billatbingley - Random Jottings

Snow at Night

2012-02-04T21:29:00.000Z

Having just taken Ruby for her evening walk, when I got back I thought I'd try and take a few shots of the snow by the existing light.

Here are the results....

All these were hand held, so if you can detect a slight blur on one or two of them, that's why. Next time I may well get the tripod out and do a proper job!

Snow (at long last!)

2012-02-04T16:28:00.002Z

For a few days now the forecasters and weather people have been making a great to do about the vast amounts of snow that has been falling on the continent. They have also been telling us that the temperatures have fallen very low indeed. People have been dying of hypothermia.

Over the last couple of days we have been getting yellow warnings, then upgraded to orange warnings, that snow was on its way, and finally today it has arrived. Not huge amounts, but it has been continually falling since just after 12.00 mid day. It doesn't seem to be the stuff that piles up to any great depth, but it has been a continuous downpour of very wet tiny flakes.

I grabbed the camera a few minutes ago and got these shots......

The view up the fields - the horizon completely lost in the fine snowflakes.

Somehwere out there on the far horizon (if you could see it) is Bingley Moor, the caravan park at the top of Shipley Glen and Dick Hudsons!

I can't remember the last time I saw childen with sledges!

Keeping it in the Family

2012-02-03T09:53:00.000Z

I was having a wander through the family facebook pages and came across this on Hannah's page. I couldn't resist republishing the photo.

Farewell Old Friend!

2012-02-01T11:04:00.001Z

Some rather sad news today. Although it occurred on Sunday (so should that be history?) Hannah waved bye bye to her first car. Recognised throughout the Bingley district because of its rather different colour scheme!

I had christened it the "Pink Peril", although Hannah refers to it on her facebook page as "Princess."

"Princess" just before she left for some Essex Girl to own!

However there was some good news too. She had been offered a paltry sum in part exchange for the Pink Peril - slightly more than half the top book price, so being the entrepreneurial type she advertised it on E Bay.

Within a very short space of time she had 8 people interested, and a car dealer from down south decided he would pay the "Buy Now Price" (the top book price for it.) He did admit when he came to collect it that he already had a buyer for it, but after test driving it, and with a bundle of £20.00 notes he clinched the deal!

So "Princess" will be starting a new life down Essex way!

To misquote Mr Grumpy "I Don't Believe It!"

2012-01-31T18:14:00.001Z

I don't know about you, but I sometimes wonder if we live in a madhouse. I don't mean our homes, but the world in general, and education circles in particular.

You may well be aware that for some days now Michael Gove has been banging on about improving standards in schools. Over the last few years the Primary sector have been scrutinised, measured, checked, Ofsteded etc. Primary League Tables have been published and his latest idea is to change one of the categories of the Ofsted results.

A school will no longer be classed as "satisfactory" (for according to Mr Gove this implies that the school is just ticking over.) It must show steady progress and improve year on year! I ask myself is the man mad, has he taken leave of his senses, or is he just living in cloud cuckoo land?

I wonder if he has had the experience of trying to teach a class where over 50% of the children are classed as ESL (English as a second language.) It seems to me to be an exercise in futility trying to teach all the academic subjects to some poor little person who can barely speak (or understand) English.

But all of this is not my real concern about the world being mad. Oh No!
If I hadn't read it on the BBC interrnet news I would have hardly believed it.

Did you know that at the present moment a course in horse care is equivalent to four (yes you did read that right - FOUR) GCSE's?

A BTec level 2 in fish husbandry, and a level 2 certificate in nail technology services (both worth the equivalent of 2 GCSE's) could also be taken out of the GCSE equivalents. Whoopee I say! The sooner the better!

How on earth could these three examples be compared to a decent GCSE, let alone two or four GCSE equivalents?

With equivalents like these I wouldn't have been surprised to have seen breathing being given a GCSE equivalent!

No wonder our Secondary education system is in such a mess!

It seems that Secondary Schools are now in the firing line. Prof. Alison Wilson has decided that some of the courses offerred as equivalent to GCSE's will either be downgraded or removed from the equivalent status altogether! Do I detect a movement towards common sense at last?

Four Funerals and No Weddings

2012-01-27T21:58:00.001Z

I have been a bit busy this week with funerals! Monday was a relatives, and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were due to me being an organist!

I thought that a bit of relative peace and quiet was due, but no such luck. I already have a funeral to play for on Wednesday and another on Friday. In fact next week is already building up. On Monday there is a trip to Harrogate for Dot to visit the Eye Clinic, and on Monday evening I have a practice for the Male Voice Choir. We are due to give a concert at Dalesway (A BUPA home) in Thornbury on the following Monday. As I missed last Mondays practice due to being at the funeral of a relative, there will be quite a bit of work to put in at this Mondays practice!

I am also booked to give a talk to the Hall Royd Methodist Group an hour after the funeral on Wednesday.

TOWIB

2012-01-24T10:16:00.001Z

Youv'e no doubt all heard of, and probably seen the TV programme The Only Way Way Is Essex (TOWIE for short) well read on to discover what TOWIB is.....

To put it mildly,this week does not promise to be an auspicious one.

Hannh managed to pick up a screw in the rear near side tyre of her new car, and on taking it to Quickfit on Sunday, after a two hour wait she was told that the tyre was beyond repair. On asking the price of a new tyre she was told £150.00 - it's a Broadstone low profile one. There were none immediately available, and it would probably be Monday or Tuesday before she could get it repaired.......

QUICKfit - what a misnomer if ever there was one!

So yesterday and today the Bentley Taxi Service has been in full swing, but seeing as Dot and I had to attend a relatives funeral on Monday afternoon, Sarah had to do the honours and collect Hannah from school on Monday afternoon.

Whilst all this has been going on I have had to cancel a wedding I had been booked to play for at Rudding Park Harrogate on Saturday 28th April due to the fact that the new Vicar of Bingley is being inducted one hour before the wedding is due to take place and my first call has to be on the organ buffet in Bingley!

In and amongst all this I have been booked to play for no less than three funerals this week - so like the title of this blog suggests The Only Way Is Better - it surely can't get any worse, can it???

Katherine Jenkins Concert (2)

2012-01-22T15:47:00.000Z

We attended the Katherine Jenkins concert at the Harroagte International Centre yesterday evening. We knew that the concert was a sell out, and that the auditorium holds 2,000 people, and we were expecting car parking to be at a premium, so we set off in plenty of time and managed to find space in the multi-storey park at the centre itself.

Amazingly the cost of parking was only £2.00, which compares very favourably with the on street parking where the fee is £1.40 for the first hour, up to a maximum of three hours.

The concert was (as expected) most enjoyable. Among the songs that Katherine sang were: Black is the Colour, J'Avais Reve D'Une Autre Vie (the French words to "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables), Love Divine to the Welsh Tune "Hyfrydol" , Calon Lan (Welsh Words to Blaenwern) and Break it to My Heart.

As usual she had 3 dress changes, wearing, in total, four very elegant dresses. Sorry no photos as photography and recording was banned in the centre!

We purchased her latest CD (Daydream) which has three or four of the songs she featured in last night's concert.

Katherine Jenkins Concert

2012-01-19T15:45:00.001Z

I am looking forward to Saturday evening. We are going to the Katherine Jenkins Concert at the Harrogate International Centre. We have got front row seats thanks to a present from the Phillips family - it was their Christmas present for us!

Having met the aforementioned lady, and spoken with her, a few years ago (she was a guest at a wedding I was playing for) I can vouch for the fact that she is a very natural person and seems totally unaffected by her fame.

Oh, and just in case you didn't believe that I had spoken with her, here's the proof......

The broad grin was caused by me suggesting that she may like to audition for my choir!

Pantomime and Cold Weather

2012-01-14T10:18:00.000Z

We paid our annual visit to the Harrogate Pantomime last night (Beauty & the Beast) and had a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening. As usual the cast were splendid. Tim Stedman as Muddles was his usual idiotic and simple self, whilst the Dame (Sue the Sous Chef) and Baron Bon Bon gave excellent support. Polly Lister was outstanding as the Sorceress. She played an evil Baddie, and has great stage presence and a very good voice too.

One of the highlights of last night's performance was the plate catching scene. There are two chutes (one each side of the stage), and the crockery is sent down these chutes for Muddles and Baron Bon Bon to catch them prior to
washing them. All works well when Sue the Sous Chef demonstrates, but when Muddles & Baron Bon Bon take over there is chaos. They are at the wrong chute when plates come hurtling down. The idea is that the precious plates smash, but last night they refused to. Muddles and the Baron did an superb job of ad libbing each time the plates refused to smash.

During the following scene there was a tremendous crash back stage and Muddles could be heard shouting "They still won't smash even after seven weeks!"

There was the usual selection of a member of the front row of the audience to be the butt of many jokes (Michael was the man's name) and he was persuaded to stand up and conduct the theatre (complete with follow spot on him) in the silly song routine.

When we came out of the theatre there was a distinct nip in the air. The car temperature gauge read - 4.0 degrees, and this morning you could see the result of the freezing cold night.

We have a water bowl on the garage roof, for the birds, and I was amazed to see what looks like an upward growing icicle had formed.......

As there was nothing dripping into the bowl from above it I am at a loss as to how this has formed.

The field behind our house looked quite picturesque, with the sheep standing about.

and one of them obviously remembered that they sometimes get fed with the vegetable left overs, and came to beg!

Our car usually misses the most of the frost, as it sits between our house and next door's extension, so is quite sheltered, but this morning there was evidence on it of just how cold it had been during the night.

Beauty & the Beast

2012-01-12T16:19:00.000Z

Tomorrow sees the Bentley Family making their annual pilgrimage to Harrogate Theatre for their visit to the pantomime.

A somewhat unusual choice for the pantomime this year - Beauty and the Beast, but it stars the usual cast so there will be plenty to laught at no doubt!

Howard Chadwick as Dame Sue the Sous Chef

and Tim Stedman as Muddles

Katy Dean as Beauty

Muddles & Dame Sue the Sous Chef

Polly Lister as the Sorceress Baron Bonbon, Dame Sue the Sous Chef & Muddles

Polly Lister as the Sorceress

Newsflash: It's Arrived!

2012-01-10T20:59:00.002Z

Great Event in the Ben/Hannah household tonight. They took delivery of their new Seat Ibizia SC se Copa Sportrider!

They followed me back from JCT 600 in Menston, and I only saw Hannah manage to stall it three times!

I had my Meriva in for its MOT at Drive In Shipley (It Passed!) and saw the Pink Peril up on the ramps, with the engine hanging out at the back!

Hopefully by tomorrow they should have diagnosed exactly what the problem is. They think it is clutch problems

Busy Beaver!

2012-01-09T18:45:00.001Z

Good Morning Merry Blog Readers!

It looks like this week could be a fun filled week.

I had an early start. Up at 06.00 and Hannah and Ben to collect at 07.00. I dropped Ben off at Crossflatts first then set off to take Hannah to school (The Pink Peril is still immobile). As we turned round at Magnet, Hannah realised she still had her doggie walking crocs on, so we made a return call to Fox Street first. It's now almost 17 years since I used to regularly do the school run, and in that time the volume of traffic appears to have grown by a factor of about 50!

I covered much the same route at the same time as I used to go to Bierley, but the time taken was much longer. Firstly a queue on the Bingley Relief Road, then a queue from Bingley Road traffic lights to the mini roundabout at Cottingley / Sandy Lane, then a queue from Haworth Lane traffic lights to the roundabout at the Boulevard then a queue up Manchester Road, From leaving Fox Street to getting home - travel time 70 minutes!

The next trip is to Harrogate General Hospital this afternoon, to the Eye Clinic for another examination of Dot's right eye. Then it's a return to the school run once again. I was supposed to be restarting Eldwick & Gilstead Male Voice Choir Practices tonight, but if Hannah has a staff meeting I will not have time to do the school run, have some tea and collect my accompanist and get up to Gilstead in time for the practice, so I have postponed the start of practices until next Monday.

Tomorrow sees a school run, followed by a visit to "Drive In" at Shipley for 1) an MOT on my car and 2) Tax Disc collection from the Pink Peril, and any information on what needs to be done to it, [just had a phone call telling us that they think it needs a new clutch - at least that's a lot less expensive than a new gearbox!] followed by another school run, a trip to JCT 600 at Menston so that Hannah can collect her new car.

On Wednesday morning we have Bobby finishing off some work in the kitchen, then I have a funeral to play for at Nab Wood.

and so it goes on & on & on & on..........

New Car!

2012-01-07T18:55:00.002Z

You are looking at Hannah & Ben's new baby! They collect it on Friday from JCT 600 at Menston.

It is a Seat Ibizia SC se copa Sportrider just under three months old, and after heavy bartering from both Hannah and myself, we have got what we both consider to be a real bargain. £3,000 less than new, with exchange of personal plates, and a £70 cable for bluetooth etc. included in the price, and there may be more - depending if the Smart is worth repairing!

She went out for a test drive in it and was worried to death that she would stall it as it isn't an automatic! The salesman took her to the Harry Ramsden's Car Park, first of all so that she could get used to the clutch, then they went back to Burley and along the by pass to Ilkley, before returning to the garage.

We really were a pair of haggling Jews! We not only had the salesman running backwards and forwards, we also had the manager doing the same. Just as Hannah was about to sign up she tried my ploy, "Oh there's just one other thing, before I sign for it, please don't laugh!"

(I was expecting her to demand a huge teddy bear, because once when I went to collect a new car she had seen a car in the showroom with a huge teddy bear in it and was most disappointed that one didn't come with mine!)

"I expect a bunch of flowers on the back seat." - and what's more they promised her them!

The Pink Peril has Mobility Problems!

2012-01-07T09:43:00.004Z

I planned on a nice quiet afternoon and evening yesterday, but things just didn't quite work out that way!

It was about 17.15 when the phone rang, and on the other end of the line was a distressed damsel by the name of Hannah. "Dad, I've broken down in the middle of Bradford. The car won't go! Can you come and help me?"

So it was the white dog walking waterproof jacket on (high visibility) and grab a 9 led torch, so I could have a look under the bonnet.

"Where abouts are you?" I asked.

Back came the reply, "If you go past Morrisons, to the second set of lights, turn right and right again, I'm at the bottom of that street!" [Barry Street for those who know it!]

What a wonderful time and place to break down! Rush hour, centre of Bradford, Friday Teatime, on one of the main arterial roads out of the city!

I jumped in the car and got there as quickly as I could, to find that two kind gentlemen had pushed her car to the side of the road, so it wasn't blocking anything. As I was driving there I was wondering what am I going to do if I can't get the car to move?

As I pulled up I ascertained that the car had refused to go into gear and move either forwards or backwards. Fortunately Hannah had joined the RAC, and within an hour an RAC van had pulled up. The RAC man tried to get the car to move, but no joy. He thought it might be clutch or transmission problems. Back in his van he consulted a computer after entering all the car details, but there was nothing he could do.

So he summoned a suspended recovery. (It is fatal to try to move a Smart car which has clutch or transmission problems, and it has to be put on the back of a recovery truck.)

About an hour later a T F Smith Recovery Truck arrived and the little pink peril was hauled on to the back of the truck, taken to "Drive In" in Shipley, which deal with Smart Cars, and left outside their gates.

What's in a Name?

2012-01-06T11:36:00.003Z

I mentioned yesterday that I had been to Harrogate and spent some of my book vouchers. One of the books I bought was written by Gervase Phinn, and called "Out of the Woods but Not Over the Hill."

Gervase Phinn has been described as the James Herriot of Education. If you have been involved with children this is a must read for you.

In the first chapter he recalls the names of children when he was an inspector, and how they have changed from fairly ordinary names to far more exotic ones. He lists such names as Barbie, Kristopher, Buzz, Curston, Randy, Mykell, Charleen, Kaylee, Scarlet, Egypt, Hayleigh, Jordana, Aztec, Blase, Gooey (pronounced Guy!), and a Mr & Mrs Pipe's son called Dwayne (think about it - Dwayne Pipe!)

Then there were Demi, Dayle, Shalott (pronounced Charlotte), Precious, Roxanne, Tiggy, Trixie, Terri, Cheyenne, Billie-Jo, Tammy-Lou, Princess, Duncan Biscuit and Eileen Dover (Dunking Biscuit & I Leaned Over), twins called Sam & Ella (sounds like a kind of food poisoning!), Hadrian Wall, who had a father called Walter Wall, (Wall to Wall) Victoria Plumb, Sunny Day and Holly Wood.

He recalls a teacher telling him that she had taught Teresa Green, Annette Curtain and Poppy Field.

Then there was the Sprout family who christened their children after where they were conceived - Paris Sprout, Vienna Sprout and Seville Sprout - Luckily they didn't conceive a child in Brussels!

In an infant school in Bradford, he recalls, - I came across a large girl with a huge face, frizzy hair in bunches and great wide eyes.

"What's your name?" I asked the child.

"Tequila", she replied, "I'm named after a drink."

"Tequila Sunrise", I murmured.

"No," pouted the child. "Tequila Braithwaite!

I was told by the head of a Catholic school that it was a practice in the church to name the children after saints. He was at school with a boy who was called Innocent - a name adopted by a number of Popes.

"I suppose it was difficult having to live up to the name Innocent", I observed.

"It certainly was," he replied, "and something of a cross to bear. His second name was Bystander."

A vicar tells him the story of one child who was nearly christened Onarcardie.

I said to the parents "Name this Child," and the mother replied loudly "Onacardie."

I had just begun sprinkling the holy water over the baby's head and intoning "I christen this child Onacardie," only to be interrupted by the irate mother.

"No, No Vicar," she hissed. "It's on 'er Cardy. The names written on her cardigan, We want her to be called Siobahn!"

Christmas & Birthday Presents

2012-01-05T18:48:00.000Z

Being born on December 22nd may seem a bit of an unfortunate time to be born, but I have always had both birthday and Christmas presents bought.
This year was no exception. In fact, due to the fact that the Australian relatives were over in England, and we all met up on my birthday, I got some extra presents!

At the family meet up I was presented with a large selection box of Thornton's chocolates from the Aussie dwelling relatives. Sarah and Greg and Olivia gave me a nice tidy sum of money, and last week I was on line to Amazon and purchased no less than 5 CD's, all of which have arrived safely and been played. They will most definitely not be Sarah's choice, but they are mine! I got three Winifred Atwell CD's and two Grimethorpe Colliery Band CD's. So thanks for the cash to purchase those Sarah & Greg & Olivia!

-

For Christmas I was given a Waterstones voucher, also from Sarah, Greg & Olivia, and as Dot and I were in Harrogate this afternoon (another visit to the Eye Clinic at Harrogate General Hospital) I made it in my way to call in at Waterstones. It is a good time to call in just after Christmas as they have a half price sale, and you can pick up lots of current books which were double the current price before Christmas!

I had already decided to purchase a hardback book which has been heavily advertised on Classic Fm called "Classic Fm Hall of Fame". This contains information about the top 300 classical pieces of music, and their composers. It was advertised at £25.00, but guess what, it only cost me £12.50.

Whilst I was wandering round the music/entertainment shelves I came across another hardback book on classical music called The A - Z of Classic Fm Music" published by the Readers Digest at £9.99, but costing me just £4.99. Returning downstairs I spotted a newish publication (2010) by Gervaise Phinn called "Out of the Woods but not over the Hill" which is a collection of his best humorous writing.

I still have a book voucher from Hannah and Ben to spend, and Dot and I are looking forward to our joint Christmas present from Gary & Rachel & the family - front row tickets to see & hear Katherine Jenkins at the International Centre in Harrogate in a couple of weeks time!

Tomorrow is Twelfth Night........

2012-01-05T09:51:00.001Z

Twelfth Night is traditionally the time when the Wise Men, or Kings or Magi arrived on the scene, and this marks the end of the season of Christmas,and the start of the churches season of Epiphany. It is the day on which the Wise Men were guided by a star to the stable in Bethlehem.

I don't know if you have ever pondered the words of the carol We Three Kings, but nowhere in the bible accounts of the story does it give us an actual number. What is given is that they brought three gifts - gold, frankincence and myrrh. In a different account the kings are named as Caspar, Melchior & Balthazzar, which quite neatly fits in with the three gifts

Did you know that it is traditional to stir a Christmas pudding mixture from east to west in honour of the Wise Men, who travelled in the same direction?

In Spain children leave their shoes hanging out on Twelfth Night in the hope that the Wise Men will fill them with gifts, as they pass by!

Rain........

2012-01-04T22:33:00.001Z

It rained and rained and rained and rained and rained

It rained and rained and rained and rained again.......
(sounds familiar? Well it is actually some of the lyrics from Captain Noah & his Floating Zoo.)

I think that Noah had the right idea. Looking through the weather forecast for the next few days, what do I see? Wednesday evening - heavy rain, Wednesday night - heavy rain, Thursday 6.00 am - rain, Thursday 9.00 am - rain!

I suppose, looking on the bright side, if all this stuff is coming down as water then there can't be much more left up there for snow (hopefully!)

It's just that the weather is getting a trifle monotonous. It would be nice to see a change - maybe a bit of fog, frost or snow would be a welcome diversion?

Christmas Decorations

2012-01-03T20:22:00.000Z

Over the forty odd years we have lived here I can not remember ever taking any photos of the Christmas Decorations which are got out of the loft each year, carefully unpacked, and tastefully spread around the house!

It was at my wife's suggestion that I "Take a photo of the Christmas Tree because it looks so nice this year."

So here are a few shots of some of the decorations, taken under different lighting conditions........

A Christmas Retrospective

2012-01-01T23:10:00.000Z

Now that all the festivities, Carol Services, Nativity Plays and Concerts have been completed, I have time to take a look back over the festive season.

I suppose the first intimation that Christmas was about to hit with the force of a tornado was when I commenced Nativity Play Practices at one of the local Primary Schools on Tuesday 29th September! Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th were the dates of the performances, and as the school hall will hold around 150 - 200, we must have played to approximately 700 people over the four performances! There were no major hitches and the children were word perfect. The high point had to be the two children who sang "Away in a Manger" - not a dry eye in the hall!

The evening of Tuesday 6th December found me in St Georges Hall in Bradford, suitably garbed in cloak & gown, and seated at the organ on stage to play for the graduation ceremony for the Bradford College Students. Looking out from the stage to a full hall is quite an awe inspiring sight! Thirty minutes of organ music before the Academic Procession, a three minute fanfare/March and we were underway.

Sunday 11th December at 4.00 pm found me conducting my Male Voice Choir at a Festival of Lights Service (which is held annually) at the Sue Ryder Home in Oxenhope. This is a service at which all those who have died there in the previous year are remembered and candles are in their memory. We were accompanied by the Salvation Army Brass Band, and singing to a brass band was a new experience for the choir.

Saturday 17th December at 10.00 found the church choir and members of Bingley All Saints congregation singing carols in Bingley Market Square. This took place beside a "live crib scene" where anyone who wanted to could dress up as one of the nativity characters.

The following day (Sunday 18th) was the annual Service of Lessons and Carols, and the church choir excelled themselves, singing descants to Once in Royal David's City and O Come all ye Faithful, as well as a choir carol "Is the Little King Sleeping?"

The crib in church

The new Christmas Tree

Thursday 22nd December was the date of the family get together, when Karen, David, Alexander and Brigitte (from Australia) along with David's sister Jane, Andy and their daughter Becky and Granny Anne joined the Bentley clan for a meal at a local Chef & Brewer. It was a double celebration as it was also my birthday!

Saturday 24th at 6.00 pm was the Christingle and Nativity Play in Church. This event is always a "sell out" and the church is packed to the rafters! The memorable event at this service was a little child dressed as a lamb wandering down the centre aisle about two minutes after all the shepherds had arrived!

The Midnight Mass had the Bishop as the celebrant and preacher, and the highlight for many must have been his sermon introduction which told how the fairy came to be stuck at the top of the Christmas Tree!

This was followed by the Christmas Day Eucharist at 10.30 am - and the opening carol just had to be "Christians Awake!"

For the very first time Dot and I had not purchased a turkey for Christmas due to the fact that we were invited to Hannah & Ben's for the Christmas Lunch, and what a splendid spread it turned out to be!

The rest of the family joined us for the afternoon and early evening.

Boxing Day was the Bentley Boxing Day Party, when all the family descended on us as well as Dot's god daughter Hannah, her husband Dave and their two boys.

It was with great relief that we set off on Wednesday 28th. for a two night stay at the King's Head in Masham. Unfortunately Dot managed to start with shingles, so the trip turned out to be a tour of the local doctors surgeries, dispensing chemists and outpatients departments!

Doctor's surgery and chemists shop Masham

After the excitement and chaos of that little lot it can only be calmer and more peaceful in 2012.... can't it?

Masham - The NHS Tour......

2011-12-30T18:00:00.001Z

You know when celebrities have a concert tour going, they usually give it some catchy subtitle? Well those of you who follow my blog will know that we were out of circulation, and on a tour of sorts.

We went to spend a couple of nights at the King's Head in Masham, and I had planned an "All Creatures Great and Small Nostalgia Tour". Unfortunately the plans of mice and men............

Let me take you back a few days. Last week Dot had phoned the GP for a repeat prescription, and the upshot was that I went to collect it and have it dispensed at the chemists next door. I had seen the prominently displayed notice which warned that certain drugs were difficult to come by and may not be immediately available, so I was hardly surprised when with the prescription I was handed a note that asked me to call back at 11.00 am the following morning, as part of the prescription drugs would not be available until then.

On calling back the following morning I was told that there was a supply problem and they would not be available until early January. Dot, being a nurse, and knowing the ins and outs of the profession said we'll go and get the prescription and have it dispensed somewhere where they have the necessary drugs. Unfortunately as part of the prescription had been dispensed we were unable to do this, so a return visit to the doctor the following morning (as an emergency) to get another prescription ensued. Another nearby chemist had the necessary drugs in stock and was able to dispense them!

As Dot had been examined by a locum, there was the suggestion that (after consultation with the specialist at BRI) she should go there to be looked over! So on Wednesday morning we made a visit to BRI and a wait (for me) of an hour and a half followed.

We set off up to Masham, and Dot was not too good on Wednesday night, so she visited the local GP in Masham (again as an emergency) and after about an hour and a half, during which the Masham GP had spoken to a consultant at Harrogate General Hospital it was suggested that Dot should go either there or to Darlington as it was suspected that she had contracted shingles, and there was pressure on her optic nerve!!

Dot's response was, "We're on holiday, can it wait until Friday morning, when I can call in Harrogate General Hospital on the way home?" This was the agreed plan, so after more medication being prescribed we set off for a run, calling at Leyburn, Redmire, Castle Bolton and the local St Oswald's Church, and then on to Bedale, [which we had planned on visiting on Friday morning instead of the now planned visit to Harrogate General Hospital!]

So Friday morning, after breakfast we bid adieu to Masham and headed for H.G.H., where Dot had her eyes examined by a consultant, had umpteen boxes of pills, potions and drops dispensed and told to call back on Tuesday morning. Some two hours later we were heading for home!

Oh! I did manage to get some good photos of Masham, both during the daylight hours and at night. I had taken my camera tripod up with me this time, so could time expose during the darker hours!

The doctors surgery and nearby chemists shop in Masham

Masham Parish Church, at the eastern end of the square

The shop on the left is known as Joneva and sells all the old fashioned sweets you will remember from your childhood

Christmas decorations and illuminations in the square

The King's Head at night time

The Parish Church, illuminated at night time

The stable block, at the rear of the King's Head.. (We stayed in the building on the left in the foreground)

Our room during the hours of daylight!

Escape for a bit of peace and quiet!

2011-12-27T19:33:00.002Z

We commence our annual pilgrimage to the King's Head in Masham on Wednesday! Those you who are very observant will have noticed that this photograph was taken a couple of years ago when we still had the Vauxhall Zafira. (The red bus in the centre of this photograph.)

We have visited Masham for four years now, and have seen it in all kinds of weather - crisp clear sunlight, icy, and foggy at different times. However there has always been a warm welcome from mine host and the staff at the King's Head.

The hotel can look quite inviting when it is lit up at night, and being on the side of the market square it is ideally situated.

The King's Head, is a fine Georgian building dating back to the 18th Century. From the outset The King's Head was always more than an Inn. In its time it has been combined with a Posting House and surprisingly, an Excise Office.

A typical bedroom situated in what used to be the stable block.

Part of the old stable block. We have stayed in the room in the centre arch, which has a mezzanine floor, with the bedroom upstairs.

One of the rooms we have stayed in which is part of the old stable block.

Part of the dining room, looking out towards the market square.

The Angel on the Christmas Tree

2011-12-26T22:37:00.002Z

The Bishop preached at the Midnight Eucharist service this year, and I must recount his sermon opening.......

Santa had been busy all day packing the presents, Firstly he ran short of wrapping paper, then he ran out of sellotape. He paused and muttered "Things can't get any worse!"

So he decided to put his heavily laden sack on the sleigh. He tripped and his foot went straight through a runner."Things can't get any worse!" he muttered.

He went in to the stables to collect the reindeer. Two were sick, two had gone on strike, two just refused to get up and pull the sleigh and two demanded more food and shorter working hours, and as for Rudolf, he had lost the glow on the end of his nose."Things can't get any worse!" he muttered.

He went to the cupboard where he kept his favourite tipple, only to find that someone had been there before him, and there wasn't a drop to be found in any of the bottles. Then he heard a strange sound. Opening the door into the elves quarters, he found them rolling around the floor in a drunken stupor! "Things can't get any worse!" he muttered.

He went into his house to be met by Mrs Claus who said, "Did you know that mother is coming to stay with us for Christmas.............

and for a couple of weeks afterwards." "Things can't get any worse!" he muttered.

He heard a knocking at the door, so he went to open it. There stood the sweetest little angel you ever did see. She smiled sweetly at Santa and said, "Isn't it a wonderful night? I've brought you a present", and she produced a Christmas Tree. "Where would you like to put this?", she asked.

And that is how the Angel came to be stuffed on the top of the Christmas Tree!

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-25T22:55:00.004Z

Being a regular attender at church (owing to the fact I have to play the organ for all the services) means that I sometimes takes the church decorations for granted! I expect to see a Crib, a Christmas Tree and various floral decorations each Christmas time, but my mind tends to be occupied with how many verses does this carol have? Do they match up with the words in the music edition? Is there a descant to sing on the last verse etc.?

So I went down early for the 10.30 am Christmas Eucharist Service to record for posterity some of the church decorations.

The Christmas Crib

The new Christmas Tree

Flower Decorations

The Font

One of the new Christmas Banners

We had been invited down to our youngest daughter & her husbands for Christmas Dinner, and it was a superb spread. The table was laid out with home made decorations and Christmas crackers.

The menu consisted of a large mushroom topped with asparagus wrapped in bacon covered with a poached egg. The main course was the traditional Turkey, sage and onion stuffing, with home made cranberry, orange and rum sauce, bacon, sausage, roast parsnips, roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots, cauliflower in a cheese sauce and gravy. All washed down with wine!

Home made truffles completed the menu.

Sparkly home made chocolate truffles.

Even the dogs were suitably attired - Macy in her Santa Baby coat.

I'm not sure if she had had more than enough Budweiser, or was just guarding the box full!

Later on in the afternoon we were joined by the rest of the family and dogs, so with 11 people and five dogs we filled the house, and had a convivial time opening the Christmas presents.

Tracking Santa

2011-12-24T21:38:00.002Z

Santa checking the names of all those children who have been good.

"A few more hours that's all the time we've got
A few more hours before we get a visit from you know who...." to misquote the words of a Lerner & Loewe Song.

I've just returned from playing for the Nativity & Christingle Service, and one of the highlights for the children was the candle in an over sized Christingle, which wouldn't blow out! Whatever else they may remember about what a Christingle stands for I am sure they will remember the everlasting candle!

Now what about that "A few more hours" bit? well as all good children know Santa will be visiting very soon. I discovered that Santa has been well and truly dragged into the technological age. A Track Santa programme has been developed and you can track him from his home in the North Pole as he whizzes across the skies.

The programme, developed by the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) and the search engine Google, has become an Internet sensation with close to a billion hits since its inception last year.

The Colorado-based centre usually provides aerospace warning and control for North America every day but on Christmas Eve they traditionally turn their attention to Santa's journey from the North Pole.

Last year the organisation and Google developed the Internet programme "NORAD tracks Santa" to allow excited children to log on to see how Father Christmas is getting on delivering their gifts.

So far about 10 million people from more than 200 countries have visited the website this year.

NORAD, which is also responsible for defending the US and Canada from incoming nuclear missiles, claims it can follow him with their radar and satellite technology as well as the infra-red signature left by Rudolph's red nose.

Just put Santa tracking programme into your search engine and Hey Presto! there is all the information you could possibly want.

Family Meet Up and Birthday Celebrations

2011-12-23T07:18:00.001Z

Yesterday was a day of celebrations. Firstly it was the occasion of the big "Family Meet Up" when the Australian branch of the family, and all the English side of the family got together over a lunchtime meal at one of the Brewers
Fayre establishments.

David & Karen, not really singing Carols, but selecting their meal from the menu!

Jane, David & Karen

Secondly it was my birthday. The first thing I did in the morning was open a mysterious present from our lovely next door neighbours. Someone had most definitely been doing their homework, because there was a super pair of socks with the motif "Trust Me I'm a Musician" I shall be wearing them on Christmas Day! Thank you LN's (those of you who are uninitiated - Lovely Neighbours)

I then proceeded to open my birthday cards. I received one from our good friends Gordon & Sue, which really tickled my fancy. Sue has established a reputation in our household of always finding a very funny and suitable card, whatever the situation, and she did me proud this year. With me approaching the biblical Three Score & Ten, in a few years time, she selected this card as suitable for me.....

Fast Lane, Slow Lane, General Bewilderment Lane..

Members of the family joining in the celebrations.

Mollie

Olivia, Sarah & Mollie

Hannah, still in Jamaican Mode

Hannah, Sarah, Olivia & Dot

Rachel, Becky & Mollie

We have a sign in our kitchen which states "Family is Everything" and they were today. It was lovely to see them all joining in the celebrations and enjoying themselves. Thank You girls for the birthday presents and cards - you did me proud!

Thank you also to the Robinson side of the family for the Thornton Chocolates and bottles of wine, and to Sue & Gordon for the box of chocolates!

As an extra surprise I was taken out to our favourite local restaurant - the Aagrah in Shipley. On the way there my good lady instructed me to take the outside lane as we approached the roundabout in Saltaire. I pointed out that thsi was not the correct lane, and then she had to "spill the beans" - we were collecting Gordon & Sue, who were joining us at the Aagrah! Convivial company, a favourtie meal, what more could one ask for? A very enjoyable end to the day.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

2011-12-22T08:51:00.002Z

I made mention of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" yesterday. I wonder if you know the meaning behind all the "gifts"?

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, Dec. 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, Jan. 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.

The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us. But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism - and with a serious purpose.

It dates from a time of religious persecution. The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest - a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.

The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation - the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved. Each element is a code word for a religious truth.

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

If you think Jesus being symbolized as a partridge in a pear tree sounds blasphemous, remember:

"Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so." (Luke 13:34 and Matthew 23:34)

The "true love" in the song refers to God Himself.

The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian.

So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning than we thought.

I often wonder how many people, who will heartily join in this song have any idea what they are really singing about.

Christmas Decorations

2011-12-21T09:10:00.001Z

It has become something of a tradition in our household that the Christmas Decorations are not put up until nearly Christmas.

Unlike all those hundreds of households who have had their decorations up, Christmas trees decorated, lights lit, and the fairy sitting jauntily on the top of the tree since early November, we make a point of decorationg usually on or around my birthday. Come Boxing Day, or the day after, when most of the November Decorators are taking their decorations down, ours are still up and brighty lit.

The whole point of celebrating Christmas is that the season itself lasts for twelve days - from the birth of the baby Jesus to the visit of the Wise Men (or Kings) hence the Christmas song "The Twelve Days of Christmas", and for those of you with a mathematical brain you will not be surprised to see that Christmas ends on "Twelfth Night" or January 6th or the Feast of the Epiphany!

A Bit of a Respite before the Final Fling

2011-12-20T16:09:00.004Z

This is the week when things calm down a bit! I suppose you could say it is the calm before the storm.

There are no Carol Services, no School Nativity Plays, no concerts for the male voice choir, Indeed if I'm not careful I will start to enjoy the peace, calm, tranquillity and monotony of it all!

However things begin to achieve a seasonal norm come Thursday. That is the day of the big family get together, when we join up with our Australian part of the family - Oh! and in case you've forgotten, it's my birthday too!

There was the possibility of me being needed to play for a wedding at Hazlewood Castle near Tadcaster on Friday, but as I have had no contact from the Bride to be I am now pretty sure that this is not going to happen!

Then things start to achieve the seasonal norm once again on Saturday 24th, with a Nativity Play and Christingle Service at church commencing at 6.00 pm., (This usually results in the church being packed to the rafters), followed by a midnight Eucharist commencing at 11.30 pm, and a Christmas Day Eucharist on Sunday morning at 10.30 am.

The Bentley Boxing Day Party follows on the Monday, with Tuesday as a day of recuperation, then we head off to the Kings Head at Masham for two days of peace and tranquillity!

The Saga of a Tuning Fork and a Zimbalstern

2011-12-18T22:26:00.002Z

The tuning fork had its annual workout this evening - let me explain. For those of you who are not of a musical leaning, you are probably thinking that a tuning fork is a piece of cutlery which you eat tunes with! - WRONG!

It is a two pronged device which when you strike the "prongs" gives off a very accurate sound at a measured pitch.

So why did my tuning fork get its annual workout this evening?

Well this evening was the Festival of Lessons and Carols, and I like to start the service off in a similar manner to Kings College Cambridge. The first carol is always "Once in Royal David's City", and at Kings College it has become tradition for the first verse of the carol to be sung unaccompanied by a solo choirboy at the west end of the Chapel.

Sadly we don't have any choirboys - (I am reliably informed that they are becoming as rare as hen's teeth), so we commence the carol with the sopranos singing the first verse unaccompanied at the west end of the church.

There are those people who claim to have perfect pitch, and can pluck any note "out of the air" as it were. I prefer to rely on my trusty tuning fork, which when the prongs are struck gives me an indication of the note I need to start the ladies off with.

By the time they have sung the first verse, I am seated on the organ and ready to commence the accompaniment for verse two!

One of the other carols we sang was "Angels from the Realms of Glory", which has a wonderful bell like chorus. The organ has a Zimbalstern which sounds very much like a xylophone being played, and gives a jingly bell like sound, so come the words

"Come and Worship,

Worship Christ the New Born

Come and Worship,

Worship Christ the New Born King."

out comes the Zimbalstern stop to mimic the sound of chiming bells. Attached to the top of the Positiv Casework is a large star, which revolves in time to the chimes. All very impressive and effective, and more than a little Christmassy!

The star in the centre of the Positive casework

Almost There.....

2011-12-18T16:31:00.000Z

Well we're now on the final approach to Christmas!

The Carol Sing in the Square took place yesterday, and was a very successful event. More people than I had hoped for joined in with the Bingley All Saints group. You can see a couple of photos of the singers and quite a few photos of a certain well known shepherd at http://www.getinthepicture.org.uk/

All sorts of things are beginning to fall into place. Dolly the cat has been picked up from the Cattery (though goodness knows what that is to do with Christmas!) The lodgers, Macy (the Shih-Tzu), Pixie & Twig (the miniature Pinchers) will be going home today. Hannah & Ben will be flying in to Gatwick and then taking a flight to Manchester, and will be returning home sometime in the morning.

I have a Parish Eucharist to play for at 10.30 am, followed by a Festival of Lessons and Carols at 6.30 pm.

Thursday is a day to look forward to for two reasons. Firstly we will be meeting up with our Australian part of the family, and secondly it is my birthday!

Maybe a wedding to play for at Hazlewood Castle Tadcaster on the 23rd, then only a Christingle & Nativity Play Service, A Midnight Eucharist and a Christmas Day Eucharist and I've made it! - Flaps down, taxied in, engines cut and parked up!

Then it's two days of complete relaxation at the Kings Head in Masham. Yippee!

Bingley All Saints Carol Singers, a Certain Shepherd and a Greyhound in Sheeps Clothing

2011-12-17T19:55:00.002Z

The Bingley All Saints group of singers who took part in the Carol Sing in the Market Square on Saturday 17th December.

That shepherd on the right (the one clutching the lamb) seems vaguely familiar!

Look at the animal with the shepherd on the left. I've heard of a wolf in sheeps clothing, but a greyhound????

Living Nativity & Carol Singing

2011-12-16T22:15:00.000Z

Tomorrow sees a mammoth Carol Sing and a Living Nativity Tableau in the Market Square in Bingley.

This commences at 09.00 and runs through until 15.00. There are opportunities for anyone to dress as one of the Nativity characters, and have their photos taken. These will them be published a little while later on: http://www.getinthepicture.org.uk/

There are also half hour slots for carol singers to come and perform. I am taking the choir and members of the congregation to do a half hour slot between 10.00 & 10.30.

I will try to get some photos of the event and put them into Saturday or Sundays Blog.

Nativity Play, What Nativity Play?

2011-12-15T16:53:00.000Z

Followers of this blog will know that I have been involved in the music side of a Nativity Play at a local Primary School.

My good friend Barry (he of the blog:- White Stuff) has put up some illustrations of his son who had the starring role of 3rd shepherd. In his blog he mentions that he can only put the photos of his son. He is not allowed to have any other child in his blog, [unless of course he has the parents permission!]

I thought it would be rather Christmassy to include some illustrations of the Nativity Play I have been involved in, and put them on my blog. Sadly in this present age I too am not permitted to put photos of other children on my blog. Indeed in the school where I was involved in the Nativity Play, all parents who take photos have to sign a register, and they are told that if they put pictures on any of the social networking sites they must only include their own children.

Ever the rebel I have neither signed the register, nor agreed to the petty rules which have been invoked.

Here are my photos of the Nativity Play - I hope you enjoy them.......

By the way, the blurred figure on stage was a teacher

Don't you think that the costumes were stupendous?

First snowfall of the winter

2011-12-15T09:03:00.000Z

I was watching "Look North" last night, and, as usual the programme concludes with a sequence with "Paul the Weatherman." There was quite an amount of time spent on high winds blowing in across the south east, and some uncertainty about just how far northwards these high winds would reach, but the main thrust of the forecast was that they would probably blow across the channel.

There was mention of some very low temperatures in the north and east, but I don't recall any mention of snowfall.

Certainly the possibility of a white Christmas was discussed, but this was more or less ruled out.

So this morning at about 6.30 am, when the dogs decided they would like to go out and relieve themselves they got a bit of a surprise. The ground was covered in snow!
Now Ruby loves the stuff, and she couldn't get out fast enought to scamper around in it. A few moments later Macy, Pixie and Twig were also scampering about in it like new born lambs!

Here is the evidence of their time spent in the garden.....

By the time I took some photos of the road it had been spoilt by traffic moving over the snow.....

However the view from the back of our house was still fairly untouched.........

By the time the sun had risen the snow was already showing signs of melting.....

Funerals versus Nativity Plays!

2011-12-14T18:02:00.000Z

Cripes! you may be wondering. Has he gone in for the Gothic Horror Effects?

No not really - its just that this blog is about funerals. Nothing gory or "X" rated. Let me explain.

I often have a spate of funerals to play for, and then for some unaccountable reason - nothing!

It's only within the last week or so that I have been informed by "she who must be obeyed" that the funeral directors must have got somebody else to play for them. Then, lo and behold, the phone rings just before teatime and the gentleman on the other end of the line is one of the local funeral directors. "Can you play for a funeral on Monday?", he asks.

During the course of conversation he is asked (very politely of course) what has happened to the funerals over the last week or so, and I am told they have almost "dried up." The local crem has been averaging one a day!

Well if that has been the demand for the crem catering for the Bingley/Baildon/Shipley area then there's no wonder I haven't been asked to play for any funerals, and its probably just as well because I've been up to my ears with Nativity Plays - which, lets face it, are far more fun!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

2011-12-13T15:00:00.002Z

I got back from playing a Nativity Play this morning and the sight above is what greeted me!

It must be comfortable and warm in our hall!

I think it might be appropriate to hang a sign on the hall door - "DO NOT DISTURB!"

Countdown to Christmas - Thirteen Days to Go!

2011-12-12T12:22:00.002Z

I've just seen Dot off the premises. She is going to Harrogate to do some Christmas shopping.

I have been left my instructions - put the whites in the washer. Empty the drier and re fill with the washing which needs drying. Don't forget to post the cards on the fireplace. Make sure that you let the dogs out into the garden for a few minutes before you go out. Don't forget to wash the breakfast things up!

How mistaken can you be? I thought I was going to have a nice quiet time before going to play the piano for the first Nativity Play performance this afternoon!

Tonight I have a full blown concert with the Male Voice Choir, and as my accompanist is incapacitated I have to conduct the unaccompanied items and play for the accompanied ones!

We're Getting There!

2011-12-11T18:08:00.001Z

I'm slowly working my way through the Christmas committments. A fortnight ago things looked absolutely chock-a-block, and to be honest I wondered how I would be able to fit it all in! Having reached December 11th (which means only 14 days to go to Christmas Day!!) things are looking a bit more manageable.

I started off today by dropping Mollie & Tom off at home (they had slept with us last night) and then followed the usual 10.30 Family Service, then after a quick lunch I was up in Oxenhope at the Sue Ryder Manorlands Home with my Male Voice Choir, where they were leading the singing for the annual Festival of Lights. We were accompanied by the Salvation Army Brass Band - a new experience for the choir, who have never sung with a brass band before.

This was a lovely and touching service where relatives who have lost a person to cancer can come together and remember them and have a candle lit in their memory.

There were somewhere in the region of 150 people there, and I am sure that they appreciated the words and readings which were used in the service.

Christmas Carols - John Rutter

2011-12-10T21:40:00.001Z

It's not often I sit down and listen to the radio, but as I was driving back from Tadcaster this afternoon, I had Classic Fm on (as I usually do), and I heard that the classic interview by Nick Ferrari tonight at 9.00 pm was with John Rutter.

Those of you who know me will be well aware that John Rutter is one of my favourite composers. He is very much to the fore at Christmastime, because of the great number of carols he has arranged and written.

John Rutter

John was born in London in 1945, and attended Highgate School. One of his contemporaries was Sir John Tavener another composer. He read music at Clare College Cambridge, where he was a member of the choir. Between 1975 and 1979 he was musical director of the college.

In 1981 he founded his own choir - the Cambridge Singers, which he conducts, and which have made many recordings on his own record label - Collegium Records.

Interestingly one of John Rutter's best friends is Bob Chilcott (ex member of the King's Singers. who as a younger person sang in King's College Choir.

John is co editor, with Sir David Willcocks of the Carols for Choirs Collections.

It is a pretty safe bet that between now and Dec 25th you will hear at least one of John Rutter's original carols or arrangements of the perennial carol favourites.

Peace on Earth - maybe!

2011-12-10T19:07:00.001Z

It is relatively quiet in our house at the moment. We have returned home from the wedding I had to play for at Tadcaster, and thankfully there was no adverse weather - In fact there was bright sunshine!

At the moment Hannah & Ben's three dogs are at Sarah's, having spent the day with her and Olivia, whilst I was playing the wedding at Hazlewood Castle, Tadcaster. They were going to go for a long walk, along with Sarah's dog Raffie, who is son to Macy. So they could be quite sleepy when they come back!

They will be arriving shortly, and in addition we have Mollie and Tom sleeping for the night, so things are bound to liven up when three dogs and two grandchildren arrive on the scene!

Lookout Christmas! Here We Come.

2011-12-09T14:59:00.004Z

It's only sixteen days to Christmas Day, and already I feel as though I'm well on the way to Christmas.

I've just completed my third (and final) dress rehearsal for one of the local Primary School's Nativity Plays.

Next week we have performances on Monday afternoon, Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon, by which time, if my calculations are correct, Mary & Joseph will have travelled further on the school stage than the real Mary & Joseph did to get to Bethlehem! The Three Wise Men will have delivered twelve presents in all, and Mary will have given birth to four babies!

That's not all. The multitude of Shepherds, Angels, and Animals will have performed their magic, and no doubt reduced some of the proud parents to tears.

The highlight this year has to be the two little children (a boy and a girl from the infants class) who sing the first verse of "Away in a Manger." I reckon there won't be a dry eye in the house!

The reason we have to do four performances is that the school hall will not hold all the parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles who want to come and support their children..

If you really want a good laugh, with a nativity flavour to it, you will do no better than read a book by the 1970's comedian Mike Harding called "You can see the Angel's Bum Miss Worswick"

Just to give you a flavour of what you can expect.......

There was no room for them to go behind the manger to adore the tiny infant lying in the straw, so they stood with their backs to the audience, facing upstage. At the words "The Angel of the Lord came down, and glory of the Lord shone around" all three angels bent to adore the child in the manger.

Michael Coffee, second chime bar player, who was sat next to me, threw his chime bar over his head, and in a voice that could be heard several streets away, screeched, "You can see the Angel's bum, Miss Worswick!"

There was pandemonium. Children all over the hall shouted in horror. Miss Worswick, anxious to quell the riot, gave the signal for the angels to ascend into Heaven. Heavenwards they went, one of the angels being pulled too enthusiastically hit the ceiling, dislodging a lump of plaster and snapped his cable so that, without Heavenly aid he descended unangelically on to the piano, where he landed with a bang that shut the piano lid on Miss MacGoebel's fingers.........

Having been involved in school Nativity Plays for a goodly number of years the above really rings true!

Do yourself a favour and buy a copy of the book! I have had my copy for about 20 years, and I still cannot read all the way through the "You can see the Angels bum Miss Worswick" episode without breaking down with laughter.

It is obtainable from Mike Harding's own website and published by Robson Books.

ISBN-10: 0860513467 (softback)
ISBN-13: 978-0860513469 (hardback)

Inner Calm

2011-12-07T21:47:00.000Z

I had the following e mailed to me today by a friend and I thought it would raise a smile or two............

I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me today, and we all could probably use more calm in our lives. Some doctor on TV this morning said the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around my house to see things I'd started and hadn't finished - so I've managed to finish off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, a pockage of Prungles, tha mainder of bot Prozic and Valiuminun scriptins, the res of the chesescke an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how bludy fablus I feel rite now. Plaese sned dhis orn to dem yu fee ar in ned ov iennr pisss. An telum u blody luvum!! Xxx

Keep Away Winter Weather

2011-12-07T16:17:00.001Z

I've just arrived back home after playing a rehearsal for the Reception/Year One children's Nativity Play.

As my play script is liberally littered with cues for songs, music effects etc, I thought it would be a good idea to retype it and type my music cues on to the copy. It's only 4 A4 sheets of type so it doesn't take too long, and to be honest with everything typed up it is much more easy to follow!

I was about half way through doing this when Dot called me to the front bedroom window. This was what I saw.

It was a very dark sky with a rainbow protruding from the lower edge of the rainclouds.

I then went into our back bedroom and once again a peculiar sky caught my attention. This time there was a very watery and hazy sky with the sun trying its best to penetrate the sleet showers.

A couple of minutes later, the sleet shower had passed and there was much more daylight in the sky.

So far we have been very fortunate with the weather. There has only been some signs of wintry weather this last week, and that has been a drop in temperatures to around freezing. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the snow stays off until after Saturday as I have a wedding to play for at Hazlewood Castle (near Tadcaster) which is about a 55 minutes journey from home.

Hazlewood Chapel - (The organ is to the right behind the three candles)

Hazlewood Chapel - exterior

Hazlewood Castle. (The chapel is the building on the left.)

A Nostalgic Trip back to the locations of the BBC series "All Creatures Great and Small"

2011-12-07T09:17:00.003Z

We usually have a post Christmas break up at the Kings Head in Masham Market Square.

A couple of weeks ago I booked it over the Internet, and just as a precaution I rang them later to make sure they had received the details. (I had had a confirmation e mail, but the confirmation didn't mention that they knew we would be taking Ruby with us, as we have done in previous years.) I know from previous visits that they have certain rooms specifically for accompanied dogs. It was a good job, as they hadn't seen (or read) what I had put on the e mail. Fortunately there was a doggy accompanied room they could book us into!

It's strange how things pan out sometimes.

I was reading the Mail on Sunday last week, and in the travel section was an article written by Carol Drinkwater (the actress who is currently in Calendar Girls, but some years ago - in the seventies and eighties, she was Mrs James Herriot in the much loved BBC Series of "All Creatures Great and Small." The series regularly achieved viewing figure in excess of twenty million viewers.)

Whilst we are in Masham we usually spend some time visiting the local villages/historic homes/castles etc. One year we had even been on a trip on the Wensleydale Railway.

Diesel Multiple Unit approaching Leyburn Station on the Wensleydale Railway

The article Carol Drinkwater had written was a trip back to all the locations where they had filmed at in Wensleydale, and included Middleham, Castle Bolton, Bainbridge, Askrigg, Low Row, and Reeth. She mentioned the lovely little old church of St Oswald at Castle Bolton, the King's Arms in Askrigg (used as The Drovers in the BBC Series), The Punch Bowl at Low Row, where Robert Hardy stayed when they were filming and the water splash near Reeth (in Arkengarthdale) seen in the opening credits.

There it was - an instant itinerary for a day trip whilst we are in Masham! So I am planning on doing a trip based on the locations used in the BBC Series of "All Creatures Great and Small"

...."In which I join the Academics"

2011-12-06T22:33:00.001Z

It's a funny old world isn't it? I've played an organ for nigh on 52 years, and for most of that time nothing has particularly phased me.

Then I get a phone call from one of the vicars who helps us out at church (as we are vicarless at the moment.) It goes something like this......

"Hello Malcolm it's Barry here. Are you doing anything on Tuesday 6th December around tea time?" [Wow I wonder. Am I being invited to a tea party?] "Because if not I'd like you to play for the Graduation Ceremony for the Education Students of Bradford College at St Georges Hall!"

After ascertaining what it entailed - about 30 minutes music to entertain the assembled parents and friends, followed by some suitable music to be played whilst the stage party processes, and something similar at the end of the ceremony, I decided it would be a novel experience. The fact that Barry pointed out there would be some monetary reward had nothing whatsoever to do with me hastily responding "I'd be glad to do it Barry!"

St Georges Hall, Bradford

A few days later a very nice lady from Bradford college contacted me to ask what pieces of music I would be playing for the entry and exit of the stage party, and how tall I was, so that I could be kitted out in the necessary gown. Being part of the stage party (I didn't know about this!) it was expected that I would be garbed in the appropriate academic dress!

In also learnt that I would be on the stage, playing the organ. The thought of a full St Georges Hall with me in full view was just a little disconcerting. Then I learnt that the whole ceremony was being recorded and DVD's of the event would be available at a later date for those who had received a degree! No wonder they wanted me garbed appropriately!

Graduation Booklet

By now, just a little panic was beginning to set in. Playing an organ in a church, hidden away in some dusty corner is no problem, but the thought of being on stage in front of all those people was just a little disconcerting.

I arrived in plenty of time, just to have a close look at the instrument and get used to playing it. After about 30 minutes I found myself thoroughly at home with the instrument, and by the time parents and friends were beginning to assemble I was starting to enjoy the experience. [It must be the showman in me!]

The whole event went very smoothly - no mistakes from me, and the length of music just right for the academic party to parade through the hall and take their seats.

All in all it was an interesting way to spend an evening!

There's been a takeover (of my bed)

2011-12-06T11:35:00.000Z

Hello there Blog Readers. It's Ruby here. I've finally managed to get my paws on the keyboard whilst his lordship was out!

I don't know if you have heard. but I have three lodgers staying with me at the moment. Their "parents" have gone off to the sunny side of the world (Jamaica to be exact) and I have been left in charge of them. You'll no doubt have heard of them - Macy, Pixie and Twig.

It's quite nice to have a bit of doggy company, and we all get on really well. The only problem is they have taken over my bed. Every time I get off it one or other of the lodgers leaps on it, except for Pixie, who burrows into it. You be amazed the number of times we thought we'd lost Pixie, only to find her burrowed under my duvet.

You can see what I mean about them taking over my bed in the photo above. Mind you I sleep on their bed and it's next to the radiator, so I reckon I have the best of the deal!

Pixie and Twig enjoying my bed.

Minus Two, Plus Three

2011-12-03T09:49:00.000Z

You might wonder why the photo of Ruby, Pixie and Macy is at the head of this blog, and what it has got to do with the heading Minus Two Plus Three. Read on and you will discover more.....

Yesterday teatime I took Hannah and Ben to Manchester Airport. They are due to fly out to Jamaica for a belated honeymoon!

I have just checked on Live Flight Stats and can tell you that Hannah and Ben left Manchester Airport on flight BA2903 at 08.40, and have touched down at Gatwick at 09.22.

They then change flights and board flight BA2285 for Montego Bay (Sangster Airport) Jamaica, which is scheduled to depart at 11.15 and arrive at Sangster Airport at 16.18 (Jamaica Time). Their flight time is around 11 hours.

[That's the "Minus Two" bit of the title.]

Those of you who know Hannah and Ben will probably also know that they have a cat called "Dolly" and three dogs - Macy a Shih-Tzu, Pixie and Twig - two Miniature Pinschers. Despite the fact they are much loved pets, they are not taking pets with them!

I took Ben and Dolly to the Springs Kennels and Cattery yesterday afternoon (I should add that they didn't keep Ben!!) and circumstances dictated that the three dogs came to stay with us.

[That's the "Plus Three" of the title]

I was expecting a disturbed night last night, but after taking the dogs for their final walk [Dot took the Pixie and Twig, and I took Ruby and Macy] they settled down and nothing more was heard until around 07.30 this morning.

All the dogs have been fed and watered, ablutions have been performed, and as I type this there are four dogs dozing contentedly at the end of the hall!

How Green Was My Valley

2011-12-01T11:38:00.000Z

Last night our house was invaded by lots of ladies. (No it's not my fatal attraction to opposite sex!) My good lady had thrown a Girlie Gardening Party. She had been to the Harrogate Showground to a gardening event, and a stall there was occupied by "Girlie Gardening" - a couple of ladies who specialise in producing gardening requisites (usually in pink) for lady gardeners.

As a result I was persona non grata, and relegated to the office for the duration of the party.

Those of you who follow my blog will have gathered that I am something of a "movie buff", so last night I decided to sit down in my office and watch a DVD from a set of five classic award winners I had purchased some time ago.

This was the 1941 5 Academy award winner "How Green was my Valley", starring Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara and a very young Roddy McDowall. It tells the story of a Welsh Valley at the turn of the century, and its change from a pastoral paradise to a despoiled mining region.

It is seen through the eyes of the youngest son of the Morgan family, Huw, who recounts the trials and tribulations the family has to endure when the miners wages are reduced, and how they are victimised for trying to stand up to the mine owners. The family have to struggle with poverty, hunger and hardship, as well as the conflicting demands of faith, economics, education and family loyalty.

The film is based on a novel by Richard Llewellyn, and has a soundtrack of much treasured Welsh Choral Music.

Although somewhat dated in its attitudes and depiction of family life, this is a most enjoyable film, with a socio-economic message, which could very well be pertinent to our nation today!

Are You Irish?

2011-11-28T16:50:00.001Z

A friend passed this tale along to me and I thought it might raise a laugh:

Everyone seems to be in such a hurry to scream 'racism' these days.

A customer asked, "In what aisle could I find the Irish sausage?"

The assistant asks, "Are you Irish?"

The guy, clearly offended, says, "Yes I am. But let me ask you something

If I had asked for Italian sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian?

Or if I had asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German?

Or if I asked for a kosher hot dog would you ask me if I was Jewish?

Or if I had asked for a Taco, would you ask if I was Mexican?

Or if I asked for Polish sausage, would you ask if I was Polish?"

The assistant says, "No, I probably wouldn't."

The guy says, "Well then, just because I asked for Irish sausage, why did you ask me if I'm Irish?"

The assistant replied, "Because you're in Halfords."

The Christmas Rush!

2011-11-25T17:44:00.002Z

I don't want to cause a panic, but do you realise that it is only a month to Christmas Day?

Ho! Ho! Ho! The Christmas season is rapidly approaching, and with it all the commercialism of turkey and tinsel, Santa Clauses and reindeer etc.etc. It seems months since the first Christmas adverts appeared on the television, and almost as long since we heard the piped Christmas music in the supermarkets.

Soon we will be seeing the harassed faces of mums as they dash around getting those last minute Christmas bits and pieces that they have overlooked in the mad headlong rush. Dads will be no doubt racking their brains as to what they can buy for "the missus" for Christmas, and the children will be demanding the latest "must have" toy/electronic gizmo that has been heavily advertised on television for the last umpteen weeks!

The gentleman below will no doubt be getting some overtime in as he loads his sleigh and sets off on his annual journey.

On December 6th I am playing the organ for the graduation ceremony for Bradford College in St George's Hall.

I have a wedding to play for at Hazlemere Castle Tadcaster on Saturday 10th December.

After that I will be up to my ears in the usual merry round of last minute rehearsals for Christmas Concerts which my Male Voice Choir will be performing. As well as singing at the Manorlands Festival of Lights on Sunday 11th December at 4.00 pm, they are singing a Christmas Concert the following evening in Allerton.

I am involved in practices for the Nativity play at one of the local schools, as well as four performances! Leading a Carol Sing in Bingley Market Square on Sat 17th December between 10.00 & 10.30. Taking our youngest daughter and her husband to Manchester Airport, (they fly out to Jamaica for a belated honeymoon), practices of carols for the usual Festival of Lessons and Carols, a Christingle Service, Midnight Eucharist and Christmas Day Communion.

Roll on December 28th when we escape for a couple of days relative peace and quiet at the King's Head Masham!

An Open Letter to Mr Cameron on how to solve the Economic Crisis

2011-11-18T21:18:00.001Z

Dear Mr. Cameron,

Please find below our suggestion for fixing the UK's economy.

Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 10 million people over 50 in the work force.

Pay them £1 million each severance for early retirement with the
following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.
Ten million job openings - unemployment fixed

2) They MUST buy a new British car.
Ten million cars ordered - Car Industry fixed

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage -
Housing Crisis fixed

4) They MUST send their kids to school/college/university -
Crime rate fixed

5) They MUST buy £100 WORTH of alcohol/tobacco a week .....
And there's your money back in duty/tax etc

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay back
their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances

If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know.

Also.....

Let's put the pensioners in jail and the criminals in a nursing home.

This way the pensioners would have access to showers, hobbies and
walks.

They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical
treatment, wheel chairs etc and they'd receive money instead of paying it out.

They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped
instantly if they fell, or needed assistance.

Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be ironed
and returned to them.

A guard would check on them every 20 minutes and bring their meals and
snacks to their cell.

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counseling,
pool and education.

Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, PJ's and legal aid would be free, on
request.

Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard, with gardens.

Each senior could have a PC a TV radio and daily phone calls.
There would be a board of directors to hear complaints, and the guards
would have a code of conduct that would be strictly adhered to.

The criminals would get cold food, be left all alone and unsupervised.
Lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week. Live in a tiny room and pay
£600. 00 per week and have no hope of ever getting out.

Think about this (more points of contention):

COWS (or how to solve the illegal immigration problem.....)

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad
cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Appleby
almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the county of
Cumbria?

And, they even tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable
to locate 125,000 illegal immigrants wandering around our country. Maybe
we should give each of them a cow.

Hitchcock - "The Trouble with Harry"

2011-11-15T12:24:00.002Z

Hitchcock. What does the name suggest to you?

If you have seen any of his films it will probably suggest mystery, suspense, dark humour, crime etc. which is not surprising because Alfred Hitchcock has long been regarded as a master of his craft. The list of films he has produced, which have been hailed as classics of the mystery/suspense/dark humour/crime genre runs well into double figures.

Some months ago now I purchased a 14 DVD Set of his films, and as you can see from the photo above, these included:
The Birds, Family Plot, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Marnie, Rear Window, Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Topaz, Torn Curtain, The Trouble with Harry, Rope, Vertigo & Psycho.

I have seen "The Trouble with Harry" on television some years ago, but decided to sit down and watch the DVD of the film again.

With the film "The Trouble with Harry", if you are expecting a thrill a minute shocker, you will be disappointed.

Firstly Hitchcock's approach has always been to lead you astray with "red herrings" (what he calls McGuffins) and secondly he will let you imagine the horror rather than show you it. [Let's face it, if you have a vivid imagination you will imagine far more horrific things than what would have been permitted to have been shown in the days when the film censor was far more active than he is now!]

However, "The Trouble with Harry" is a gentle film with dark humour. It tells the tale of three people who are each convinced that they have killed Harry, and each in turn decides to dispose of the body. In the course of one night Harry's body is interred and dug up again three times!

This is the storyline......

The film follows the quirky but down-to-earth residents of a small village in Vermont in the autumn, as they deal with the freshly dead body of a man, which has inconveniently appeared on the hillside above the town. The problem of what to do with the body, and more importantly how and why he was killed, is the eponymous "Trouble with Harry".

Three of the main characters in the film imagine that they are the one who actually killed this person. Captain Albert Wiles (Edmund Gwenn) is sure that he must have killed the man with a stray shot from his rifle when rabbit hunting. Miss Ivy Gravely (Mildred Natwick) feels that the man died after a blow from her hiking boot, and so on. Sam Marlowe (John Forsythe), an attractive and free-spirited artist, is quite open-minded about the whole event, and is prepared to help his good-natured friends and neighbors in any way he can.

It turns out that the dead man is in fact Harry, the estranged husband of an attractive and feisty young woman called Jennifer Rogers, (Shirley MacLaine), who lives in the village along with her small son Arnie (Jerry Mathers). Jennifer Rogers thinks that her husband may possibly have died after she hit him with a bottle. In any case, no-one is actually upset about what has happened.

However, none of the principal characters want this death to come to the attention of the "authorities" in the form of cold, humorless, Deputy Sheriff Calvin Wiggs (Royal Dano). The main characters conceal the body by burying it, and then have to dig it up again. This happens several times. The body is also concealed at one point by hiding it in a bathtub.

In the end we discover that Harry actually died of natural causes, and no foul play was involved. In the meantime, Sam and Jennifer have fallen in love, as have the Captain and Miss Gravely. Sam has been able to sell his paintings to a passing millionaire. The artist refuses to accept money, and instead requests a few simple gifts for his friends and himself.

Overall, the film is a light-hearted meditation on death as an intrinsic part of the natural cycle of things, within the harmonious landscape of autumn, a time of year when nature is dying, only to be reborn in spring. The Vermont town seems to be a little Utopia or one kind of paradise, where sex and death are not shocking and dramatic, but simply the natural order of things.

If you get chance do give this film a try. I promise you that you will enjoy its gentle dark humour!

Ealing Comedy - Hue & Cry

2011-11-13T21:32:00.001Z

Hue and Cry was released in 1947, and is generally considered as the first Ealing Comedy, although it would probably be more accurate to describe it as a thriller for children.it is a bit like the Saturday Matinee short films put out by the NCFF (National Children's Film Foundation).

It tells the story of a group of east end kids who manage to foil a gang of robbers who use a comic story to pass on their plans to other gang members. The kids are not believed by the police, so they take affairs into their own hands.

In some ways it uses the basis of the popular children's story of the time called "Emil & the Detectives", which had been filmed in Germany in 1931.

In the film we meet two or three actors who were to become well known in later years - Alastair Sim, Harry Fowler and Jack Warner, who would become the much loved PC George Dixon in the TV Series "Dixon of Dock Green".

This was the first of seven comedies that the screen writer T E B Clark worked on for Ealing Studios, and it shaped the way for the Ealing Comedies we usually remember today, which showed the English community spirit and mild eccentricity.

Not the funniest of the Ealing Comedies, but one which accurately reflects the time in Britain immediately after the war.

Ealing Comedies

2011-11-12T14:16:00.000Z

Whilst on holiday this year (as every year) I always do a round of the local charity shops. If you are prepared to look through the goods on offer you can usually find some bargains which you have wanted.

In one of the shops I came across a 4 DVD Set of Ealing Comedies priced at £2.00! Even on Amazon (which is usually the cheapest priced) the set would have cost £5.78!)

The Set consisted of Hue and Cry, Passport to Pimlico, The Titfield Thunderbolt and a bonus 50 minute disc called Forever Ealing, which tells the Ealing Studios Story.

I have always enjoyed the Ealing Studios Comedies. They are full of gentle humour and fun - none the anarchic type of comedy we have on television today. They are usually set around the late 40's early 50's and somewhere within the plot, the ordinary fellow manages to triumph over the big important powerful persons.

Ealing Comedies were produced between 1947 and 1957, and despite their association with the studios, the comedies made up only a tenth of their output!

Three well know actors spring to mind when thinking of the Ealing actors. They are Stanley Holloway, Alec Guinness and Alastair Sim, who all went on to even greater roles (Stanley Holloway as Alfred P Doolittle in "My Fair Lady", Alec Guinness in "Bridge on the River Kwai, and Alastair Sim in the St Trinian's Series)

Various people have compiled lists of the names of the Ealing Comedies, and they differ from person to person. The phrase the Golden Age of Ealing Comedies is often bandied about, but nobody has defined which films are included in The Golden Age of Ealing Comedies, so at the risk of being shot down in flames, here is my very own list.........

Hue and Cry (1947)
Passport to Pimlico (1949)
Whisky Galore! (1949)
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)
The Man in the White Suit (1951)
The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953)
The Maggie (1954)
The Ladykillers (1955)

The Story of Liza with a "Z"

2011-11-08T21:26:00.007Z

Sometime during the early 1970's I remember watching a television concert starring Liza Minnelli, which was called Liza with a "Z". I really enjoyed the zestful and lively performance of Miss Minelli, who can sell a song in the same way as our own Shirley Bassey.

Despite the success of the show - the production won four Emmy Awards, Outstanding Achievement in Choreography (Bob Fosse, choreographer), Outstanding Achievement in Music, Lyrics and Special Material (Fred Ebb and John Kander, composers), Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music (Bob Fosse) and Outstanding Single Programme - Variety and Popular Music (Bob Fosse and Fred Ebb, producers, and Liza Minnelli, star). It was nominated for a further three Emmy's in film editing, music composition and writing. The film was also won a 1972 Peabody Award and a Directors Guild of America Award. Fosse's Emmy win meant that he had won an Oscar a Tony, and Emmy all in the same year - it disappeared from the face of the earth.

Some time later an LP [12" Long Playing Record] was released of the show, and this became a best seller - in total it spent twenty three weeks in the top 40, and achieved "gold". Then after that - nothing.

Imagine my delight when I discovered that the show was to be released on DVD in a remastered print with 5.1 digital sound.

Over the intervening years, the original, which the producer had insisted should be filmed on 16 mm film, and not the fairly recently utilised videotape, had been carefully stored in the vaults of NBC. Liza Minnelli had bought the rights to the film, and only occasionally had she screened it for her own private use.

In the 1980's the original negatives of the film were lost, and feared destroyed, but in 1999 they were tracked down and found in Los Angeles and New York! In 2005 Liza Minnelli revealed that with the assistance of Michael Ackrick she was having the film restored!

Bob Fosse, John Kandar and Fred Ebb, who had been involved in the original film introduced her to Robert Greenblat (The President of entertainment for "Showtime"), and he agreed to finance the restoration of the film, broadcast it, and release a DVD of the film.

The newly restored film was accepted as an entry into the Toronto International Film Festival and the Hampton's Film Festival in 2005, and broadcast on Showtime 0n 1st April 2006.

A Quick Visit to Harrogate

2011-11-04T20:31:00.000Z

I haven't done much on my blog during the last ten days or so, but I have had a request from Dean & Ros to "keep up the blog"

So here goes...........

Since we got back from our holidays, Dot has had two pictures she wanted framing. One of them is a poster she got from Betty's.

Last week we took the poster in to a picture framing shop in Harrogate, and it was ready to collect today.

On the way to Harrogate we pass a building called "The Blue Barn", which supplies all kinds of animal and bird food. During the years we have bought cat food, rabbit food, chinchilla food, and dog food from them. As it is getting nearer to the season of Winter we decided that we would stock up on our wild bird seed. Initially we purchased a 5 Kg bag of seed and ten fat balls, although the man who served us said I have put twelve balls in because the firm that used to supply us no longer does, and the new supplier produces slightly smaller balls.

Just as we were leaving the shop I noticed that they had larger bags of wild bird seed, so went back and exchanged the 5 kg bag for a larger one.

We then travelled on to Harrogate to collect the framed picture. I parked on a road off the bottom of Montpelier (outside the parking meter zone), whilst Dot popped into Marks and Spencer's food department.

When she got back to the car we pulled up on the Stray and Ruby got a nice walk on the grass there!

Tomorrow I have a Wedding Preparation Morning, when we gather all the couples who have booked a wedding at church during the next six months, and they are taken through the wedding service. The bell ringers and the verger are there, and I usually do a 45 minute session on choosing wedding hymns and wedding music.

No Comment!

2011-11-02T16:24:00.000Z

I have to thank my fellow blogger Barry for this one

New House Erected in Cottingley Without Planning Permission

2011-10-23T17:35:00.001+01:00

The headline in the local Bingley paper could read "New house erected in Cottingley without planning permission", however there is a catch to this eye grabbing headline. The "House" in question happens to be a play house!

It had been arranged that the house would be delivered on Sunday around 13.00 hrs. Sure enoungh a low loader arrived a little early.

There was a team of builders all ready to collect the building from the lorry.....

and transport it to the building site,

where they set to erecting the house.......

In no time at all the walls were up, and now all that was needed was the roof!

Half of the roof fitted!

Theatre Tickets for Pantomime Secured!

2011-10-23T17:09:00.001+01:00

We spent part of the day in Harrogate on Friday.

The objective of the visit was to purcahese the Pantomime tickets for this years pantomime, which is an unusual choice - not a recognised, traditional pantomime but, "Beauty and the Beast"

Having had a look on the Harrogate Theatre website I found the following interview about the panto........

In our 111th year of running pantomime, for the first time ever, we bring you Beauty & The Beast, a tale as old as time. But how difficult has it been to re-create one of the most well-known and beloved fairy tales of all-time? We asked David Bown and Phil Lowe, the writing team behind the panto, to tell us more about the creative process and different ideas behind the show.

As a graduate of the University of London, David has been an actor, writer, and director of theatre and television across the UK and in America. He is the Chief Executive of Harrogate Theatre and is co-writing Beauty & The Beast with Phil Lowe, who is also directing the show. David has co-written the previous two pantomimes in Harrogate (Aladdin and Dick Whittington). David had previous pantomime writing experience before he came to Harrogate, and his first panto was Aladdin in 2009. His inspiration for writing panto at Harrogate was both his greatest annoyances and celebrations in life. He also said that he and his creative team bounced off each other for ideas and he has a good writing relationship with Phil.

Being a classic love story, Beauty & The Beast is not a typical rags-to-riches pantomime, with

the story being more emotional and heartfelt than David’s other Harrogate Theatre panto credits. “With Beauty & The Beast, you have to concentrate on the emotional side as well as the comedy” says David. This is true, as other typical “pantos” don’t have the same amount of emphasis in the story in relation to love. Very often the love interest of the main character is much less developed and perceived as being very two-dimensional and simple. David maintains that in Beauty & The Beast, Belle and The Beast are on equal footing, and therefore both need similar amounts of character development and planning to fully fulfil the roles and create the feeling of romantic tensions between the two.

Phil began his working life as an assistant vet, with a small theatre job as a driver on the side. He was eventually offered a six-month contract as a technician and worked for the theatre for 5 years. He then worked on the crew and eventually became assistant director for 2 years before being offered to direct the panto by David. Beauty & The Beast will be Phil’s 5th panto at Harrogate Theatre, and he is relishing the challenge of co-writing and directing it. He draws inspiration from classic, old-school comedy, in particular that of Morecambe and Wise. He again feels that people today only laugh at shock comedy, whereas acts like Morecambe and Wise blend intelligent, thoughtful comedy aimed at adults, and more obvious, physical humour, primarily aimed at children. From these ideals you get an all-encompassing, family-oriented feel to the show, which is exactly what panto is about.

Phil feels that Beauty & The Beast, not being a panto done before at Harrogate Theatre, gives a modern message to the audience. Beauty & The Beast is not about finding treasure or the fountain of youth, or anything of that kind, but it is a story about two people falling in love. Phil is looking forward to directing and writing a panto which isn’t “traditional” in a conventional sense. “Beauty” was made popular in the 90’s by Disney, which is unlike other pantos done at Harrogate, as most are stories like Mother Goose or Jack and the Beanstalk. Phil says that it is a good thing to move away from the “wealth = happiness” mindset, and “Beauty” is a prime example that looks and wealth aren’t everything, and all that matters is what you are like on the inside.

Tim Stedman will be playing his usual "Silly Billy" part.

Tim Stedman

We will be attending the Friday 13th January evening performance commencing at 7.00 pm!

Bentley daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren book the date in your diary now!!!!

Lindisfarne - Holy Island

2011-10-22T09:00:00.006+01:00

On our way to visit Holy Island we usually stop off at "The Barn at Beal" where you can be guaranteed a first rate snack or meal. If it is sunny you can sit outside and admire the vista of Holy Island on the horizon, or look southwards and see Bamburgh Castle

Dot & Ruby sitting outside "The Barn at Beal"

The view from "The Barn at Beal" - Holy Island and Castle to the left and Bamburgh Castle to the right.

It must be round about forty years ago that Dot and I discovered Holy Island (or Lindisfarne). For the first ten or so of those years we used to always stay on the island in a small bungalow at the side of the water tower.

We have probably visited Holy Island at least once every year in those forty years, but as the years have rolled on, we have changed from using Holy Island as a base to explore the surrounding Northumbrian coastline and countryside, and the Borders Region.

After about fifteen years of staying on Holy Island, we decided to spread our wings, and the Isle of Arran became an addition to our holiday destinations. However, the pull of Holy Island was not to be neglected, and we still always make some time to continue and visit (if not stay on) the island.

Four years ago we had an addition to the family in the shape of a much loved chocolate Labrador, which necessitated finding self catering accommodation which would allow dogs.

There seemed to be nowhere on Holy Island which took dogs, so we took a wonderful self catering cottage at Waren Mill, which is just a couple of miles north of Bamburgh. We have still continued to visit Holy Island.

This year our Waren Mill cottage had been booked for the weekend at the end of the week we had planned to stay, so it necessitated a search for somewhere else to stay for the last night of our holiday. On the Internet I came across an advert for the Crown and Anchor which is situated in the village square on Holy Island, and lo and behold, they had a room where you could take your dog! So I hastily booked our last nights stay there!

The Crown & Anchor, in the Village Square.

The Crown & Anchor - our bedroom was above the door, with great views of the Priory, Parish Church and the Harbour and Castle!

The Priory and Parish Church

The Herring Curing Houses, and Castle in the distance

I've said it before, (and I'll no doubt say it again!) you really can't capture Holy Island just with visual images. Like the photos of the sunset on Budle Bay, Holy Island is a mixture of ever changing light and shade, fascinating views, an aura of peace, tranquility and sanctity, an atmosphere and a hundred and one intangible things. You have to go there and experience it to be able to appreciate it.

So let's take a look around the village......

There are four or five obvious visitor attractions on the island.

1. Lindisfarne Priory

St Aidan founded the first monastery here in AD 635, but St Cuthbert, Prior of Lindisfarne, is the most celebrated of the priory's holy men. After many missionary journeys, and ten years as a hermit on lonely Farne Island, he reluctantly became bishop before retiring to die on Farne in 687. Buried in the priory, his remains were transferred to a pilgrim shrine there after 11 years, and found still undecayed - regarded as a sure sign of sanctity.

From the end of the 8th century, the isolated island with its rich monastery was easy prey for Viking raiders. So in 875 the monks left, carrying Cuthbert's remains, which after long wanderings through northern England were enshrined in Durham Cathedral in 1104, where they still rest. Only after that time did Benedictine Durham monks re-establish a priory on Lindisfarne.

The evocative ruins of the richly decorated priory church they began in c. 1150 still stand, with its fine west front, characteristic round arches and famous 'rainbow arch' - a vault-rib of the now-vanished crossing tower. Extensive remains of the monastic living quarters also survive. The small community lived quietly on Holy Island until the suppression of the monastery in by Henry VIII in 1537.

The West Front of the Priory, with Lindisfarne Castle across the harbour

Lindisfarne Priory - the Rainbow Arch.

Statue of St Aidan designed and carved by an island resident Miss Kathleen Ophir Parbury, situated to the north side of the priory.

2. Lindisfrane Priory Museum

When we first used to come to Holy Island this was a small room in a shed! English Heritage have built a superb new building which houses some excellent displays covering the Priory, Celtic Crosses and stone work, and the religious history of the area.

The entrance to the Lindisfarne Priory Museum

Statue of St Aidan in the Museum

A monk & his assistant at work in the Scriptorium on the world famous Lindisfarne Gospels, The originals are kept in the British Museum.

A Celtic Cross

A Celtic Cross Shaft

3. The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Holy Island

Located in the south west corner of the village, the Anglican church of St Mary the Virgin is reputed to stand on the site of the original monastery founded by St Aidan in 635 AD. Parts of the structure date back to the 7th century, several hundred years before the appearance of the Priory.

Holy Island Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin - south side

Holy Island Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin - East End

Holy Island Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin - West End

West Window in memory of Mr Edward & Miss Gladys de Stein (former owners of Lindisfarne Castle)

West Window - the Haggerston Window

West Window in memory of Miss Kathleen Ophir Parbury who designed & Carved the statue of St Aidan outside the church

Carpet with Lindisfarne Gospel designs in the Fisherman's chapel

The Font Cover

The St Peter's Aisle -the Fisherman's Chapel

Windows in St Peter's Chapel

East End - Altar, Reredos and Windows

Sanctuary Carpet with Celtic designs from the Lindisfarne Gospels sewn by island ladies

Reredos with Celtic Saints

4. The Gospel Garden

Situated in Marygate, opposite the Lindisfarne Heritage Centre, the Gospel Garden was based on a design from the 7th Century Lindisfarne Gospels. It was entered into the Chelsea Flower Sow in2003 and won the coveted Silver Medal.

Head of Parks & Gardens at Newcastle City Council, Stan Timmins (Who designed the garden) felt it should live on after the Chelsea Flower Show, so it was recreated on Holy Island.

5. The Lindisfarne Heritage Centre

This is a fairly recent project situated opposite the Gospel Garden in Marygate. It contains an electronic facsimile of the Lindisfarne Gospels and a history of the island and its villagers. There is also a section on natural history too.

The Lindisfarne Heritage Centre

6. Lindisfarne Castle

The castle is at the northern end of the harbour, perched high on Beblowe Crag, and is well worth a look round. It was purchased by Edward Hudson, the owner of Country Life Magazine, and he commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to carry out work so that it could be lived in. Gertrude Jekyll was also commissioned to recreate a garden about 200 yards from the rear of the castle. It later passed into the hands of the merchant banker Edward de Stein, and he lived in it with his spinster sister, Miss Gladys de Stein. It was eventually purchased by the National Trust, and is open for viewing.

The Castle from the harbour

The castle perched high on Beblowe Crag

The Castle through a hole in the wall of Fort Regent

7. The Lindisfarne Mead Factory & Shop

From time immemorial the monks of Lindisfarne have been associated with the manufacture of a honey based drink called mead, so it not too surprising to find a mead factory & shop on Holy Island.

The Mead Factory Sign

The Mead Factory & Shop

Around the Village.........

Holy Island Post Office - at the top of Marygate

Looking up Marygate

Looking down Marygate

Looking along Fiddlers Green

Fiddlers Green

St Cuthbert's Methodist Church on Fiddlers Green

Cottage in Village Square

Rosella Cottage

Junction of Marygate and Crossgates

Village Stores in Fenkle Street

A novel use for a pulpit in Pilgrim's Coffee House

Coffee at Pilgrim's Coffee House

Birds washing in the garden barrel at Pilgrim's Coffee House

The Heugh is a high point on the island, and out to sea you can see Bamburgh Castle on the coastline and Ross Bank Sands Navigation Towers. Whilst looking inland you see the Priory, and Parish Church.

Dot & Ruby on the Heugh

Bamburgh Castle viewed from the Heugh

Ross Bank Sands Navigation Towers (on the mainland)

The Parish Church, the Priory, and the white building, which is the Crown and Anchor (where we stayed)

Before a metalled road was built, the only way on to the island when the tide had receded was across the Pilgrim's Way, which is marked by posts.

Waren Mill & Budle Bay

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I have previously mentioned that when we are in Northumberland we stay a couple of miles north of Bamburgh, at a small hamlet called Waren Mill.
The property we stay in has been converted from farm outbuildings, but don't get the wrong idea that we stay in a barn! Oh No! It is a beautiful self contained two storey building, and everything has been designed "upside down" as it were.

The small complex, comprising three self catering properties and one which was sold to the ex vicar of Holy Island is known as Smugglers Court. We stay in Cove Cottage which has the bedrooms, bathroom and toilet on the ground floor, and the kitchen, dining area and lounge on the upper floor.

About one hundred yards from our Cottage is Budle Bay - a large curving sweep of bay, which is completely empty of water when the tide goes out, and the spot to see lots of seabirds too.

Coming back from Bamburgh on a sunny evening, just as the sun is beginning to set, you get some magnificent sunsets over the bay. The interplay of sunlight on the water, and the moving clouds creates an ever changing scene.

All the photos below were taken within about five minutes!

This year when we walked across the road to Budle Bay we came across a rather fetching table and chairs!

Budle Bay

Another view of Budle Bay

Fun at the Beach

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On one of the sunny days we drove down to Seahouses. Big Mistake! It was as bad as Blackpool. Ram jam full of day trippers and the like! We soon turned round and headed for a little beach I had discovered some years ago, which is a few miles south of Berwick upon Tweed, but little used because the locals just don't go there (it's too near) and the holiday makers don't go there because it has to be searched for.

Dot and Ruby on Scremerston Beach. We just about had the beach to ourselves, and this was on a lovely sunny day!

Ruby having a paddle in the water

But water and Ruby are like a magnet to metal, and it wasn't too long before the temptation to have a swim got the better of her!

One very happy, soggy dog ready for a brisk walk with Dot so that she can dry out in the sunshine!

Melrose

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Whenever we stay at Waren Mill, one of the areas we visit is the Borders. In particular we call in at Kelso, which I have mentioned before, but we also like Melrose. So we spent a day doing the "Borders Trip"

As we had already called into Kelso on the way from Arran, we didn't spend too much time there, but Melrose got a fair bit of our attention. Dot likes it because of the rather high class "country style" shops, and she did finish up buying a mirror from one of them.

I just enjoy the ambiance of the place. The High Street is typical "Borders", with a seating area at the top of the High Street and a market cross.

Melrose - the Market Cross

Melrose - looking down the High Street

Some years ago we discovered a superb family run restaurant. It is a traditionally run Scottish establishment. Small and "genteel" with some very tasty food on the menu! So we always make it in our way to call there and patronise them.

Russel's Restaurant - Melrose

The Seating Area at the top of the High Street

Melrose Priory

Alnwick

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I mentioned Alnwick briefly in a previous part of this holiday blog when I was writing about Barter Books. Alnwick is a lovely town with lots on offer for the visitor.

I'll just briefly mention one or two of them.

Alnwick Castle, is a superb place, well worth visitng. It has been used in numerous films, and can be seen in some of the Harry Potter films.

Alnwick Castle - note the pretend defenders on the top of the barbican

Alnwick Castle viewed from across the River Aln

Alnwick Gardens is another "must visit" attraction. The gardens were the brain child of present Duchess of Northumberland

Alnwick Gardens - The Grand Cascade

Alnwick Gardens Tree House - For eating out, the "must visit" is the Tree House Restaurant which is situated near the entrance to the gardens.

Alnwick Gardens - The Tree House

Inside the Tree House Restaurant

One or two other features of Alnwick.........

Ye Olde Cross Inn - known as "The Dirty Bottles"

The dirty bottles in the window

The reason the dirty bottles haven't been moved

Pottergate

Alnwick Pump

Alnwick Town Hall & Tourist Information Centre

If you enter Alnwick fom the south side you will have to pass through the Hotspur Gate, really called Bondgate

Narrowgate

The Ford & Etal Estate.

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Two of the villages we always try to visit when we are in Northumberland are Ford & Etal. They are both estate villages, and the properties in Ford look very similar to the almshouses in Saltaire.

The estate of Ford & Etal is situated about ten miles inland from Holy Island, and on the estate are all kinds of attractions to visit.

A fifteen inch gauge steam railway links Heatherslaw Mill (which is a restored working corn mill, complete with a waterwheel to grind the corn, as well as a cafe selling produce cooked from the ground flour, and a visitor centre) to the village of Etal. A trip on this railways follows the course of the River Till and if you are lucky you will see various forms of wildlife - squirrels, water creatures and herons and kingfishers to name but a few of the species around.

Etal is a very pretty and picturesque village with the only thatched pub in Northumberland.

The Black Bull in Etal - the only thatched pub in Northumberland

You will also find the Lavender Tearooms in the village Post Office!

At the bottom end of the village is a ford across the River Till, and it is here that you will often find a Heron hunting for fish.

The ford across the River Till

Heron at Etal on the lookout for fish

Dotted around the estate are various craftsmen - Errol Hut Smithy - (blacksmiths) & Woodwork Shop, Taylor & Green (furniture makers) and Heatherslaw Mill (corn millers and bakers).

There are also the remains of a Castle and Gatehouse at Etal, and a museum devoted to Border Warfare.

Dot & Ruby approaching Etal Castle Museum

Border Warfare Display in Etal Castle Museum

Etal Castle

Etal Castle Gatehouse from the inside

Etal Castle Gatehouse from the Outside

A couple of miles along the road is the estate village of Ford, with houses similar in design to those at Saltaire.

The centrepiece of the estate is Ford Castle. It is believed to have been built or rebuilt by Sir William Heron in 1287. Because of its close proximity to Scotland the Castle suffered frequent attacks by the Scots. It is known that James IV of Scotland stayed here prior to the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The Castle was completely rebuilt by Sir John Hussey Delaval between 1761 and 1764. It was completely restored by Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, between 1861 and 1863. During WW2 the Castle was used by the Red Cross as a convalescent hospital. In recent years Northumberland County Council has leased the Castle for use as an educational establishment.

Another feature in the village is the Lady Waterford Hall. The Hall was built in 1860 to be used as a school. Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford had a strong interest in the school. She financed the building and between 1861 and 1883 painted a series of murals that can still be seen in the Hall. The school closed in 1957 but the Hall remains open for public viewing.

Lady Waterford Hall - interior, showing paintings

Lady Waterford Hall - exterior

There is a tall column (which used to be a fountain - called Ford Fountain) with an angel on the top at one end of the village, and a cottage called Jubilee Cottage at the other end of the village.

Ford Fountain

Ford Fountain - the angel on the top

Looking up the village to Jubilee Cottage

Jubilee Cottage

Jubilee Cottage - detail

No prizes for guessing what Forge Cottage used to be.

The doorway is a giveaway!

Berwick Upon Tweed - A Fascinating, Quirky and Historic Town

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During our stay in Waren Mill we visited Berwick upon Tweed a couple of times. Primarily to obtain a fill up of petrol as the Asda store in Berwick is one of the cheapest around! However, Berwick is a lovely town with a few quirks to it.

For instance, did you know that it is the only English city that plays in the Scottish Football League?

Berwick Station stands on the site of the Great Hall of Berwick Castle?

Berwick was a Royal Burgh of Scotland in 1120 and during the many centuries of border warfare changed hands no fewer than 14 times, the last being in 1482.

Three bridges span the River Tweed at Berwick.

Berwick Bridge (Old Bridge) in front, Royal Tweed Bridge (New Bridge) is next back, and the Royal Border Bridge (Railway Bridge) is at the back.

The red sandstone Berwick Bridge, also known as the Old Bridge, is the fifth known bridge crossing the River Tweed on or near this location. Initially constructed between 1611 and 1624, was finally completed in 1634.

The Royal Border Bridge, also known as the Railway Bridge was designed by Robert Stephenson and built between 1847 and 1850.

The Royal Tweed Bridge, also known as the New Bridge, was built between 1925 and 1928 as part of the A1 trunk road, prior to construction of the Berwick bypass in the 1984.

Berwick was given a special status as being "of" the Kingdom of England but not "in" it. As a result the town thereafter needed special mention in royal proclamations.

This had one odd effect. When Queen Victoria signed the declaration of war on Russia in 1853, she did so in the name of "Victoria, Queen of Great Britain, Ireland, Berwick-upon-Tweed and the British Dominions beyond the sea." But Berwick was not mentioned in the Treaty of Paris that concluded the Crimean War in 1856, leaving the town technically still at war with Russia.

A peace treaty was only finally signed by a Russian diplomat and the the Mayor of Berwick in 1966. As the mayor said at the time: "You can tell the Russian people that they can now sleep peacefully in their beds".

Berwick is also renowned for its Elizabethan Walls Some of the town walls can still be seen today, dating mainly from the later Elizabethan period. They are among the finest of their kind in Europe.

Bewick's defences

Berwick is one of the most picturesque towns on the region's coast, mainly because of its attractive red roofed houses, pinkish grey Georgian buildings and the fine seventeenth century bridge, which spans the River Tweed.

Most notable of the town's buildings are the spired town hall of 1754 and the Berwick parish church, called Holy Trinity which is one of only a few built in England in Cromwellian times. For an historic parish church it is unusual, in that it has no steeple, tower or church bell.

Berwick Holy Trinity Church

Instead a bell in the Town Hall is used to summon people to the church services at Holy Trinity. It is no wonder that many visitors to Berwick mistake the Town Hall for the parish church.

Berwick Town Hall

The is also the King's Own Scottish Borderer's Museum, Berwick Barracks and Main Guard, with its "By Beat of Drum" Exhibition, and the Berwick Museum and Art Gallery to visit. All these are situated opposite the Parish Church on the Parade.