Monthly Archives: November 2006

TweetOur canteen has this machine to make the tea (full video here). It is quite extraordinary. It turns the mundane exercise of getting a cup of tea into a major entertainment extravaganza. The machine is called the “Lipton T-Bird” and … Continue reading →

TweetIt is a very sad day for radio! One of the most influential broadcasters, in terms of DJ style, Alan Freeman has passed away, aged 79. “Fluff” will be remembered for a couple of specific things. First of all, he … Continue reading →

TweetThanks to Duncan Borrowman for linking to an extraordinary video of the Michael Stone invasion of Stormont yesterday. The two security guards, who apprehended Stone, deserve medals. The security guards, a male and a female, were unarmed. Stone had a … Continue reading →

TweetIt is always good to look back at stories which initially cause a media furore. One such case happened in Black Jack, Missouri, USA in May this year. My blog summarised the situation: The town (which calls itself a “city” … Continue reading →

TweetI just walked down to the entrance to Newbury Racecourse (a few yards from house). It is raining heavily, to put it politely. There is thunder and lightning which seems about a mile away. Having had 14mm of rain yesterday, … Continue reading →

TweetNorfolk Blogger reports several adverse Tory reactions to the “Tosser Test”. It also appears that Mr Dale is getting somewhat catty about the matter (I don’t know, I gave up looking at Iain’s site several months ago as it had … Continue reading →

TweetHow remarkable that Reading has provided more than its fair share of fodder for chortling and Diary columns, via Martin Salter MP for Reading West and Jane Griffiths, former MP for Reading East! Both have been regulars of the Guardian … Continue reading →

TweetStrangely enough, as a Christian I don’t feel discriminated in this country, as the Daily Express tendency seems to have suggested. In fact, with Christianity as the established faith, the very idea that Christianity is discriminated against is laughable. It … Continue reading →

TweetIt’s a big day in Northern Ireland today. Either the “Big Man”, Ian Paisley, says “yes” to reigniting the Assembly, or it’s Plan B – direct rule continues indefinitely. Paisley’s party has to nominate him as First Minister today, in … Continue reading →

TweetI see that Brakspears of Henley has been bought by the JT Davies group. More correctly, it is being “taken private” by its largest shareholder. There is a lot of history in both these firms, as the Times reports: Alfred … Continue reading →

TweetLast night we went to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at the Corn Exchange, Newbury. It really was a wonderful evening – full of fun and laughs. It was wonderful to see and hear six people all with … Continue reading →

TweetI attended the public meeting about Newbury Market last night at the Town Hall. A Conservative councillor wrote-off the value of this meeting before it took place, saying it would be “stacked with the usual suspects”. I didn’t notice any … Continue reading →

TweetI listened to today’s Any Questions? which had Charles Kennedy on it. He spoke exceedingly well and it was great to hear him completely on form. For some reason Dimblebies always want to ask him about his alcoholism, but he … Continue reading →

TweetI have now updated my list of work which I have done on behalf of Newbury Victoria ward residents. Here is the complete list, with the more recent items first. Items 100-144 have been added since my last posting of … Continue reading →

TweetMany congratulations to Ricky Duveen on a superb result in Reading Borough Council by-election in Tilehurst yesterday. Ricky increased the LibDem vote share from 41.4% to 47.8%. Despite bussing in hordes of pavement-plodders, the Tories’ share went DOWN from 30.62% … Continue reading →

TweetI reserve this blog for personal musings. The list of work I have done for my ward as a councillor is on www.walter.org.uk and is reproduced below. I have a whole load of recent casework to update on this list … Continue reading →

TweetBeing English, I have always struggled with complaining. I much prefer the pointed letter to the Managing Director written days after the event (usually met with the response of an apology and a generous voucher). I have always found it … Continue reading →