Monthly Archives: December 2024

Not a sparrow falls

Posted on 30th December 2024 by Ian

There was one of those Christmas quiz shows on television.  The quizmaster was Richard Osman, the man who used to be on Pointless but who then became a bestselling crime writer (a case of verification of the Biblical maxim, to he … Continue reading →

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Why Betjeman was wrong about Christmas presents

Posted on 26th December 2024 by Ian

 . . . those tissued fripperies, The sweet and silly Christmas things, Bath salts and inexpensive scent And hideous tie so kindly meant John Betjeman’s poem Christmas, motivated by his desire to emphasise the religious, is dismissive of the gifts … Continue reading →

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Missing George Martin

Posted on 24th December 2024 by Ian

Christmas Eve meant visiting the forebears, placing Christmas wreaths upon their graves Pitney first. A small neat, medieval church tucked into the side of the hill. Clem Hill and his wife Ella, Clem dead in 1972, Ella seven years later. … Continue reading →

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The turning of the days

Posted on 21st December 2024 by Ian

My good friend Richard who has for almost two decades looked after my online presence advised me yesterday that it was some one hundred or sixty days or so since there had last been a post here. Had I been … Continue reading →

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