...or Archie to his friends popped into the world last Thursday 16th May at 15:15 weighing in at 7lb 7 oz. He was delivered by C section and all seems well with the world.
He is the first grandson for the Weathers, Collins, Smith dynasty and joins his cousins Ava and Sofia in the creche. He has a dash of red hair, so Ron seemed a good choice of name to me, my earlier suggestions of Bronski or Mersey having been rejected. Archie sits well though and he joins a proud collections of Archies.
Archie Leitch was a famous designer of football stands, one of which is still in situ at Home Park, Plymouth. Archie Knox was a famous art nouveau artist and did a large amount of his work for Liberty's. Finally of course we must not forget Archie Andrews, the ventriloquist' dummy of the 50's and 60's. He starred in his own radio show called Educating Archie, and the fact a ventriloquism act was being played out in a non-visual environment did not seem to phase anybody.
Some Internet fun indicates that 0.0000598‰ of the UK population have the name Archie Beet, that's 4 people!!!
Gottle of geer, Gottle of geer.
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Le Shed
Football supporters often get a bad name, and many deserve it, however, the fans of Plymouth Argyle seem to rise above the stereotype with great regularity. Whether this is because they face crises which only their Naval port rivals Portsmouth can relate closely to, or whether its something to do with the sleepy West Country climate, I am not sure.
Anyway, when Peter Read was released as manager they clubbed together to buy him a pen and made a framed signed shirt as a memento, and Peter Read was not really associated with Argyle success.
So, what to do when French goalkeeper Romain Larrieu announced he was leaving the coaching staff as new manager John Sheridan looked to bring in his own team? Romain is an Argyle legend. He signed during the Sturrock years and was a regular in the side which moved from league 2 to the Championship during the noughties. He stuck around as the side slid back to League 2, and almost out of existence, so it was only right and proper that the fans said their own thankyou to him.
First thing was to start a collection and that quickly reached £500 and continued to climb. Next thing was a bit obvious, why not ask him what he would like. So Romain was consulted and to everybody's amazement he indicated he would like a shed for his garden!! It did not take long for some sharp thinking Janner to spot that Argyle are sponsored by Bond Timber. Maybe they could help?
So one phone call later and the deal is done, they will survey the site and supply the shed, everybody now waits for the unveiling and naming ceremony. Apparently it will be build to accommodate a second tier should the capacity of the shed need to be increased at a later date to reflect the success Romain achieves while playing in it!!
On the subject of sheds, my Summer project is now a work in progress. This is the starting position, more pictures will follow in due course.
Anyway, when Peter Read was released as manager they clubbed together to buy him a pen and made a framed signed shirt as a memento, and Peter Read was not really associated with Argyle success.
So, what to do when French goalkeeper Romain Larrieu announced he was leaving the coaching staff as new manager John Sheridan looked to bring in his own team? Romain is an Argyle legend. He signed during the Sturrock years and was a regular in the side which moved from league 2 to the Championship during the noughties. He stuck around as the side slid back to League 2, and almost out of existence, so it was only right and proper that the fans said their own thankyou to him.
First thing was to start a collection and that quickly reached £500 and continued to climb. Next thing was a bit obvious, why not ask him what he would like. So Romain was consulted and to everybody's amazement he indicated he would like a shed for his garden!! It did not take long for some sharp thinking Janner to spot that Argyle are sponsored by Bond Timber. Maybe they could help?
So one phone call later and the deal is done, they will survey the site and supply the shed, everybody now waits for the unveiling and naming ceremony. Apparently it will be build to accommodate a second tier should the capacity of the shed need to be increased at a later date to reflect the success Romain achieves while playing in it!!
On the subject of sheds, my Summer project is now a work in progress. This is the starting position, more pictures will follow in due course.
Monday, 6 May 2013
Adrian Stanley, actor
Adrian Stanley was a repertory theatre player during the second world war, and early 1950's before moving to South Africa where he produced in the apartheid dominated Country for many years. He died in 2010.
Never heard of him? Well, neither had I until I attended the local auction house last week. There were a couple of pictures I was interested in, however, it was an old leather suitcase which caught my eye. From experience I know these things fetch between £20-£30 at car boot sales, so to acquire it for £25 has probably negated any change of a profit on it.
What made me proceed though was the content of the suitcase. It was full of war time programmes magazines and books all relating to the life of Adrian Stanley. My uncle Philip was a thespian and I suspect that is why I was intrigued by the contents. You can read about Philip a bit more here. Falkland Carey, with whom he collaborated on a number of projects, and Philip King dominated the playwright arena at the time Philip was involved. Their big numbers were 'Sailor Beware' and 'Big Bad Mouse' I was hoping one of the programmes may have mentioned Philip but none did.
So, if I sell them all for 99p each I will be well wedged up, however, I have a feeling some of the items may be little gems. There is a Bolshoi Ballet programme which is a rarity, there is a series of South African theatre programmes which will be collectable, and there is a first issue of the Penguin theatre guide. My e-bay activity will start next week and I will watch developments with interest.
Adrian Stanley was granted an obituary in the Guardian and other theatre and African related publications. His real name was Stanley Roberts and the suitcase contained three of his school reports from Rock Ferry, Birkenhead his WWII discharge papers relating to the asthma which affected him, diaries chronicling his travels in repertory, as well as a photograph from the Spotlight casting directory of the time. Maybe a family member will be interested in that little lot It's amazing what a good rummage will unearth.
Never heard of him? Well, neither had I until I attended the local auction house last week. There were a couple of pictures I was interested in, however, it was an old leather suitcase which caught my eye. From experience I know these things fetch between £20-£30 at car boot sales, so to acquire it for £25 has probably negated any change of a profit on it.
What made me proceed though was the content of the suitcase. It was full of war time programmes magazines and books all relating to the life of Adrian Stanley. My uncle Philip was a thespian and I suspect that is why I was intrigued by the contents. You can read about Philip a bit more here. Falkland Carey, with whom he collaborated on a number of projects, and Philip King dominated the playwright arena at the time Philip was involved. Their big numbers were 'Sailor Beware' and 'Big Bad Mouse' I was hoping one of the programmes may have mentioned Philip but none did.
So, if I sell them all for 99p each I will be well wedged up, however, I have a feeling some of the items may be little gems. There is a Bolshoi Ballet programme which is a rarity, there is a series of South African theatre programmes which will be collectable, and there is a first issue of the Penguin theatre guide. My e-bay activity will start next week and I will watch developments with interest.
Adrian Stanley was granted an obituary in the Guardian and other theatre and African related publications. His real name was Stanley Roberts and the suitcase contained three of his school reports from Rock Ferry, Birkenhead his WWII discharge papers relating to the asthma which affected him, diaries chronicling his travels in repertory, as well as a photograph from the Spotlight casting directory of the time. Maybe a family member will be interested in that little lot It's amazing what a good rummage will unearth.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Margaret Thatcher
So, the Iron Lady is dead. At 87 she was the same age as the Queen and my mum, both iron ladies in their own way
.
All the commentators are indicating that there is no grey area surrounding the ex-prime minister, you either loved her or hated her. For my part, I was a fan. While the three day week and other trade union disruptive behaviour was an inconvenience, it highlighted a part of Britain which needed to be reigned in, she obliged. Her alliance with Ronald Regan cemented that special relationship with the USA which Tony Blair did his utmost to tear asunder. That relationship went a long way to ending the Cold War, and the threat which the Soviet Union posed to the West. Gorbachev became a fan too. She was also strong in the face of Argentine aggression towards the Falkland Islands, and stood toe to toe with the IRA. Their bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton only re-enforced her resolve and her unwillingness to be turned.
Closer to home, as the first lady prime minister she end out a message to women that there was no glass ceiling, and what you strived for could be achieved, whatever gender you were. I suspect Cheryl Blair benefited in no small way to the Thatcher pioneering process. A wide and varied range of council house tenants are now home owners as a result of her 'right to buy' initiative and while her Keynesian oriented social reforms were not overly popular, they were what the Country needed at the time.
It is sad to see celebrations in the streets of Glasgow, to mark her passing, with many of the participants too young and blinkered to even understand the climate in which she operated. The miners will continue to hold a grievance as they are of the view that she destroyed their industry. Time has shown that coal was a dying commodity and the lack of investment in the Country's energy policies after that became apparent lies very much at the feet of the Labour government which followed her.
We are all suffering the effects of the nationalisation of British Gas, but most of her other decisions have been vindicated over time as successive governments have not repealed her policies.
She will for ever be seen as the villain of the piece up here on Merseyside, and Derek Hatton was rolled out yesterday to continue the assault on her character, God he looked a mess. It was she, however, who continued to support Liverpool after the Toxteth riots, and whose vision helped to the City to become what it is today. There are many who blame her for the cover-up over the Hillsborough disaster, however, she had used the police creatively during the miners strike and was unlikely to let them be crucified by the victim's relatives at that stage. It wasn't her who opened the gates or made questionable decisions on the day, but difficult decisions she did make all her term in office.
She will be afforded the funeral she deserves as one of the great British prime ministers, and the one thing her death has done is get people talking about politics again. Currently Parliament lacks characters, and like her or loathe her, a character she definitely was. Where would Spitting Image have gone without her?
.
All the commentators are indicating that there is no grey area surrounding the ex-prime minister, you either loved her or hated her. For my part, I was a fan. While the three day week and other trade union disruptive behaviour was an inconvenience, it highlighted a part of Britain which needed to be reigned in, she obliged. Her alliance with Ronald Regan cemented that special relationship with the USA which Tony Blair did his utmost to tear asunder. That relationship went a long way to ending the Cold War, and the threat which the Soviet Union posed to the West. Gorbachev became a fan too. She was also strong in the face of Argentine aggression towards the Falkland Islands, and stood toe to toe with the IRA. Their bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton only re-enforced her resolve and her unwillingness to be turned.
Closer to home, as the first lady prime minister she end out a message to women that there was no glass ceiling, and what you strived for could be achieved, whatever gender you were. I suspect Cheryl Blair benefited in no small way to the Thatcher pioneering process. A wide and varied range of council house tenants are now home owners as a result of her 'right to buy' initiative and while her Keynesian oriented social reforms were not overly popular, they were what the Country needed at the time.
It is sad to see celebrations in the streets of Glasgow, to mark her passing, with many of the participants too young and blinkered to even understand the climate in which she operated. The miners will continue to hold a grievance as they are of the view that she destroyed their industry. Time has shown that coal was a dying commodity and the lack of investment in the Country's energy policies after that became apparent lies very much at the feet of the Labour government which followed her.
We are all suffering the effects of the nationalisation of British Gas, but most of her other decisions have been vindicated over time as successive governments have not repealed her policies.
She will for ever be seen as the villain of the piece up here on Merseyside, and Derek Hatton was rolled out yesterday to continue the assault on her character, God he looked a mess. It was she, however, who continued to support Liverpool after the Toxteth riots, and whose vision helped to the City to become what it is today. There are many who blame her for the cover-up over the Hillsborough disaster, however, she had used the police creatively during the miners strike and was unlikely to let them be crucified by the victim's relatives at that stage. It wasn't her who opened the gates or made questionable decisions on the day, but difficult decisions she did make all her term in office.
She will be afforded the funeral she deserves as one of the great British prime ministers, and the one thing her death has done is get people talking about politics again. Currently Parliament lacks characters, and like her or loathe her, a character she definitely was. Where would Spitting Image have gone without her?
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Tin Cup
We have returned from Turkey, and can confirm that any similarity to Torquay is very vague. We stayed in a giant all inclusive resort with in excess of 1000 rooms.
When we arrived there were probably 50 other people in occupancy and much of the hotel was still moth balled. The swim up rooms, for example, remained closed all the time we were there. The outdoor swimming pools were available to use but a tad on the cold side, and the specialist restaurants needed at least eight bookings before they would open.
The occupancy rate was boosted, however, by the arrival of Syrianska FC, a Premiership team from Sweden, who were there for some pre-season training. there were about 40 players, some support staff and management, and what seemed like a coachload of supporters. They were well behaved, and worked hard most days, either training or using the leisure facilities in the hotel. The hotel staff had been advised to refuse any requests from the team for alcohol which made for some amusing moments.
Later in the week there was a medical conference and the participants filled all the remaining rooms, so it was interesting to see the hotel suddenly come to life with more staff, more facilities and certainly more people around.
My golf started well and deteriorated as the trip went on. Much like my experience in Cyprus some years ago, I did not play with any English people. My first game was with a Swedish couple, then a couple from Holland, three men from the Czech Republic and finally two Finn's and a Swiss.
The highlight was hitting the 18th at the PGA Sultan course in two, given there is water all down the right off the tee and the second shot is about 180yds across the river, and then two putting for a par.
So that's my 60th birthday celebrations all completed , and I am now thrust into decorating the study which will go through a re-design process to reflect the needs of the leisurely life rather than a conference call dominated commercial one.
As soon as the weather picks up I can start on y shed!!
When we arrived there were probably 50 other people in occupancy and much of the hotel was still moth balled. The swim up rooms, for example, remained closed all the time we were there. The outdoor swimming pools were available to use but a tad on the cold side, and the specialist restaurants needed at least eight bookings before they would open.
The occupancy rate was boosted, however, by the arrival of Syrianska FC, a Premiership team from Sweden, who were there for some pre-season training. there were about 40 players, some support staff and management, and what seemed like a coachload of supporters. They were well behaved, and worked hard most days, either training or using the leisure facilities in the hotel. The hotel staff had been advised to refuse any requests from the team for alcohol which made for some amusing moments.
Later in the week there was a medical conference and the participants filled all the remaining rooms, so it was interesting to see the hotel suddenly come to life with more staff, more facilities and certainly more people around.
My golf started well and deteriorated as the trip went on. Much like my experience in Cyprus some years ago, I did not play with any English people. My first game was with a Swedish couple, then a couple from Holland, three men from the Czech Republic and finally two Finn's and a Swiss.
The highlight was hitting the 18th at the PGA Sultan course in two, given there is water all down the right off the tee and the second shot is about 180yds across the river, and then two putting for a par.
So that's my 60th birthday celebrations all completed , and I am now thrust into decorating the study which will go through a re-design process to reflect the needs of the leisurely life rather than a conference call dominated commercial one.
As soon as the weather picks up I can start on y shed!!
Monday, 11 March 2013
Mull of Kintyre
My birthday celebrations continued at the weekend when SWMBO treated me to a long weekend at the Turnberry hotel in Ayrshire. Turnberry has two golf courses, the Ailsa and the Kintyre and I was fortunate to play both.
Friday I was scheduled for the Kintyre and Saturday the Ailsa, but on waking on the Friday morning I was greeted by Wallasey like conditions, strong winds and a bit nippy, so I was keen to take on the Open Championship course in close to it's toughest state.
When I arrived on the first tee, I was informed by the starter that there were three clear holes ahead of me and nobody behind for half an hour. Effectively this meant I had one of the top ten courses in the Country all to myself, what a joy....
The anorak in me knows I first played the Ailsa course in May 1989, something I have made reference to in previous blogs. I went round in 26 over par that day. Friday, however, was not about my score, but about the challenge and the conditions. I did manage to par the 6th hole and got a few fives elsewhere, but I came off the course exhilarated and elated by the whole experience.
The next day I took on the Kintyre course and I was keen to play a competition type round to post a reasonable score. I joined a husband and wife to make a three ball, and they made me aware the lady was a novice and the round might be painful. It would not have been my ideal scenario, but off we went none the less.
In May 1989 I played both the Ailsa and the Kintyre on the same day. The Kintrye was, actually called the Arran in those days, and it has changed somewhat during the passing 20 odd years. I was, therefore, keen to see the new design.
Things did not start well, and I was taken aback by the tight nature of the opening holes, however, I kept to my plan to post a score, and after opening 8,5,5,8,7 (33) against a par of 20, I went round the remaining 13 holes in 9 over par, a very satisfying days work.
The hotel improved as our stay went on. The first night we ate in the 1906 restaurant and the food was average at best. We had a bar meal the next night which was excellent, and then had out own private dining room the final night, which did seat ten, but nobody else had booked it. It was the hotel equivalent of a Michelin starred eatery and did not disappoint.
The Friday night and Saturday the hotel was accepting GroupOn voucher guests and it appeared that the staff were somewhat off hand with them, whereas our attention level increased when they realised we were there for longer than the one night deal the other guests had booked.
Its definitely a place we will revisit, with the BMW championships scheduled in late September. So I will have to get to Royal Liverpool and try to qualify for that again.
Friday I was scheduled for the Kintyre and Saturday the Ailsa, but on waking on the Friday morning I was greeted by Wallasey like conditions, strong winds and a bit nippy, so I was keen to take on the Open Championship course in close to it's toughest state.
When I arrived on the first tee, I was informed by the starter that there were three clear holes ahead of me and nobody behind for half an hour. Effectively this meant I had one of the top ten courses in the Country all to myself, what a joy....
The anorak in me knows I first played the Ailsa course in May 1989, something I have made reference to in previous blogs. I went round in 26 over par that day. Friday, however, was not about my score, but about the challenge and the conditions. I did manage to par the 6th hole and got a few fives elsewhere, but I came off the course exhilarated and elated by the whole experience.
The next day I took on the Kintyre course and I was keen to play a competition type round to post a reasonable score. I joined a husband and wife to make a three ball, and they made me aware the lady was a novice and the round might be painful. It would not have been my ideal scenario, but off we went none the less.
In May 1989 I played both the Ailsa and the Kintyre on the same day. The Kintrye was, actually called the Arran in those days, and it has changed somewhat during the passing 20 odd years. I was, therefore, keen to see the new design.
Things did not start well, and I was taken aback by the tight nature of the opening holes, however, I kept to my plan to post a score, and after opening 8,5,5,8,7 (33) against a par of 20, I went round the remaining 13 holes in 9 over par, a very satisfying days work.
The hotel improved as our stay went on. The first night we ate in the 1906 restaurant and the food was average at best. We had a bar meal the next night which was excellent, and then had out own private dining room the final night, which did seat ten, but nobody else had booked it. It was the hotel equivalent of a Michelin starred eatery and did not disappoint.
The Friday night and Saturday the hotel was accepting GroupOn voucher guests and it appeared that the staff were somewhat off hand with them, whereas our attention level increased when they realised we were there for longer than the one night deal the other guests had booked.
Its definitely a place we will revisit, with the BMW championships scheduled in late September. So I will have to get to Royal Liverpool and try to qualify for that again.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
Life in the fast lane
Wedged in between my two boozy weekends, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend something called a speed awareness course. This was in no way related to alcohol, but in fact to the way in which I drive my car.
I have made reference in the past to my dislike of speed camera's and the fact they contribute millions of pounds to local government coffer's as a type of stealth tax aimed at mostly honest drivers. Well I was in a room with twenty or so like minded drivers, all there to avoid getting three points on our licenses as a result of driving a few miles over the limit.
In years past the course involved a practical session out on the road with an instructor. These days it's four hours of classroom tutorial, most of which is mind blowingly dull.
The only part I found useful related to the positioning of speed limit signs at the junctions to roads, at a point where the limit changes. Other than that it was a waste of an afternoon, and the sun was out to really rub it in.
Apart from avoiding three penalty points another benefit of the course is to get cheaper or maintained price motor insurance, but with at least one insurance company now considering the course to be the same as an endorsement, that benefit may soon be a thing of the past. As soon as that happens the courses will be a thing of the past.
So while I still have a clean license, I just await the next official police communique inviting me to attend the local magistrates court. Deep joy.
I have made reference in the past to my dislike of speed camera's and the fact they contribute millions of pounds to local government coffer's as a type of stealth tax aimed at mostly honest drivers. Well I was in a room with twenty or so like minded drivers, all there to avoid getting three points on our licenses as a result of driving a few miles over the limit.
In years past the course involved a practical session out on the road with an instructor. These days it's four hours of classroom tutorial, most of which is mind blowingly dull.
The only part I found useful related to the positioning of speed limit signs at the junctions to roads, at a point where the limit changes. Other than that it was a waste of an afternoon, and the sun was out to really rub it in.
Apart from avoiding three penalty points another benefit of the course is to get cheaper or maintained price motor insurance, but with at least one insurance company now considering the course to be the same as an endorsement, that benefit may soon be a thing of the past. As soon as that happens the courses will be a thing of the past.
So while I still have a clean license, I just await the next official police communique inviting me to attend the local magistrates court. Deep joy.
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