Monthly Archives: May 2021

Vinyl delight

Posted on 21st May 2021 by Ian

Brass in pocket, the distinctive voice of Chrissie Hynde on the radio. Brass in pocket was on a Pretenders album I bought in Oxford Street in January 1980. A fellow student had suggested the shopping expedition on a Wednesday afternoon … Continue reading →

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The merriest month is passing quickly

Posted on 20th May 2021 by Ian

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady was a bestseller in the 1970s. It was a gift book, a coffee table book, a book that might be picked up to enjoy its illustrations or to reflect on a line of its prose. … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | Leave a comment

Blasted to doom

Posted on 18th May 2021 by Ian

It is thirty years ago today that Helen Sharman became the first British astronaut, joining an expedition to the Mir space station. Sharman was chosen from the 13,000 applications for the place on the mission. The advertisement for applicants reputedly … Continue reading →

Posted in Unreliable memories | 2 Comments

Pete Hill is 60 today

Posted on 17th May 2021 by Ian

It’s Pete Hill’s birthday. On Thursday, 17th May 1979, he was 18. His birthday party was at the Red Lion pub, at West Pennard in Somerset. It was a good party. The DJ played lots of stuff by Blondie. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Unreliable memories | 3 Comments

Middle class educationalists care little for working class people

Posted on 16th May 2021 by Ian

Advocates of inclusion are often those who will be least affected by the policies they advocate. Halting sites, social housing schemes, rehabilitation centres are seen as laudable enterprises, provided they do not affect the ambience of middle class areas, provided … Continue reading →

Posted in This sceptred isle | 4 Comments