take into the account that one of the pieces is a re-working of a 1973 song and another a re-working of a song from 1977 and you begin to think the guy was struggling. Add in the fact that he covers Buddy Holly's Think it Over and re-arranges Rock Island Line and the whole thing is beginning to look rather thin.

Then we have the obligatory song about his past in Liverpool. Whereas in previous albums there was merit in Liverpool 8 which spawned Liverpool 8 and Y Not which gave birth to The Other Side of Liverpool, this time around we have In Liverpool which is quite poor. The opening track Anthem is embarrassing with the opening lyrics "This is an anthem of peace and love/We have got to keep trying we can't give up." Sounds like the poetry of a 12 year old.

Ringo is just a youngster compared with 77 year old Leonard Cohen. His new album has garnered almost universal praise. I'm still not sure about Old Ideas. The thing that worries me about Cohen is the fact that bankruptcy forced him back into the music business - so money was more of a motivation than art. His voice croaks/talks through the pieces but there is poetry here and poetry that knocks Ringo's efforts into a cocked hat.

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Capital Idea

Very pleasant walk round the outskirts of Wymondham this morning. It was a bright but very cold day. Lunch afterwards at Wymondham Railway pub.

Interesting article on the news about a new city being created as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Apparently something like 26 places are in the running ranging from the good to the bad and the plain ugly. One of them is Tower Hamlets in London. Sorry but TH is part of London which is already a City.

Looking down the list the best claim seems to come from Colchester from an historical point of view. Strikes me the place deserves to be a City.

Subjected to another nuisance cold call today although at least this came from somebody we have our car insurance with. But there is something quite unwholesome about being asked to pay for add ons with a company you are already with. In this case it was the AA who were trying to sell me legal protection and other bits and pieces that would total over �50. If I had wanted these services I would have taken them out when I took out the policy. Actually I feel sorry for these people who have to go through policies, identify people they feel have not paid enough and contact them. The AA is bad for this kind of thing. I can remember taking out a �25 recovery service in a special offer a few years ago only to find when I went to renew it that the cost would have been well over �200. I bet some people just pay that without thinking and without being aware. Nowadays you do have to be very aware of what almost amounts to a scam.

February 2012

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Paul McCartney's New Offering

A lovely bright, but very cold day here in rural Norfolk. So shut up in the study once again sorting out tax payments, invoices and other really dull stuff whilst listening to Kisses on the Bottom - the new CD from Paul McCartney.

Opinion on this CD is going to be really split between those who enjoy the jazzy Michael Bubble style and those who think it's a bit of a cop out. Essentially McCartney has recorded a number of his favourite songs from his childhood citing the influence his father had on his musical upbringing. Incidentally the name of the album comes from a line in one of the songs referring to a letter and not to some strange sexual fantasy!

Some would argue that there are just too many established artists bringing out albums of cover versions and this could be because they have nothing new or original to say. Of course Macca is too much of a legend to accuse him of that. He doesn't have to do this and it can scarcely be motivated by financial need. So is it any good? Well to me it's too laid back. The songs are too well known to anyone with an interest in music of the past. McCartney does cherish and lend a good feel to the songs, but they have all been done so many times before.

Some people will love the album, others will hate it and I'm veering somewhere in the middle. There are two new McCartney compositions and My Valentine is possibly the most enjoyable track on the album. It fits in beautifully with all the other tracks and makes me wonder why he didn't write an entire album of original material in this style. That would have been something to get the critics drooling and also something adventurous to achieve.

The football transfer deadline came and went. Sky TV tried to big it up as a "sensational day" but in reality it was all pretty ordinary unless you are a QPR fan and there seems to be plenty to get excited by. Neil Warnock must be ready for another rant. He takes the team up, gets sacked and then they give his successor shed loads of money to spend to improve the team.

As for Norwich City, well they did some strange business. They bought a defender from Peterborough and promptly loaned him back to Posh for the rest of the season. Seems rather a strange thing to do and not sure how the Peterborough fans will react to watching a player they know will be leaving at the end of the season. They had a similar thing with Craig Mickail Smith last season.

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Go Ahead Village and a Cold Front

If there is a more active village in the country than Hethersett I would like to hear about it.

Tonight we had a meeting of the village Olympic Committee which over the past few years has organised a host of events over a summer weekend. This year the Open Weekend will be from June 22nd to 24th and will feature numerous events that include a flower festival in the parish church, a brass band concert, a songs of praise service, an inter denominational church service in Hethersett Social Club, a 24 hour swimming marathon in aid of the Big C Charity appeal, the third annual Hethersett's Got Talent competition, a sport in the park day featuring more than 20 Olympic sports that can be tried for free, a major ladies five a side football tournament and a run the square two mile fun run.

This year the village will also be holding an Old Style fete on June 3rd to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and those are just a handful of the events being held in the village over the coming few months. I put details of all these and more on my village web site at www.hethersett.org.uk.

Moving swiftly on, it has finally turned cold here in Norfolk. Temperatures today struggled to get above freezing all day and tonight are likely to plummet to -6. Snow could follow over the next few days.

Last night I wasted an evening watching Norwich City lose 3-0 at Sunderland with a lack-lustre performance that was their worst for many many months. Things can only get better when they take on Bolton at home this Saturday.

One of the highlights of the day when I have finished work is to watch the quiz show Pointless on television. One of the hosts Richard Osman is the funniest man on TV and a perfect foil for the presenter Alexander Armstrong who is pretty funny as well. Richard has a wonderful quick wit that is sometimes so sharp that people don't immediately get his comments. Recently one of the rounds asked contestants to give words that ended in the letters arm. One contestant said self-harm. Quick as you like Richard said that's what you do when you move from the country to the city. He then had to explain himself - sell farm. Today he was talking about chameleons and said one specific variety was so good at blending in with its background that he had one on his hand. Of course nothing was there. "It used to be a bit jumpy but now it's a calmer chameleon," he said to a barrage of groans.

This is really my kind of humour based on clever wordplay.

Friday, 3 February 2012

Too Cold To Do Anything But Read! The Day The Music Died

February 3rd 1959 - 53 years since Buddy Holly died. The day the music died (allegedly)

It's cold and snow is forecast for tomorrow which could curtail the weekend's activity. So tonight it's settling down to read and watch TV and try to keep warm.

I have just finished reading Darren Huckerby's autobiography which frankly was disappointing. A pretty mundane run through the life of a professional footballer. Unfortunately it isn't going to be of much interest outside of fans of the clubs he has played for and the writing is rather childish at times. Still it was reasonably enjoyable if you do have to get through the recurring theme of "jolly good chaps all having a lark together."

Now I'm halfway through "The Absolutist" by John Boyne, an author I really enjoy. His best known book is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas which was made into a very successful and very sad film. The Absolutist is not only partly set in Norwich but also in the French trenches in World War One. There are a few inaccuracies though. He refers to a train journey suggesting that a train leaving Norwich at 10 minutes past 10 would arrive in Liverpool Street around midday. Even today that journey would take just under two hours. In the age of steam, when the book is set, it would have taken closer to three hours as I can well remember from journeys in the 1950s. Still it's another rattling good story.

Today we visited a new cafe in Wymondham. Well actually it's an old cafe but under new management in the main street. Karen who now runs it is pretty much a relation. Actually she's the mother of our son's fiancee. Give it a look if you are in the market town.

Saturday, 4 February 2012

What's a VIP?

Just what is a VIP? That's the question that entered my mind as I wandered through Norwich today. I saw a poster at one of the city's cinemas advertising larger, more comfortable seats for VIPs. Now VIP obviously stands for Very Important Person but these seats weren't for important people, just those willing to pay more for their cinema experience. So does the importance of a person really equate to the amount of money they have or the amount they are prepared to pay for a service? Well it does appear so. But it isn't money that turns you into a truly important person it's behaviour and attitude and of course people with the right behaviour and attitude do not consider themselves important.

Spent much of the day in Norwich. Had six layers of clothing on to see me through the visit to Carrow Road to see Norwich beat Bolton 2-0 and it could have been five or six, that's how dominant we were. It was a bitterly cold day and no surprise when we left a quiz at Cringleford School to find quite deep snow outside. Thankfully driving conditions weren't too bad and we got home safely after finishing fourth!

Before going to Norwich I popped into Hethersett Library to pick up two stories for my web site and the local papers. The first was a promotion for the local talking newspaper for the blind and the second preparation of a display of information on the 1948 London Olympic Games which includes photographs I took last year when the 1948 torch visited Hethersett.

Sunday, 5 February 2012

All White!

Woke up to find several inches of snow. Would have been a good day to curl up under the duvet and shut out the world, but I had things to do. So it took 15 minutes to clear the snow off the car and set off for Wymondham, sliding into one of the Town's car parks at about the third attempt.

Spent the day painting at the Coffee Shop and really enjoyed it. Still plenty to do before it re-opens on Tuesday and so another day of painting tomorrow. At least there was no more snow during the day. It shouldn't last long because much of it has already changed into that kind of black sludgy mess that you get, usually after a number of days.

I see that a Dutch company have taken over the former National Express rail service in the East of England. Let's hope they provide a better service and their trains are a bit cleaner and more comfortable. A forlorn hope I guess.

Monday, 6 February 2012

It's difficult to imagine that in a few week's time the spring flowers will be out and temperatures will be well into double figures. At present they are hovering around zero or below. At least the snow is on its way out. Hopefully this will be the only visit from the white stuff this year. It was a brief visit at that.

Hethersett Memorial Playing Field is still under snow, which made the thought of attending an evening meeting to discuss summer fetes, come and try sports days and Olympic weekends rather strange. As a trustee of the playing field I always enjoy my involvement in looking after such an important public space.

It is going to be a very special year in the village with so much going on. At present we seem to be marking time but only for a few days before the action starts. But we have already had a pledge to fitness event and the official opening of the new play equipment and that's just for starters.

I seem to have more and more things from the village to write about in the Norwich Evening News and Wymondham and Attleborough Mercury. As well as that I put them all on my village web site at www.hethersett.org.uk and now on the Iwitness24 site.

Last night I listened to the latest edition of the Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspaper for the Blind after writing a piece on it from Saturday's presentation in the library. It was kind of spooky to find my newspaper stories being read out by someone I don't know and have never met. Spooky but fun. But whilst other people using the service would listen to the stories as news items I was more concerned about whether the grammar was okay. Thankfully it didn't seem too bad.

Looking forward to the coming weekend when (weather permitting) we will be visiting the David Hockney and Charles Dickens exhibitions in London. Whilst on the subject of literature I have almost finished reading the Absolutist by John Boyne - a really good read.

More decorating today at the Wymondham cafe meant I had no time to listen to any of the new music releases. So that's a delight to save for later in the week.

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

An Irish Rover and Auschwitz

For quite some time I have wanted to return to Northern Ireland for a holiday but never got round to it. So today took the plunge and booked a six day trip at the end of April and beginning of May with the National Trust. Although I have travelled quite a lot in Southern Ireland and also been to Port Rush and the Giant's Causeway in the north I have never visited Belfast.

I think as you get older history plays a more important role. So I am looking forward to visiting some of the historic areas that I once studied at school and saw so many times on the news. There were other places that we wanted to visit as well. Primary amongst these were trips to Berlin and Dresden in Germany and Krakow in Poland.

Krakow in itself is apparently a very interesting city, but the main point for the trip there would be a visit to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Not your usual holiday destination, but somewhere I have always wanted to go.

Man's inhumanity to man has always been one of the most distressing aspects of our existence. It's a topic that I find myself returning to often. Nowhere was this more evident than with the Holocaust. I have never really comprehended the scale of the slaughter despite seeing numerous films and reading many books on the subject and visiting museums. There is still something in my understanding that is missing and I'm hoping a visit to the camp would help me to really understand just what went on and maybe answer the major question of WHY?

They say you never hear a bird singing at the camp, as if there are just too many ghosts, as I'm sure there are. Man's inhumanity is something underlined in the John Boyne book I have just finished reading and which I mentioned yesterday. The Absolutist is about the First World War and the futility of young men being used as fodder in a conflict that nobody really understood. It is a frightening thought that had the current generation, including my two sons, been born 120 years ago they could have been fighting in the trenches of France. That's a very sobering thought.

Anyway our Ireland holiday will be more about rolling hills and grand properties. I just hope they don't move Norwich City's home game against Liverpool from the Saturday to the Sunday so that we miss it. I see that the FA Cup Final is scheduled for the day after we return home. Norwich must have as good a chance of reaching the final as they have ever had. A win over Leicester in a couple of weeks' time would put them in the quarter-finals and just two wins away from a final they have never reached.

On a lighter note Norwich manager Paul Lambert was already high in my estimation but has just gone higher by banning his players wearing gloves during matches. I have always thought the sight of players with gloves to be slightly ridiculous. Any player with cold hands is just not working and running hard enough.

Well that's it for today's blog. A blog that when I started I was unsure of what to write. But once I got started I didn't really know how to stop. Tonight I'm round a friends for this month's music club. It's a group of mates that get together each month just to listen to music. Tonight I will be playing the likes of The Maccabees, Frank Turner, First Aid Kit, Leonard Cohen, The Civil Wars, Lana Del Rey and Smith and Burrows.

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Forgot to mention that yesterday was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens - an event that has attracted plenty of publicity. It's astonishing to think that Dickens wrote and published so much and that he was only 58 when he died. Had he lived into his seventies we could have had another seven or eight classic novels to drool over.

Having finished reading John Boyne's The Absolutist I am now onto his book about the American Wild West "The Congress of Rough Riders." Early indications are that this is just as good and readable as his other novels - what a delight to find somebody you enjoy reading so much.

Tonight we have a big meeting for the future of Hethersett Athletic Football Club. We will be discussing what we want to achieve and how we are going to go about achieving it. It could go on for some time which is why we will be starting at 6.45 p.m.

The snow seems to be hanging about although we haven't had any more over the past couple of days. Temperatures continue to be sub zero, however.

Thursday, 9 February 2012

Progtastic Art

There are some wonderfully talented artists in the world who would probably go unknown and unnoticed if it wasn't for the wonderful Internet.

My cousin in Utah sent me details of a young American prodigy called Akiane and, whatever your thoughts on religion are, you have to admit that here is a unique artistic talent. Akiane puts her artwork down to visions of God. I don't want to get into a debate on religion here (maybe I will one day). Suffice it to say that visions or not there is something special here. Christians will claim the talent comes from God, atheists will say it is just a talent that she was born with. Either way this is something special. Have a look at the artwork at http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html

There is also a link from there to Akiane's web site which is also worth a visit.

Have just bought tickets for a concert by John Lees' Barclay James Harvest at Norwich UEA in October. It's a seated concert which somehow seems wrong for a rock venue but perhaps reflects the age of the audience. John will be the only original member of BJH on stage. Woolly Woolstenholme and Mel Pritchard are both dead and Les Holroyd is off doing his own thing with a breakaway group. Lees remains my favourite rock guitarist of all time and would comfortably make my top ten of all time favourite songwriters. It promises to be a progtastic evening.

Interesting to see on the local news on BBC 1 a number of Essex County Councillors quite obviously asleep during a meeting. At least three of them in a line.

Talking of television we seem to be seeing an awful lot of Dawn French at the moment and also an awful little. A slimmed down three stone lighter Dawn seems to be popping up everywhere, doing interview after interview. Of course she has a new series to plug!

Friday, 10 February 2012

No snow, it was go

Ever feel that journalists slightly over-egg the pudding? What I mean is the way they over emphasise something in order not to spoil what they feel is a dramatic story. How many times have we had bad weather stories of road chaos with a special correspondent standing on a bridge over a motorway talking about the appalling conditions only to see traffic moving smoothly.

Last night we were told to be very watchful today and to seriously consider not travelling unless absolutely necessary. It's going to be bitterly cold with snow we were told. Today we travelled from Norfolk to Surrey and had just about the easiest journey ever. No accidents, no traffic jams and certainly no snow. As they say never let the facts get in the way of a good story. I know from my time on newspapers that often a reporter is told the slant to put on a story before they set out to cover an event.

Mind you there must have been snow somewhere as a number of cars were covered which brings me to a pet hate. One driver in particular on the M25 was shedding snow from the back of his car. This was flying across the carriageway and being most annoying. How difficult would it have been to have brushed the snow off before leaving? Unfortunately that takes a bit of effort and thought.

Finally got my MP3 player hooked up to play rough the car stereo. I have over 4000 tracks on it but couldn't remember just what they were. So it was a pretty mixed bag on random play. At one point went from a Carpenters' love song to an Eminem hate song. Pretty much everything in between from Tim Buckley and the Handsome Family to Leon Russell and the Strawbs via Nick Cave, Secret Garden, Joan Baez, Sandy Denny, Harry Chapin and many many more.

Tomorrow a visit to London. Will let you know what I think of the Hockney and Dickens' exhibitions.

Saturday, 11 February 2012

Museum, Exhibition, Casualty and the Sun

One of the joys of visiting London is wandering through back roads in Westminster. There is always something unusual to spot if you keep your eyes peeled. Today we walked from Waterloo, across the Thames, past the courts of justice to Doughty Street to visit the Charles Dickens museum.

Another joy is visiting one of the hundreds of cafes and good value eating houses. People say food and drink is extravagantly priced in London. This is just not true. There is good value to be found at every corner. You just have to search it out and refuse to pay exorbitant amounts of money.

Doughty Road is where Dickens lived as a young man and where he wrote Pickwick Papers. It is in a very desirable residence, very clean and wide. The museum itself is interesting without being hugely memorable. It seems slightly disorganised, not really knowing what it is trying to achieve. Certainly the way the National Trust has re-created Rudyard Kipling's house Bateman's is much better. The Dickens home seems to be more of a random hotch potch.

One of my favourite areas of London is Carnaby Street. Always interesting. It may be a throwback to the swinging sixties but you see some interesting sights and people and the shops are still very colourful.

Then it was on to the David Hockney exhibition. Very mixed feelings about this. Yes it was big, yes it was coulourful but is Hockney really a top class artist - somebody up with the greats of the art world? Many of the works were his portrayal of his native Yorkshire landscapes. But I had mixed feelings. Some of the works were grandiose in scale but I couldn't help feel that hundreds of other unknown artists living in the UK have just as much ability. Art can be very pseudo at times, as if people are afraid to go against the trends and admit that what they are looking at is sadly pretty average.

Got back in time to see another slit the wrist episode of Casualty on BBC 1. This one was totally depressing. An attempted suicide, a rape, children taken into care. Is this really the way we want to be entertained every Saturday evening - personally I think not.

Interesting to see that five journalists from the Sun newspaper have been arrested with regards to the phone hacking scandal. These are people from a newspaper that holds itself up as fighting for truth, honesty and the British way, a campaigning newspaper standing up for the public. The words hypocrisy and self righteous spring to mind.

Sunday, 12 February 2012

Mainly Footie

I don't always agree with Alex Ferguson and some of his rants. Today I'm in the same camp as him. Liverpool player Luis Suarez is an absolute disgrace to football and should be banned from playing in this country.

After his eight week suspension for racist remarks made to Manchester United player Patrice Evra, everyone was expecting the two players to shake hands before the match between them. Suarez ignored Evra's outstretched hand. This man is a disgrace to sport. Mind you Evra's over enthusiastic celebration at the end of the match was hugely over the top. I sometimes wonder where football is going.

Meanwhile Norwich had another excellent victory - 3-2 at Swansea. We became only the second team to win there in the league this season and are now up to eighth in the Premier Division.

Today should be the last of the really cold days. Yesterday in London it was -9 before moving up to a balmy -2!

Monday, 13 February 2012

Cruelty to Pigs and Memory Problems

Terrible piece on the news about pigs being beaten to death in East Harling. Just watched the owner of the farm denying all knowledge of what has been going on. Sounds a bit like the editors of certain papers claiming no knowledge of phone hacking etc.

Trying to explain to somebody after the David Hockney exhibition that he can't hold a candle to my favourite American artist and immediately forgot the guys name. Took me hours to remember it's (sorry forgot again)

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Valentines - A walk and a Norwich City footballer.

Valentines - commercialism gone wrong or a romantic day. I guess you pay your money and take your choice. Not everyone makes the ultimate sacrifice like me. I gave my wife a photograph of her with another man. It was Norwich City footballer Andrew Surman.

So I ask what does Andrew Surman have that I don't. Okay he"s younger, fitter, richer.Okay enough is enough I'll just slink into a corner and listen to my Adele CD. If you are reading this Andrew I'm only joking.

Went for a long walk around Hethersett this morning and took some new photos for the village web site. Not sure how many more pictures I can take of the superb parish church before I reach overkill.

Wednesday, 15 February 2012

A Quiz Win, a Library Event and some Entertaining Television

Last night had a surprise quiz win at Wymondham Railway. Took the family as eldest son Chris is spending a few days with us whilst on half-term from his teaching job. So appropriately we went as a family four and called ourselves Stewards' Enquiry. It shouldn't take a genius to work out why!!

The questions rather favoured those of us who grew up in the sixties and seventies but I was still very surprised to win. The �300 prize for Play Your Cards Right was also won (alas not by us). At the end of every quiz names of those taking part are put in a hat and one lucky person gets the chance to play for a jackpot on the old Bruce Forsyth game. We have been to five or six of these events but it is the first time I have seen anyone win.

This morning I called in at Hethersett Library to take a picture of the display of David Nicholls' book One Day. The library is encouraging as many people as possible to read the book at the same time and put comments on a special wall tree in the foyer. I have to say I read the book a few months ago and was desperately disappointed by it. Haven't seen the film and not sure I really want to. Sent a story from the library over to the Media and onto my village web site.

This lunchtime, whilst eating my snack lunch, I popped the television on to see the start of the news and caught part of Loose Women. Admittedly not a show I would normally watch particularly as they were discussing the menopause! But it was good to see Tony Blackburn and David Hamilton on. I kind of grew up with these guys on the radio and they were excellent entertainment, bouncing jokes off each other. Apparently TB is re-releasing all his singles. Not many people know that he was a singer once although I use the word loosely.

Can't believe that he released something like 18 singles of which two were minor hits. I remember his voice was average to say the least and his material mundane to say the least. As David Hamilton said the new collection will be "Tony Blackburn's greatest hit revisited." I do remember that a girl I went out with for a short time was heavily into TB as a singer!!!!!

Tonight I'm off to see Cool Runnings at Hethersett High School as part of the village's Olympic celebrations 2012 and also part of the South Norfolk True Film Festival. It is likely I will be taking money on the door although difficult to gauge how many people will be turning up.

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Suarez' Apology, Netflix, Cool Runnings and Lack of Original Thought

Sorry but I feel impelled to return to the subject of Liverpool footballer Luis Suarez who this season has been a disgrace to our national sport. The latest thing to annoy me is his obviously hollow apology for refusing to shake hands with Patrice Evra.

According to the Independent newspaper he has apologised following pressure from the club's sponsors who obviously realised that this was already a pr disaster. So Suarez apologised and that's where I have a problem. He only apologised when pressure was exerted by a sponsor and not because he felt in any way contritional.

In many ways that sums up the world in which we live. Originality buried under layers of marketing and public relations and froth. Call it what you will, but we seem to live in a world where originality and original thought rarely exist. People behave in a particular manner or say particular things because that is the way they have been told to act. I would venture to say that apologising was one of the last things on Suarez's mind until he was told to do so and I'm sure that apology was grudging and had more to do with money and the loss of prestige than with genuine contrition.

Last night I went to see the Disney film Cool Runnings at Hethersett High School as part of the South Norfolk True Film Festival 2012. Forgot how entertaining this film was as I haven't seen it since my boys were small. Forgot how it ended as well. Very interested to see that the actors who played the Jamaican Bobsled team are all Americans from New York whereas the American coach John Candy actually came from Canada!!!!

Yesterday I also took out a 30 day trial of Netflix, the American based film and TV web site. It allows me to watch films and TV box sets free for a month to evaluate the service. I can downstream them onto my laptop, my Ipad and even my TV through a Wii console. So I stayed up late looking at what was on offer and have to say initial reactions are poor. No up to date blockbuster films and very few I want to watch. At best the content seems to be patchy and disappointing with old films highlighted not because of their content and importance but because it appears they are all that Netflix has. Will continue my search later today.

Tonight I'm off to see Ana Silvera in Norwich. She's a London based singer-songwriter. Have only heard a couple of tracks from her but liked both, so looking forward to the evening.

Friday, 17 February 2012

Ana Silvera - A Star in the Making?

I know it might sound ridiculous but last night I heard a British singer-songwriter who might just be too talented to become a star.

In these days of instant fame where five minutes exposure on the X Factor can lead to ridiculous record offers and comments about this or that person being the greatest singer of all time, it is nice to see that there are genuinely talented people around.

One such is Ana Silvera, who thankfully hasn't been subjected to the cult of personality. By that I mean that Ana's success to date has come through genuine talent.... and there was plenty of that on show at a new venue for me in Norwich last night.

I went with my friend Mel P to try out Grapevine at the Bedford which is in the centre of Norwich and what a great evening it was. The music started at just after 8 p.m and ran virtually non stop for well over three hours. The cost for this marathon featuring four artists was a princely �5. What value for money.

First up was London singer-songwriter Gil Karpas who veered on the side of blues and jazz and produced an interesting set with a voice that reminded me of Paul Rogers. Ana Silvera was the headline act but came on second due to a need to get back to London.

I can't speak too highly of this set. It is certainly the best performance I have seen from a woman singer since I was lucky enough to see American legend Judy Collins at Norwich Arts Centre a few years ago. Ana is classically trained and it certainly showed in her songs which seem to be a mix of personal pieces and songs based on mythology and fairy stories. The result was a beautiful mix of melodies and strong literate lyrics with Ana's keyboards augmented by cello and a back-up singer.

If there is any justice in this world Ana should become a big star. She has talent in spades and a voice reminiscent of early Janis Ian. Her songs are poignant and she deserves a bigger audience. Hopefully her coming CD "Aviary" will cement some kind of niche for her. Ana Silvera may be small of stature but her personality and musical ability both have star quality.

The evening continued with local singer-songwriter Matt Watson who produced a very varied set, mixing in his own songs with pieces by the likes of Pearl Jam. The evening concluded with a Liverpudlian singer-songwriter brought in at the last minute. Unfortunately I didn't catch his name, but he was very good.

It was a wonderful evening, almost a throw back to the folk clubs of the early 1970s. Usually the venue hosts music every fourth Wednesday in the month. That means I only have to wait just over a week for a return visit. If that concert proves to be half as good as this one it will be well worth seeing.

Saturday, 18 February 2012

Feeling Cheated and a Crazy Evening

Along with the majority of the 24,000 Norwich fans who attended the FA Cup match against Leicester at Carrow Road yesterday, I felt very let down.

Norwich scarcely seemed to be trying against Leicester and the Norwich faithful, who filled the stadium yet again, deserved better. If Norwich were virtually going to capitulate against patently inferior opposition many of those present could have saved themselves �25 a head to watch what at times was something of a debacle.

The club let the fans down by making it very obvious that the FA Cup means very little and in the words of manager Paul Lambert "our priority is staying in the Premier Division." Lambert is absolutely correct in this but why are we so negative about things? We are currently in eighth place in the Premier and the chances of our being relegated are virtually zero. So instead of being defeatist and talking about concerns over sliding down the league why don't we talk about finishing in the top half and making a serious assault on the FA Cup.

Sometimes in our modern age we forget the legacy of the past - often because the people involved have no idea about that legacy. Anybody who lived through Norwich's great cup run of 1959 when we reached the semi-finals as a third division outfit will know the affect that had on the city. A good cup run this year would have had the same affect. 24,000 fans paid good money and expected a win over Leicester. They were disappointed by a lack of ambition and effort. You don't hear Martin O'Neill at Sunderland talking about relegation and the problems of a cup run. He just takes his side into the quarter-finals and realises that success breeds success.

Enjoyed what was billed as a crazy quiz at Hethersett Old Hall School last night in aid of the Wulugu project which works with under-privileged children in Africa. No idea why it was called a crazy quiz as it was pretty straightforward. There were some crazy moments, however, when we were declared the winners and had to tell the organisers that they had added the scores up wrongly and we were actually second and then there was a crazy raffle where all the yellow tickets weren't put in for the draw. Never mind it was a good evening, the food was good and it was for a good cause.

Sunday, 19 February 2012

Words Can Go To Hell Today

As Harry Chapin once observed "Sometimes words can serve me well and sometimes words can go to hell for all that they do." So I hear you say 1/ what has this to do with anything and 2/ Who the hell is Harry Chapin?

To start with 2. Harry Chapin was an American singer songwriter who constructed wonderful story songs and said more in one song than most artists say in a lifetime (only a personal opinion of course) 1. The quote comes from one of his best songs "Story of a Life." And today I'm finding it difficult to think of anything to write about. It's cold and there's football on TV so excuse me if I keep this blog brief. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow (hopefully).

Monday, 20 February 2012

Automobile Anonymous - Caring Artists

Quite frankly the AA are beginning to annoy me.

Cold calling is bad enough but cold calling when you are already with a company seems in some ways to be worse because you feel you are being deliberately targeted rather than being a random entity. We have one of our two car insurances with the AA. A couple of weeks ago they contacted us and tried to sell us additional car insurance to cover the eventualities of being hit by an uninsured driver. We declined. Today they tried to flog us home insurance. I'm quite happy with the deal we already have with another company. The AA offered to pay for our switching to them and "could they help us". At that point I put the phone down on the grounds that 1/ I was in the middle of doing something and 2/ I had no intention of trying to switch with all the hassle that would bring.

I can only assume that the AA is getting desperate. These continued calls will do nothing to endear them to me. however.

Mentioned last week how talented British singer songwriter Ana Silvera is. After seeing her in Norwich last week I wrote a concert review for the Archant Iwitness24 Norfolk web site. Received a really nice e-mail from Ana herself thanking me for the kind words. I always think it's nice when an artist generally acknowledges the support they receive.

Was delighted at the weekend to find that writer RJ Ellory is on his way to Norwich for a personal appearance at Waterstones. I have been in regular contact with Roger over the past few years after hugely enjoying his early novels. He is a most gracious man and I am looking forward to meeting him in the flesh. The previous evening best selling author Robert Goddard is appearing in Norwich as well. Two nice events.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

Addictive Games, Literature and Child Protection

I hate computer games because they can be so damn addictive. Temple Run is the latest that has got me hooked on the ipad. So other than being chased by a clutch of rampant monkeys what else has been going on in my life over the last day or so.

Well last night I attended a Norfolk FA Child Protection workshop for the village football club. There were about 20 members of Hethersett Athletic present and it was a very well organised and important course. Went to one of these three years ago and it's interesting to see how things have changed with part of the evening being taken up with discussing social networking and cyber bullying - certainly a sign of the times.

Today I made a trip into Norwich to sort a few things out and order tickets from Waterstones for two literary events at the end of March. The first is an evening with Robert Goddard at Waterstones and the second an evening with RJ Ellory at Norwich Millennium Library. Excellent value for money. The Goddard event is just �3 per ticket and that includes a glass of wine. The Ellory is just �2 and if you buy a book you get the money taken off. I have read many of Goddard's books and all of Roger Ellorys. I have also been in regular contact with Roger via e-mail but never had the opportunity to meet him in the flesh,

This evening I have been watching the continuing story of Chelsea's demise!

I have also been doing plenty of gardening and as spring approaches (temperatures today into double figures) it's looking rather chipper and strangely tidy for the time of year.

Wednesday, 22 February 2012

Pointless or should it be Puntless or Something Else?

I thought it was going to be 15 degrees and sunny today. It turned out to be barely seven degrees with a biting wind and rain after lunch. So in some ways it was a mistake deciding to play golf as I found it difficult to feel my hands and fingers and the wind played tricks with the small white thing (well that's my excuse). Still was quite pleased with my game despite losing to friend Roger by two holes. Have to say that the Bacon Rolls and coffee at Bawburgh Golf Club afterwards were really the winners.

I have always been a fan of TV quizzes and game shows ever since growing up with the likes of Double Your Money and Take Your Pick. I have written about these in the television section of my own web site and still remember them with fondness, although I'm sure if I viewed them again today they would seem very limp.

I always remember that the first question in Double Your Money was worth �1 (I guess it was a tidy sum in those days) and it was always a joke question that the contestant couldn't get wrong. People would send in questions and if read out they would get �1 as well. I can remember my grandfather sending in a question for the gardening topic. "Is red cabbage, green grocery." Never could understand why they never used this humdinger of a joke question!!!!!

I'm still addicted to quizzes - Eggheads, University Challenge, Mastermind I watch them all. I usually finish my work for the day to co-incide with Countdown which is followed by Deal or No Deal and then Pointless and then Eggheads.

My favourite of all those is definitely Pointless which is excellent, mainly due to the quick wit of the presenters Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman who fire remarks off each other throughout the show. Richard has one of the sharpest wits imaginable and the same kind of sense of humour as myself - usually surrounding word play and obscurity. Often so obscure that nobody else understands them. I guess it's all the product of an over active brain.

The object of Pointless is to give obscure answers that are unlikely to have been said by 100 people who are surveyed. The winners always have the lowest score as opposed to the highest. I believe the quiz should go out on tour and appear at a variety of the following venues:

A local pub where it could be called Pintless
The River Cam in Cambridge where it could be Puntless
The local decorating company where it could be Paintless
The local strip club where it could be Pantless
The town without any bridges where it could be Pontless (tough one that)
and finally Tunbridge Wells where it could be Pantiles (sorry that's a play on words that only people with a knowledge of Royal Tunbridge Wells will understand). For the uninitiated I will explain tomorrow.

A few years ago I was a contestant on the Weakest Link. Got voted out in the final round by two ladies. I would like to say they ganged up on me but it wasn't true as we all got one vote each and the strongest link voted me off.

Thursday, 23 February 2012

The Brits, the Dangers of Journalism and Some Happy Family News

Starting today with some very very happy news. My youngest son Matt and his partner Emma are expecting a baby which is due in September.

I am so happy for them after they had a still birth last September. 2011 was an horrendously sad and awful year for our family for numerous reasons and the death of little Oliver was almost more than I could stand. It still makes me so sad just to think about the funeral and the tiny grave in Hethersett churchyard. I would say that I pray that everything is okay this time, but I have given up on prayer as it let me down so many times in 2011. I just hope that everything goes well and in September we have our second grandchild who is fit and healthy.

Last night I caught up with the Brit Music Awards. Forgot to watch it the previous evening and so caught up on ITV player on my Ipad. I now have virtually all the Iplayers and TV on demand gizmos to help me catch up. Unfortunately I couldn't find any way on the ITV player to fast forward to miss out the adverts and the boring bits, although to be fair there weren't too many of the latter, but quite a few of the former.

I expected little from the awards but was pleasantly surprised. After some of the disasters and excesses of previous years it was good to have a decent host in James Corden who came over as professional without being arrogant and I loved his reference to Wayne's World after the acceptance speech from Dave Grohl who did look for all the world like Wayne Campbell as played by Mike Myers from the movie.

The sets were colourful and the whole show seemed to hang together well rather than look like a limp old jumper that had seen better days. I could just about put up with the music as well. At least we had Florence and the Machine and I can tolerate Bruno Mars and Adele does have a stunning voice even if her London accent when she is talking is a little short of presence. No doubt the album 21 deserved all the accolades. I enjoy it although it's not really my musical taste.

The tributes to Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse were less than fulsome and there was a rather rushed feel to the whole evening as more and more presenters and acts were crammed in. This culminated in the famous raised finger salute from Adele who was cut off in her prime after winning the top award for album of the year. Perhaps if Damon Albarn had cut his thanks down to a reasonable level we might have had time for Adele. Mind you it would just have been another list of thanks. Whatever happened to the angry people of pop throwing out messages left, right and centre and railing against authority a la Sex Pistols, Pulp etc.

Today everything has been homogenised into glitter and glam thanks to the likes of the X Factor. Most of these people are Media made stars, although, as I have already said, this wasn't too evident this year apart from in the dull, boring and listless thank yous that followed the announcement of every winner.

And Blur won the Outstanding Contribution to Music award. It's difficult for me to comment on this as I have never been a Blur fan. Apparently this award is only given out to "really deserving" artists and isn't awarded as a matter of course annually - although there seems to be few years when it hasn't been. Previous winners provide a strange list of the good, the bad and the ugly. Just imagine some of these on the same bill for a concert - Wham (not quite sure what their contribution to the history of music is), Spice Girls (ditto comment), The Police, Cliff Richard, The Who, Eric Clapton, Robbie Williams (really!!!), Pet Shop Boys, Oasis, Paul Weller, Bob Geldof (charity work yes but music never), Queen, Status Quo (the two chord award), Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, David Bowie, Elton John, The Beatles, Duran Duran, Tom Jones, Sting, U2, Eurythmics, Bee Gees and Fleetwood Mac.

I might be wrong but nowhere in the list can I see the Rolling Stones. I'm not a Stones fan but surely they deserve to be there unless I'm missing something.

So looking at that list I guess Blur are worthy additions, particularly as arch rivals Oasis are already on it. Do you remember the old Blur v Oasis Brit Pop battle of a few years ago which was almost a continuation of the Stones v Beatles battle of the 1960s where you had to be a fan of one and hate the other and it didn't seem to be acceptable to love or hate both. Well I pretty much dislike both Blur and Oasis - not only for their music but for what they stand for. Luke warm on the Stones but firmly believe the Beatles were the greatest pop band of all time and will never be challenged. They virtually started everything.

Which brings me to ask a question. What is Ed Sheeran about? Why did this very average singer-songwriter scoop so many awards and why is he held up to be the greatest since goodness knows when? I just don't get him. To me he is at best an average songwriter who is likely to have his 15 minutes of fame before going back into obscurity. Only time will tell but I might bring this subject up in another couple of years.

Anyway enough about the Brits and onto other things. Very saddened by the news that journalist Marie Colvin has been killed in Syria. This does underline the risks that war journalists are prepared to take to bring us news and images from conflicts around the world. These people are not so much reporting the news as being part of it. Their bravery is amazing. Many years ago I worked in the Midlands with ITN's Terry Lloyd who was killed by American troops in Iraq in 2003 in a so called friendly fire incident (what a strange and highly inappropriate phrase for being shot and killed).

I have always been a very different kind of journalist enjoying working in local communities and covering local events in the hope of helping in some small way to providing a social history for coming generations. I don't think I have the courage of sheer guts and determination to cover war zones. I am in awe of those people who have and do.

I see more Olympic tickets are going on sale. As somebody who applied for numerous tickets and didn't get a single one, I remain rather sceptical that the right people will be paired up with the new allocations.

Finally today in what has been an over long and rather rambling blog (is anybody reading these I ask?), an explanation of the Pantiles from yesterday. This is an historic and quaint shopping area in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and just happens to be the place where myself and my wife got engaged.

Friday, 24 February 2012

Leaning Towards Madness - in a Musical Sense

Over the next few weeks I will be leaning towards madness! No I'm not going loopy or off my trolley but reading about some very strange rock stars. I have lined-up three books that deal with the subject of rock music and madness and the first is a biography of Phil Spector. I will follow this with a biography of Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett and then complete the trio with a new book entitled "All the Madmen".

I have this morbid kind of fascination with the subject of rock stars off the rails. Perhaps Spector is the most excessive of these. You only have to look at the wig he was wearing for his murder trial to realise that something isn't or wasn't quite right in the land of Phil.

I get frustrated when I watch so called travel programmes on television. What I want to see are the towns, the cities and the countryside and what we usually get are ego-tripping presenters taking to hot air balloons or joining in with some ancient cult. The programmes all too often become vehicles for the so called celebrities rather than about the places. I actually avoided watching one on Yorkshire last night when I read that one presenter was taking to the skies and the other was trying his hand at something else (the subject of which escapes me). I have the same problem with celebrity DJs. I want DJs who love their music and want to share their knowledge of it and what do we get? Too many Paul O'Gradys and Graham Nortons who just seem to want to talk about themselves. Thank goodness that Brian Matthews is still going on a Saturday mornings.

That's why I was really excited to hear that John Peel's record collection is going to be put on the internet. Now here was a man who lived for his music (although some might say much of what he played was certainly not music). Not quite sure yet what format the web site will take and whether it will be possible to listen to the albums but at least we know that Peel's main reason for being a DJ was to bring music to the world and not self obsession.

Love and congrats to our eldest son Chris who is 30 years of age today. Have a good one.

Saturday, 25 February 2012

Don't Take the Michael out of Norfolk People

It always amuses me how Norfolk and Norfolk people are portrayed on television. It's probably best to be amused otherwise it would make you angry. Actors trying to re-create a Norfolk accent usually end up speaking with a west country sound. In Norfolk we do not roll our rs.

So last night I watched a programme I had recorded before Christmas. Ade Edmondson was travelling the country and pitched up in Norfolk - or more to the point pitched up in Cromer (pronounced Cromaaah) with a smattering of Downham Market, Denver and Cley (pronounced either Clay or Cly depending on whether you are posh). So the programme was scarcely representative of Norfolk as a whole and most of it surrounded the fishing industry and crabs, kippers, bloaters and other assorted fish.

Ade tried to be funny in a peculiarly Ade kind of way and really it didn't work as he tried to speak the Norfolk dialect and ended up falling just short of making us look like a bunch of yokels as he tried to have some fun. It really didn't work. Not everyone in Norfolk speaks with a broad Norfolk accent. I don't for one (although I can when I want to) and neither does Steven Fry and hundreds of thousands of other people. What we do do is treasure our heritage and history. Norfolk is a beautiful county even if (as Ade was quick to point out) it's very flat. Outsiders can't seem to understand that we like it that way. We know there are no mountains and very few hills (although anyone who has tried to cycle round Norwich will disagree with that) and the highest point in the county is known as Beeston Bump, but we love the open spaces, the broad brushed skylines. It's an artist and photographer's dream and I for one will be out with my camera as soon as the weather is warm enough.

One of my favourite Norfolk scenes is looking across Halvergate Marshes between Acle and Great Yarmouth. You can see for miles with just an occasional windmill dotted about. It is open and expansive with none of the claustrophobic feel you get with mountains. It gives a feel of freedom and space something that Ade Edmondson failed to bring out in his quest to be funny at our expense. It certainly inspired some of the most memorable prose written by Charles Dickens who set part of David Copperfield in Great Yarmouth.

There is more to Norfolk than fishing and the sea, although it was sad to see film of Cromer Lifeboat Coxswain and fisherman Richard Davies who sadly died after the programme was made. I lived next door to Richard when I was a journalist working in Cromer in the early 1970s. He was a great character. Would always ring my bell and bang on the door as he want out on a lifeboat call, whatever time of day or night it was. He would also regularly leave crabs on our doorstep. Sadly I was allergic to them and so couldn't enjoy them!!! My time spent at Cromer as a young reporter was some of the happiest of my working life.

Last night we celebrated our eldest son's 30th birthday and our youngest son's pregnancy!!!!! by going for a meal at the Relish restaurant/bar in Newton Flotman just outside Norwich. I would rate the food somewhere between average and good.

Today it's off to a lunch at the Methodist Church for my wife's Latvian group. They went to the Baltic country a couple of years ago to help renovate a home for young mothers and their children. Then tonight it's the Hethersett and District Churches Together barn dance in Little Melton Village Hall --- yeehah.

Finally today I'm not sure whether I touched on a new web site yesterday entitled Ladybird Letters. I only heard about this through a Facebook message from our future daughter in law. It is an excellent idea and I was very touched to find out that the business has been set-up in memory of our stillborn grandson Oliver and through our love of ladybirds who seemed to appear everywhere after his birth and gave us comfort in a strange sort of way.

Have a look at http://www.ladybirdletters.co.uk

Sunday, 26 February 2012

Is There a Branch of Writers' Anonymous?

I think I'm becoming word obsessive. When I checked yesterday my January blog adds up to 13,683 words and my February blog to 9,886 not counting this entry. Add to that the fact that I write over 400 words a day in a personal diary and all the other newspaper, feature writing and web site work I do and I am beginning to seriously worry whether I should be attending meetings of WA - Writers' Anonymous.

Seriously I thoroughly enjoy writing. I would spend my whole life doing it. So what actually constitutes a writer? Most of my writing attracts no payment and is just done out of a love of the art. So am I qualified to call myself a writer? Well I think so and so from now on when somebody asks me what I do I will proudly say "I am a writer."

I often think I would like to know how many words I have written in my lifetime, bearing in mind I was a journalist for many years and so wrote for a living. It runs into millions. My personal diary has been going for almost 40 years and I can write up to 600 words a day in that. Even taking an average of 300 words a day over the years it works out (quick bit of maths here) at somewhere around 4.3 million words.

Which reminds me that I read an article in the Daily Mail on Saturday that the biggest growing sector in publishing is self publishing novels through Amazon. Novels and books that can be downloaded electronically. I am busy at the moment checking through and updating a silly little novel I wrote many years ago based on my experiences as a junior reporter in Lowestoft. It is my intention of placing this on Amazon to see whether anyone is stupid (sorry intelligent) enough to download it. The main problem at the moment is I can't think of a title - absolutely nothing springs to mind.

Last night was the annual Hethersett and District Churches Together barn dance in Little Melton Village Hall. Usually this event is accompanied by frost and snow. This year the date was put back slightly and so the conditions were better. I really dislike most forms of dancing - it's just not my bag, I'm always glad when dances are over. I guess I quite enjoy the barn dance once I make the effort to get there but last night the house was warm, I had a cold and I just felt like hiding away. Then I remembered that Casualty was on television and that was the spur for me to leave the house.

Today looks like being a bright and relatively warm one and so it's off to Carrow Road to see Norwich play Manchester United. Looking forward to the match and I have a sneaky suspicion that Norwich might just turn the formbook upside down here and win this one (remember you heard that here first). I will give you my impressions of the match in tomorrow's blog.

Monday 27th February

We Woz Robbed

Well we wuz robbed. Yes we gave Manchester United a lesson in football and ended up losing 2-1. I guess that's why they are one of the top teams in the country. Norwich matched them in virtually every department but they still won.

Mind you I can't see them winning the title if they continue to adopt negative tactics. They have some of the best players in the world but sat back on an early goal and only came into their own as an attacking force when we equalised. I wonder what the score would have been if they had continued to attack after going 1-0 up. On this form I really can't see them winning the title. Norwich once again proved that we can live with the best and the fact we are eighth in the Premier Division is certainly no fluke.

Yesterday I talked about my obsession for writing. You may have gathered that I have two other obsessions as well - football and music. I write about both quite a lot!

So yesterday I came home from the Norwich v Manchester United game and watched highlights of the Arsenal v Spurs match and then the Carling Cup final between Cardiff and Liverpool. Followed that with Athletico Madrid v Barcelona and then rounded the evening off with Match of the Day Highlights.

In between that lot I watched an interview with Michael Stipe on Sky Arts. It was a gentle affair with Jo Whiley asking nice undemanding questions. You got the idea that Mr Stipe would have ignored any difficult questions anyway. He came over as a slightly wacky, mixed-up guy with decided views on certain subjects and somebody still coming to terms with the part he plays on the planet. I have always enjoyed REM's music without being a great fan although two of their albums - Automatic for the People and Out of Time - are minor modern classics. Towards the end of their very long career they seemed to lose their way and be of very little interest.

Tonight we have the quarterly meeting of the Hethersett and Meltons Sports Association which I set up exactly one year ago. During that time it has gone through a number of transitions as it seeks to find a level of supporting sport, recreation, fitness, well being and the environment. I think the association has a very valuable future and will write some more about it tomorrow.

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

A Good Feeling and New CD Releases

During the course of a year I chair numerous village groups and meetings and often come away feeling rather deflated with the thought that I could have done better. That certainly wasn't the case last night at the latest meeting of Hethersett and the Meltons' Sports Association.

The meeting lasted two hours and was very positive and the time absolutely flew by. I came away with the feeling that there is plenty we can do to promote sport, fitness, well being and the local environment. The sports association can never be a talking shop. Every time we have a meeting (four a year) we need to come away with some positive actions. Last night for instance we decided to set up a new social athletics, jogging, running club with the help of the excellent Paul Evans from Active Norfolk.

Paul will coach a group for an initial six weeks from April. After that time there will be a decision as to whether the group continues. Then we agreed to support Hethersett Netball Club's attempts to find a home in the village to practise and train. We are also going to put together 1,000 fitness folders to be given out at events in the villages throughout the year. These will include leaflets on coming events, fitness ideas, well being hints and tips and details of the association and plenty of other things as well.

There are just so many things going on in the village over the next few months that it would take me a day to go into them all. If anybody is interested they are listed on my village web site at www.hethersett.org.uk

Every Monday I try to listen to as much new music as I can through my Napster account. This week I heard new albums by Shearwater, Fanfarlo and Meat Loaf. - three very interesting new releases. Shearwater's "Animal Joy" is well worth a few more listens. The band is an offshoot of Okkervil River who I saw in Norwich a few years ago - and very good they were too. Fanfarlo's Room Filled with Light also had its moments. There were shades of Sparks very evident. Sadly Hell in a Handbasket by Meat Loaf was a huge disappointment if a little predictable. Meat continues to thump out songs as if his life depended on it. The only problem is that most people moved away from this kind of rock about 20 years ago. There isn't an ounce of subtlety here and the attacking vocals end up as a massive turn off. His version of Californian Dreamin' is quite hideous - the result of an artist well past his sell by date. The other main problem is none of the songs were written by Jim Steinman.

Tomorrow I have to face a difficult decision - do I sell my vinyl record collection? I will talk more about this and new music technology in tomorrow's blog.

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Is Vinyl Good for Me or Should I Let It Go?

So here is the dilemma as mentioned yesterday. As I sit in my study catching up on writing tasks and sorting out all the bits and pieces from Monday's Sports Association meeting, I am aware that behind me sit about 800 vinyl LPs.

They take up space, they gather dust but am I ready to get rid of them? I have contacted a company based in Reading who advertised in a national rock music magazine to see if they are interested in buying the collection. They have said they are but we haven't got round to talking money yet. I have a figure in my mind that I would accept but accepting money really isn't the issue here. The Big Issue is can I face letting them go?

The collection was built up over many years and features some quite rare stuff from when I was a music columnist on the local newspaper. So there is history and personal feelings in those discs. But they do take up space, my boys aren't interested in having them and it is unlikely I will ever play them or have the time to record them onto CD. So ultimately they could end up at a car boot sale or in a skip.

So I am gradually veering towards selling to create additional space. I am also very much a convert to digital music services. When somebody asks me how large my music collection is I tell them it stretches to hundreds of thousands of CDs. That's because I subscribe to the Napster service and play this through either my five speaker computer or my Sonos system. There really are hundreds of thousands of CDs available on-line. When I go out in the car I will hook up my MP3 player which contains about 5,000 tracks and play these on random. This technology never ceases to amaze me. The idea of music streaming down telephone lines and then instantly being transferred to speakers in another room is quite amazing.

So I come back to the question of what need do I have for my vinyl and I'm struggling for an answer.

Tonight I'm off to the monthly Grapevine at Bedfords gig in Norwich which features Jack Harris and a couple of other singer-songwriters. Should be an interesting and enjoyable evening. Will let you have my impressions tomorrow.

Thursday, 1 March 2012

Two Sad Deaths, Madness and New Faces

We start today with two pieces of really sad news with the deaths of David Rathband and Davy Jones.

Isn't it funny how some days kick you in the teeth almost as soon as they start? The case of David Rathband is such a sad one. Having a son who is a police officer and having spent 15 years working for the police I am all too aware of the dangers our officers face every day of the week. PC David Rathband was blinded when he was shot in the face by gunman Raoul Moat. It is impossible to grasp what David must have gone through from that time - coming to terms not only with his injuries and blindness but also the breakdown of his marriage. Apparently in the last few days his behaviour had become extremely erratic. This is a sad day for all law abiding people.

Davy Jones was just 66 and died of a heart attack in America. As lead singer of the Monkees he was a typical late 1960s funster. I remember him not only for the Monkees TV series but also for his short lived role as Ena Sharples' nephew in Coronation Street and also for his appearance in Godspell in Norwich many years ago.

The Monkees were just a fun group. Often attacked for not playing their instruments and being largely Media made, they nevertheless had talented people in Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork and Mickey Dolenz and Davy Jones. Their madcap antics led to them metamorphosing into real musicians and I still listen to their early albums. They were the band to have a hit with "Daydream Believer" a song written by one of my favourite American songwriters John Stewart.So a said day.

Last night I paid my second visit to the Grapevine at Bedfords in Norwich. I mentioned this venue in a previous blog where I saw the superb Ana Silvera. Last night's line-up was never going to match Ana's performance but what value we had again for the �5 admission money.

The evening started with Cole Stacey who played an interesting and enjoyable set backed up by Joseph O'Keefe, a multi-instrumentalist who I soon came to hate (only joking). Joseph not only played jazz piano, but also violin and guitar. I bet he can play any number of other instruments as well. Anyway Cole is well worth checking out. He was followed by Cara Winter who has a lovely voice and then the headliner from Wales Jack Harris who has an interesting voice. If I had a criticism it is that Cara and Jack's self penned material was at times quite weak. But it was still a damn good evening.

It did mean I missed all the international football which, seeing the results, was probably a good thing. England lost 3-2 to Holland. I think by and large that friendly internationals are a waste of time with players pulling out before games. They prove nothing.

Another of my pet hates yesterday - a cold caller. I hate being annoyed on the telephone or via personal visits by people trying to sell things I have no interest in. It's an intrusion on my privacy that I have not asked for or invited. This one wasn't so bad, however, as it was from Talk Talk, a company I get my Broadband and telephone from. The main problem is the young people knocking on doors are working to a set script from which they can't deviate. So when I asked about getting rid of my paper billing and a few other queries instead of giving me the right answer which would have been "let me take your name and contact details and I will get somebody to sort it out." What I got was something along the lines of "I suggest you contact the company and ask them to sort it out." In other words "I haven't been trained to answer such questions so please leave me alone so I can knock on somebody else's door."

I have just started reading what could be a very interesting book entitled "All the Madmen" by Clinton Heylin - the story of how six rock stars travelled to the edge of sanity in the years following the summer of love. The six in question are Pete Townsend of The Who, Ray Davies of the Kinks, Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac and not the pale imitation poppy group that later came into existence, Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, Nick Drake and David Bowie. All were or are geniuses in their own way. Should I be worried that these are some of my all time music heroes and people I still listen to regularly? Am I therefore just a tad mad myself?

The book opens in interesting fashion with a discussion on the merits of anti psychiatrist R. D. Laing who undertook a lot or work into psychosis. Here is part of an entry in Wikipedia about Laing. "He took the expressed feelings of the individual patient or client as valid descriptions of lived experience rather than simply as symptoms of some separate or underlying disorder." Laing himself suffered from alcoholism and clinical depression which may or may not have made him the right person to talk about psychosis (depends on how much stock you put on personal experience here). Laing also had six sons and four daughters by four different women which later led to one of his sons saying "It was ironic that my father became well known as a family psychiatrist, when, in the meantime, he had nothing to do with his own family.." But I digress.

A number of years ago I studied for a Masters Degree at the University of East Anglia and can remember upsetting one of my fellow students early on with my views about the pointless lives of many people. I think she felt I was being a snob when I said that many people have empty lives of no meaning. They get up in the morning, go to work, come home, have tea, watch televisions and then repeat this endlessly. I was not suggesting that this was a bad thing but simply a fact and based on a number of my own relatives and my own experiences whilst growing up. To me this kind of existence is a waste of a life.

Anyway when I explained myself I got on very well with this other person who accepted that I wasn't looking down my nose at other people. I haven't seen this kind of view put quite as starkly as Laing does in his book "Sanity, Madness and the Family" where he formulates a view that "normal families" (whatever that term may mean as nobody has ever been able to explain to me exactly what normal means) are at least as disturbed as dysfunctional families. He has this to say:

"Every member of the families totally fitted - getting up and going to work, and going to school and coming back and watching television and doing nothing and going to bed. Nothing to say really. To get them to say anything about anything was almost impossible. They thought about nothing, they said nothing very much, they were just fucking dead and there was no edge, or no sharpness, or no challenge .... Just fuck all, an endless drone, about nothing... and these were the people who were not in despair."

So that started me thinking about the juxtaposition of being: If Madness is in fact sanity, could conversely sanity in fact be madness? Are people we consider to be normal actually mad and are people we consider to be mad actually normal? Because at the end of the day what does the term normal mean anyway?

Taken to the furthest point this idea of juxtaposition could equate with feelings about religion and God. Perhaps the concept of God as a being or energy force is not a model for good but a model for evil.

I don't necessarily subscribe to those thoughts but it does make some kind of perverted sense.

Anyway from the sublime to the ridiculous. Yesterday I was catching up with some television programmes recorded over the year (I still want to say taped despite no tape being involved) and came across a kind of Where are They Now programme based on a final of the New Faces talent show which came somewhere between the original Opportunity Knocks and today's X Factor crap.

Marti Caine (remember her) hosted the New Faces final with three judges sitting in a balcony looking and behaving a bit like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets. There was comedian Jim Davidson, impresario and Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright and somebody else whose name escapes me. Anyway this programme looked at the finalists from 1986 and saw how their careers?? had progressed or not as the case may be. I'm a sucker for these kind of "what did they do next" programmes. Suffice it to say that none of them really made the big time although comedian Billy Pearce is still working as a comic and Gary Lovini the 17 year old violinist who is now middle aged - well I'm sure I saw him on stage during one of our cruises and a check on Google shows that he does still appear on the Oceans of the world. New Faces did bring us some household names such as Joe Pasqale, Lenny Henry, Michael Barrymore, the Chuckle Brothers, Victoria Wood and Jim Davidson.

Incidentally one of the tough nut judges (the Gary Barlow or Simon Cowell of his day) was Clifford Davis who I believe was a journalist with the Daily Mirror. Many years ago I was on a judging panel for a band talent show on the Norfolk coast and Davis was on the panel. I seem to remember he was nowhere near as nasty in real life as he appeared to be on TV!!!!

Finally today a whinge about serious consumer television programmes trying to be funny. I just hate it. They come on at peak viewing time to expose dodgy deals or evil builders and to stick up for the small man in the street. That's great but, being on at prime time, they try to inject some comedy into things, thus lightening the load, making the show more entertaining and proving just what funsters (second time I have used that word today) the presenters can really be. It just doesn't work. If the subject is a serious one treat it in a serious way without the wisecracks. If the con or whatever is serious enough simply unmasking a villain is entertainment enough. The main culprit in this kind of "aren't I a larky chap who really is on the side of the underdog" is probably Matt Allright. Matt is a good enough investigative journalist without lowering what he is achieving with comedy routines that just aren't funny (some of which seem to revolve around a large Dutchman on a motorbike).

I Googled Matt Alright as well and found he is a patron for the SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society), a charity near to our hearts after our first grandchild was stillborn last year. So good on you Matt but stick to the serious stuff Allright?

Friday, 2 March 2012

Sell Up Time

So the dastardly decision has been made. I have decided to sell my vinyl LP collection - if the price is right of course.

Today we are off to Milton Keynes for the weekend. Stopping on the way at a National Trust property at Stowe just outside Buckingham. Will tell you all about the weekend when we get back on Sunday.

Saturday, 3 March 2012

So Englebert Humperdinck at the grand age of 76 is going to represent us in the Eurovision Song Contest. Just what is that all about?

I certainly feel another nil points coming on. I have always loved Eurovision for its cod cheesiness and inability to be of the real world in any way whatsoever. But getting somebody so old school in to try to re-address the obvious failings of the past few years seems to be a ridiculous ploy. We seem to have gone from a group of total no hopers droning out ridiculously awful songs to the other side of the spectrum. The last few years have seen the most appalling entries from the UK - songs with virtually no merit whatsoever. Now we seem have moved from the sublime to the ridiculous.

For one of the two countries that defined rock and pop music we have come up with dross piled on more dross. Featuring somebody approaching his 80s is surely not going to change this.

Spent yesterday afternoon visiting the wonderful National Trust property at Stowe near Buckingham. Lovely Lakeside walks and a wonderfully relaxing place - just what the doctor ordered.

Why do people give up things for Lent? What exactly is the point? Have heard this weekend of people giving up cheese and coffee. Sounds like tokenism gone made to me.

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Nick Drake - just one of the Madmen

I am currently reading a book entitled All the Madmen by Clinton Heylin.Very interested in sections about the folk artist Nick Drake who has had such an influence on so many singer-songwriters. Drake was so painfully shy that he rarely communicated in any way other than through his music.

It seems Drake had plenty to say but could only do it through the lyrics of his songs. His songs continue to inspire. As a person, however, he appears to have been a real "pain in the arse." I often find myself much more able to communicate through written words. That way there is no opposition. You can take your time to say the things you want to say. But ultimately writers have to be able to communicate both directly and indirectly.

Last night enjoyed a church quiz in Milton Keynes, coming second out of 10 teams, which wasn't bad and I was pleased that we managed to get 10 out of 10 in the music round. I seem to have a fairly in depth knowledge of Susan Boyle and Robbie Williams!!!!!

Today had a difficult journey back to Norfolk due to appalling weather conditions of rain, sleet and freezing temperatures that made driving difficult and slow going. Thankfully I was able to listen to Johnny Walker's Sounds of the Seventies on Radio Two which helped pass the time. I made it home within the duration of the show which was just as well because next up was Paul O'Grady. I actually have nothing against O'Grady but he is no DJ. I have little time for so called DJs who spend most of the time talking and indeed talking about themselves rather than playing or showing any knowledge of the music. I know this is something I have mentioned before and I'm sure it's something I will mention again.

Got back home to find a large article in the weekly newspaper about the launch of our new running club in Hethersett in April. Now all we have to do is establish a date, a venue and get some people there. I was quoted at length in the article as chair of the Hethersett and Meltons Sports Association. At least I cannot claim to be misquoted as I wrote the article.

Apparently tomorrow is going to be another dreadful day weather-wise so I will catch up with listening to new albums by the likes of Sinead O'Connor, Bruce Springsteen, Katie Melua and a few more. It promises to be an interesting new release Monday.

Monday, 5 March 2012

Foul Day in Norfolk is no Yoke!!

An absolutely foul day weather-wise in Norfolk. Last week the temperature got up to 17 degrees. Today it barely made three. There was a large wind and lashing rain all day. Yuck.

Only managed to listen to the new Bruce Springsteen of all the albums I had wanted to sample today and it didn't have a great impact. Saw a Virgin advert on television which started with the opening theme to Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells. Made me want to listen to the whole album which is one of my favourite. The problem I have with Mike Oldfield is that he then continued to churn out variations on that album for the rest of his career and it all became slightly tedious after Ommadawn and Hergest Ridge.

Tonight I have to brave the elements for a Memorial Playing Field Trustees' meeting where we will be talking quite a lot about the old fashioned jubilee fayre being held in June. At the moment I'm looking to organise the Norfolk egg throwing championships and that's no yoke!!!

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

Corrie or Eastenders - Simples!

Corrie or Eastenders - simples. Coronation Street has relatively decent story lines and some humour. Eastenders has hackneyed stories, appalling characters and most of the action surrounds people shouting at each other. Mind you Corrie has had its fair share of psychos and last night another one met a sticky end. Frank Foster got his just desserts and I for one will be sorry to see him go as I think actor Andrew Lancel was excellent and completely believable which is more than can be said about some of the cardboard acting in Eastenders.

A very good Hethersett Memorial Playing Field meeting last night. Lots of good things planned for this open space from sports to a memorial garden, picnic areas to wild areas. It's such a vast expanse of land that the sky is almost the limit. We desperately do need to replace the appalling changing block with something more worthy, particularly in light of news that another developer is planning to build over 160 new houses in the village on top of the 1,200 already envisaged.

Must catch up on watching the film The Blind Side which quite intrigued me when I watched the first half hour yesterday.

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

The Blind Side

Stayed up late last night to finish watching the film The Blind Side and thoroughly enjoyed it. The fact that it is based on a true story gave it huge credibility.

I really hate the sickly schmaltzy American films that show no-hopers becoming world beaters through training and encouragement. Films like the Mighty Ducks where a group of losers are coached to become winners in an entirely puke inducing way that only the Americans can come up with and which has been copied in so many Movies over the years.

The Blind Side is schmaltzy but it is believable and hugely entertaining and Sandra Bullock puts in an excellent and totally believable performance as Leigh Anne Tuohy. For those who haven't seen it, the film chronicles the life of American Footballer Michael Oher who comes out of the American Black ghettos and is adopted by a rich white family. Through their love, support and encouragement he gains a high school degree and becomes one of the top Footballers of his generation.

It may sound sickly but it is treated in a very loving and gentle way and is an immensely enjoyable film.

Today it's pouring with rain again so I will be doing Hethersett Sports Association, Hethersett Football Club and various other bits and pieces ahead of a football club meeting tonight where we are going to discuss the future of the club and how we take it forward.

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Cut the Politics to 10 seconds

I genuinely feel sorry for the thousands of charities who are struggling for donations in our current economic climate. Every day mail comes through our door pointing out that just �2 a month will be able to do this or that. Unfortunately they all end up in the bin. Multiply that �2 a month by all the charity requests and you would run into hundreds of pounds a month. So it is easier to ditch the lot. Doesn't mean we don't care but I prefer to put my time and effort into supporting events in our village and in Norfolk that raise money for various charities.

I wouldn't call charity requests junk mail but I would call party political broadcasts junk television. Last night we had Prime Minister David Cameron telling us his party had cut petrol duty. Note to PM - It's probably not a good time to point this out when the prices at the pumps have hit an all time high. It's how much we have to pay that is the key here and not to whom the money goes.

I could seriously shorten party political broadcasts by allowing each party just 10 seconds on air. I am sure it would go something like this:

Conservatives - "We are probably the best government you have ever had. We are doing a brilliant job and your life is so much better than in the bad old days of the Labour Government"

Labour - "The Conservative government is probably the worst government this country has ever had. They are making a disaster of governing. It would be so much better if we were in power."

Liberal Democrats - "We support the Government at the moment but if there was a general election tomorrow we wouldn't quite know what to do, but we would support the party likely to win as we have no policies of our own anymore."

Admittedly the Lib Dems broadcast might be a second or two longer but let's face it they need every nano second they can snatch.

Had an excellent meeting last night to discuss the future of our village football club and how it meshes in with other sports clubs and the village sports association. We are now putting together a document promoting the club and the work we do with young people in the village. Currently we run 14 teams for all ages and I am very proud to be chair of what is generally accepted to be one of the best run clubs in the county (sounds like my very own party political broadcast).

Friday, 9 March 2012

One Show, White Heat, Dry the River and Coastguard Closures

I usually enjoy the One Show but last night it was sickly and over the top. Main guest was "Hollywood Legend" Goldie Hawn. I was expecting the usual glamorous Goldie but what a disappointment. I think the Botox has just gone too far!!! Goldie was effervescing about a new project but the whole programme was a sickly pat on the back.

Matt Baker can be cringingly good at this and last night he was in top form. Louise Minchen was the other presenter in place of the poorly Alex Jones. To start the evening she looked as if somebody had sat on her hair. She seemed to have it re-arranged during the programme, however. As far as Goldie was concerned everything was either "awesome" or "amazing." Occasionally she downgraded to just "great." Matt wasn't going to be left behind, however. He described the Hollywood Legend as "brilliant and absolutely fantastic" and did this on numerous occasions. When Goldie informed him, after an article on driving lessons, that she had learnt to drive in Maryland he was off again: "That's amazing." Mind you I have driven in Maryland so he might just have a point there. By the end of the programme I needed the sick bucket.

Also watched the first episode of a new serial White Heat which follows a number of flatmates from the swinging sixties to the present day. It started rather slowly but by the end I was beginning to form some kind of affinity to the characters who were beginning to develop nicely. There were a number of hints that in coming episodes relationships will become rather strained. The programme also cut to the present day where one of the female characters said to another "There isn't a day go buy without me regretting what I did to you." I look forward to future episodes when things should unravel.

Another album to crow about. Have been enjoying Shallow Bed by Dry the River, a London folk/rock kind of band. I note they are playing Norwich Arts Centre soon so must book my tickets.

Can't leave today's blog without once again having another go at the Government for the coming planned closure of coastguard stations. This is folly of the most ridiculous kind and will cost lives. I understand Great Yarmouth coastguard station is due to close in the very near future. These are example of Government cuts that will cost lives.

Saturday, 10 March 2012

A Corny Film and the End of the Microwave

I suppose if you struggle to remember a film's name it means that either the name is too complicated or the film isn't much cop. Today we had special money off tickets for the Hollywood cinema in Anglia Square, Norwich to see (sorry momentarily forgotten the film's title).

Anyway it was a special Internet coupon deal - two tickets, two lots of popcorn and two cold drinks for �9. Can't fault that for a bargain. Sadly the cinema appears to have seen better days. It was rather messy and that's not the fault of the management but the people who drop popcorn on the floor and obviously make no effort to clear it up. A special mention for the chap behind the pay desk who was friendly and helpful.

The coupon we had said that seats had to be booked in advance. When I rang up to do so, I was met with a half laugh "there's no need to do that just bring the coupon along." The cinema held about 200 and there were about 12 of us there. So I can see his point.

As for the film. Well the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was entertaining, plainly ridiculous and really corny. Basically it's about a group of British retirees seduced to move to India by promises of a luxury lifestyle in the restored Marigold Hotel which turns out to be more of a shell than anything else. The film chronicles their friendships and the way their lives are transformed in the hustle bustle of Jaipur. It's one of those films where characters' views on life and the universe are changed in an instant moment of something being said to them - a kind of epiphany. Usually life just isn't like that. It was a good idea, but sadly just didn't come off.

Interested to find out the actual age of the main actors and actresses. They were as follows Maggie Smith 77, Bill Nighy 62, Judi Dench 77, Penelope Wilton 65, Tom Wilkinson 63, Celie Imrie 59 and Ronald Pickup 71.

This morning the tale of the microwave oven came to a conclusion. The damn thing stopped working a week ago just a couple of weeks within its guarantee period. It cost �38. Sanyo said it wasn't worth repairing and I needed to contact Amazon where I bought it. They were very helpful but the result is I had to find a box, pack it up, put on an Amazon pre-paid envelope and post it. Obviously it cost me nothing. Had I paid for the postage it would have been �22. So really was all the effort worth it? I would have been better taking it to the household dump!!

Whilst shopping in Norwich found a ridiculously low priced new DVD and CD shop which is seriously going to damage HMV which is only a matter of yards away. In HMV Sergeant Pepper and Let it Be by the Beatles were �8 each. In the new shop they were �5 for the two.

Had it confirmed this morning that the new village running club which I'm helping to set-up will take place at Hethersett Junior School for six weeks from April 19th. Good news.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Wit and Wisdom of Footballers

The wit and wisdom of professional footballers/managers. Last night on Match of the Day we had Aston Villa Manager Alex McLeish giving us an incredible foresight into the game;

"The more you lose, the more games you don't win"

Charlie Adam of Liverpool then added - "All the lads gave 110% today."

It's wonderful when footballers emphasise how hard everyone is trying in various degrees of impossibility. "Everyone gave 110% or everyone gave 150%." It is a physical impossibility to give any more than 100%. If you could you would indeed be "totally unique."

Anyway this afternoon I'm off to Carrow Road to see Norwich play bottom club Wigan. It's a match that will strangely define our season. If we win we go back up to eighth place and can think about finishing the season in the top half which will be some achievement. If we lose we could be sucked down towards the nether regions (if you'll pardon the expression) and that's something we don't want to happen. I will let you know later how the day went.

I have always been fascinated by accents. I love trying to work out where a person comes from through their accent and usually you can get pretty close. I love the Scouse accent and the fact that usually you can't understand a word that a broad Liverpudlian says. The funny thing is that, coming from Norfolk, we have our fair share of dialect speaking people. There are, however, many people who, despite being born in the county and having lived here all their lives, do not have a noticeable local accent. The same just can't be said about Liverpool. One of their community projects was featured on Match of the Day and even the leader of Liverpool City Council had a thick Scouse accent!!

Received our new council tax bill yesterday and it was interesting to note that the only section that has gone up is for policing. Our payments to Norfolk County Council and South Norfolk District Council have been frozen and that to Hethersett Parish Council has gone down by 0.4%. Our contribution to policing has risen by 3% however. It's interesting to see that we now pay more for policing than for the services provided by the parish and district councils combined.

Monday, 12 March 2012

Football and the Demise of Record Shops

Isn't it strange how people view the same thing in so many different ways? Norwich put in what I thought was a hugely sterile performance against Wigan and we were lucky to come away with a point from a 1-1 draw in a match where Wigan looked the better team and Norwich seemed to lack enthusiasm or bite. Indeed the performance was met with boos at the end.

Match of the Day referred to it as "a belter" of a match and the best of the day and more enjoyable than games involving Manchester United and Manchester City. I still reckon it was sterile and dull!

Then on Radio Norfolk they had an in depth analysis of the effect booing the team had on the players and whether it would lead to manager Paul Lambert considering his future. What a mad discussion. Any boos were just of the moment and in no way detract from what high esteem everybody holds Mr Lambert and the fantastic job he has done over the past three seasons.

The point pretty much ensures Norwich are safe this season with relegation now a five horse race for the three drop places. My money would be on Wolves and QPR to definitely go down and one from Blackburn, Bolton and Wigan to accompany them. Personally I would like QPR to get relegated. They sacked Neil Warnock for absolutely no reason and it would serve them right if that decision came back to haunt them.

Have been having chats with lots of friends on-line about the demise of the old fashioned record store. They were replaced by the big names such as Virgin and HMV and now one of those is no longer on our High Streets and the other seems to be seriously under threat. Very soon I can see no record shops in our towns and cities. That to me is all part of the throwaway society in which we live. Nobody seems to plan for the long term and the problem is nobody knows what the long term will bring because of this live for today attitude and the sheer pace of change.

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Weird and Scary

There ain't half some weird dudes around.

Tonight on television they had an article on the One Show about the number one single "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" and the band Dead or Alive and in particular the lead singer Pete Burns. The aforementioned Burns met up with Pete Waterman (he of the trio Stock, Aitken and Waterman who almost single handedly - or should that be triple handedly - wrecked pop music with their corn fed, prototype, formulaic pop). Poor old Pete W looks normal - suit wearing, receding blond hair. The same certainly can't be said of Pete B. Weird just doesn't describe the long red hair, the Chicago headband and the Botox bloated lips. This was weird with a big W. I should imagine Pete W had problems keeping a straight face. When the feature was over dear old Matt Baker, in the studio, was back to his hyperbolic best.

"That was amazing," he announced.

There were audible sniggers in the studio!!

The other weird person was motivational speaker Scary Guy on Anglia TV's News. Yes that's actually his name. Well actually it's Earl Kauffman but he goes under the name of The Scary Guy because that's exactly what he is, bloody scary. He campaigns world wide to fight hatred, violence, prejudice and bullying in schools so fair play to him. He has covered 85% of his body with tattoos and has numerous piercings. He was talking at a school in Essex and when interviewed the pupils had just one word to describe him - "scary".

Talking of scary. I have almost finished the book "All the Madmen" which I mentioned a few blogs ago. Reading about Pink Floyd, Bowie, the Who, Nick Drake et al really does once again underline my belief that the great years of rock music were between 1967 and 1974 - halcyon days and thankfully well before Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Village is a Broadband black spot - Why?

According to a survey in the Daily Mail Newspaper, Hethersett is the fourth worst place in the country for Broadband speed.

That seems ridiculous as we are just six miles from Norwich and in the middle of a belt of high tech industries and also very close to Norfolk Police Headquarters, the University of East Anglia, the John Innes Institute, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and any number of other highly progressive research institutes. Many of the people working in those places live in Hethersett. The need for fast Broadband (or at least faster Broadband) is pretty obvious. So today I will be launching a campaign on my village web site at www.hethersett.org.uk for improved speed and for us to be brought into line with other parts of the country.

Just catching up on a bit of recorded TV early morning and in particular a programme about the beauties of Wales. It amused met, with all our modern technology and advanced camera work which brings us great nature programmes from throughout the world, that this programme involved a man wading into a river with a camera on a pole!

Tonight I'm off to see the Maccabees in concert at the University of East Anglia. Will let you know what I think about them tomorrow. Just hope they aren't too loud so that the lyrics are all but destroyed.

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Too Old to Rock - England's Green and Pleasant Land and the F Word

After last night I am wondering whether I am now officially too old to rock.

I felt like a grumpy old man at the Maccabees gig at the UEA. Firstly we had to queue up in the cold for almost half an hour to get in, despite the tickets stating that doors opened at 7.30 p.m and we were there at 7.31. Then the support band didn't make an appearance for quite some time and shambled their way through six or seven numbers. I have tried without success to find out who they were. Perhaps they could go under the name Totally Talentless which is an apt description. A motley crew of misfits. The lead singer thought he was Iggy Pop, one of the guitarists spent more time adjusting his baseball cap and hair than playing and when the keyboard player needed a drink he just stopped playing. They looked more like something from a Special Needs College.

We then had the usual lengthy wait before the headliners came on and what a disappointment the Maccabees were. I really like their new album "Given to the Wild." It has some very good songs and lovely textures and I was expecting a professional band. Sadly their set was a mess. The sound quality was awful, the music sounded like a loud mush of sound. The lyrics were indistinct and when leadman Orlando Weeks spoke to the assembled multitude (Biblical reference) his voice was so distorted you couldn't hear a word. As my mate said "Are we in a foreign country?" The balance was wrong, the whole thing was shot over by bass and distortion and became highly unpleasant to listen to.

It was certainly a case of give the kids what they want - high energy, loud mushy music that they can leap up and down to and no subtlety. On this showing the band are just second division and will remain so until they decide whether they want to be a loud band for kids to pogo to or serious musicians, something I'm sure they are capable of. Being loud and inaudible may work well for a short time but isn't a long term strategy.

It was hot, claustrophobic and uncomfortable which is just about acceptable if the music is top notch - this wasn't.

I have a good laugh when I see the current advert extolling the virtues of holidaying in this country in 2012 rather than going abroad. They have wheeled out some big guns for this including the brilliant Stephen Fry and Julie Walters. The problem is what they are portraying looks like something out of the 1950s. I'm not saying that our country isn't the "green and pleasant land" that they are describing but they conveniently rule out the other side of the coin which might include racism, civil unrest, unemployment and lots of traffic jams. Perhaps on balance though I'll take the green and pleasant land scenario.

Which brings me onto the subject of the word fricking or fecking or any other version. People seem to be using these words more and more instead of the f word. My argument is that although not in themselves a swear word they are deliberately taking the place of said swear word and so therefore have the same intention and meaning. I used to have long discussions with a work colleague who was a Christian and boasted that he never swore. He did use the word flippin or flipping a lot and I argued that this was swearing because the intention was exactly that of using the f word. He was merely substituting a similar word. The intentions were the same. He would never agree. What do you think? Answers on an effing postcard!

Finally back to music and a wonderful antidote to the high octane loud rock described above. I have been promoting the talents on my blog and elsewhere of the delightful music of Ana Silvera. Yesterday I played her new album The Aviary through about four times and commented in a record review that this was the kind of material that made me fall in love with music many years ago. Finely crafted songs with poetical lyrics. Songs that tell stories.

See you tomorrow.

Friday, 16 March 2012

Blog's Greatest Hits, More About White Heat and Football Matters

I always check the statistics on my blog site to see how many visits and hits I achieve. It's usually about 40 visits a day (well it's a start). The interesting thing is I'm drawing up a kind of greatest hits of the most visited blog and way out ahead at the moment is one I wrote in February about the TV quiz show Pointless. I guess that proves my blog isn't pointless. Neither is the show which is excellent and a must watch every day at 5.15 p.m on BBC 1.

Last night I watched the second episode of White Heat and I must say I was disappointed. It seems to be going nowhere fast and has become rather cliched already. The main problem is the drama is interspersed with news clips from the time as though the writer wants to continually remind you of when the action was set. Last week we had the death of Churchill and this week it was the Vietnam War. White Heat can't seem to make up its mind whether it wants to be a bona fide drama or a history lesson, whether it wants to follow the characters or their idealism. It tries to be gritty but becomes rather hackneyed rather than ground-breaking. It seems to want to hammer home all the topics of the day (war, abortion, mental illness, drugs etc) which gives a kind of watcher's overload. Nevertheless I will continue watching for the four remaining episodes.

Yesterday I spent quite some time on Hethersett Athletic Football Club business. It really is becoming almost a full time occupation to keep the club running smoothly and by and large it does run smoothly. At the moment we are putting together a promotional brochure to support our fight for our own ground and facilities and we are asking a number of people to write testimonials about what the club means to them. I have put together one of these testimonials and thought it might be a good idea to reproduce it below - so here goes.

"I can't remember ever making a conscious decision to help with football in the village - it just happened. When I was blessed with two boys there always seemed to be a ball of some kind involved in our lives and I can remember kicking a football about in the road with my two sons from a very early age.

My connection with village football started when the boys were in the Cubs. I volunteered to run their football team - so that must have been about 22 years ago around 1990. There seemed to be a logical progression from Cubs to Under-10s football and that's when my connection with Hethersett Athletic began - probably a couple of years into the history of the club. I began to work alongside the club's founder Mel Perkins and things as they say progressed from there. I think I can say that myself and Mel as chairman and secretary have an excellent relationship both on a football level and as friends. We don't always agree on things but we never let disagreements wreck our aims.

I coached youth teams from Under-10 to Under-17 level and then ran an adult side for three seasons before giving up to concentrate more on the administration side of the club, becoming the club's first and (to date) only chairman somewhere along the line. I am immensely proud of our club and what we have achieved in the past and what we will continue to achieve in the future.

The national recognition we received by gaining charter standard status was a source of immense pleasure and I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed my relationship with the football club and helping to make it grow into one of the most successful in Norfolk.

The figures speak for themselves with over 300 playing members at the present time and the possibility that in the future we could expand with even more teams, giving more competitive sport to many more youngsters.

My sons both played for the club to adult level. One is still a club member and holds the record for number of appearances. My eldest son has played county football in Sussex. I have no doubt that being part of Hethersett Athletic helped them to develop and mature as people and it is this that I am most proud to have been a part of.

Football is a universal language. There is absolutely nothing in life than can bring so many people together at one time. Yes occasional one off events will do this but football does it week after week after week.

The number of young people who have gone through the ranks of Hethersett Athletic over the 20 plus years of its existence runs into thousands. Hopefully most of them remember the club with fondness despite moving away from the area as their lives take shape.

We are still here, still working for the club, still realising that over the years many of us have put in thousands of volunteer hours without any financial reward simple because 1/ we believe in the value of sport 2/ we love the game of football and 3/ we want to help youngsters have a focus in life that keeps them healthy, teaches them discipline and teamwork and perhaps in a small way makes them better people.

Yesterday I also spent a large amount of time in the garden and in particular cleaning all the paintwork (actually most of it is plastic) on the outside of the house. So a few hours spent up a ladder, but the place is looking quite clean now. It's the kind of thing I put off doing but actually enjoy once I get round to it. It's pretty mindless stuff. The garage door got repaired as well. Now the power socket in the garage keeps tripping and throwing the freezer out which is very strange.

Saturday, 17 March 2012

Rockall, Boxing, Inverness and Tony Curtis - and much more

Rockall, Boxing, Inverness, Tony Curtis - four totally unrelated words/subjects/topics but four that conspired to prevent our team winning the latest Bawburgh Golf Club quiz last night. It was one of those evenings when we kept getting right answers and then changing them to wrong ones and as a result we finished fourth. Not changing the above would have given us first place.

These are really excellent and thoroughly enjoyable evenings. We haven't finished in the top three for a few months but I think we have won a couple of this year's events. The questions we messed up on were: What sport did Andre Agassi's father compete in in the Olympic Games beginning with the letter B (we discussed badminton and boxing, decided on boxing and then changed it to basketball). What is the UK's most northern city (we discussed Inverness but plumped for Aberdeen), Who played the part of the Boston Strangler (considered Tony Curtis and ended up with Boris Karloff). Can't remember the exact question relating to shipping districts but we suggested Rockall and then changed it to Malin.

Talking of quizzes, I am currently writing one for the 21st April at Hethersett Junior School to raise money for the coming June Old English Fayre on Hethersett Memorial Playing Field on June 3rd. So far I have written about one-third of it -so two thirds to go.

Suggestions that David Cameron and Barack O'Barma this week discussed how to cut fuel prices made me chuckle. Fuel prices in both countries have been rising steadily. Occasionally they drop slightly for a matter of days and then carry on rising. That's just what will happen this time. Prices may well drop by a couple of pence a litre before starting their upward trend again. My guess is that by August a litre of petrol will hit �1.50. I will either apologise or say I told you so in August. Meanwhile our esteemed leader will once again claim that his Government has cut fuel duty to help the mythical "Man in the Street." As they say in some circles "Yeah Right."

I have just started to read one of my Christmas presents - The Smell of Football by Mick Rathbone. This is a football biography highly recommended by both newspapers and readers' reviews on Amazon. I am reading it on my Grand National Kindle. I call it my Grand National Kindle because it was bought with money won on last year's Aintree classic.

Anyway The Smell of Football is anything but an average sports autobiography. For a start Baz (the nickname came from the actor Basil Rathbone who was the best ever Sherlock Holmes) went through a period as a raw youngster when he tried not to get into Birmingham City's first team. He couldn't even pass the ball to his hero Trevor Francis, a player he idolised. Baz pulled his career, and indeed his shyness, around when he joined Blackburn Rovers and went on to become "head of medicine" (nice fancy title) at Everton. He speaks highly of former Everton player and manager Howard Kendall whom he says was a real gentleman who had time for everyone and was loved by all and lit a room up by his presence. I can underline that. In a former life as sports editor of a weekly newspaper I covered Norwich City matches for both that newspaper and the now defunct News of the World and used to be at after match press conferences given by managers. Indeed I wrote an article about the different characters of managers. Some were shy, some reticent, some uttered few words and some talked non stop. I remember Howard after one match. I have no idea now what the score of that game was but he was asked the obvious question by one reporter: "How do you feel your team performed today Howard." He then gave a full and considered view of the game, his own team and the Norwich performance and came over as an intelligent, erudite and honest man in love with the game. I think I still have some of those newspaper articles. Must look them out and put them on my web site.

Anyway the style of Baz Rathbone's book started me thinking that I could write one of my own. I suddenly realised that football has been a major part of my life since the age of about eight. Although I never played it at any great level I have reported on it, coached it and been an amateur football club chairman for more years than I can remember. So I'm going to set it all down as "Notes from the Sidelines." I may change this less than catchy title later. My aim will be to write 1,000 words a day for roughly 60 days and then see if I can get a publisher interested. If I can't find one I will self-publish. So the idea is to have the book out in one form or another by the end of the year. I am also in the process of cleaning up another book (that's from a grammatical point of view) that I wrote about 30 years ago. It's a silly little tale about a young reporter in a seaside town. Any resemblance to my own career is purely co-incidental (yeah right). Anyway once this has been tidied up I am going to try and publish it on Amazon.

Was very surprised yesterday when a friend pointed out that the lovely Adele track "Make You Feel My Love" was actually written by Bob Dylan.I think that comes under the heading of "not a lot of people know that." So I looked up the original. Not sure who has the better voice Dylan or Adele - it's a close thing (not),

Strategy, plan, vision - not sure what order they come up in. I do know that I recoil when I hear the words. They should be replace by thought, deeds and action. I have in the past worked for a number of organisations where management speak is the order of the day. I built up a hatred of certain words and phrases and these three would be somewhere near the top along with blue sky thinking and thinking outside the box. But let's start with strategy, plan and vision. Somebody who has a vision then seems to turn it into a plan which is used to formulate a strategy. The problem is most of the strategies I have been involved with were never put into action. Most stayed in a dusty folder on shelves. When the proverbial shit hits the fan there's no time to consult folders and strategies. So let's talk not about those who write things down and claim to have a strategy but the people with true vision who think things out (either slowly or, in the case of an emergency, quickly) and then act in everybody's best interests.

As for thinking inside and outside the box. What a load of twaddle. The best comment I ever heard during a meeting was "Personally I don't think inside or outside the box, as far as I am concerned there is no f-----g box." I think he was a no nonsense northerner.

Tomorrow I will be spending much of the day around Hethersett Social Club for the first ever Hethersett 30-60 event. Basically it's a charity bike ride through South Norfolk starting and finishing in the village. Riders can either do one circuit (30 miles) or two (60 miles). I will be there to take photos for the Media and the village web site. Looking forward to it as long as it doesn't rain. My last camera gor ruined by rain - on the Great Wall of China!!

Sunday, 18 March 2012

Mothers Day, Patrice Mwamba and Hethersett's cycle event

Happy Mothers' Day to all mothers.

Sadly I lost my own dear mother 30 years ago and one of my great sadnesses in life is she never got to see her grandchildren who she would have adored.

Some people see Mother's Sunday as just a cynical marketing tool for shops and outlets to cash in on. Others see it as a chance to celebrate the vital part mothers play in our lives. Whilst acknowledging the first it is the second we should celebrate.

Horrible and distressing photographs and TV coverage from White Hart Lane yesterday after the collapse of Bolton defender Fabrice Mwanda. I was half watching the game on ESPN on television and it was a truly horrible moment. The only good thing to come out of the incident is the marvellous way it brought all the Spurs and Bolton fans together. Football can still unite people. It is a universal language and has unbelievable power. With Twitter, Facebook and all the other social media, hopefully the Mwamba family have been able to feel the tangible support and love for them at this time. So many people have been praying throughout the night for Patrice's recovery. Perhaps this is a true test of whether the power of prayer works or not.

Spent a very cold morning taking photographs of the first Hethersett 30-60 cycle event which started and finished at Hethersett Social Club. It was an excellently organised event led by local cyclist Martin "Bart" Anderton. I have already put the photos taken at the event on the Internet and you can view them by clicking this link Hethersett 30-60

Monday, 19 March 2012

Shouting at the TV, working on web sites and serial shagging

Yesterday I shouted at the football on the television. When Fernando Torres scored his second goal in Chelsea's comfortable win against Leicester in the FA Cup I shouted at the TV: "Don't mention the London Bus analogy." And what happened? The commentator said "It's the old London bus scenario. One doesn't come for ages and then two come together." Yuck and how predictable. Can we have sports commentary without the cliches please? I much prefer the comment left on Facebook: "What does Fernando Torres scoring a goal and Mothers' Day have in common?" Answer - They both only happen once a year.

Have spent all today getting my village web site up to date and writing copy for the local newspapers. Two news events dominate in the village. Firstly yesterday we had the first ever 30-60 cycle ride which attracted 300 cyclists who started and finished at Hethersett Social Club and who rode either 30 or 60 miles around the Norfolk Countryside. I'm pleased that the event will be repeated again next year. It's yet another example of improving fitness, well being and health in the village and also raising money for charity at the same time.

Congrats to parish councillor and Hethersett Olympic Committee Chairman Shane Hull who has been chosen to run with the Olympic Torch on its journey round the country. Shane will be carrying the torch at Acle on the same day as it's stopping off in Hethersett in recognition of all the efforts put in by our village to organise Olympic themed events over the past three years. Over that time we have been acknowledged nationally for organising more events per head of population than any other village, town or city in the country.

Finally I was very disappointed to read about Coronation Street actor William Roache's claims that he has bedded 1,000 women which makes him a serial shagger. Disappointing that through much of that time he was held up to have a very successful and happy marriage. So is the boast true or is it good old Corrie Ken's attempts to wind the press up? Only the actor himself knows unless a few hundred women come out of the woodwork of course.

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Preferring Gardening and Avoiding Hatred

Today must be a first. I had the choice between staying in the study and doing volunteer village work or doing the garden. For the first time ever I chose the latter as it was a lovely early spring day. So the garden now looks pristine and better than it has for a long long time.

Yesterday on Twitter I came across an extraordinary site. I use the word extraordinary not in the usual good sense. This site was appalling. I won't even give it recognition by telling you the name of the person. Suffice it to say he was American and his tweets were consumed by hate and racism. He described himself as a Christian which he certainly wasn't in any way shape or form. This cretin was referring to the collapse of football Patrice Mwamba from a heart attack during the match on Sunday between Tottenham and Bolton. Again I won't give any credibility to his rantings except to say they were fuelled by the most trenchant racism and you can probably guess what they said. This is one of the problems with social networking. It gives a voice for people to rant and rave through sheer ignorance.

Thankfully Patrice seems to be on the mend. A lot of people will claim that this is thanks to the millions of people praying for his recovery and is a perfect example of the power of prayer. I remain unconvinced by that, but I'm willing to be swayed and I know the fact that millions were praying was a source of comfort to the player's family and that is probably good enough.

Of course had Patrice not pulled through it would have been a total sign that prayer doesn't work. So I guess in football parlance God has made it through to the next round.

I am loving the football biography which I mentioned a few days ago. Mick Rathbone's "The Smell of Football" is one of the most poignant and funny books on our national game I have ever read. This morning (before going into the garden) I found it difficult to put down. I just loved the chapter where he was manager of Halifax who dropped out of the Football League whilst he was in charge. The humour in this chapter is fantastic. He signed an African player who came highly recommended but whom he had never seen play. In one game there was an early injury and he told this new player to warm up, at which point the player went into the clubhouse and sat on a radiator. There are some priceless gems in this book and I will be very sorry when it comes to an end. That's the problem with really good books. You want them to last but just race through them because they are so engrossing.

Off to the Wymondham Railway quiz again tonight. We have won the last two we have attended but I'm not greatly hopeful tonight. Will let you know how we got on tomorrow.

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Dinky, Tall Flagpoles, Eurovision and Quizzing

What a source of wonderment and amusement The One Show continues to be.

Last night the main guest was 75 year old "Music Legend" Englebert Humperdinck who will be representing the United Kingdom in the next Eurovision Song Contest. I mentioned this in a previous blog. When I heard he was going to be on the show my first thought, and one that I am sure were shared by many others, were along the lines of I wonder if he can still walk without a zimmer frame. But there he was as large as life with the same hairstyle as he wore in the eighties and nineties.

We just knew he was a music legend because Matt Baker told us so. Thankfully as I had to go out I just caught the first 10 minutes of the show. First off they asked Englebert what they should call him:

"You can call me Engle, you can call me Bert, you can call me Humpy but don't call me Dinky," he replied in an ever so slightly rehearsed opening. So they called him Englebert. Sadly I didn't watch long enough to hear him talk about Eurovision. I suppose I could have recorded the rest of the show but there didn't seem to be a lot of point.

Anyway they asked Dinky whether he had ever been to Azerbaijan where the contest is being held. "No" he had never been there. Cue VT (As they say in the trade). Some dude presenter visits Azerbaijan's capital Baku where he does one of those zany kind of lad features full of fun and frivolity. He found a local guide who was an avid Dinky fan and had pictures of him in her car (how distracting is that when you are driving?). The guide was asked to take funny dude to see some of the sights of Baku and first on the list was the second tallest flagpole in the world (wow). I wish I knew where the tallest was!!!

At that point I went off to the Wymondham Railway Quiz. Not impressed by what I saw of Dinky though. Maybe he should change his name again to Al Zheimer.

I apologise for that totally tasteless joke which has no foundation in fact whatsoever. On a serious note I have had relatives who have suffered from Alzheimers and are very aware of just what a hideous disease it is. I try and support the charity whenever possible (and this paragraph has been the serious part of today's blog).

Working today on promoting two coming dates - I am writing a quiz for April 21st at Hethersett Junior School to raise money for the Jubilee Fair in the village. Hopefully money raised on this evening will go to providing portable toilets for the event! Secondly I am also promoting the new running club in the village which I am helping to organise alongside Norfolk's former Olympic runner Paul Evans. Paul is a great guy and ran the 10,000 metres for Great Britain in two Olympic Games and also came third in a London Marathon, second in a New York Marathon and won one in Chicago. So when Paul says run you run. Seriously this is a club for beginners and people who want to get into running. For me it will be a chance to start up again despite my now advanced age. It all starts on April 19th and runs through until June on Thursday Evenings from 7 to 8 p.m on the back field at Hethersett Junior School. If anyone from Hethersett is reading this and wants to join in, just turn up on the night and it's all free and supported by Run England. It is hoped that after the initial 10 week period a permanent social running group will be set up.

Brilliant news that footballer Patrice Mwamba continues to improve in hospital. As somebody said yesterday his collapse brought the football world together as one family - how true. There was a lot of humour in yesterday's interviews with players who had been in to see Patrice who apparently had been talking in two languages - French and English. I hope he didn't mix them up. Spoke to somebody who thought it amazing that following his collapse and heart attack he had woken up able to speak in a new language. We had to explain that coming from the Congo but living in England since the age of 11 he was fluent in both languages.

So they interviewed a footballer who had visited him. They wore the obligatory baseball cap so it was impossible to tell who they were. They came out with a couple of gems, however.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him standing, because that's how I remember him," was one and the other was even better. "He was acting very normal and that's important."

And so to the Wymondham Railway quiz. Myself and Anne went along with son Matt and lovely daughter in law to be Emma and had a really nice evening, coming fourth out of 16 teams - which wasn't bad at all. We had some good guesses on Eastender questions but ended up kicking ourselves at not getting a really simple question. The question was: "What is the female equivalent of a knight?" We assumed it meant a knight as in round table and jousting etc and couldn't think of a female equivalent. The answer was Dame. So it was a knight as in Queen touching shoulder with a sword. We got the wrong kind of Knight. Well I suppose it was that kind of night!

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Pointless is Wonderful, Petrol Prices aren't and the World's Tallest Flagpole Unveiled

Yesterday I mentioned the fact that the world�s second tallest flagpole was in Azerbaijan and wondered where the tallest is. A simple search on Google came up with the answer. The pole in Azerbaijan is 532 ft high but the one in Tajikistan has overtaken it at 541 ft.

I should imagine the good people of Baku were a tad miffed in 2011 when the new Tajikistan pole outranked them and knocked them off the number one slot by nine feet. I can almost see a battle of the flagpoles and a flagpole war ensuing (well ok not really).

I am going to talk about Pointless again and mention it in the headline to this blog for two reasons. One because it is my favourite show on all of television as I think Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman are just brilliant together. Richard is the sharpest man on television. The second reason is that my last blog about Pointless has had more than twice as many visits and views than any other blog. Everyday more people read it and yesterday it hit 100 visits. So let�s see if this one does the same.

I see the new series of the Apprentice is about to start. I know people who think this is a fantastic show. I think it panders to the basest instinct and is bordering on the pathetic. All these arrogant young people calling themselves �the blonde assassin� or the �master puppeteer.� Just who are they trying to kid? More young talentless wannabees trying to prove they are tougher than anyone else. That�s not what life is all about