Working at 1 Portland Place opposite Broadcasting House (BH) at London W1A, we often saw well-known presenters and personalities. We’d be queueing up for lunch in the canteen at the top of BH and I’d see a familiar media figure in the queue just ahead of me, and think, ‘He looks much smaller and moreContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Five: What further stories can you tell about your time at the BBC?”
Category Archives: thoughts
Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner
Today, I ‘m pleased to share my review of an outstanding new novel, published by Fairlight Moderns on 14 March 2024. ‘Small Wars in Madrid’ by Anthony Ferner is a novel that evoked a number of emotions in me as a reader; at different times, I felt shocked, moved, and a strong sense of illumination.Continue reading “Book Review: Small Wars in Madrid by Anthony Ferner”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Four: What Was Your First Permanent Job?
I’ll always remember my first working day at the BBC in London W1A. I stepped into the BBC Radio office at 1 Portland Place, W1A, opposite Broadcasting House (to be known forever as BH). By the end of that day, I had experienced my First BBC Crisis. I was working for one of the producers inContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Four: What Was Your First Permanent Job?”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Two: What is Your Earliest Memory? – The Tale of a Much Loved Family Pet
What is your earliest memory? A car journey when I was four years old. I grew up in Orpington, Kent, and our family were driving back home after a visit to pedigree poodle breeding kennels near Tunbridge Wells. We had bought a miniature poodle pup. We called him “Kimmings”. He was officially a silver poodle, but when veryContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part Two: What is Your Earliest Memory? – The Tale of a Much Loved Family Pet”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part One: Who put the pop-up in the pop-up toaster?
And the answer is: I did! That was just one of my previous jobs, on the conveyor belt at Morphy Richards factory in my hometown, when I was in my teens. In fact it was first ever paid job and I was thrilled, and when I received my first pay packet I thought I wasContinue reading “QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Part One: Who put the pop-up in the pop-up toaster?”
Review of the RSC’s new 2023 Midsummer Night’s Dream production starring Mat Baynton as Bottom
Today, I’m pleased to be reviewing the latest production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon. I saw a ‘pre-performance’ in a packed auditorium. Mathew Baynton, of course, was the main drawcard for all those who loved him in ‘Horrible Histories’ and ‘Ghosts’! And I must say that here in this RST production, he was ableContinue reading “Review of the RSC’s new 2023 Midsummer Night’s Dream production starring Mat Baynton as Bottom”
Blog Tour for Val Penny’s New Book: ‘Hunter’s Christmas and Other Stories’
I’m delighted to be part of Val Penny’s blog tour for ‘Hunter’s Christmas and other stories’, the latest addition to her Edinburgh crime series. I’m a keen follower of Hunter’s team as they investigate the activities of the Edinburgh criminal fraternity, having read all the books in the series so far. Who knew that beautiful,Continue reading “Blog Tour for Val Penny’s New Book: ‘Hunter’s Christmas and Other Stories’”
A Visit to Denis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, East London
We recently visited Dennis’ Severs’ House at 18 Folgate Street, Spitalfields. This was a revelation to me, and I’ve discovered new things since my visit, about Dennis himself, his life, the creation of the interiors in the House, and the life of the Spitalfields community around him, which make the visit an even more poignantContinue reading “A Visit to Denis Severs’ House, Spitalfields, East London”
Book Reviews: ‘We Can’t Breathe’ by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu
Today I’m pleased to bring you my review of ‘We Can’t Breathe‘ by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu. I’ve read a few of Sophia’s books now and she gives us a vivid insight into many aspects of life and experience from within an African point of view. She is herself, besides being an incredibly prolific author, anContinue reading “Book Reviews: ‘We Can’t Breathe’ by Olusola Sophia Anyanwu”
Book Review: ‘St Nicholas Owen: Priest-Hole Maker’ by Tony Reynolds
This past weekend I visited Harvington Hall in Worcestershire – a 14th century house built upon an island and surrounded by a moat both of which can be traced back to the 13th century. A recusant Catholic family lived here so it was a focus for Jesuit priests who had come to Britain during theContinue reading “Book Review: ‘St Nicholas Owen: Priest-Hole Maker’ by Tony Reynolds”
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