Jessoo

I'm just wondering whether the Sheffield Scouts ever went down to Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour? A superb nature reserve and where Baden Powell set up his first scout camp.

Oooh I've always liked Brian Blessed ever since he played Fancy Smith in Z Cars when I was a little girl.

He couldn't act then, can't act now. He's had more opportunity than most to sharpen up his act. To no avail. He can shout though. Enough said?

I used to see (rather hear) him and his lovely wife Hildergard Neil around Richmond.

Francy perfectly summed it up: ACTOR???

Caleche. Perfume by Hermes.

Je Reviens " " Worth. Both are wonderful

Favourite: The Vampire. :help: Thorpe Park, Surrey

Closely followed by Tea-Cups and Saucers. Disneyland, Florida.

Lovely, lovely Debbie Harry, Happy 70th Birthday to a fellow ex. Bunny! Lots in common with this feisty girl.

Judge totally wrong to overturn deceased mother's wishes. Her money, her wishes. A will made in sound mind should be sacrosanct. Otherwise what is the point of making a will ? If her adult (ie. independent) daughter and family are receiving benefits, so be it. Completely separate issue.

Handel's Instrumental Concerto Grosso. Nos. 3 & 6. Sublime.

The Sot Weed Factor by John Barth. A scandalous, philosophical, tongue in cheek romp. I sort of speed-read it in the 60s. This time I'll savour the experience. Just short of 795 pages to go. It's going to be fun!

The Wizard Of Oz. In the scene where Dorothy watches everything flying past her window, suddenly the Wicked Witch flying on her broomstick comes into view, turns her head and laughs her cackling taunt. It absolutely terrified me! Well I was only 5yrs old at the time.

I've got his autograph as he used to come into our newsagents shop in London

(early 1970s ) R.I.P. Patrick.

Yes of course he did Francy, I'd almost forgotten. If only all our customers had been as handsome and debonair as Patrick Macnee.

Oh, lovely Omar. I'll always remember seeing him at The London Playboy Club, The Victoria Sporting and The Claremont where he was a regular. Those twinkling eyes would bring all the girls, and some of the boys, to a standstill. Every guest would glance and he would give THAT smile. He was always absolutely charming. Above all else he had a great love, and respect for........(sorry girls) his mother! What a boy. I guess he'll be chasing higher stakes in that great casino in the sky. R.I.P. Omar.

Skinner 1 - Scotland 0.

I bags a window seat!

Palladio, The Complete Buildings. by Marton, Wundram, Pape. (Pub. Taschen)

From my own bookshelf. Been meaning to read it since Palladio's 500year centenary.

Impeccably researched and a satisfying read for any student of classical architecture.

Bought my copy from Riba, Portland Square. Still in print.

I used to live just across the road from Concord Park ( over 50 years ago ) and as well as all the above, I can remember the giant chess board, tennis courts and golf course. It really was a lovely park ( as were most of the parks in Sheffield ) and the park keepers took a real pride in their work.

Nowadays it's a different story with yobbos hell bent on ruining other people's pleasures........ and their excuse is that they are bored and have no money !!

It really makes my blood boil.

Francypants and I are sisters, as some of you know. So I share her sentiments and have happy memories about growing up in the area.

Did we know at the time how fortunate we were? Yes we knew because our parents instilled in us an appreciation of our locality and perhaps most of all how we were expected to behave. It wasn't just our family but in those days there really was an expectation to respect people in authority, that included park keepers and of course the police.

The solution surely lies with we adults. We are the ones who can turn things around. Instead of blaming the kids, society, the council etc.etc. We parents, grandparents, teachers and guardians of the next generation have a duty to educate and care. It's not a case of insufficient funding either. There was less money in the 50's and far less local crime.

.

Sheffield was a great place to grow up, it can be that great again. After all, we want the best for our kids don't we?

I'm no expert in ventriloquism but if it is anything like an actor is trained to throw the voice, to the back of the auditorium I would say it is all about control. I've had voice coaching in my time as a thespian and believe me it's the best way of saving enough puff to string a couple of words together after the performance!

All to do with the diaphragm, and not in any way pushing from the voicebox. That way you'll train up your voice levels, thus saving energy.

Have fun!

Just a thought John.

I'd have another try, although there may be a reason why your hard-up guy never got back to you. You'll have to allow for that. as well as allowing that some people are just rude or simply ignorant. But life has an awful habit of 'getting in the way' and you never know, you may be doing him a favour in giving him one last try at getting in touch. Whatever the relationship was, it may have meant a lot to him. We don't always reciprocate in the best ways, and on the face of it he owes you. But you're bigger than that and can, have, walked away. You'll probably always wonder about him. He may do the same about you, such is life.

A brilliant performer and scriptwriter. Oh fond memories. I remember Lance turning 'Gossip Calypso' into a masterpiece of ad lib at a party with jibes and observations of the various guests., completely unrehearsed and absolutely hilarious.

RIP you old genius.

Just finished 'When Britain Burned The White House.' The 1814 invasion of Washington. By Peter Snow.

A fascinating account of an extraordinary confrontation. Well researched. Reads like a thriller.

It was with great sadness I read the news of Mac's death. I got to know Ian and his lovely wife Kim years ago before they moved to Texas. Kim (nee Kerrigan) and I would often meet up 'treading the boards' in West London in the 70's along with Mandy her daughter. Kim had been married to Keith Moon, Mandy was their daughter. They were good to Keith, he had his problems. It was after Keith died they married, then made the move across the pond. Tragically Kim was killed in a car crash in Travis, TX. I have missed them all. Ian (or Mac) as he was known was a great keyboard player, and a beautiful person. The world is a poorer place without him. RIP Mac.

Hi to Francypants and all my Northern counterparts....

Spent two days cutting back and securing shrubs in my garden in preparation for this.

Here am I in South West London with the wind blowing a gale. If it's like this here then I can't imagine what its like in the exposed areas of England.

So batten down the hatches, I hope it passes without too much damage.

Has he totally retired from showbiz or just from SCD?

I don't think he has completely disappeared. Brucie will still be waiting in the wings.

Just finished 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn. Definitely intriguing but I found the ending very disappointing.

Before that 'Now You See Her' by James Patterson. Highly enjoyable.

Currently reading The American Civil War' by John Keegan. A sobering read by a late, great historian.

The Princess Bride , (1978) Starring Robin Wright, Cary Elwes

American romantic fantasy film with a star cast, featuring some great Derbyshire views.

Tiny Tim. Tiptoing Through The Tulps. weird and ugly, and it wasn't just the make up.

Two on the go at the moment:

The American Civil War, John Keegan

A Very Strange Way To Go To War. The Canberra In The Falklands, Andrew Vine.

A fascinating angle of a conflict I hitherto thought I knew everything about.