tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92150069843538173732024-03-18T17:47:54.069+00:0099% is ....... The Barnet EyeMusic, football, Dyslexia, Cancer and all things London Borough of Barnet. Please note we have a two comments per person per blog rule.Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.comBlogger7287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-63354013707520513892024-03-16T13:02:00.002+00:002024-03-16T13:02:22.565+00:00The Saturday List #433 - My top five St Patricks day memories<p> St Patricks day is a massive day in the calendar for everyone of Irish ancestory. My Grandad was born in Dublin a couple of centuries ago and came to the UK to work and to avoid the heat on his family from the British establishment, as they were staunch republicans. Growing up as a Roman Catholic in North London, Irish culture was all around. I went to St Vincents RC Primary and then Finchley Catholic High School. On Paddy's day, everyone would come in with Shamrock and put on Irish accents and talk about how terrible all things British were. There was usually some sort of do in the Church, with a diddly band playing songs like The Wild Rover and Danny Boy. For me, it was lemonades and crisps.</p><p>As I grew up and I got into the Pogues, I started to appreciate the music. Here are a few of my best memories of Paddies day over the years.</p><p>1. 1981 - The Galtymore in Cricklewood. I was going out with a lovely Irish lass from Kilburn. Being into punk, I'd never been there before. Her elder brothers had the air of gangsters, but when I told them of my Irish heritage, they were fine. They were very into the Republican movement. There were collections for the cause, but mostly there was a lot of Guinness drunk. It was a fun night. The family moved back to Ireland suddenly a week later and I never saw them again.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://londoncelticpunks.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/pogues-at-wr.jpg?w=584&h=415" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="584" height="414" src="https://londoncelticpunks.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/pogues-at-wr.jpg?w=584&h=415" width="584" /></a></div><br />2. 2016 - The Pogue Traders at The Water Rats - A mate of mine was playing tin whistle in the band. I love the Pogues and I love the Traders as they carry on the musical legacy. It was a grand old day. Lots of Guinness consumed. They are playing at The Half Moon this year.Go if you can it will be great, sadly I can't<p></p><p>3. 2014 - The Sacred Heart Parish St Patricks night do. I was part of the Parish Council and we decided to do a Paddy's day do. When we were discussing food, we decided to invite everyone to bring their 'signature Irish dish'. The feast that the lovely parishioners put together was out of this world. I still get hungry thinking about it. I had the job of DJ'ing for the event as we couldn't get a band. Much fun was had. </p><p>4. 1969 - St Patricks night party at The Annunciation in Burnt Oak. I was only eight at the time. My parents had been married at The Annunciation Church and knew the long time Parish Priest Fr Fred Smythe well. There was a vibrant social club, which had a 99% Irish membership. The party was always a blast. My brothers took their guitars down and lead a big sing song. My sister Valerie commented that this was "The last St Patricks day of the 1960's" which seemed really important at the time. </p><p>5. 1979 - The False Dots St Patricks Day party. The band had been going a month. Pete Conway was very into Irish culture and decided that we'd have a St Patricks day party. We decided to write a song to mark the event. Pete was really into the Republican cause and wanted to write a song highlighting the injustice of British policies over the years towards Ireland. We were quite prolific and Pete was a great poet. When he announced that he was writing a song, I was quite excited. Three days before the party, he turned up at my house and was distraught. He said "Rog, I've got real writers block on this, every time I try and write anything about Ireland, it just comes out as a load of old rubbish". Pete was a bit of a perfectionist. It was important to him and he wanted to do it right. We got a bottle of cider and decided we would not move until we'd written a classic. After three hours we gave up. We had the party anyway, which was actually quite a laugh. It was the first time I drank too much Guinness, but not the last time. Dave the drummer quizzed Pete as to why he hadn't written the song. Pete said "If I can't write a better Irish song that the Dubliners, I'm not going to write one at all". That always stuck in my mind. I've not seen Pete since 1984. I wonder if he ever did?</p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-56434514780352496692024-03-15T18:05:00.003+00:002024-03-15T18:05:54.110+00:00Friday Fun - We all love a party! This weeks gig round up in the Borough of Barnet<p> As is the tradition amongst us Barnet blogger, we love to start the weekend with a little bit of humour!</p><p>As part of our new health regime, my wife told me this morning that we are no longer allowed to bring unhealthy snacks into the house. This is fine because I always eat them on the way home from the shops anyway. </p><p>Also, why not put a date in your diary for the fabulous <a href="https://www.eastbarnetfestival.co.uk/">East Barnet Festival that returns this year 28th - 30th June</a>. The music lineup will be announced soon, so keep an eye on this space. There are some really exciting artists who have provisionally agreed to appear. It should be the highlight of the Barnet music year.</p><p>Do you love a party? We do? We love party's so much that we've not only written a song by that name, we're also making a video. It will be The False Dots new single, coming out in April! Here is our sneak preview trailer! Make sure you come down to see us next Saturday 23rd March at The Beehive in Bow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ezKpAhzZKs" width="320" youtube-src-id="2ezKpAhzZKs"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p>And finally, our round up of the weekends gigs</p><p><br /></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Entry £TBC">£TBC</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sat</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=866614" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Harripaul gig at Butchers Arms" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/866614_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/866614_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Harripaul gig at Butchers Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/harripaul" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Harripaul</a></strong> (Pop / Rock / Jazz / Blues) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/butchersarmsbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Butchers Arms</strong>, Barnet</a><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">9pm</td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sat</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=867670" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Tim Leffman gig at The Builders Arms" class="leftfit" data-src="gxb/96787_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxb/96787_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Tim Leffman gig at The Builders Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/timleffman" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tim Leffman</a></strong> (Original Acoustic + Covers, Solo Artist) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/buildersarms" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Builders Arms</strong>, New Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1.3 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8pm - 11pm</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sat</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=830161" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The Salty Dogs gig at East Barnet Royal British Legion Club" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/830161_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/830161_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="The Salty Dogs gig at East Barnet Royal British Legion Club" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/saltydogs" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Salty Dogs</a></strong> (60s, 70s, 80s and 90s Covers, 4 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/eastbarnetroyalbritishlegionclub" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">East Barnet Royal British Legion Club</strong>, East Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1.8 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - 11.30pm</td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sat</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=869766" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Billy Heneghan gig at The Three Wishes" class="leftfit" data-src="gxv/11348_t.jpg?2" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxv/11348_t.jpg?2" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Billy Heneghan gig at The Three Wishes" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/billyheneghan" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Billy Heneghan</a></strong> (Acoustic Covers, Solo Artist) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/thethreewishes" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Three Wishes</strong>, Edgware</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">4.5 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">9pm</td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sat</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">16</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=858196" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The Looters gig at Maddens Bar" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/858196_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/858196_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="The Looters gig at Maddens Bar" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/looters" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Looters</a></strong> (60s / 70s covers, 5 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/maddensbareastfinchley" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Maddens Bar</strong>, East Finchley</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">4.8 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">9.30pm - midnight</td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sun</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=865758&rd=2024-03-17" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Paul's Butchers Arms Jam gig at Butchers Arms" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/865758_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/865758_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Paul's Butchers Arms Jam gig at Butchers Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/paulsbutchersarmsjam" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Paul's Butchers Arms Jam</a></strong> (Rock and/or Blues and/or Pop) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/butchersarmsbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Butchers Arms</strong>, Barnet</a><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - 11pm</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sun</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">17</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=870718" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Traditional Irish Session gig at Ye Olde Monken Holt" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/870718_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/870718_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Traditional Irish Session gig at Ye Olde Monken Holt" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/traditionalirishsession" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Traditional Irish Session</a></strong> (Irish Folk) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/yeoldemonkenholt" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ye Olde Monken Holt</strong>, High Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">0.2 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1243.33px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">6pm - 9pm</td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><p>A fine selection, I'm sure you'll agree!<br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-18804527034065495752024-03-14T10:35:00.007+00:002024-03-14T10:45:48.885+00:00The Thursday Album #5 - LAMF by The Heartbreakers<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.discogs.com/V6Ho4MXPqg6VSpDFffgudhf-b5x44d5uhFfWw4dufOE/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk0/OS00MTUxLmpwZWc.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://i.discogs.com/V6Ho4MXPqg6VSpDFffgudhf-b5x44d5uhFfWw4dufOE/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk0/OS00MTUxLmpwZWc.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />What is the perfect album? What album in your collection do you think could not possibly be improved? Would it be one that is so badly mixed, that it was reissued several years later with an alternative mix? Would it be one that there is no discussion amongst fans that doesn't speculate on 'the good mixes'. Of all the 1977 punk bands and all of the albums, in some ways LAMF by the Heartbreakers is the most interesting of all. The band were at the very heart of the emergence of the New Yourk punk scene. Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan were members of the New York Dolls, who gave Malcolm McClaren the blueprint for the Pistols. Original bassplayer Richard Hell is credited with inventing the punk look. By the time LAMF came out, Hell was long gone. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.discogs.com/68rglsyQewsPctgC6YWdRGsSLbBSbRXiPTtfnvfDXqs/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk1/Ni01NDQ5LmpwZWc.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://i.discogs.com/68rglsyQewsPctgC6YWdRGsSLbBSbRXiPTtfnvfDXqs/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk1/Ni01NDQ5LmpwZWc.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />Unlike British punk bands, the Heartbreakers were never interested in politics, anarchy or chaos. They were a brilliant rock and roll band, who only really lived to inject themselves with smack. Ironically, they signed to Track records. Apparently the recording and mixing process did not go smoothly, and from day 1, it was criticised for it's 'lacklustre mixes'. The album appeared in November 1977. I got off a 221 bus, returning from FCHS and I saw the album in the window of the record shop (where the Bridge Tavern is now). I loved the cover and bought it on the spot. I went home, put it on and was blown away. It didn't occur to me that it was a dodgy mix. I just loved it. I played it five times in a row. I only had four punk albums in my collection. Puremania by Vibrators, The Damned's first album, The Ramones two albums and this. Albums were expensive and my sole source of income was my paper round. I also had to go to gigs. I knew almost nothing of The Heartbreakers and their heroin addled life. I was fifteen years old and knew nothing of the meaning of Chinese rocks, One track mind or any of the other drug references. What I did know was that the band knew how to play rock and roll. They instantly became my favourite band.<p></p><p>As to the album</p><p><b>Side 1</b></p><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Born to Lose" (as spelled on label)/"Born Too Loose" (as spelled on sleeve)</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Baby Talk"</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"All by Myself" </li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"I Wanna Be Loved"</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"It's Not Enough"</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Chinese Rocks" </li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Get Off the Phone" </li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><b><br /></b></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><b>Side 2</b></li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Pirate Love"</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"One Track Mind" </li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"I Love You"</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Goin' Steady"</li><li style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0.1em;">"Let Go" </li><p>For the previous episodes of this series, I've gone through the tracks and given my thoughts. I am inclined not to do this for LAMF. I think every number is brilliant. There are none where I make the tea or go for a wee during. I don't have a side I prefer. From the opening chords of Born to Lose through to the end of Let Go, where Johnny Thunders says "Is that alright", I always have a sense of ecstacy.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.discogs.com/2FP2MfBxe-OBOtHbIcGTPNVl3zB6ARXb_Mw972Nb86U/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk2/NC01MTkxLmpwZWc.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://i.discogs.com/2FP2MfBxe-OBOtHbIcGTPNVl3zB6ARXb_Mw972Nb86U/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk2/NC01MTkxLmpwZWc.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />It is quite odd, I've heard versions that are 'mixed properly' and to me, they just sound wrong, too perfect. It sort of reminds me of when I was on the bus home with my ex bandmate Pete. There was a girl who went to St Michaels that he mentioned he fancied. I commented that she had a lazy eye. Pete replied that he found it sexy and irresistable. He said that girls that were too perfect were never really sexy. That is the secret of LAMF. <p></p><p>I don't know how many times I've played LAMF, but it always sounds fresh. It needs to be played loudly, on vinyl, it doesn't work properly in any other setting. When The False Dots started, the drummer in our proto line up let slip that LAMF was his favourite album. That was the moment that he was in. I've always judged people of a punk rock persuasion on their reaction to LAMF. If they say "It's badly mixed", then to me, they are not really punk. If they say it's amazing then I will love and respect them forever. The songs are great, the guitar is great, when Johnny sings, it tugs your heartstrings in a way that no one else can.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.discogs.com/XmZQ-WXSpBpM4_-QI0A80PUPt-LvrzpPmGitWwaUAhE/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk3/MS03MjY4LmpwZWc.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://i.discogs.com/XmZQ-WXSpBpM4_-QI0A80PUPt-LvrzpPmGitWwaUAhE/rs:fit/g:sm/q:40/h:300/w:300/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTE2NjEx/MTQtMTYwNTQ2OTk3/MS03MjY4LmpwZWc.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br />The more I learned about the band, the less empathy I had with them. I'm no fan of junk culture. I saw the Heartbreakers and Johnny Thunders many times. It was always a lottery as to whether they would be brilliant or terrible. They performed some of the very best gigs I ever saw (The Marquee was a highlight), they also performed the worst, The Lyceum where a live album was recorded. Thunders was off his head for the gig and spend half of it slumped on the floor. I have the live album, it sounds far better than what I recall. There is a video of it somewhere, I've never watched it. Too many lllusions were destroyed. The live album has probably the most offensive song ever recorded on it. It is so offensive that it is cringeworthy. I could forgive them anything apart from destroying my rock and roll dreams. But LAMF will always be the top of the pile. <p></p><p>Perhaps the song that best sums up The Heartbreakers is actually a Ramones song (Johnny and Richard Hell apparently wrote the middle eight). Chinese Rocks has the best middle eight breakdown ever recorded IMHO. In it Thunders sings</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;">It's hot as a bitch</span></div><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><div style="text-align: center;">I should've been rich</div></span><span face="arial, sans-serif" jsname="YS01Ge" style="background-color: white; color: #202124;"><div style="text-align: center;">But I'm just diggin' a Chinese ditch</div></span><p></p><p>There was never a truer lyric. The baand should have been the biggest rock and roll band in the world. Having seen The Heartbreakers and listened to LAMF, I've always found supposed Rock and Roll bands such as Guns and Roses a bit naff and a bit too stilted. In many ways, they ruined rock and roll for me, by just being a bit too good at the whole thing. They are all dead now. Walter Lure was the last to go. </p><p>I doubt anyone who wasn't a teenager in 1977 and loved punk would understand any of this. But this album to me is the pinnacle of human development. It has never been surpassed. It never will be. Nothing truly compares. </p><p>------</p><p>Without LAMF I don't think I'd have formed a band. Last week, we filmed a video for our new single, "we all love a party" coming out in April. We have a gig on Sat 23rd at The Beehive in Bow. Here is a short trailer for the video, which we will be releasing soon. </p><p><br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4Y10cyoXCS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4Y10cyoXCS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4Y10cyoXCS/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The False Dots (@thefalsedots)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-6000930310828155822024-03-13T11:14:00.005+00:002024-03-13T11:14:46.380+00:00Can you say what you like if you give the Tories ten million quid?<p> What is the worst job in the UK? I think that is an easy one. It is being Diane Abbott. There are over 600 MP's and they seem to say stupid things almost every time they open their mouth. A stack of them have been sacked for various misdeeds, leading to a spate of by elections. Can you name any of them? All of these crooks, villians, etc, yet the one politician who is always fair game for a kicking is Diane Abbott. I am not a fan of hers, but as someone who hates bullying, I cannot help but think the singling out of Abbott, who's biggest faults are that she puts her foot in her mouth sometimes, can't add up and is a bit of hypocrite in wanting the best for her kids, seems to me completely disproportionate, when so many get off scot free, when they've been doing actual criminal acts. I am not an apologist for Abbot, but lets have some perspective. The right wing press always choose pictures where she looks like she's been sleeping in a bin and been stung by a wasp. My mate, the Rev Emily Kollveit, Vicar of St Judes, used to work in Hackney and told me Abbot was the best and most helpful constituency MP she'd met. She told me that she really cared about people and was quite sensitive, so the criticisms got to her. Hearing Emily's stout defence made me reassess my previous view of her. I don't know Abbott, but I do trust Emily's judgement, she was a the former landlady of the Chandos Arms, before becoming a Vicar, so is probably the most streetwise vicar in the C of E. </p><p>The former deputy chair of the Tories made blatantly islamaphobic comments whilst moonlighting on a TV show, but he's still an MP. It took the Tories an age to figure out that it was beyond the pale. When they finally suspended him, he had a hissy fit and quite for the 'Reform' Party. What do they want to reform? Perhaps they want the UK to become a place where blatant racism is acceptable, as it was in the 1970's. On Monday I wrote a blog about nostalgia. In the 1970's, we had blatant racism on TV on a daily basis. Bernard Manning on the comedians, Love they neighbour and Alf Garnett were all perfectly acceptable TV viewing. I saw an interview with actor Warren Mitchell, AKA Alf Garnett, where he said that the character was written to be so pathetic that no one would be able to empathise with him, only to find that everywhere he went, people would say "You are spot on with that Alf". In many ways, the BBC was more 'Woke' in the 1960s than it is now. Swear words were banned and they genuinely tried to make Alf Garnett look like an idiot. Even Love Thy Neighbour, an ITV show, did their best to portray the white racist as a fool, whilst the aspirational black couple next door were shown as intelligent and well to do. Where the wokeness stopped was with sexism, but that is another discussion for another day. </p><p>So fast forward to 2024. The words which formed Bernard Mannings act have been banned. Now we simply say "The N word" or "The P word" and heaven help anyone who uses such things in a humourous manner. Things have moved on. I do wonder what would happen if the BBC decided to have a 70's day and showed all of the worst examples of 70's TV in a marathon show. Would it be funny, or would we say "how could we possibly think that wasn't utter crap". I think my kids would have a heart attack at most of it.</p><p>But, there seems to be one group of people that the rules don't apply to and the 1970's are still in full flow. I am talking about Kevin Hester OBE. Why can he say what he likes? Because he gave the ruling party in the UK a bung of ten million quid. When can you say a black woman should be shot in a public forum, and it's OK? When you've bunged the government party ten million quid. Would Bernard Manning still be on TV (yeah I know he's dead, but you know what I mean) if he'd bunged Rishi Sunak £10 million? Would he have got an OBE like Hester. </p><p>I am not someone who is easily offended. I grew up in the 60's and 70's. My Dad run a crash repair business, where I worked as a kid. I was surrounded by working class guys, who's language would make many youngsters hair curl and turn white. The jokes they would share would make Manning seem tame. I stood on football terraces, as racist chants, monkey noises etc were order of the day. I recall watching Black Manchester City goalie have bananas thrown at him at Fulham FC. It all seemed normal back then. It was only when Rock Against Racism called out Eric Clapton for racist comments at a gig in Birmingham, that it even occurred to me that it might not be OK. The Specials and other bands educated me and a generation. You can't love music made by black people, have black mates and think that its OK to treat them like shit, like second class citizens. When Diane Abbott puts her foot in her mouth, if it makes you want to 'hate all black women', you are actually a little bit sick in the head. When I was at FCHS, a bully of Irish origin beat me up in 1976, when they saw me at an England Vs Republic of Ireland match wearing an England scarf. Did that make me hate all Irishmen? No, it made me think that bullies are reprehensible. </p><p>Kevin Hestor has an OBE - That is an Order of The British Empire. He has brought the order into disrepute. He should be stripped of it. As for the Tories, should they give the £10 million back? This is dead simple. The answer is "If the Tories want to be associated with this man and his views, they should keep the cash and say so. If they want to prove that they find them abhorrent, then give it back". Earlier in this blog I mentioned 30p Lee Anderson. If Rishi Sunak wants to appeal to his constiteuncy (people who agree with him, not who live in his area, to clarify), keep the cash and shout it out proudly.</p><p>It is easy really. Rishi Sunak needs to demonstrate what the Tories stand for. That is what leaders do. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-72335440204463674302024-03-11T14:12:00.004+00:002024-03-11T14:12:29.476+00:00That's the problem with the past......<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uxGAAI0BF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uxGAAI0BF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3uxGAAI0BF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Roger Tichborne (@rogtex)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Yesterday we saw some wonderful sights in North West London. It was #VintageBusDay. I didn't know this until I saw an immaculately decked out 240 Routemaster bus in Mill Hill Broadway station. I felt a real buzz of excitement and much to the embarrassment of my son, who was with me, started to take pictures, which I posted on Instagram</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4WKSBFIY5R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4WKSBFIY5R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4WKSBFIY5R/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Roger Tichborne (@rogtex)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<p></p><p>My son was bemused by my excitement. I explained that I used to get the 240 to school at St Vincents on the Ridgeway and they used these buses. I then realised that, although he went to St Vincents, he never took the bus. I recall the excitement, when the old, clapped out Routemasters were replaced with shiny new buses, that were square and had automatic doors. I seemed like the future had arrived. The excitement didn't last. I soon felt nostalgic for the old buses, with their open platforms and their bus conductors. <a href="https://bus-routes-in-london.fandom.com/wiki/London_Buses_Route_240">I did a google and the date was 16th January 1971</a>. I'd have been eight years old. I vividly recall the last time I ever rode a Routemaster on a regular route, rather than a heritage day. It was the day of the 7/7 bombings. I was doing some work at Debenhams head office on Oxford St. As the horror of the bombings unfolded, I found I was stranded. I ended up working to Swiss Cottage, then took a 13 bus to Golders Green. This was still being worked by a Routemaster. I then got a 240 home. I felt a pang of guilt, as I genuinely enjoyed that journey. </p><p>When I see a Routemaster now, I think of the 7/7 bombing. Had that not happened, I would think of St Vincents, but it was a vivid day. On the 240 bus, I bumped into an old school mate from Orange Hill. I'd not seen him for years. What both he and I didn't know at the time, was that his sister had been on one of the bombed tube trains and she'd lost her legs. We had a good old chit chat, in blissful ignorance. A week later, someone said to me "Have you heard about Grant's sister". I was deeply shocked.</p><p>My initial joy at seeing the Routemaster stirred up all of these feelings. The past is a strange place. We tend to remember what we want to remember. Yesterday was Mothers day and on<a href="https://barneteye.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-saturday-list-432-ten-things-about.html"> Saturday I wrote about how it is a difficult day for me</a>. Nostalgia is a very dangerous thing. When we think of the 60's and the 70's, it is nice to recall the Routemasters, the flair footballers such as Stan Bowles, Rodney Marsh and George Best, James Bond's DB6. It is really easy to buy into the idea that everything was wonderful then and it's all gone wrong now. The truth is far more difficult. It really wasn't so wonderful. The cancer my mother in 1970 was one that killed everyone who had it. She was unique in surviving a total gastrectomy in 1970. Her surgeon, Mr Phillip King, told her in 1984, that she was the only person on the planet, who had the operation then, that was still alive. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1235244/#:~:text=A%20statistically%20significant%20correlation%20was,between%20young%20and%20elderly%20patients.">Now there are treatments and people live</a>. Given the choice between a pretty bus and my Mum, I know which I'd choose. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHyJajLIGgtA6L1B20eMBdFw4h0FQXD8NFDALSoUeRgCawt7NO73Jn5ZoDWd0NT-1FVlaeko8gBonLeBUbrKtMcLSRn8uF4jP6Yhpmabz5vKZJPS6pKxYPFc24Cdn6dKL5_g3pucJEhZeO8mQk_Fff7ygYHpkj5G9tr5Dje9Qet-yuMV9tMs9VCqmEz4/s1600/Party%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHyJajLIGgtA6L1B20eMBdFw4h0FQXD8NFDALSoUeRgCawt7NO73Jn5ZoDWd0NT-1FVlaeko8gBonLeBUbrKtMcLSRn8uF4jP6Yhpmabz5vKZJPS6pKxYPFc24Cdn6dKL5_g3pucJEhZeO8mQk_Fff7ygYHpkj5G9tr5Dje9Qet-yuMV9tMs9VCqmEz4/s320/Party%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The truth is that we usually choose to view the past through rose tinted spectacles. We try and bury the bad bits in a locked room in our memories. I'm all for a bit of nostalgia, I spent Friday night recording a video with my band celebrating the party culture of the 1970's. Here's a few shots of some of the shenanigans that were going on. We had proper 70's party food such as cheese and pineapple hedgehogs, pork pies and sandwiches with ham. We invested in some Liebfraumilch, some Warninks Advocate and some Strongbow cider. We played soul and ska classics from the era. It was all great fun, but there were some big differences from a party back in the day. No one was smoking in the room. No one drove home drunk. No one was telling mother in law jokes to their mates. No one was hunting around for a can opener to open a can of Watneys Party Seven. No one brought records with them, so we could here the 'latest sounds', they simply picked numbers on Spotify. No one needed to borrow 5p to run to the telephone box, to tell their mum they'd be late home.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4ldUzYC_g2Ba2D74IeRcruqrZfv6Q2mxB9gYGTjnYN4VjmyUeU0Ph1tmsQ4nkeP6_kTzTBCo2LVGsFH889LvZUklcp7ZYj83U-jM2FBZLLt9c6evNjbLBgrCNlRlZgh7_5OAGtKO_eSqhP_GWqneY1iiih4DMYQipBKxTQQ9ho-LEjLM6nhdiwmfX1w/s2048/Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4ldUzYC_g2Ba2D74IeRcruqrZfv6Q2mxB9gYGTjnYN4VjmyUeU0Ph1tmsQ4nkeP6_kTzTBCo2LVGsFH889LvZUklcp7ZYj83U-jM2FBZLLt9c6evNjbLBgrCNlRlZgh7_5OAGtKO_eSqhP_GWqneY1iiih4DMYQipBKxTQQ9ho-LEjLM6nhdiwmfX1w/s320/Party.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>But when it came down to it, what we did was pretty much what we'd have done in the 70's. Listened to good music, ate and drank and forgot about our problems for a few hours.<br /><p></p><p>As this decade progresses, it become more like a version of the 1970's by the day. In 1974 Labour won an election to replace a failing Tory government, that had lost the plot. The Middle East was in turmoil, with a war starting the year before. There was a cold war in the East with us all scared about Soviet expansion. The UK economy was in a mess, after an energy crisis. Racism and anti immigrant hostility was on the rise, following Idi Amin's expulsion of Kenyan Indians. The parallels are almost uncanny.</p><p>I suspect that in 1973/4, as we had three day week and the lights going out, the idea that anyone may look back on the 70's with fond nostalgia, would seen insane. That is the trouble with the past though, you can never quite escape it. In fact, no matter how awful it really was, it seems we don't really want to, even if we could. </p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">My band, The False Dots were founded in 1979 and are still going 45 years on. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Our next gig is at the Beehive, in Bow on Saturday 23rd March. Here is avideo we made celebrating the car culture or the 1970's. Please come and see us at our next gig on Saturday 23rd March at the Beehive in Bow, click here for tickets.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><h1 class="css-1fbzdvh-H1Container ejg0rhn1" data-e2e="browse-video-desc" style="background-color: rgba(22, 24, 35, 0.03); box-sizing: border-box; color: #161823; fill: rgb(22, 24, 35); font-family: TikTokFont, Arial, Tahoma, PingFangSC, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; position: relative; user-select: unset; word-break: break-word;"><a href="https://www.seetickets.com/event/underground-sound-presents-the-beehive/the-beehive-at-bow-bow/2940927?src=the%20false%20dots" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">TICKETS CLICK HERE</a></h1></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0oKN9Pv5j0" style="display: inline;" width="320" youtube-src-id="m0oKN9Pv5j0"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><p>.</p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-63174709820091428472024-03-09T15:45:00.005+00:002024-03-09T15:45:39.773+00:00The Saturday List #432 - Ten things about my Mum that I didn't appreciate when she was alive<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjCrrk6-GRqA43whXOv7yGmJtxvwiOtCmQk7vr_KQE_3QTvkKYPdFh1X3YM-w6pFYQrkHeOwOKltzMXy2PjFgqrB6swUwrWj6DnByj6DBbZ2_eIUws-Om3WKY9SkgkE4Ti_qj1h8ffABG8Lgkvjv0EW8zfCCJTT5BeeeKg5ORFFFoDQ5uhDEzD17Hafo/s2048/me%20and%20mum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjCrrk6-GRqA43whXOv7yGmJtxvwiOtCmQk7vr_KQE_3QTvkKYPdFh1X3YM-w6pFYQrkHeOwOKltzMXy2PjFgqrB6swUwrWj6DnByj6DBbZ2_eIUws-Om3WKY9SkgkE4Ti_qj1h8ffABG8Lgkvjv0EW8zfCCJTT5BeeeKg5ORFFFoDQ5uhDEzD17Hafo/s320/me%20and%20mum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum and I in 1983 <br />When I was the bane of her life</td></tr></tbody></table>Tomorrow is my least favourite day of the year. It is Mothers day. As my Mum died sixteen years ago, all it does is remind me of the fact that she's dead. There are people who are good children and there are people who are terrible. I am definitely in the terrible category. I have six siblings and I think I caused my parents more upset and grief than the rest of them put together. Although they had their ups and downs with my parents, none of them ever sought conflict and arguments in the way that I did when I was younger. If they did something that my parents wouldn't like, they would try and keep it quiet. I couldn't be bothered with all of that. In some ways, I was lucky, being the youngest. They couldn't be bothered having the same arguments with me. Whereas, when my elder brother and sister caused massive rows with my parents when they chose to live with, rather than marry partners, with me they actually seemed pleased that someone might calm me down. If I thought they were wrong, I'd tell them and not back down. All of my brothers and sisters did well educationally and all did post school education of some sort. I didn't. I went through several periods of not talking to them, following perfectly avoidable rows. When I was living at home and they went away, I had parties where valuables were nicked. Not only that but I found my Dad's stash of good wines and polished it off with my mates. Whereas my Brothers waited until they left home to stop going to Church, I just announced I'd had enough of it all at 14 and refused to go. My parents were both religious and this hurt them. </p><p>When my mum became frail and housebound, we became a lot closer. One day I was chatting to her and she confided that her and my father were driven to their wits end by my behaviour as a teenager. She said that she couldn't believe it when I actually got a job and started doing OK. She said that my Father had changed his view of me before he passed away in 1987. He'd realised that what he'd not appreciated was that I was my own person and he'd come to respect that. She said that it had taken her a lot longer, as she always had felt that we were just one cross word away from a row. I look back on those years and I realised that there were many things I didn't appreciate about my mother. Here are the top ten.</p><p>1. I didn't appreciate that she'd worked hard for everything she had. As a kid, you just take it all for granted. Before I was born, my father had serious medical issues and she had to keep the family fed, clothed and housed, during his long periods in hospital. They ran a car repair business and she had to deal with a pretty unruly workforce. It cannot have been easy.</p><p>2. I didn't appreciate the way she dealt with monstrous health issues. My mother was told in 1970 that she had stomach cancer and that she would die within three years. I was seven years old. She was told that even if the total gastrectomy she had was successful, it would just buy her a couple of years to get her house in order. No one survived longer than that. She died in 2008 and from completely unrelated issues. It was only when I was diagnosed with cancer that I fully appreciated what she'd come through and how much she shielded us from her problems.</p><p>3. I didn't appreciate her intelligence. She came from a working class Irish family who had nothing. She completely reinvented herself and was the brains in the organisation. My Dad would have spent every penny the second he earned it. My mum was the one who made the business successful. Not only that, she was incredibly well read. Almost until the end of her life, she read three books a week. She hated the fact that I was so thick as a child, in the remedial reading group at St Vincents. Dyslexia wasn't appreciated then. She found ways to get me reading, buying comics and telling me that they were just as good as books. With the pictures, it made it easier to work out what was going on. I think many parents of six children might have given up on the last one.</p><p>4. I didn't appreciate why she was reliant on alcohol. After my mum was diagnosed with cancer, she was advised by her surgeon to drink as much Guinness as she could "to keep her weight up". In 1984, she asked him if 8 pints a night was too much. He replied that there were two ways of looking at it. Everyone else on the planet who had the operation she had in 1970 was dead, so it must be doing some good, but maybe cut it back to three a night and see how it went. She always listened, but would top it up with a scotch at night to "help her sleep". I though she was just a bit of drinker (being polite), but now realise it actually got her through.</p><p>5. I didn't appreciate her cooking skills. You get home and you get your dinner. 99% of the time, I loved it. It was only when she made tripe and onions and brawn that I didn't. I especially loved the bread and butter puddings she made and the stodgy dishes like toad in the hole. She always encouraged us to cook and gave me a love for it. I just took that for granted.</p><p>6. I didn't appreciate her political acumen. My mum was a socialist, Dad was a Tory. She would read the Guardian every day. As a small business owner, she would always say "Small businesses do better under Labour, but most owners only think of tax, so are too stupid to see the full picture". She explained that Labour put money into the economy, so people have money to spend. Tories take money out and put up interest rates, so that only the people with old money and savings benefit. I could chat for hours about politics with her. I was pleased when she once told me "You are the only one of my kids who really understands the issues". I have always taken an interest in economics and had some fascinating debates with her. She could have been a very successful economist if she'd had the right opportunities. When I listen to Rachel Reeve I am reminded of my mothers intellect for such matters. It is only now, with hindsight that I really see this.</p><p>7. I didn't appreciate her generosity. My Dad used to joke that my mother was a skinflint and a miser, because she counted the pennies and got exasperated with his spending. In hindsight, I realise she was actually very generous, but only in a way she though was sustainable or where people deserved it. She gave a lot of time and money to charity. She would rage against people who helped her at the Church jumble sale and would pilfer the best items. She fell out with a few 'ardent churchgoers' who she caught nicking at the Church jumble sales. My father would say "So what, it's pennies". She would reply "That makes it worse". She wanted the money to go to where it should go.</p><p>8. I didn't appreciate her glamour. She was my mum. I didn't want a glamourous mum, but she was. She always made the best of herself. When she had a massive stroke in 2001 and aged 20 years in three seconds, I was horrified to see the change. She was in hospital for six months. When she came out, she couldn't communicate effectively. I would sit and drink a Guinness with her and try and get her talking, even if I couldn't understand a word. Eventually, I found that when she was relaxed, after a couple of Guinness, she could communicate. I said "Mum, is there anything I can do?". She said "Yes, I want my hair done". I arranged to take her to the salon. I explained to Sue, her hairdresser that she was very different. Sue said "I don't care, if she wants her hair done, I'll do it". She went there and when she came back, she was like a new person. The salon shut shortly after, so Sue would visit her at home. It was the best therapy she could have. In truth, especially when I was younger, she embarrassed me. I wanted a dowdy mum, who didn't want to stand out from the crowd. How stupid I was.</p><p>9. I didn't appreciate the fact that she loved me. My mum was not demonstrative. She wasn't a hugger. I always thought that she'd have been happier if I'd not been around, as I caused so much grief. I took her to France, the week before she died and she told me that life was a strange thing and that the best thing of all for her was her kids. I said "Even me?". Her response shocked me. She said "You were by far the most difficult, but you've always told me the truth. I love you for that". It was an honest answer. When we struggle with our children, we have to remind ourselves that they are special and unique. When they upset us, they are just being themselves. She told me that once she realised that when we argued, I was not doing it to upset her, she said she found she no longer got quite so upset with me. I never really appreciated that until I thought about it after she went.</p><p>10. I didn't appreciate the amazing support she gave me in my music business. I wouldn't have a studio without my mum's support. She gave me the opportunity to rent the space from her and gave me invaluable advice on how to run a business. The studio always paid its way and she never bailed me out, although she did loan me money to do a couple of developments, when I persuaded her the business case stacked up. In 1990, three years after my Dad died, she was considering selling the industrial estate she managed. She was retiring and didn't want the hassle of tenants. I persuaded her to let me and one of my sisters and one of my brothers take on the day to day running. My sister, who is a barrister did the legal side, my brother, who was on site did the maintenance and I handled lease negotiations with tenants and drew up a plan to improve the yard and boost earnings. Years after, she confided that she never intended to sell the yard, but knew that if she told me that, I'd step up. We ensured that she had a good income in her later years. The arrangement was formalised a few years later and we are still going and running a thriving estate with a successful music business.</p><p>God bless you Mum and thank you. I am sorry that I took so long to appreciate you. Happy Mothers Day.</p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-11318282641878219232024-03-07T11:33:00.003+00:002024-03-07T11:33:50.029+00:00Maybe we don't deserve better than Biden or Trump<p> I rarely foray into foreign politics, but they say that when America sneezes, the world catches a cold, so it does affect us. Yesterday, in the USA, the last faint hope that the choice for US citizens would not be Donald Trump or Joe Biden disappeared, as the so called 'Super Tuesday' results were counted and Nikki Hayley withdrew from the race. In this election, it is not so much catching a cold as having dementia that is the worry. It is impossible to watch Joe Biden and not worry. Biden is 81 years old and he looks it. He simply does not look completely with it. As for Trump, he is not much better. He's 77 and despite the spray on tan and dye'd hair, age is catching up with him. </p><p>Last night, I was having a drink (well actually a tonic water, as it was a non drinking day) with my old football mates. The subject of Trump and Biden came up. "Surely America, with a population over a quarter of a billion people can find someone better?" was one comment. Another was "America deserves better". When I got home Mrs T was watching the Peston show, discussing the budget with Rachel Reeve. Whatever your political hue, any reasonable person would conclude that Reeve is a top quality politician. She knows her onions and it seems likely she'll be an excellent chancellor. She worked for the Bank of England before becoming a politician and understands economics. I am a fan of people who have proper jobs before becoming politicians. When I contrast the conversation she had with Peston with any coverage of Trump and Biden, it is a stark contrast. Trump reduces everything to a simplistic, bombastic, transactional level. One of my friends said that Trump would keep Russia, China, Hamas and Iran in line, as he's an unpredictable loose cannon, and they dare not attract his wrath. This is a mantra that is repeated regularly. There is an element of truth in it, but it misses the big picture. All of these organisations think in the long term. To understand their strategy, just look at the Taliban in Afghanistan. Their strategy with the USA was to simply keep fighting, until the US got sick of war and went home. </p><p>They know that whatever Trump does, he's only going to be there for four years, if he wins. So long as they don't provoke him into a catastrophic response, they can do what they like. Trump is not a details man. Trump has a high disdain for Nato and Putin knows this and will exploit it. So long as he can keep Trump onside, his long term strategy is well served by Trump. Brexit disengaged Britain, a staunch supporter of the EU border states, from Europe, this was a major victory for Putin and made his Ukraine war something far more sustainable. Having disengaged Britain from Europe politically, if he can get Trump to disengage the US from NATO, Russia will be in a dominant position in Europe, despite the fact that the country has shown it can't even win a war in Ukraine. Without NATO support, nations such as Germany will not want to risk the ire of Russia. </p><p>Trump also claimed that Hamas would not have attacked Israel had he been President. As he's provided no analysis of this claim, it his quite hard to assess it. I suspect that what he means is that he'd have given Israel carte blanche to do what they like to destroy Hamas, without any quarter given to humanitarian concerns. Trumpian logic is that without the US holding Israel back out of concern for ordinary Palestinians, the consequences for Hamas would be so dire that they would be forced to surrender. I am not entirely sure Jihadi's think like that. It is worth remembering that Trumps policies dealing with Jihadi's in Afghanistan were catastrophic and paved the way for the Taliban takeover. Trump didn't care. In his mind, it's a long way away. The Jihadis, be it in Afghanistan or Gaza know that whatever happens, Trump will be gone in four years. Whatever he does, they will bide their time. Trump's strategy is to disengage and not involve America. </p><p>Having said all that, only a fool would say that Biden has done any better. In fact, on foreign policy he has been a disaster. It is actually hard to argue with Trumps logic that he'd have done better, it would be almost impossible to do worse. In Ukraine, the US has stopped supplying arms, leading to the Russians going on the offensive. With regards to Hamas, Biden seems to have no strategy at all. With regards to Iran, again, I have no idea what his aims are. Looking closer to home, it is clear that Biden hates Great Britain. It is almost embarrassing to note that Trump seems to love us. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic would change with a Keir Starmer government and Trump in the White House. I've no idea what sort of relationship Starmer would have with Biden if he wins again. Although politically closer, I think that Biden is implacably anti British. </p><p>I cannot recall a worse choice for the Americans than Trump and Biden. The only selling point for Biden is that he's not Donald Trump. I doubt even the staunchest Democrat can honestly claim to be excited by him. He is just a doorstop, keeping the door open until someone better comes along. I think Nikki Hayley was on the button with Trump. If Trump wins, the planet will suffer. None of the problems will go away, they will fester, just as they did in Afghanistan during his presidency. All Trump and Biden managed between them, was to ensure that all the deaths of British and American soldiers in two decades were completely in vain. </p><p>But getting back to the choice and my friends comment that we deserve better than Trump and Biden. Maybe we don't. Maybe the fact that we are too lazy to actually demand politicians of the calibre of Rachel Reeve, who know what they are doing and can string more than three sentences together without losing it, means that we deserve exactly what we are going to get. It's like insurance policies. We don't read the small print, so we get stung. And it is our own fault. </p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-77324204175782812752024-03-06T19:56:00.001+00:002024-03-06T19:56:04.838+00:00Why Jeremy Hunt made my flesh creep as he gave his Budget speech today<p> There are some things that are so horrible that you simply put them in a dark room in your mind and shut the door on it, hopefully to be buried forever. Very occasonally, something happens, and that closed door flies open, and the rotting corpse of the rancid memory rolls out. I guess we all occasionally have flashbacks induced when we see things that are unpleasant and remind us of such things.</p><p>Today, I sat down with a nice cup of tea to watch the budget speech by Jeremy Hunt. Up until now, I've not really minded Jeremy Hunt. He seemed one of the less stupid and nasty Conservative ministers. Today I saw a completely different side to him and it made my flesh creep. Why? Well let me take you back to September 1973. I had just turned eleven years old and I excitedly turned up for my first day at Finchley Catholic High School. It is a real shock, going from being the big boys at St Vincents Primary School to being the little squirts at big school. </p><p>One of the first things I learned was that it wasn't a nice place to be. The school still had pretentions of being a Grammar School, despite having been a Comprehensive for four years. The Boys in the fifth form and the sixth formers were all Grammar school boys. They looked down on us, as none of us had passed an eleven plus ( I certainly wouldn't). The school was divided into three distinct areas. The Lower School (forms 1 & 2), the Upper School (Forms 3,4,5) and the sixth form. </p><p>The sixth formers were by and large viewed as a bunch of nerds, all being Grammar school boys, by us plebs. What made matters worse, was that the most nerdy and unpleasant had the title of "prefect" bestowed on them. This meant that they had certain priviliges, the main one being that they could enact their more psychopathic urges on the new recruits in the lower school. The teachers used them as a proxy paramilitary force, monitoting dinner queues etc. They were allowed to relentlessly bully us, allegedly to keep us in line. They were a nasty bunch, but by and large, they lacked real gumption. </p><p>As bad as the low level physical abuse tha you'd experience, they could give minor punishments such as lines, for small infractions. Larger ones were passed to the teachers to deal with. Worse still, in some ways, was they way they'd humiliate us. They all seemed to be fluent in Latin and have degrees in sarcasm. They'd refer to you in a condescending way, probing to find any insecurity. Comments like "Tichborne, how come you haven't grown any pubes" or "Tichborne, did your mother drop you on your head as a baby" or "Tichborne, can't your parents afford soap" were typical. <br /><br /></p><p>Today, as Jeremy Hunt baited Keir Starmer about his weight, he had the exact demanour of one of these awful specimins known as FCHS prefects. Condescending, making personal comments and getting cheered to the rafters by his mates. I found prefects to be the most loathesom of all at the school. I saw them as collaborators and narks. Sadly, when I saw Hunt, that was all I could think of and it made me feel ill. The sooner he's gone, the better. </p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-46209153536634647782024-03-05T13:44:00.002+00:002024-03-05T13:44:34.369+00:00Hendon constituency deserves better than Ameet Jogia<p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.jogia.uk/sites/www.jogia.uk/files/styles/gallery_large/public/2023-09/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-09-11%20at%2009.49.18.jpeg?itok=FXv4cD-N" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="800" height="208" src="https://www.jogia.uk/sites/www.jogia.uk/files/styles/gallery_large/public/2023-09/WhatsApp%20Image%202023-09-11%20at%2009.49.18.jpeg?itok=FXv4cD-N" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ameet Jogia</td></tr></tbody></table>Over the last few weeks, I've seen an ever increasing number of communications from the Conservative candidate for Hendon, Ameet Jogia. I have a few MP's over the years. For many years, we had a sensible and rather decent Conservative in the shape of John Gorst. Gorst was pro business and a good constituency MP. He was replaced in 1997 by Labour's Andrew Dismore. Dismore was a hard working MP. I was not keen on him, as I felt he was a slippery individual, who admitted that when he campaigned to replace Gorst in 1997, promising to retain Edgware General Hospital, he knew that a Labour government would close it anyway. He was replaced in 2010 by Conservative Matthew Offord, who won by 103 votes. Offord built up a decent majority over the next few elections. Offord put a lot of work into cultivating conservative religious voters who opposed things such as same sex marriage. Whilst Gorst and Dismore were hard working MP's in the constituency, Offord is largely invisible most of the time. I was not disappointed to see him stand down. </p><p>Ameet Jogia struck me as an odd choice. He's a councillor in Tory councillor Harrow. I'd never heard of him before he was selected. I felt he was probably the weakest of the three choices on offer. He has done nothing to dispel that view. From what I've seen, he is an uber NIMBY. He has campaigned against McDonalds opening in Mill Hill. Given that MP's have no role in planning I found this rather bizarre. Apparently McDonalds are hotbeds of crime and anti social behaviour, if you believe his leaflets. He has also campaigned heavily against the Hendon Hub and the Edgware Broadwalk redevelopment. Not having been involved in Barnet politics until he was selected, he is either unaware that both schemes were dreamed up when the Tories ran Barnet. He is putting the boot into Labour, who simply carried on the policies of the previous Tory adminstration. Either Jogia doesn't know the history of the various schemes, which is rather poor from a candidate, or he's deliberately misleading people about the policies of the local Tories. Neither is particularly good.</p><p>I had a look at Jogia's website to see what he had to say about other issues. I was not impressed. On "investment in local businesses" he says "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">Our investment in local businesses will also protect local businesses and jobs from rising prices and jobs from rising costs and a changing high street in an effort to ensure that our community shops in Edgware, Mill Hill, Hendon, and Burnt Oak remain on our high streets and encourage residents to shop local." </span>This is highly misleading. The Tories announced a massive rise in the minimum wage, which will add huge costs to local businesses. Whilst I support the idea of paying decent wages, many companies are on their knees, due to high energy prices. Adding more costs to business is going to close many companies. </p><p>Regular readers will know that this blog champions environmental policies. On these Jogia says "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">It is widely accepted that bad air is a huge risk to health, that’s why over the last 13 years the UK has become a world leader in becoming one of the most carbon-neutral countries in the world.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">However, we mustn't push on with the net zero agenda at the risk of hard-working people who cannot afford to pay the price for other countries, such as China, polluting our planet. That’s why I am fervently against the ULEZ expansion in London." <span style="background-color: transparent;">This shows a man who wants to face both ways at the same time. He accepts that poor air quality is bad for health, but refuses to do anything to address it. Whilst I was against the ULEZ expansion, it is now simply too late to reverse it. Most people have already got rid of polluting cars in London.</span></p><p>On the issue of policing, he demonstrates that he doesn't know our local area. He says "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">The Mayor has hiked up his precept this year but we are still seeing our residents in places like Brockley Hill having to pay for security because the Mayor is failing to protect our towns and suburbs." </span>Whilst it is very touching that our candidate cares about voters in Brockley Hill, it is not in the constituency of Hendon, it isn't even in the Borough of Barnet. </p><p>On the issue of transport, he again shows his lack of local knowledge. He claims "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">If we want to put people on public transport we first need to build the infrastructure to enable this. To get from Mill Hill to Chipping Barnet via car is a 15 min journey but to use public transport it is nearly an hour long." </span>Clearly not a bus user. I regularly get the 384 bus from Mill Hill to Barnet to watch Hadley FC. It takes 10 minutes from the top of my road (Glendor Gardens stop). I will be getting that tonight. </p><p>On education he says "<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">We want to deliver new skills for local children to give them the best possible start in life and with a record £123,093,515 funding for Hendon schools, we are funding schools at their highest levels in history.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a4252; font-family: proxima-nova, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0.42px;">" </span>What he doesn't say is that due to high inflation, every school in Barnet is struggling to balance their books. I am the chair of a charity that funds a local school. I see the challenges at the coalface. It is all very well talking about rebuilding schools, but if they can't afford to pay experienced teachers, then the school will be in crisis.</p><p>I have taken the above quotes from his website -<a href="https://www.jogia.uk/ourplan">www.jogia.uk/ourplan</a></p><p>In my opinion, Hendon deserves better than this. There are many big challenges facing us locally and nationally. Having an MP who seems to have no positive policies, doesn't know the Borough and thinks the way to win is to say all things to all people is a recipe for disaster. If you want to know just how vacuous he is, if you click his "My Plan" page on his website, you don't get a plan, you get a questionaire - <a href="https://www.jogia.uk/form/hendonmyplan">www.jogia.uk/form/hendonmyplan</a> - It sums him up. His plan is to tell you anything that you want to hear, so you'll get his vote. </p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-30178714236987240972024-03-03T19:34:00.003+00:002024-03-03T19:39:28.425+00:00The Sunday Reflection #7 - Ever wondered what our purpose on the planet is?<p> Today, we had my sister in laws around for lunch with their kids. We also had my kids around. It is a sad anniversary, 15 years since my beloved mother in law passed away. Mother in laws were often the butt of jokes in the 60's and 70's, usually being portrayed as interfering harridans, out to make trouble for their inherited in laws. It is not a sterotype I recognised. My mother in law was nothing if not lovely. She was always a willing baby sitter and always made me welcome. When we learned she had terminal, stage 4 lung cancer, we were devastated. She was put on steriods, told she had a couple of months to live and told to get her affairs in order and enjoy what time she had. We arranged a special Sunday lunch for her. The steriods gave her a massive boost and she ate like a horse (relatively speaking) and we had a wonderful day. Two weeks later, she was gone. </p><p>At the time, my wife and her sisters were devastated, my mother in law had been fourteen years younger than her husband, who had passed away the previous year (my mum also passed away in 2008, so it was a rotten time). He had been suffering and had required constant care towards the end. We imagined that she might be able to have some fun once he went, not because we were not devastated to lose my father in law, but because she was full of life. It was not to be. Unlike my mum and my father in law, she wasn't really ready to go and we felt that her passing was premature.</p><p>I am lucky in as much as I have a supportive relationship with my partner. We've always seen it as important to get each other through hard times. I often think we only really appreciate each other when things are bad, as I like to think we both step up. I hadn't actually realised it was my Mother in Laws anniversary until my sister in law came around and mentioned it, The Sunday lunch was not especially planned, but clearly the stars were aligned. My sister in law had assumed that was the reason for the invite.</p><p>We raised a glass to her and the other 'missing friends', before we started lunch. Earlier I had been contemplating why we are actually here on the planet. As is my want, I went to mass at 11.30pm. For me, it is a time of quiet contemplation. A chance to turn off the mobile phone and reset. I am not actually a very religious person. I do not really get a huge amount out of the ceremonial side, but it does give me a chance to think and to be quiet. For me, that is very beneficial. I was rather taken with one of the African families who attended today. They were all dressed to the nines. They looked wonderful. I almost felt jealous as you could see that they all loved to enjoy themselves and spent the mass beaming. Just before the end, the Priest announced the the it was one of the Ladies in the party's birthday. He got everyone to sing happy birthday to her. She beamed. For me it was a lovely moment. It gave me a sense of happiness that the reading about God giving Moses the ten commandments never would. </p><p>A simple gesture, that made the 300 or so people in the Church feel happy for a few moments. It wasn't religious or spiritual, but it was highly uplifting. As I walked home, a thought coalesced that had been forming through mass. Why are we here? What is our purpose? As is my want, I prayed for a bit of enlightenment. Sometimes it comes, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes, I will share it, sometimes the enlightenment is personal, so I don't.</p><p>Today, in a blinding flash, that enlightenment came. What is our purpose on the planet? We have the things that we have to do, everyone has to pay bills etc, but we have the opportunity to do little things that make other people happy. Today, when the priest got us to sing happy birthday, we did something that cost us nothing but made us all happy. When I got home, I cooked lunch. It was lovely having family around, the first time since Christmas. I think I cooked a pretty damn good lunch. It won't change any of our lives but for a few hours, we were all happy. Maybe, just maybe, if we all deciced to be a little bit nicer and do a few things, that maybe cost little or nothing, but makes someone smile, then the day has had a purpose. </p><p>We all have bad days, we all have reasons why we can't always have a smile on our faces and we can't always make time to make others happy, but if we all just maybe tried 5% harder to make someone, somewhere, a bit happier, maybe we could all find life just a bit better. <br /></p><p>You don't need to go to church, believe in anything or be part of anything to feel better when you make someone smile. For me, perhaps my mission in life has been my band. It has always been important to me to play music and put on a good show. We are a most irreverant band, but I realise we glory in the little things that make life worth living. Not in a po-faced, Holy Joe way. For us, we do it with Ska and Punk rhythms, lyrics with innuendo's and naughty stories, but they do put a smile on people's faces.</p><p>When I see much of what is on social media, there is anger, frustration and bitterness. People see only the bad, the things to rant about. Before Facebook was invented, who knew so many people got annoyed about helicopters and flooded footpaths? I try and block people who have nothing happy to say these days. It makes a difference, but I've realised that we need to do a bit more. Not massive things, but just try and make a few people we meet every day a little happier. If we all did that, maybe the small things might be a very big thing indeed. </p><p>---</p><div>Talking of my band, The False Dots are still going 45 years on. The featured video hopefully has spread some fun!</div><div>Our next gig is at the Beehive, in Bow on Saturday 23rd March. Here is a little trailer for it that we made, click here for tickets.</div><div><br /></div><div><h1 class="css-1fbzdvh-H1Container ejg0rhn1" data-e2e="browse-video-desc" style="background-color: rgba(22, 24, 35, 0.03); box-sizing: border-box; color: #161823; fill: rgb(22, 24, 35); font-family: TikTokFont, Arial, Tahoma, PingFangSC, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; position: relative; user-select: unset; word-break: break-word;"><a href="https://www.seetickets.com/event/underground-sound-presents-the-beehive/the-beehive-at-bow-bow/2940927?src=the%20false%20dots" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">TICKETS CLICK HERE</a></h1></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0oKN9Pv5j0" width="320" youtube-src-id="m0oKN9Pv5j0"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-14167339060118453772024-03-02T08:49:00.002+00:002024-03-02T09:02:53.406+00:00The Saturday List #431 - My ten favourite album covers of all time<p> This list was prompted by legendary BBC Radio London presenter Gary Crowley mentioning on Facebook that Peter Blake was doing the cover for the new Paul Weller album. I absolutely love a good album cover. With the advent of CD's, great album covers became a thing of the past. There was a time when it was an integral part of the package. With the return of vinyl, there is a bit of a trend back to actually having decent album covers. Anyway, I thought I'd make a list of my favourites, with a few words as to why.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/New_boots_%26_panties.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="260" height="260" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fb/New_boots_%26_panties.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><p>1. New Boots and Panties - Ian Dury. </p><p>Ian Dury standing with his son Baxter outside a very 1970's looking clothes emporium, it reminded me of Burnt Oak, where I was at school. This fascinated me when it came out. It was in many ways, the antithesis of the overblown arty covers favoured by the 70's prog rockers, but it was a million times more interesting. It made a statement about what was on the album. I was 15 when this came out and I felt I was somewhere between Dury and his son Baxter in age. The Queen had the Poet Laureate, but us lot had Ian Dury and the cover of New Boots and Panties said everything we needed at know.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Paul_McCartney_%26_Wings-Band_on_the_Run_album_cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Paul_McCartney_%26_Wings-Band_on_the_Run_album_cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />2. Band on the run - Wings.<p></p><p>One of the first albums I bought. Side one of this records is both sublime and brilliant. The cover features a stack of the most high profile characters of the era, Michael Parkinson, John Conteh, Clement Freud, James Coburn, Christopher Lee and Kenny Lynch, caught in a spotlight with a brick wall background. Parkinson makes a gun shape with his hand, which is also caught in silhouette. </p><p>It was an incredibly evocative cover. Getting such figures to pose for the picture was something of a coup, that perhaps only an ex Beatle could pull off. Apparently the celebs were in what Wikipedia describe as a substance haze, following a party at McCartneys. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Ramones_-_Ramones_cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="301" data-original-width="301" height="301" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bb/Ramones_-_Ramones_cover.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />3. Ramones - The Ramones<p></p><p>One of the most seminal albums of all time. It's stark simplicity is a thing of immense beauty. I love Tommy Ramone's look, belly button exposed and super cool shades. Joey looking very gangly and uncomfortable Johnny posing for the camera and Dee Dee looking like he simply doesn't want to be there at all. Filmed in black and white, it gives a real classical feel to it. </p><p>In many wa ys they don't really look like the classic '76 punk look, with their long hair, jeans and sneakers. No bondage pants or arty Westwood T shirts. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ce/Dickies_-_Dawn_Of_The_Dickies_album_cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="250" height="252" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ce/Dickies_-_Dawn_Of_The_Dickies_album_cover.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />4. Dawn Of The Dickies - The Dickies.<p></p><p>All of the previous chices have been rather classic and serious, this is pure fun. The album is an absolute classic, that has been virtually forgotten. The cover is brilliant. The theme is that the the band are being attacked by Zombies, although the Zombies don't actually look that frightening. </p><p>The band all looking terrified apart from sing Leonard Graves Phillips, who is deep in Prayer. Like all of the above, I spent hours contemplating this, as the LP span on the turntable.</p><p>My family have been instructed that they must play "Stuck in a pagoda with Tricia Toyota at my funeral, or they may fall victim to a scene like this, as I rise from the dead to vent my wrath!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/57/The_Rolling_Stones_-_Sticky_Fingers.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/57/The_Rolling_Stones_-_Sticky_Fingers.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />5. Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones.<p></p><p>Any list that did not contain this, is a very poor list indeed. My sister Val had the original release, with the working zipper, which as a wee nipper, I found fascinating. It helps that it is the Stones best album. </p><p>I don't think I took much notice of album covers before this one. You simply couldn't ignore it. As a piece of graphic design it is wonderful. Simple and effective with the stamps of the album name and band name. It reinforces to me the fact that the best images are strong and simple. I quite like the fact that the Stones know they are well known enough to not have a photo of themselves on the record.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4e/SailorMiller.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4e/SailorMiller.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />6. Sailor - The Steve Miller Band.<p></p><p>I love this album cover. The idea that the earth is the moon, and the band are shipwrecked in a storm has always fascinated me. </p><p>I also love Boz Scaggs pose, with his guitar looking big and wonderful. Drummer Tim Davis is standing at the front in his hat, looking cool and dapper. Bearing in mind that the album was released in 1968, at the height of the civil rights protests, this was actually quite a statement, Steve Miller is almost hiding behind him. Keyboard player Jim Peterman looks like an out of place cowboy. </p><p>I am intrugued by bassplayer Lonnie Turners pose, it is hard to hold a bass like that. Normally you'd hold the base of it. A great idea, very evocative.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/TheClashLondonCallingalbumcover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/TheClashLondonCallingalbumcover.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />7. London Calling - The Clash.<p></p><p>There are so many aspects of this that are wonderful. The lettering is a nod to Elvis Presley, who used similar for his first album. The picture is of bassist Paul Simenon smashing his bass. Penny Smith, who took the picture, didn't want it used as it was out of focus, but Joe Strummer overrid her, thankfully. The picture is acknowledged as possibly the best rock and roll picture of all time.</p><p>The album marked a realturning point in the Clash's musical career. The first album was a wonderful blast of pure punk. The second, in my opinion was just a bit too overproduced and bland. London Calling was the first time you really heard the true voice of the Clash. I almost think of it as a different band to the first two albums. A fitting cover. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Never_Mind_the_Bollocks%2C_Here's_the_Sex_Pistols.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4c/Never_Mind_the_Bollocks%2C_Here's_the_Sex_Pistols.png" width="300" /></a></div><br />8. Never Mind The Bollocks - The Sex Pistols.<p></p><p>Ok, here's a confession. I was gutted when I saw this cover at first. I hated it. The preceding singles had great artwork and interesting covers. Then this came out. It was just letters, no anarchic images of the Queen etc. My first thought was that Richard Branson of Virgin Records was a cheapskate who was too tight to pay for a decent cover.</p><p>How wrong I was. It is one of the most influential pieces of pop/art design of all time. It has been copied, ripped off and reused more than just about any other design concept of the era. </p><p>And it's a great album.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/Blondie_album_cover.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/Blondie_album_cover.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />9. Blondie - Blondie.<p></p><p>There are five people on the cover of this album, but for the first twenty years I had it, I only noticed Debbie Harry. I suspect that this is the only album I've ever bought purely for the cover, I was fifteen at the time and Debbie Harry was my idea of the perfect woman. The album is rather good, which was a bonus. </p><p>It was not commercially successful, the follow up Parallel Lines was the one that broke the band, I was rather chuffed to be ahead of the game. In actual fact, I think this is probably their best album, I love Rip Her To Shreds, which was the single. </p><p>In terms of design, it is simple and wonderful.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ab/DD_Action.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="311" data-original-width="320" height="311" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ab/DD_Action.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />10. Action - Desmond Dekker and The Aces <p></p><p>I just love this image. I have a special love of Desmond Dekker as my first date with the missus was seeing him at Dingwalls on New Years Eve 1985. </p><p>He was a cool dude and an amazing singer. This picture captures the energy and vibe of Desmond at his very best. I have few regrets, but I'd love to have seen Desmond in 1968 when the Israelites came out, but I was six years old.</p><p>Making a live action gig pic into a great album cover seems such a simple idea, but it is so rarely executed well. This and the Clash, are to me, the best examples. </p><p>------------------</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">-----</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br />If you fancy a night out, why not come and see my band, The False Dots on Sat 23rd March at the Beehive in Bow</p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tickets: </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://bit.ly/42qVHCN?fbclid=IwAR21JDyLtgaSMy1O7sbXUVn9hCaUkny5Yo_9Zip7tdTbz8nUJOBKvdIBzRA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2288bb; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">bit.ly/42qVHCN</a></span></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wMdedUoPnyc?si=2Ff60n2-D6clI91_" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><br /></p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-67663292820024197402024-03-01T11:01:00.002+00:002024-03-01T11:01:18.490+00:00Friday Fun 1st March 2024<p> So as is the way with us Barnet Bloggers, it's Friday so we have a joke, which I am once again indebted to Mr Robert Wilkinson for </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I guessed orange, but it was chocolate; I guessed toffee, but it was peanut; I guessed strawberry, but it was coffee.<br /><br />I was wrong on so many Revels.</p>— Robert Wilkinson (@robertwlk) <a href="https://twitter.com/robertwlk/status/1761795228531388658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p></p><p>We also do a round up of things to do in the Borough.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Live Music this weekend in the Borough of Barnet</span></b></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fri</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dyt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf0f0f; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=870562" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Jo Devall Jazz Songbird gig at The Builders Arms" class="leftfit" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/870562_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Jo Devall Jazz Songbird gig at The Builders Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="isnew" style="background-color: #ffffc0; border-radius: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(234, 206, 206); color: #e40909; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 9px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; vertical-align: baseline;">New</span><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/jodevalljazzsongbird" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jo Devall Jazz Songbird</a></strong> (Jazz, 4 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/buildersarms" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Builders Arms</strong>, New Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1.3 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8pm - 11pm</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry"></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fri</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dyt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf0f0f; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=870515" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Grace George gig at Lord Kitchener" class="leftfit" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/870515_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Grace George gig at Lord Kitchener" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="isnew" style="background-color: #ffffc0; border-radius: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(234, 206, 206); color: #e40909; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 9px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; vertical-align: baseline;">New</span><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gracegeorge" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Grace George</a></strong> (Acoustic Covers & Originals, Solo Artist) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/lordkitchenernewbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord Kitchener</strong>, New Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1.4 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8pm - 10pm</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fri</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dyt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #cf0f0f; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=858671" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Buzz gig at The Three Wishes" class="leftfit" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/858671_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Buzz gig at The Three Wishes" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/buzz" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Buzz</a></strong> (Covers 60s - present, 4 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/thethreewishes" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Three Wishes</strong>, Edgware</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">4.5 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - 11.30pm</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigodd" style="border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=853596" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The Runner Brothers gig at Butchers Arms" class="leftfit" data-src="gxb/16106_t.jpg?2" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxb/16106_t.jpg?2" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="The Runner Brothers gig at Butchers Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/runnerbrothers" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Runner Brothers</a></strong> (Rock Covers & Original, 4 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/butchersarmsbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Butchers Arms</strong>, Barnet</a><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">9pm - 11.30pm</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><article class="r" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><section class="secsep gigeven" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-bottom-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(220, 235, 200); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="new-cal" style="background-color: #ebebeb; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-sizing: border-box; color: #555555; float: left; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.9; margin: 0px 20px 0px 5px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; user-select: none; vertical-align: top; width: 70px;"><div class="new-dow" style="border-radius: 8px 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sat</div><div class="new-mon myc" style="background-color: #c80201; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 38px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mar</div><div class="new-day dynt" style="border-radius: 0px 0px 8px 8px; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; height: 37px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">2</div></div><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=863468&rd=2024-03-02" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Johno's Karaoke gig at The Kings Head" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/863468_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/863468_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Johno's Karaoke gig at The Kings Head" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/johnoskaraoke" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Johno's Karaoke</a></strong> (Karaoke) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/kingsheadbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kings Head</strong>, Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">0.2 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - midnight</td><td class="tabgi-fee" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right; vertical-align: top;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Free Entry">FREE!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></section></article><p><br /></p><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=865758&rd=2024-03-03" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Paul's Butchers Arms Jam gig at Butchers Arms" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/865758_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/865758_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Paul's Butchers Arms Jam gig at Butchers Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/paulsbutchersarmsjam" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Paul's Butchers Arms Jam</a></strong> (Rock and/or Blues and/or Pop) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/butchersarmsbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Butchers Arms</strong>, Barnet</a><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1168px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - 11pm</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><br /></p><p>And Finally, if you like a bit of Ska, why not do a trip out to Bow to see my Band, The False Dots on March 23rd. Here's a little preview of what you might expect <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">- </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tickets: </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://bit.ly/42qVHCN?fbclid=IwAR21JDyLtgaSMy1O7sbXUVn9hCaUkny5Yo_9Zip7tdTbz8nUJOBKvdIBzRA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2288bb; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">bit.ly/42qVHCN</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0oKN9Pv5j0" width="320" youtube-src-id="m0oKN9Pv5j0"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-11175134367326074722024-02-28T10:51:00.135+00:002024-02-28T12:50:05.238+00:00Rock and Roll Stories #6 - "Give up, you're S**T" - The joys of critical acclaim and press<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NrKJFgsv_wWLO3F-8hnnWc3lIusiAQhIRO5bgYgxBQ9_WBVXZJIHZg2qoBVFsFrYvdgMlQDKvgE3MV0knNb5JfeSBWbWWv5nu4_bIZ4mcNGvvBpr87XQ6sPL3UNsIgtt7uwSw7vZzreIE-xn_2JCWQHRVJtaKbO16pYbWA61VzS-o9yHVhA-IiW2w3c/s4018/IMG_3721.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="4018" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NrKJFgsv_wWLO3F-8hnnWc3lIusiAQhIRO5bgYgxBQ9_WBVXZJIHZg2qoBVFsFrYvdgMlQDKvgE3MV0knNb5JfeSBWbWWv5nu4_bIZ4mcNGvvBpr87XQ6sPL3UNsIgtt7uwSw7vZzreIE-xn_2JCWQHRVJtaKbO16pYbWA61VzS-o9yHVhA-IiW2w3c/w400-h143/IMG_3721.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally from Watford casts her verdict</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEgJebGoo4U8R8960SIs4S97WFsGLNg5D_6mO5Lkps_T5vQmLGeOV7d2cJqlI9nVR_Wt-Obcq41uzSl_K0JytUbk8wfJRAeswS8Cn6CkwvDRigyqc3tIK-Z5ssioc96JkLSGn9COkeU0VhzBEVDXZwR0MR-A0BNTo4ohrFlfDnj5syPON4MrwLFmssY4/s4032/IMG_3720.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEgJebGoo4U8R8960SIs4S97WFsGLNg5D_6mO5Lkps_T5vQmLGeOV7d2cJqlI9nVR_Wt-Obcq41uzSl_K0JytUbk8wfJRAeswS8Cn6CkwvDRigyqc3tIK-Z5ssioc96JkLSGn9COkeU0VhzBEVDXZwR0MR-A0BNTo4ohrFlfDnj5syPON4MrwLFmssY4/s320/IMG_3720.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I don't even remember who 'Sally from Watford' was. However, I was looking through "The False Dots File" AKA The Crapbook - my scrapbook of band clippings and thoughts and I found this note. It made me laugh and got me musing on the relationship between the bands, the music press and the roles of critics. BTW for clarity as I am dyslexic, her comment should have read "Give up, you're s**t". She wasn't the first critic to pass this, but she was the first we recorded. <div><br /></div><div>For the record, Line Up #4 of The False Dots was a very short lived version of the Dots from January 1980, with myself on guitar, Pete Conway on Bass and vocals and 'Deb' (Pete's fiancee) on drums. Pete had become a skinhead. Deb was also a skinhead. My Dad made a terrible faux pas mistaking Deb for Pete's younger brother. Deb and Pete had matching Suedehead cuts, shiny brown DM boots, turned up jeans, Harrington Jackets and Fred Perry shirts. When Pete went for something, he did it properly. He felt it was right to get the fashion references correct. My nickname was Tramp as I did the opposite. I'd rummage around in second hand shops, make my own T-Shirts and gete evrything deliberately wrong. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU60TgifFYnNa1EHNG42O9BUKntqxeQJ0KwsQYoq1hpr5r6jYJ9DNH7UIYEfd5YHnCGOGweRQrFZz-HElETs5SThTUHOXlDUQHwLadNqghzarDOks-N4A8sq4m0ciaFzAVU77B9G08rPP5y87uiQuR8ePeknfGjwmT7adHTXyiUzegwEiRTIRAV2Hh4E/s4032/IMG_3722.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU60TgifFYnNa1EHNG42O9BUKntqxeQJ0KwsQYoq1hpr5r6jYJ9DNH7UIYEfd5YHnCGOGweRQrFZz-HElETs5SThTUHOXlDUQHwLadNqghzarDOks-N4A8sq4m0ciaFzAVU77B9G08rPP5y87uiQuR8ePeknfGjwmT7adHTXyiUzegwEiRTIRAV2Hh4E/s320/IMG_3722.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>At the second rehearsal with Deb, Sally from Watford turned up and passed her verdict. She was right. Deb only lasted two weeks, when she split with Pete, she disappeared, never to be mentioned again, except for Pete blaming her for Sally's harsh verdict.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pete and myself had enormous ego's and we instantly thought that the reason anyone, especially Sally from Watford might dislike us, was simply because they were morons. We had an unshakeable belief that we were brilliant, even if all of the evidence was to the contrary. I think all artists have to think like that to survive, however arrogant it sounds. You need a thick skin and I was reminded of this on Sunday. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We went to see Rockabilly legends, The Delta's. I saw a mate of mine, Mandy Austin, who's brother Rob used to run Tape Copying Services, the cassette duplication service that was the backbone of the London underground music scene. Rob was a big fan of the band and put us on at a showcase gig he promoted at The Midland Arms (now the Claddagh ring). Mandy also promoted gigs at the Moonlight Club and put the Dots on. She got our single reviewed on the Dawn Parry show on 365 radio. The guest reviewer was legendary record producer Steve Lillilwhite - his verdict "It would be nice to hear the singer sing properly". I was a tad disappointed as I thought I did a fine job! I made a decision a very long time ago that I wasn't going to put on fake American accents or attempt Whitney Houston style vocal gymnastics. I want our songs to sound like North London. I think they suit the songs, but I've been around long enough to know that someone like Steve probably has a point. So what do you do? When Sally from Watford or Steve Lilliwhite doesn't like your music, do you give up and cry or do you say "You know what, I believe in what we do". </div><div><br /></div><div>So here is your chance to be a critic. Sadly I don't own a Tardis, so you'll never know if Sally from Watford was right, but you can decide whether you agree with Steve Lilliwhite. Have a listen and let us know</div><div><br /></div><div>
<iframe allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="352" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/1iJVlMV3wRc2TVElUyEFMP?utm_source=generator" style="border-radius: 12px;" width="100%"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div><div>The False Dots have had an interesting relationship with the press over the years. I've mentioned before our 1st review, in Xpert-I fanzine in August 1979. It said "The only thing more immature than their sense of humour is there music". I wish I could find a copy of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>In 1980, we started to get reviews etc in the local press in North London. They were always really supportive and we got great reviews. A series of writers at the Barnet Times and it's various titles such as Kevin Black, Joy Bentley and Clarence Mitchell all adopted us and liked what we did. I think they recognised that The False Dots were a band that drove the local music scene. We were always organising gigs, getting other bands on with us and putting on stunts that gave them a story. </div><div><br /></div><div>The music press proved a far more difficult nut to crack. All we really got was a few fleeting mentions in the gig listings. The one review we got was when we supported Tokyo Olympics at The Moonlight Club. I had a long chat with the reviewer, who told me he'd mention us if I gave him a tenner. He was true to his word. In the review it said "a local band called the False Dots were the support. They had a large suburban crowd, who followed them to the pub when Tokyo Olympics started, clearly not a bunch interested in music". I saw the reviewer a couple of times after and he ran away. On the third occasion, I collared him and he gave me my tenner back. I was so annoyed that I never kept the review. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were a few fanzines that made a mention in the early years. Generally these were positive, but most didn't know what to make of The False Dots. When Eleanor was singing with the band, one said "A pleasant enough sound, apart from the singer, who sounds like a cat being strangled". I chose not to share that with the poor love, I was tempted to when she attempted to sack me from the band for being no good in the Summer of 1983. I guess in light of that, things could be worse. In truth, when the band really needed press, I didn't properly understand how it all worked. I learned the hard way what you need to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the 1990's I was in band management. I was managing a band called The Sway. They were a pretty good band and had what I thought was an excellent single called "Going Blind". It featured Helen Terry on vocals. I bumped into a freelance writer, who did bits for the NME. I won't name him. I suggested that he come down and write a review of the band, saying they were brilliant. He said "I live in Essex, it'll cost me a tenner to come down and have a beer and watch them and I'll only get £25 if its published." I replied I'll give you £50 if you come down and get it. £25 on the night and £25 when it appears. He replied "OK". It worked. I realised that if you want a good review, a few readies helps no end. Have a listen, was it worth £50 to promote them?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVYbZHtsasI" width="320" youtube-src-id="kVYbZHtsasI"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Sadly these days, there is no such thing as a music press. It's all about podcasts, playlists etc. There is nothing to cut out and put in the scrapbook. The only way you really can judge how you are doing is look at the clicks or count the punters at gigs. We are doing OK on both counts. Our gigs get a decent crowd and our videos get watched. The most successful has been The Burnt Oak Boogie, which has had over 5,000 organic views.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c14ittcM5GQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="c14ittcM5GQ"></iframe></div><br /><div>It's got 23 nice comments and 66 thumbs ups, which I am told is rather good! I am told that now the secret is to get 'Influencers to like your music'. For a band like The False Dots, the influencers that might result in a hit are an elusive bunch! We are a niche band, we do well in small venues in North London and people who come to see us tend to come back. One of my dreams was to see The False Dots on the cover of the NME, but the NME bit the dust. I almost feel sorry for the new, up and coming bands today. How can you feel vindicated and that you've made it. I suppose being on telly at Glasto would do nicely, but for us back in the day, it would be a mention in the NME (preferably on the front page). Iconic shows such as Top of The Pops that your granny might catch you on have long gone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rock and Roll is and always was a dirty business. Young, up and coming bands that make it not only have to be good, they need savvy managers, who understand how to grease the wheels of the promotion and know the people to bung the wedge to. I do wonder how this now works that no one wants to deal in cash!</div><div><br /></div><div><p></p><br /><p><br /></p><p>.</p></div></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-84196279911926639312024-02-27T15:18:00.002+00:002024-02-27T15:18:51.781+00:00Lee Anderson does Sadiq Khan a massive favour<p> For me, the issue of Mayor Sadiq Khan is a very difficult subject. At the previous two Mayoral elections, he got my second preference vote. In 2016, this was a very easy decision. His Tory opponent, Zak Goldsmith ran a horrible campaign, which many felt had racist overtones. I've never voted Conservative in my life and Goldsmith reminded me why. By 2021, I'd got rather fed up with Khan. My main issues were that he seemed to have no vision for London, clearly had issues with outer London Boroughs ([passing some awful planning schemes in Barnet) and generally seemed to me to be a humourlous and overly spiky character. He was faced by Shaun Bailey, who initially seemed to me to be an interesting challenger. Sadly Bailey's campaign soon started to fall apart at the seams, the low point when a tweet was posted with a picture of Khan labelled as the "mad mullah of Londonistan". Whatever I may think of Khan, it was a horribly racist trope and even Bailey has since admitted it was beyond the pale.</p><p>Since 2021, Khan has done everything possible to convince me that he is simply unfit to be Mayor. I believe that the ULEZ extension was unfair, ill thought out and discriminatory towards the less well off workin people of London. Sadly for London, they have chosen Susan Hall as their candidate who is even worse than Khan and struggles to put two sentences together without putting her foot in it. </p><p>I attended a Lib Dem planning call and I suggested that the Lib Dems candidate should simply leaflet and poster the whole of London with "These two are useless, vote for me!" and they'd be onto a winner. Sadly, they don't listen to me. I genuinely believe that if there was a sensible alternative to either, they'd have a very good chance. I ama amazed that the Tories didn't find a proper A list candidate, as many people feel like I do about Khan. I suspect that the turnout will be lower than previously as people are disengaged from the process by the poor choice. </p><p>The rules have been changed, so that there is no second preference vote. This means that people like me are effectively disenfranchised. I would not vote for Khan or Hall as a first choice ever. At least the old system allowed me to express a point of view.</p><p>So that's how I feel about Khan and Hall. Yesterday, I got into work to hear an emerging Tory car crash, which I suspect may have put paid to any lingering hopes Susan Hall may have had of pulling off an upset. First of all, "30p" Lee Anderson, the former deputy chairman of the Tory party, had the whip removed for suggesting that Islamists had taken over London via Sadiq Khan. Much as I think Khan is useless, it was a ridiculous suggestion and clearly showed a not very overt racism. To make matters worse, the usually sensible former Minister for London Paul Scully piled in, claiming Tower Hamelts is a no go area when asked about Lee Andersons comments. For the record, I went a beer and a curry in Tower Hamlets recently. We had a pint at The Blind Beggar and a beer and a curry in Brick Lane. It may come as a surprise to 30p Lee and Mr Scully that no one declared Jihad against us. In fact we were made very welcome and fed royally ( as we always are). I used to work in Aldgate and know many of the Indian restaurants. Most of the staff are Bengali Muslims and all are hard working and pleasant. I simply do not recognise the words of Scully as having any basis in reality. As for Lee Anderson's claim. It is reprehensible. All sane and decent Tories have sought to distance themselves from it. Rishi Sunak admitted that Anderson was wrong, although in a mealy mouthed explanation, he said it wasn't 'Islamaphobia'. </p><p>Susan Hall has been forced to stop campaigning and clarify her position. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Let's come together. Sadiq Khan and I have lots of disagreements - but on this vital issue, we agree. Antisemitic and anti-Muslim hatred has no place in our city or in our politics. We must do everything we can to stamp it out.<a href="https://t.co/VdP4scwAI8">https://t.co/VdP4scwAI8</a></p>— Susan Hall AM (@Councillorsuzie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Councillorsuzie/status/1762100771762368621?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p></p><p>Whilst it is a good thing that the two of them can act like grown ups when needed, Lee Anderson has not done her campaign any favours. Having to say that your mortal opponent is actually a good egg is not really that helpful when you are trying to outs him.</p><p>The sad truth is that Lee Anderson has let the cat out of the bag about racism at the heart of the Tory party. With GLA and Mayoral elections coming up in London, a City which is as diverse as any on the planet, this will not play well with voters. It seems likely to me that Anderson will defect to the Reform Party. Whilst this will be a coup for Reform and help Labour immensely, my view is that ultimately it will damage both Reform and The Tories. It sends out the message that if you are too extreme for the Tories, then join Reform. Whilst Reform's agenda has the sympathy of a sizeable minority in the Tories, they are miles away from even winning a seat at a by election, let alone a general election. They will simply leach off votes that will add to the Tories woes. to my mind, the Tories are starting to resemble Labour in the early 1980's, when they elected unelectable ideologues as leaders for partisan reasons. </p><p>The bottom line for me, though, is that this unholy mess does nothing for London. </p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-83414589728737032442024-02-25T11:20:00.002+00:002024-02-25T11:22:57.047+00:00The Sunday Reflection #6 - Should we all be a bit more Stan Bowles?<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHIzOmhWsAAegs1?format=jpg&name=small" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GHIzOmhWsAAegs1?format=jpg&name=small" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stan Bowles at Manchester City in 1969</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Yesterday, former QPR legend (and ex Man City player), Stan Bowles passed away, aged 75, from alzheimers disease yesterday. I must confess, I shed a tear as I listened to Robert Elms eulogy for Stan on his show on BBC Radio London this morning, whilst reading Martin Samuels piece in the Sunday Times (which quoted Robert, who is a huge QPR fan and knew Stan). <div><br /></div><div>I love this picture of Stan from 1969. He looks like a member of Oasis and for many of us, players like Stan were as important as the rock and rollers of the day >>>>><br /><p></p><p>For football fans of my generation, Bowles was one of a generation of maverick players, who were brilliant, but were almost never picked for the national team, never got to play for the big clubs and didn't really get the silverware their talent deserved. They were seen as 'loose canons' who couldn't be trusted to put in a shift by the rigid, unimaginative managers of the day. Others on the list include Frank Worthington, Tony Curry, Charlie George and Rodney Marsh. England could have built a World Cup winning team around such talents, but they were discarded by the national team and England failed to even qualify for the World Cup in 1974 and 1978 as dull, reliable players huffed and puffed to little avail, as elsewhere, teams such as Holland, Brazil and Argentina thrived with maverick geniuses bamboozling flat footed defenders. </p><p>In the 1970's, I was lucky enough to see Stan Bowles play. He was worth the admission money. He had a deep spiritual connection with the Loftus Road fans. He was a player who would deliberately do things just to get the crowd going and they loved them for it. He nearly started a riot at Sunderland, knocking the FA Cup, which they'd won the season before and was on display at the ground, off its plinth. </p><p>Last night I had an interesting debate with several football fans about Bowles. There are two distinct schools of thought. There are the 'He should have got his head down and concentrated on football' type of fans, who see the gambling, girls and boozing as a horrific distraction, leading to a 'wasted career' and then there are those who, like me, celebrate the maverick. It was clear to me that Bowles, above all, loved playing football and did it as much for the joy as for the pay check. Bowles left Manchester City, in 1970, when the team were arguably the best in the country, following a punch up involving Malcolm Allison in a night club. </p><p>Some of the more serious fans I know, feel that players like Bowles let the side down, not training properly, getting drunk the night before games, etc. Then there are those of us who see the fact that Bowles was having a blast. Whatever Bowles did or didn't, he had a huge lust for life and enjoyed himself. I can totally get this. In my own life as a musician, I have at times chosen to play music I enjoy in a way I enjoy, when there were offers that would have delivered hard cash. All I had to do was knuckle down and be bland. No thanks.</p><p>The world is a far better place for the mavericks. The people who put having a life above conforming and following the rules. I'm now 61 and what is starting to be become apparant is that my old mates who were sensible and did the boring sensible things, like me are starting to realise we are running out of road. I may have 10-15 years of fully active life if I'm lucky before things like travel etc start becoming too much hassle. When my Mum was 81 and housebound, following a stroke, I asked her if she had any regrets. She said "No, I always made sure I did the things I wanted to do, I have friends who didn't and they are sitting at home looking back on a miserable life, don't do that".</p><p>I'm with Stan Bowles. I've enjoyed my life, as did Stan, before he couldn't. My advice to anyone is to "Be more Stan". DO what you have to but have some fun. The thing about Stan was, had he not been a maverick, he may or may not have had a better career, one tackle can end it, but he definitely would not have had as much fun or be remembered with such love</p><p>RIP Sir Stanley Bowles</p></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-87447834299108655252024-02-24T09:00:00.015+00:002024-02-24T09:00:00.138+00:00The Saturday List #430 - My top ten false economies<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://banksyexplained.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TESCO-VALUE-SOUP-CAN-2004-SOTHEBYS.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="601" height="400" src="https://banksyexplained.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/TESCO-VALUE-SOUP-CAN-2004-SOTHEBYS.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pic <a href="https://banksyexplained.com/tesco-value-soup-can-2004/">Tesco Value Soup Can, 2004 - Banksy Explained</a></td></tr></tbody></table>We've all done it at some point, haven't we? You know the feeling. You've had a hard day at work, you have a cold and you really fancy a bowl of nice soothing Heinz Tomato soup and some toast, you nip down to Tesco's (other supermarkets are available) to buy some and you see that the own economy brand is half the price, if you buy four tins. So rather than executing the plan, you decide to save some money, although actually you don't, because you've bought twice as many tins at which has ended up costing you twice as much. You get home, put the soup on the stove, put the toast in the toaster, when they are done, put them on a tray, and sit down to watch the news, with your tasty treat. The only problem is that the soup tastes nothing like Heinz. Rather than feeling comforted, you just feel worse! It is thin, watery and disgusting and you are lumbered with three tins of the stuff. In short, it is a false economy. <p></p><p>It got me thinking, what are the top ten worst false economies that you can buy. Here's my pick</p><p>1. Economy toilet paper. This is the worst. You see the price. Whereas the premium brands are a tenner for six, you can get 24 for a fiver. The only trouble is that when you get home, the sheets are tiny, and worse, when you've done your business and you go to clean up, your fingers go straight through. The ultimate yuk, but you only have yourself to blame for being a cheapskate.</p><p>2. Woolworths football boots. Sadly, this is something that future generations will never know the joy of. My mum was a cheapskate. She loved a bargain. As a result, when I was at school, my mates all had Adidas boots, but I had Winfield boots, the cheap Woolworths brand. I loved Woolworths, but their own brand clothes and shoes were awful. It was a source of much ridicule, quite apart from the fact that they would fall to bits after a couple of weeks.</p><p>3. Cheap Plonk. I like a nice glass of wine. I've given it up for lent. But over the years, on too many an occasion, I've been tempted by the price of the cheap plonk. You get it home, you light the candles, put on the Barry White and settle in for a romantic evening, then take a sip. Vinegar would be better. Worse than that, your beau knows you are a cheapskate.</p><p>4. Cheap Vacuum cleaners. I don't know how many times we've fallen for this one. Over the years, we've had a number of Henry vacuum cleaners. They are robust, well made and work well. But it seems that every time they finally pass away, we make the same mistake. We buy a cheap replacement, that doesn't work properly and breaks down after a couple of weeks. Never again (Until next time).</p><p>5. Cheap hotels. I've only done this once. You know the score. You want a few days away, but you want to keep costs low. You think a bit of sunshine will do the trick. SO you book the cheapest possible hotel. For me, this was in Thessoloniki in Greece. It was cheap. It was very cheap. Sadly, in the middle of the night, I was woken by mice and rats bouncing on the bed. Even worse, in the morning, I was covered in blisters where bugs had bitten me. I vowed 'never again'.</p><p>6. The cheap fried chicken shop. When I've had a couple of beers, I have to admit that I am partial to a bit of fried chicken. This dates back to when KFC opened in Colindale. We'd go out of our way to go there, as would half the drunks in North West London. It was the food of the gods. Sadly, KFC generated a whole raft of cheap knock off versions. A few years ago, I went for one in central London after a gig. I was starving. I went in, was given a box full of chicken and chips. As I left, I noticed a hygene rating of 1. Never mind, I thought. It has been deep fried. Sadly, when I took a bite, it was leathery and cold. The chicken had been standing for hours. Worse still, it wasn't cooked through. I just threw the whole lot in the bin. I like to think I spared myself Salmonella.</p><p>7. Cheap ham slices. When I was little, every Sunday Dad would take us to 'the Little Shop'. He'd buy freshly carved, thick sliced ham. It was delicious. We'd have it in sandwiches for tea. Mum would rant about the price. She decided to reign in the spending. She bought some cheap, sliced ham from Budgen and told Dad she'd already got some. When the sarnies were served, we greeted it with horror. Dad exclaimed that "this isn't ham, this is rubber". Mum realised that this wasn't a battle she'd win. I've studiously avoided such muck ever since.</p><p>8. Cheap own brand tea bags. I've always loved Typhoo, PG Tips and Tetleys tea. On occasion though, I've made the mistake of being seduced by cheap own brands. They taste like dishwater. Avoid at all costs.</p><p>9. Flowers from the garage. I think most guys have been there. We forget a birthday/valentines day/anniversary. We decided to repair the damage at the last minute. We nip into the garage, pick up a bunch of flowers and go home. Sadly we've forgotten to remove the £3.99 sticker and it is clear that not only are we a cheapskate, but we are a thoughtless one. They are usually half dead and by the time you get them home are wilting. Avoid at all costs.</p><p>10. Processed cheese. I love cheese. A mature cheddar, a nice bit of Roquefort, a good Stilton, to name a few. Sadly though, I have on occasion been seduced by the cheapness of processed cheese. It tastes of nothing and has a horrible after taste. The worst sort is the slices that they put on cheeseburgers, but just about any processed cheese is disgusting. </p><p>What are your top ten false economies. </p><p>-----</p><p><br />
If you fancy a night out, why not come and see my band, The False Dots on Sat 23rd March at the Beehive in Bow
</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wMdedUoPnyc?si=2Ff60n2-D6clI91_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-53066771501376792532024-02-23T11:16:00.002+00:002024-02-23T11:16:21.672+00:00Friday Fun 23rd February 2024<p> As is the tradition in the Barnet blogs, we have a Friday joke and short list of some of the things you can do this weekend in the London Borough of Barnet. Let's start with the joke. When I was at school, my careers teacher told that the way to impress potential employers was to make sure you go into the interview dressed in a way that will make an impression on the panel and stand out from the crowd. Sadly, when I turned up for an interview at Cricklewood British rail depot for a job as a diesel engineer, the Batman suit I'd bought specially for the interview turned out to be a mistake. </p><p>And on to the round up of great things to do in the Borough.</p><p>In this week when Barnet FC announce their intention to return to the Borough, why not watch some great football at Barnet's oldest club on Saturday, come down to Brickfield Lane (opposite The Gate Pub) for Hadley FC. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Back at Brickfield Lane on Saturday with the visit of <a href="https://twitter.com/AylesburyUtdFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AylesburyUtdFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/1LMMKxbqre">pic.twitter.com/1LMMKxbqre</a></p>— Hadley FC (@hadleyfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/hadleyfc/status/1760369433233731749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p></p><p><br /></p><p>Fancy some smokin' Jazz on Sunday in Finchley?<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent.flhr4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/424735453_3927868647444111_7607314624647851913_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=YBSkQgY9PQAAX_lHKL-&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr4-3.fna&oh=00_AfCf6ApDLOalX539gRAMgUkT3gBPziqoT_1kzUXgAvhbGw&oe=65DE2BEF" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://scontent.flhr4-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/424735453_3927868647444111_7607314624647851913_n.jpg?_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=YBSkQgY9PQAAX_lHKL-&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr4-3.fna&oh=00_AfCf6ApDLOalX539gRAMgUkT3gBPziqoT_1kzUXgAvhbGw&oe=65DE2BEF" width="400" /></a></div><p>Other gigs</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sat 24th February</span></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=858515" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="The Looters gig at Butchers Arms" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/858515_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/858515_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="The Looters gig at Butchers Arms" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/looters" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Looters</a></strong> (60s / 70s covers, 5 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/butchersarmsbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Butchers Arms</strong>, Barnet</a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1346px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="background-color: #fafff6; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="background-color: #fafff6; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">9.30pm - midnight</td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><strong style="background-color: #fafff6; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/horizon" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Horizon</a></strong><span face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafff6; font-size: 18px;"> (Rock Covers & Original, 4 piece) at </span><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/blackhorsebarnet" style="background-color: #fafff6; border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Black Horse</strong>, Barnet</a><span face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafff6; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="distance" face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">0.3 miles</span><span face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #fafff6; font-size: 18px;"></span></p><table class="tabgi" style="background-color: #fafff6; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1346px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - 11.30pm</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=833248" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Ripple Effect gig at East Barnet Royal British Legion Club" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/833248_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/833248_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Ripple Effect gig at East Barnet Royal British Legion Club" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/rippleeffect" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ripple Effect</a></strong> (Pop / Rock, 4 piece) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/eastbarnetroyalbritishlegionclub" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">East Barnet Royal British Legion Club</strong>, East Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">1.8 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1346px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">8.30pm - 11pm<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p><strong style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/dusktildawn" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dusk Til Dawn</a></strong><span face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> (Classic Rock, 5 piece) at </span><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/thethreewishes" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: blue; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Three Wishes</strong>, Edgware</a><span face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="distance" face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">4.5 miles</span><span face=""Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;"></span></p><table class="tabgi" style="background-color: white; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1346px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">9pm - 11.30pm</td></tr></tbody></table><p>.</p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday 25th February</span></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="imgfit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20px 5px 0px; max-width: 50%; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 150px;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/gig.php?id=859717" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Mark Warner in Full Swing gig at The Kings Head" class="leftfit" data-src="gxg/859717_t.jpg?1" height="150" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gxg/859717_t.jpg?1" style="border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top; width: 150px;" title="Mark Warner in Full Swing gig at The Kings Head" width="150" /></a></div><div class="subit" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Open Sans", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; margin: -8px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/markwarnerinfullswing" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark Warner in Full Swing</a></strong> (Swing, Solo Artist) at <a href="https://www.lemonrock.com/kingsheadbarnet" style="border: 0px; color: blue; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Kings Head</strong>, Barnet</a> <span class="distance" style="background-color: #dddddd; border-radius: 6px; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 3px 6px; text-wrap: nowrap; vertical-align: baseline;">0.2 miles</span><table class="tabgi" style="border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; clear: both; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 5px; vertical-align: top; width: 1346px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><tr style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td class="tabgi-info" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; width: 45px;"><img alt="info icon" class="it" height="25" role="button" src="https://www.lemonrock.com/gx/gig-info-ital2.svg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="gig details / share" width="25" /></td><td class="tabgi-time" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 10px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;">1pm - 4pm</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, a date for your diary, my band The False Dots are doing a gig on Sat 23rd March at the Beehive in Bow. Check out our trailer for it! - <span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tickets: </span><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://bit.ly/42qVHCN?fbclid=IwAR21JDyLtgaSMy1O7sbXUVn9hCaUkny5Yo_9Zip7tdTbz8nUJOBKvdIBzRA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2288bb; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">bit.ly/42qVHCN</a></span></div><div><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wMdedUoPnyc?si=7RRnCLXMADivjrij" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-87833568216304900972024-02-22T19:20:00.003+00:002024-02-22T19:20:41.986+00:00This government may well end my blogging career!The insspiration for starting to write blogs about politics, for me, was that I thought that the Tories running Barnet Council were useless, but the vast majority of people were unaware of this. Furthermore, I realised that there was no proper press coverage exposing just how bad they were. I spent a decade scrutinising council papers, doing my best to alert people to the mistakes the council were planning to make, trying to rustle up support locally to oppose the stupid policies that anyone who bothered to look, knew would cost Barnet residents a small fortune. Despite this blog clocking up nearly 4 million hits, not enough people listened to the warnings. The Tories won the Council elections in 2010, 2014 and 2018 and introduced the devastating scheme that became known as One Barnet. When they were finally booted out in 2022, they left a devastated and demoralised council that was struggling to provide basic services. There period in charge had been so bad that OFSTED made them bring in Essex Council to sort out their educational services. <div><br /></div><div>Labour won a landslide in 2022, but took over a council in such chaos that even the most competent of administrations would have struggled, and no one would ever accuse Barnet Labour of being particulary competent. I have found it rather difficult to write blogs condemning Labours ineptitdue, as I realise that they have been bequeathed a shit sandwich and I don't envy them. Some of the things they are doing are really stupid, such as bidding for the 'London Borough of Culture' when the Borough doesn't even have an established music venue and the local music festivals, such as the East Barnet Festival are struggling to survive. My view is that they'd have been better off giving the festival money, than the expensive consultants engaged to make the bid. Compared to the mistakes of the last Tory administration, it is small beer. Some of the things they tried to do, such as ending after school respite care for the parents of heavily disabled children at Mapledown Special School were plain inhuman. To the extent that it was blocked by a revolt by formerly loyal Tory Councillors (all of whom were deselected). </div><div><br /></div><div>I keep an eye on Barnet Council, but I don't have the time or inclination to snipe at small stupidities. I am sure that sooner or later, the Tories will find a blogger to do that for them. As for National government, I've not really blogged too much about them. Not so much because I have no opinions, but because there was coverage and it was far better than I could offer. I broke this rule as chaos enveloped the Government as Boris Johnson rose to power. The reason for this was a I had a source at the heart of his government (a source that has now run dry). The source was not sympathetic to my viewpoint, but it suited them to get information in the public domain. It also suited me to highlight the splits in the Tories. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I assumed that Boris Johnson was an abberation, an outlier, a bumbling populist maverick, who the Tories chose to get their electoral fortunes back on track after the shambles that was Theresa May's reign. When Boris was elected in 2019, I thought that he was lucky to have been elected at a time when the economy was generally sound. I doubted that Boris could bugger it up too much. I also assumed that the Labour party was done for a generation. The Corbyn era had destroyed it's credibility in the country. As Boris had a massive majority, I thought he'd give us a couple of years of bonkers Tory ideolgical policies, then a couple of years of retrenchment, to strengthen the Tories electoral position, in time for an election last year that he'd romp home in. The pandemic put paid to that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Within a year, it was clear that Boris was toast. What came next shcoked even me. The Liz Truss debacle. To see a hard right Tory skewered by the free markets she espoused would have been hilarious, if it hadn't cost me a fortune in higher taxes and interest rates. When Rishi Sunak replaced her, I assumed we'd get a sensible, pragmatic and rather boring leader, who would get the countries finances back on track. Last week, we found that the UK is yet again in recession. The man I thought would be a competent, if undynamic, manager turned out to simply be a man out of his depth. It is now clear that he appeared to be a good chancellor because Boris was his boss. His chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who does at least have an air of competence, has been doing his best to face off the Liz Truss faction of the Tory party, seeking tax cuts the country can't afford. Hunt reminds me of the adage "In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king". </div><div><br /></div><div>Then there is Sir Keir Starmer. Anyone who doesn't recognise the achievement of making Labour appear electable does not understand politics. Starmer has made a whole career of saying nothing and having no opinions. He's been leader for nearly four years and I have no idea who he really is. He seems to have taken the Tony Blair playbook and removed the messianic zeal that Blair brought to the table. What will Starmer be like, if he makes it to be Prime Minister. At one point, I would have said "He can't be any worse than what went before", but I thought that after Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson and Truss and in their own way, each has been a downgrade. </div><div><br /></div><div>The problem as a blogger is that justs pouting negative opinions is perhaps the least interesting thing that it is possible to read. Someone recently asked why I am 'not covering politics anymore'. If you look at this year, this is not entirely true. This year, I've posted four politics related blogs, four more than the rest of the Barnet bloggers have written about politics etc (Mr Mustard has kept up his output of parking related blogs). But I've never blogged for the sake of it. The things I write about are things I find interesting and that others may as well. This blog has given me an extraordinary platform, the thousands of hits I get are a privilege that I appreciate. I don't take the people who read it for granted, but I also feel a responsibility to write blogs that have something to say that you won't read anywhere else. The things that interest me currently are music, the environment, Football (especially grassroots football), Barnet transport issues and the silly things that make life liveable. I find it almost impossible to find anything interesting to write about local or national politics. The biggest problem with this government is that you can write a blog and a week later, it is completely out of date as they've lurched into another crisis. </div><div><br /></div><div>I must add one thing about Barnet politics. Prior to the election, several Barnet Labour Councillors were very friendly with me and we'd have nice chats occasionally. They don't want to know now. One recently got themself into a spot of bother, having made some rather unwise comments on Twitter. Two years ago, I'd have spoken up for them, when the inevitable nasty comments came from the likes of disgraced Tory Brian Coleman. Having realised that they viewed me as a 'useful idiot' when Labour were seeking power in Barnet and now they are in they have no use of me, I was not in the least inclined to chip in and say "Hang on, this is a bit out of order coming from someone convicted of assault". It seems to me that Labour think that they've got the Hendon and Finchley Parliamentary seats sown up and so want to keep 'loose cannon bloggers' at arms length. I am quite happy to leave them to it, as it means I can get on with stuff I enjoy. I am not sure whether Rishi and Barnet Labour have effectively cured me of my urge to blog about politics, but writing about other things is far more fun.</div><div>------</div><div><br /></div><div>Talking of which, my band, The False Dots are doing a gig on Sat 23rd March at the Beehive in Bow. Check out our trailer for it! <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tickets: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x1ejq31n xd10rxx x1sy0etr x17r0tee x972fbf xcfux6l x1qhh985 xm0m39n x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://bit.ly/42qVHCN?fbclid=IwAR21JDyLtgaSMy1O7sbXUVn9hCaUkny5Yo_9Zip7tdTbz8nUJOBKvdIBzRA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">bit.ly/42qVHCN</a></span></div><div><br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wMdedUoPnyc?si=7RRnCLXMADivjrij" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</div><div><br /></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-41240713727294959212024-02-21T15:01:00.001+00:002024-02-21T15:01:17.948+00:00Rock and Roll Stories #6 - "You got a demo tape son?""You got a demo tape son?". This was the question everyone in a band in the late 1970's/early 1980's hoped you'd be asked, when any person in the music business heard you were in a band. I was chatting with Sean from the London International Ska Festival recently, discussing the way the live music scene has changed, one of the biggest is that no one has asked me for a demo tape for decades. Demo cassettes were the staple of the underground music scene back then, in todays story we look at how we made our first one!<div><br /></div><div>When the False Dots were formed in 1979, promoters were desperate for up and coming bands playing original material. These were secured after a supplying a demo tape and there was a whole industry in London supporting the demo industry. A working band like The False Dots would need 20-30 cassettes of any demo for the purposes of securing gigs etc. I suspect most bands went in the bin, without even a listen. </div><div><br /></div><div>For us, we'd be paid a reasonable amount of money to appear on bills at shows, so it was a valid expense. We were quite popular with promoters, as we had a following. It meant that we got offered good support slots with several high profile bands, usually from out of town. It was a quid pro quo. We'd play and bring and audience and the band playing with us would bring down music press, record labels and other music industry bigwigs. For us, the idea was that some of these would come early, see the band and be blown away, offering us record deals and riches beyond imagine. The only flaw in the plan was that usually, if they came at all, they would turn up for the last ten minutes of the main band. They'd never even see us. Promoters would promise us that we'd get 'great exposure' and that it would be a 'brilliant opportunity', saying how important it was to ensure that we brought as many people down as possible, so that the bigwigs would see just how popular we were. <div><br />We didn't mind bringing down people, as we loved an audience and the early shows were always a brilliant laugh, usually followed by a big party, but sadly we never got to meet the bigwigs or even get any press in those early days, gigs were reviewed with no mention of us at all. But despite these knock backs a demo tape was vital for us, as we were desperate to play as many gigs as possible. We knew that the better the quality of the demo, the better the gigs we'd be offered. When we started the band, we had no idea at all how to do anything. We couldn't play, we had no idea about how to properly structure songs, we didn't know how demo's were made. Almost as soon as we started rehearsing in 1979, we started enquiring about getting gigs. Our holy grail was to get a gig at The Moonlight Club in West Hampstead. Pete (who I founded the band with) and I would go there more or less every week. We knew the promoters, the doormen and the bar staff. We'd seen all manner of excellent bands there, including The Damned, Manicured Noise and The Monochrome Set being just a few. Although not having the status of The Marquee or the 100 club, we realised that it was a far more attainable. We saw it as a stepping stone. When we spoke to them, they said "No problem, just pop in a demo and we'll be more than happy to put you on, IF IT'S ANY GOOD".</div><div><br /></div><div>After a month of rehearsals, we were ready. Pete brought his portable cassette player down and we played our three best songs (from our Dots MK I rubbish era). As I recall, these were the rather imaginatively titled "Bone", "Wrong" and "Political warning". We set up in our rehearsal studio, at the caretakers cottage, in Bunns Lane Works, and for each one, we'd be quiet and then Pete would press record, shout 1-2-3-4 and we'd launch into 2 minutes of punk rock chaos. Sadly, the band had missed the boat for that sort of punk rock by two years (if ever there was a boat for badly played slogans shouted over out of tune guitars). We were quite excited when we listened back. We were so wrapped up in what we were doing, that we simply didn't see how awful it was.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was still at school back then. I'd moved from Finchley Catholic High School to Orange Hill School, the previous September. This was probably the only smart move I made with regards to my education. I found myself in a school where there were several decent bands. The best and most high profile of these were The Polecats. When I arrived, almost immediately, I became mates with Polecats guitarist Boz Boorer. I wasn't into Rockabilly at all, but Boz loved punk. He was also amazing company. His band had done a couple of gigs and the singer, Tim Worman's Dad had become their manager and was doing all of the things you need to do to make a young band successful. </div><div><br /></div><div>Often, I'd go around to Boz's parents home with him and listen to records. Boz carried a cassette player with him everywhere and when he wasn't listening to vinyl at home, he was playing cassettes in the OHS common room. I had huge respect for what Boz was doing with the Polecats and soon realised that his band were doing the right things. So it was only natural that Boz was the first person I played the cassette to. I was really excited and expected Boz to be blown away by it. I naively thought that Boz would realise that he should be doing punk rather than Rockabilly when he heard our amazing demo. I chose my moment and sprung it on him, over a cup of tea in his mum's front room. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3t6VdM06U6goxm8cYVLwehQzwHpMvPjQPFoYnB98d3O8QZvXo_YwO7pnezjTOIJXFMw1qK3BrMNEU4PED2BIyH37oSJEHXkIlz9kzzsWtty1GqHz06u9BqG5xy4dtTdTMD6PZ2GvOG65ShLBCh64tudIvehhHg_tUs0dkhkZ3Aev3Dqs8lMO_4XUP4I/s400/360_827c5acd24180fd45a64b22e9410bc68.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3t6VdM06U6goxm8cYVLwehQzwHpMvPjQPFoYnB98d3O8QZvXo_YwO7pnezjTOIJXFMw1qK3BrMNEU4PED2BIyH37oSJEHXkIlz9kzzsWtty1GqHz06u9BqG5xy4dtTdTMD6PZ2GvOG65ShLBCh64tudIvehhHg_tUs0dkhkZ3Aev3Dqs8lMO_4XUP4I/s320/360_827c5acd24180fd45a64b22e9410bc68.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>To his credit, Boz was very diplomatic. He didn't say "Its crap". He said "The recording quality isn't good enough to play to anyone". I was crestfallen, but he continued "My band have just done a demo at a proper recording studio, have a listen to this. This is the quality you need". He played me the demo, recorded at Alan Warner, of the Foundations, Lane studios. The first track was Rockabilly Guy. As soon as I heard it, I realised he was right (the demo became The Polecats first single on Nervous Records). Boz kindly made me a copy and suggested I play it to the rest of the band, to show what quality you needed. </div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately realised what he was saying. We had a rehearsal a couple of days later. I brought Boz's tape and explained what he'd said. The reaction from Pete was the complete opposite of what I was expecting. He went mad and said that Boz didn't get punk rock. Furthermore, he insisted we do a pun cover of Rockabilly Guy to show them how it should be done. Dave the drummer kept his counsel. Not only did Pete take huge umbrage, he was determined to prove Boz was wrong. To my amazement, he did just that. A couple of weeks later, he announced that The False Dots had secured a gig supporting The UK Subs in Derby in the summer on the basis of the tape. Pete knew the singer of the Subs, Charlie Harper and used to go to all of their gigs. Clearly Harper was doing us a favour, but Pete was adamant that it was proof that Boz was an idiot who didn't understand Punk Rock. Sadly, the gig never happened. Our drummer Dave was attacked in Mill Hill Broadway by a gang of thugs, severing a tendon in his arm. The original line up never recovered and we broke up on 3rd September 1979. </div><div><br /></div><div>Three months later, I bumped into Pete and we had a long chat. Pete, to my surprise, admitted that Boz was right about the demo. We determined that the False Dots MK II would be a 'proper band', record a 'proper demo' and try and get 'proper gigs'. The Polecats had signed to Mercury Records and were on Top of The Pops shortly after. The False Dots set about getting things together 'properly'. We agreed that we'd only play songs that we were 100% happy with and the first target was to get three songs together of a quality to record with Alan Warner, as that was clearly the first step to a record deal. By 1980, it was clear that the punk sloganizing of the False Dots Mk I was very passe. We'd started listening to a far wider range of music and records. Pete wanted to play reggae, but we simply couldn't get the right groove. We settled on a sort of dark pop, influenced by The Velvet Underground, The Buzzcocks and avant guard punks Wire. The first song of the new world was Not All She Seems, a tale of a transvestite prostitute and her struggles to fit into society and the exploitation she faced. This was swiftly followed by Ride, which was the flip side. It was about a young, naïve man, who falls in love with a prostitute and is too blinded by passion to realise she's only doing it for the cash. The third song, Her Little World, was perhaps the nastiest song that band ever wrote (Alan Warner later described it as 'a brilliant song, but the most horrible thing I've ever heard'). We wanted to be controversial. The song was written about The Yorkshire Ripper, who was at large at the time and murdering women. We'd seen a news documentary about the case. A professor of psychology had stated that the Ripper would not be caught until the Police understood what made him tick, what motivated him and why he was doing it. Pete came up with the brilliant idea of writing a song from his point of view. His reasoning was that the Police were totally incompetent and the song would provide a massive boot up their backside. Although his reasoning was 100% sound, it is a horrible song that I still feel uncomfortable listening to. The idea that a punk rock song would change Yorkshire Police forces tactics was also mildly optimistic. </div><div><br /></div><div>We wrote a few other songs, then started rehearsing. Paul Marvin, son of Hank of the Shadows joined on drums. We got to rehearse in Hank's pad in Radlett, which was amazing. Paul Hircombe had joined on rhythm guitar. Paul was a great musician and a big asset. Hank came in and jammed with us. He suggested the riff for Not All She Seems, if we ever have a hit with it, I'll give him a credit! He gave me plenty of sound advice "Always make an effort to look good for a gig, always wear good shoes and a simple, jangly guitar riff is far better than a complicated riff that people can't hum or sing". We were ready, or so we thought, for the demo. </div><div><br /></div><div>I badgered Boz, who by now was a busy man with the Polecats. I got him to take me around to Alan Warners. Boz hadn't heard the new stuff and was a tad reticent, but being a good mate did anyway. We knocked on Alan's door and Boz said "This is my mate Rog, he's got a punk band who want to record a demo". We drank tea and chatted. Boz, perhaps wisely suggested that Alan nip down and have a listen. I suspect that Alan assumed that as I was a mate of Boz's, I'd be a pretty good player and the band would be a tight, professional outfit. When he came down to the cottage, I suspect the penny dropped. Whenever anyone he didn't know turned up, Pete would put on a bit of a show for them and was rather obnoxious. He could be a very intimidating person at times. I was really pissed off with him, but we played the numbers to Alan. He made us play them a couple of times and then said "I'll have a think about it". I was really pissed off with Pete. He explained that anyone who worked with us, had to buy into what we were about. There was no point going into the studio, if they slung us out when we started arguing, as we inevitably would. I've come to realise that Pete was actually right. So many bands screw up because when people get involved, they can't take the intensity of the situation. But at the time I was not experienced and was just plain embarrassed. </div><div><br /></div><div>A couple of days later, I rang up Alan and suggested having a beer with him at The Railway pub to discuss the recording. I expected him to make excuses, but he agreed. We went to the Railway, had a few beers and he gave me his considered opinion. Alan hadn't been put off by Pete's antics. He had worked with enough people in rock and roll to know that it wasn't like the vicars tea part. To my surprise, he also liked the songs and the energy of the band. He then asked "what do you want out of the session?". I replied that we wanted a demo that would be good enough to get us gigs. His response shocked me slightly. He said "Well you need a new drummer". I explained that Paul was the son of Hank and that might open doors, but he said "A dodgy demo will only shut doors". He then mentioned that he had a mate who would be ideal. A bit older than us, but a great drummer. He also explained the process of recording. He'd bring his rig down to the studio at the cottage to do the 'backing tracks', as he couldn't record drums at his studio, as it was in a bedroom. We'd then do the overdubs at his place. He asked if we'd thought about harmonies and other overdubs. I hadn't really got a clue what he was on about, so I said "We'll sort this out once we've got the backing tracks". After a few pints we made our way off. He said he'd get the new drummer Dav, to get in touch. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA8wVTbYRo_tNRVTxYKwliGRvTfcv4DbWW_xj5IKaCxVfyUkgB47i4TL4j-M2qPjavzR8W3d6AA-45EugyR0jMuuRWCCRPu-_PLgEFtajg5uqJ5ybprO6eZJrnTzPmhqvT6aJaIDZGbAobSTUItP6Hdifrno1qVdA1VKShU3x_5X5kp1-Ne21ufiLhHY/s4032/IMG_3695.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA8wVTbYRo_tNRVTxYKwliGRvTfcv4DbWW_xj5IKaCxVfyUkgB47i4TL4j-M2qPjavzR8W3d6AA-45EugyR0jMuuRWCCRPu-_PLgEFtajg5uqJ5ybprO6eZJrnTzPmhqvT6aJaIDZGbAobSTUItP6Hdifrno1qVdA1VKShU3x_5X5kp1-Ne21ufiLhHY/s320/IMG_3695.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>I then arranged to meet Pete to discuss Alan's feedback. I half expected another hissy fit, but he totally agreed. Initially, we'd keep Paul Marvin in the band, but Dav would be the drummer for the demo. As soon as we had the first rehearsal, this went out of the window. Dav was brilliant. The band sounded like a proper band. We'd started the Dot's Mk II in January and the recording was set for June. Having a focus paid off. On the appointed day, Alan came down. Our studio was a derelict caretakers cottage, the band set up in the kitchen and Alan set up his desk in the front room. He recorded drums, bass, rhythm guitar and a guide vocal live. As I played lead I had nothing to do, I was simply keeping an eye on things and conveying messages between Alan and the band. Pete DI'd his bass, for replacement later and Paul did the same. The band listened on headphones, to stop track bleed. We did a take of Not all She Seems. It was brilliant. Pete had been cynical about it all. When he heard it, he was gobsmacked. We were pretty tight, so we easily managed to get the three songs down. Afterwards, we all adjourned back to The Railway. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pete who had been a bit off with Alan when he first came down, was now his best mate. Dav said he was amazed at how good it was sounding. Paul was pretty quite, he was always pretty quiet though. We did it on a Saturday and Pete, Paul and myself went around to Alans in the week to do the overdubs. Pete did the bass first, then Paul put his rhythm guitar on and I put my lead on. Pete then put his vocals. It sounded amazing. Pete and Paul were chuffed. Then Alan asked if we wanted any overdubs. Pete said "No, leave it like that, it's fine". I said "What do you recommend?". Pete scowled at me. I said "At least listen to what Alan has to say". Alan suggested that Pete double track the vocals, which would give it a fuller, more even sound. We did this and the four hour slot we'd booked was over. Alan ran off a tape, which I took. He suggested we come back and 'mix it properly'. Pete was cynical, thinking it was perfect. We provisionally booked another date in for the next week, when we had 'fresh ears' for the mix. </div><div><br /></div><div>I took it home, had a listen and thought it lacked something. It was a million times better than anything we'd done before, but there was scope for improvement. The next day, I spoke to Pete. I said "The Velvet Underground put acoustic guitar on a lot of their tracks, why don't we put it on Not all She Seems and Ride". Pete was a bit dismissive and suggested I was becoming a hippy. I said "I'll pay to do it and if you don't like it, we can take it off". Pete agreed. I then phoned Alan and borrowed an acoustic guitar, explaining that I'd be doing this on my own. Paul them asked if he could tag along. Unlike Pete, he was not argumentative, so I was happy for him to come. He had a great ear. I put a pretty basic strummed acoustic on it. Paul loved it. Alan also said it was pretty cool.</div><div><br /></div><div>We then arranged for the mixing. Dav was invited and brought a young lady with him. Pete spent the entire session trying to chat her up, which was infuriating for me. The main thing though, was that the demo sounded great. When it was finished, we took a master tape and a couple of cassettes. I took it home and played it to my sister, she was amazed. Her first comment was that "Alan must be really good at recording to make you sound like a band". </div><div><br /></div><div>I then took it around to Boz's place. I played it to him and he was very complimentary, saying "I told you Alan was good". We then started to work out a full set of music. We had the demo, now we just needed a set that could live up to it. We were working really hard. By September, we had almost got a set together of music that we could play live. The new school year started. I brought the demo in. Those who had laughed at our previous efforts stopped laughing. A couple of other bands asked for Alan's details to record their band. I was feeling supremely confident. We had the demo, we had the set. We were ready. <br /><br /></div><div>Then, in mid September, Pete announced he was leaving the band. He had a new girlfriend and decided that he didn't have time for music anymore. I was gutted, I cannot begin to explain how much. However the demo had made people take notice. Craig, an excellent guitarist, in the year below at Orange Hill had heard it and loved it. When he heard Pete had left, we spoke and the False Dots MkIII was born. Sadly, that demo never realised it's ambition for the Dots MkII , despite having spent over £100 on it. Having said that, it was perhaps the most important moment in the history of The False Dots at that point. I knew that our songs were good enough and if we recorded them properly, there was a future for the band. About two weeks after Craig joined, I was at The Moonlight Club. I was chatting to the promoter, as usual, when he asked how the band was going. I said "We've done a brilliant demo, but decided our singer wasn't up to it, so we've got a new singer and we'll be ready for gigs in the new year". They asked for a copy, which I handed over. It was a battered TDK cassette. They suggested that I get "proper cassette copies made in future" and mentioned a company called Tape Copying Services in Barnet. I hadn't realised that you could do such a thing. TCS probably duplicated demo's for every up and coming band in North London.</div><div><br /></div><div>A week later, I saw the promoter and they said "Give me a bell when you are ready to play, the band is pretty good". After a couple of weeks, Pete rejoined the band as singer, deciding he'd made a mistake. Paul switched to bass guitar. Craig took over on lead. We arranged our own gig at Harwood Hall for December 1980. Pete let us down on the day, which was the end of our musical relationship and friendship. We booked another session at Alan's studio for January. We'd learned a lot and that turned out even better, with the band finally starting to gig regularly in 1981, but that is another story. </div><div>-----</div><div>The False Dots are still going 45 years on. Our next gig is at the Beehive, in Bow on Saturday 23rd March. Here is a little trailer for it that we made, click here for tickets.</div><div><br /></div><div><h1 class="css-1fbzdvh-H1Container ejg0rhn1" data-e2e="browse-video-desc" style="background-color: rgba(22, 24, 35, 0.03); box-sizing: border-box; color: #161823; fill: rgb(22, 24, 35); font-family: TikTokFont, Arial, Tahoma, PingFangSC, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; user-select: unset; word-break: break-word;"><a href="https://www.seetickets.com/event/underground-sound-presents-the-beehive/the-beehive-at-bow-bow/2940927?src=the%20false%20dots">TICKETS CLICK HERE</a></h1></div><div><br /></div><div><br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3k9GVMtJ7x/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius: 3px; border: 0px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 0px 0px 1px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15) 0px 1px 10px 0px; margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px; width: calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding: 16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3k9GVMtJ7x/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank"> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0px;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0px auto 12px; width: 50px;"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g fill-rule="evenodd" fill="none" stroke-width="1" stroke="none"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0px;"></div> <div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px;"><div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12.5px; margin-left: 2px; margin-right: 14px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px); width: 12.5px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style="border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; border-left-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 6px; border-left: 6px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; border-top: 2px solid transparent; height: 0px; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg); width: 0px;"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 8px; border-right: 8px solid transparent; border-top-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 8px; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); transform: translateY(16px); width: 0px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; transform: translateY(-4px); width: 16px;"></div> <div style="border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 8px; border-left: 8px solid transparent; border-top-color: rgb(244, 244, 244); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 8px; border-top: 8px solid rgb(244, 244, 244); height: 0px; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px); width: 0px;"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0px 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3k9GVMtJ7x/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The False Dots (@thefalsedots)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-73723259261348464222024-02-19T19:34:00.002+00:002024-02-19T19:34:36.889+00:00A summary of the career of 'Dr' Matthew Offord's career as MP for HendonIf you live in the Hendon Parliamentary constituency, for the last fourteen years your MP has been 'Dr' Matthew Offord ( although if you need some ointment for your lumbago, I wouldn't visit him. He has got a perfectly valid doctorate in Geography). He has decided that the Torys are going to get booted out and has decided to stand down at the next election. I was going to compile a list of his achievements as an MP since 2010, but I can think only think of a single thing. What he didn't deliver is far more telling. Among the things he promised the residents of Mill Hill in 2010 was a cheese shop in Mill Hill Broadway, step free access at the Thameslink Station and an end to the economic failure of the Labour party, saying that the Tories would deliver sound economic management and economic growth. The only thing he delivered, as far as a I can recall, was Brent Cross West station, that I've yet to see a single person use and which has added two minutes to the journey time from Mill Hill to central London, but I am sure one day it will be a useful hub, so I will grudgingly give him that. <div><br /></div><div>As for his record voting in Parliament, he voted against equal marriage, comparing it to marrying your pet dog. Here are a few other highlights of his voting on various issues</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 id="social" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Social Issues <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#social" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="allowing marriage between two people of same sex" data-policy-direction="consistently voted against" data-policy-group="social" data-policy-id="6686" data-policy-party-direction="generally voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="2.612708" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Consistently voted against allowing <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">marriage</span> between two people of same sex<a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6686" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6686" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">0 votes for, 7 votes against, between 2014–2019. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (12 votes, between 2013–2019).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="laws to promote equality and human rights" data-policy-direction="generally voted against" data-policy-group="social" data-policy-id="6703" data-policy-party-direction="generally voted against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.065974088607595" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Generally voted against laws to promote <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">equality and human rights</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6703" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6703" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2 votes for, 15 votes against, 3 absences, between 2011–2022. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (23 votes, between 2011–2022).</a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 id="environment" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Environmental Issues <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#environment" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="higher taxes on plane tickets" data-policy-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-group="environment" data-policy-id="6699" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.023322910638298" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Almost always voted for higher <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">taxes on plane tickets</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6699" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6699" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">10 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, between 2013–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (17 votes, between 2012–2017).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods" data-policy-direction="generally voted against" data-policy-group="environment" data-policy-id="6704" data-policy-party-direction="generally voted against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.002351333333333" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Generally voted against financial incentives for <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">low carbon</span> emission <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">electricity generation</span> methods<a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6704" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 56.1406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6704" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2 votes for, 4 votes against, between 2012–2018. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (11 votes, between 2011–2018).</a></li></ul></div><div><h2 id="education" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Education <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#education" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="university tuition fees" data-policy-direction="consistently voted for" data-policy-group="education" data-policy-id="1052" data-policy-party-direction="consistently voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.038659" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Consistently voted for university <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">tuition fees</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=1052" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=1052" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">5 votes for, 0 votes against, between 2010–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (5 votes, between 2010–2017).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="ending financial support for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education" data-policy-direction="consistently voted for" data-policy-group="education" data-policy-id="6682" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.0539216" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Consistently voted for ending <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">financial support</span> for some 16-19 year olds in training and further education<a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6682" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 46.7031px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6682" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2011. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (2 votes, in 2011).</a></li></ul></div><div><h2 id="health" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Health <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#health" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="allowing terminally ill people to be given assistance to end their life" data-policy-direction="voted against" data-policy-group="health" data-policy-id="6732" data-policy-party-direction="generally voted against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.222727" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Voted against allowing <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">terminally ill people</span> to be given <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">assistance to end their life</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6732" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 46.7031px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6732" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">0 votes for, 1 vote against, in 2015. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted against (1 votes, in 2015).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="smoking bans" data-policy-direction="generally voted for" data-policy-group="health" data-policy-id="811" data-policy-party-direction="voted a mixture of for and against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="1.118852" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Generally voted for <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">smoking bans</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=811" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=811" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2 votes for, 1 vote against, 1 absence, between 2010–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (4 votes, between 2010–2015).</a></li></ul></div><div><h2 id="foreignpolicy" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Foreign Policy and Defence <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#foreignpolicy" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="replacing Trident with a new nuclear weapons system" data-policy-direction="consistently voted for" data-policy-group="foreignpolicy" data-policy-id="984" data-policy-party-direction="consistently voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.0338879" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Consistently voted for replacing <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">Trident</span> with a new nuclear weapons system<a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=984" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=984" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">5 votes for, 0 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs consistently voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2019).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="investigations into the Iraq war" data-policy-direction="has never voted on" data-policy-group="foreignpolicy" data-policy-id="975" data-policy-party-direction="" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Has never voted on <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">investigations</span> into the Iraq war<a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=975" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 33.2031px;">Details</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=975" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">0 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 absence, in 2016.</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="use of UK military forces in combat operations overseas" data-policy-direction="consistently voted for" data-policy-group="foreignpolicy" data-policy-id="6688" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.052786262962963" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Consistently voted for use of <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">UK military forces</span> in combat operations overseas<a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6688" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6688" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">6 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2013–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (8 votes, between 2010–2015).</a></li></ul></div><div><h2 id="taxation" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Taxation and Employment <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#taxation" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="higher taxes on alcoholic drinks" data-policy-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-group="taxation" data-policy-id="6694" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.054916687707641" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Almost always voted for higher taxes on <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">alcoholic drinks</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6694" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6694" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">16 votes for, 4 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2017. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted for (25 votes, between 2010–2017).</a></li></ul></div><div><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="raising the threshold at which people start to pay income tax" data-policy-direction="generally voted for" data-policy-group="taxation" data-policy-id="6680" data-policy-party-direction="generally voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.048428294117647" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Generally voted for raising the threshold at which people start to pay <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">income tax</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6680" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6680" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">28 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 absence, between 2011–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (34 votes, between 2011–2021).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="lower taxes on fuel for motor vehicles" data-policy-direction="voted a mixture of for and against" data-policy-group="taxation" data-policy-id="6693" data-policy-party-direction="voted a mixture of for and against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.021467352490421" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Voted a mixture of for and against lower taxes on <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">fuel for motor vehicles</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6693" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6693" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">6 votes for, 10 votes against, 1 absence, between 2010–2021. Comparable Conservative MPs voted a mixture of for and against (22 votes, between 2010–2021).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="reducing capital gains tax" data-policy-direction="almost always voted for" data-policy-group="taxation" data-policy-id="6754" data-policy-party-direction="generally voted for" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.031528864864865" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Almost always voted for reducing <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">capital gains tax</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6754" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6754" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">8 votes for, 1 vote against, between 2010–2016. Comparable Conservative MPs generally voted for (9 votes, between 2010–2016).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="a banker’s bonus tax" data-policy-direction="almost always voted against" data-policy-group="taxation" data-policy-id="6685" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.054310658385093" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Almost always voted against a <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">banker’s bonus tax</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6685" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6685" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">1 vote for, 15 votes against, 2 absences, between 2011–2015. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (20 votes, between 2011–2015).</a></li></ul></div><div><h2 id="transport" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.66667em; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2em 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">How Matthew Offord voted on Transport <small style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #6f6f6f; font-size: 18px; line-height: 0;"><a class="nav-anchor" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/votes#transport" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4faded; hyphens: auto; line-height: inherit; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none;">#</a></small></h2><ul class="vote-descriptions" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; direction: ltr; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.6; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.11111em; padding: 0px;"><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="slowing the rise in rail fares" data-policy-direction="consistently voted against" data-policy-group="transport" data-policy-id="6692" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.062775" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-top: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Consistently voted against slowing the rise in <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">rail fares</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6692" style="background: repeat rgb(243, 241, 235); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6692" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #757470; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">0 votes for, 5 votes against, in 2013. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (5 votes, between 2012–2013).</a></li><li class="vote-description" data-policy-desc="greater public control of bus services" data-policy-direction="almost always voted against" data-policy-group="transport" data-policy-id="6747" data-policy-party-direction="almost always voted against" data-policy-party-name="Conservative" data-policy-party-score-distance="0.053754909090909" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(228, 226, 220); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(228, 226, 220); box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em 6.5em 0.5em 0px; position: relative;">Almost always voted against greater public control of <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">bus services</span><a class="vote-description__source" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6747" style="background: repeat rgb(79, 173, 237); border-radius: 1em; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-size: 14px; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2em; margin-top: -1em; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 1em; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration: none; top: 42.6406px;">Show votes</a><a class="vote-description__evidence" href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24955/matthew_offord/hendon/divisions?policy=6747" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; color: #5b5a57; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 0.7em; hyphens: auto; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 0.2em; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;">1 vote for, 2 votes against, in 2016. Comparable Conservative MPs almost always voted against (3 votes, between 2014–2016).</a></li></ul></div><div>Given that Matthew Offord has increased his majority at every election he has stood in, he must have been doing something right. He has developed a very strong support base within the conservative elements of local evangelical African, Sri Lankan, Jewish and Nepali communities. Members of all of these communites have told me he has been very good on foreign policy and moral issues. Forty years ago, one may have expected all to line up behind the Labour party, but in the Borough of Barnet they have become the bedrock of the Tory party. Having known Mr Offord for a very long time, let me just say I find some of this support and the reasons for it mildly amusing, or I would have done if he wasn't my MP. As he is leaving and I am feeling magnanmous, all I can really say is that perhaps, as he's grown older he's put some of his former 'foolish ways' behind him. I'll just say that when I first met him and he was going out with former Battersea MP and rather Liberal Conservative Jane Ellison, who was a founder of the Mill Hill Music Festival, he didn't really strike me as a massively moraliser? </div><div><br /></div><div>I must say that it is a shame that he didn't deliver on any of his promises. A cheese shop in Mill Hill would be rather nice, step free access at the station would be a real blesssing for many in our community and competent government from the Tories would have saved me a fortune in tax. </div><div><br /></div><div>His only saving grace is that he seems marginally brighter than the bloke the Tories have picked to replace him. The new candidate Ameet Jogia, seems to me like a dim snob. He has put out a leaflet campaigning against a proposed McDonalds in Mill Hill. He wanst a derelict restaurant, that has been shut for over a year to remain closed, on the grounds that it will be <i><b>"a hub for deliveroo drivers, leading to bikes and vehicles parked on our street, clogging up the road. It will make congestion worse and become a central spot for antisocial behaviour and littering in our town'</b></i>. I don't know if Mr Jogia ever frequents McDonalds. I am not a fan, but to suggest that they create anti social behaviour is just bizarre. In December, I wrote a blog detailing why the opposition to McDonalds in Mill Hill is irrational. Mr Jogia has simply reinforced my view that it is also rather snobbish. His comment "<i><b>Swapping Prezzo for McDonald's isn't an equal trade - it's a blow to our high street and a downgrade for our town"</b></i>. is also very silly. It is not a trade, Prezzo shut down as they were losing money. Mr Jogia is a Conservative, so should, at the very least, understand the principles of capitalism and a free market. He is clearly too dim to realise that MP's have no power to take planning decisions. If this was what he wanted to do, he should have stood for council in Mill Hill.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRtWYJcNhc7cN9QvnKiFL63kDX8DU4cxqvvAxiapgjxS8U7gPyD6mXFI62gFHymhya_mo78rxjYfJTLWFbNWHvRfrHUZmivvHe-X-g_qer6jnDxdQj0vEGBpmWxHwWL8rNIObIdpUqry9Y9t1qSK0eEVztKRrxQHWMDWytGJdGIqclcISODE1RwyISoQ/s4032/IMG_3688.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRtWYJcNhc7cN9QvnKiFL63kDX8DU4cxqvvAxiapgjxS8U7gPyD6mXFI62gFHymhya_mo78rxjYfJTLWFbNWHvRfrHUZmivvHe-X-g_qer6jnDxdQj0vEGBpmWxHwWL8rNIObIdpUqry9Y9t1qSK0eEVztKRrxQHWMDWytGJdGIqclcISODE1RwyISoQ/s320/IMG_3688.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoGwrQ2Tc-zeopOmvGvYK-du04EPq4wnbYuMyqrfkP0ndRrqfl058fCmos50P9m99b47cMyEWhlEUupUYzbkmgOQJJTVciDMtPmUd8bxMN9GCGtG46Ejd-AfGt7MJCmK8m4rkllZiyPXNDJrkv3V0wUf8dyohU5LDcc8WyUDbYCmYBqGNzv1Fs9UrHkQ/s4032/IMG_3689.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoGwrQ2Tc-zeopOmvGvYK-du04EPq4wnbYuMyqrfkP0ndRrqfl058fCmos50P9m99b47cMyEWhlEUupUYzbkmgOQJJTVciDMtPmUd8bxMN9GCGtG46Ejd-AfGt7MJCmK8m4rkllZiyPXNDJrkv3V0wUf8dyohU5LDcc8WyUDbYCmYBqGNzv1Fs9UrHkQ/s320/IMG_3689.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />I do wonder who Mr Jogia is trying to impress with his leaflet. It is interesting that he is too embarrassed to put the Tory logo on it. He seems to trying to make out he is a local campaigner, fighting for the rights of the local snobs to deprive those of us who enjoy a burger and a cheap coffee of our fill. <i> </i>I suspect he'd do far better to talk about things that do affect residents, such as crime, the state of the NHS, the state of the nations roads, the cost of train tickets, the costs of going to university and all of the other things that have gotten so much worse after 14 years of Conservative rule. If you think about it, moaning about McDonalds as your only policy is rather sensible after all. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>.</div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-68249315806436921572024-02-18T11:03:00.003+00:002024-02-18T11:03:39.538+00:00The Sunday Reflection #5 - London is a City of 9 million people, where are they all?I was quite shocked to learn that over 9 million people live in London. I did a quick google of the population and this came up<div><br /></div><div><table style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; table-layout: fixed; width: 651.991px;"><tbody><tr class="ztXv9" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224);"><th colspan="3" style="font-weight: bolder; height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px 8px 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: top;">London - Historical Population Data</th></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224);"><th style="font-weight: bolder; height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px 8px 0px; text-align: left;">Year</th><th style="font-weight: bolder; height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px; text-align: left;">Population</th><th style="font-weight: bolder; height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px; text-align: left;">Growth Rate</th></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224);"><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px 8px 0px;">2023</td><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px;"><b>9,648,000</b></td><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px;">1.12%</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224);"><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px 8px 0px;">2022</td><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px;">9,541,000</td><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px;">1.22%</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(218, 220, 224);"><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px 8px 0px;">2021</td><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px;">9,426,000</td><td style="height: 26px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 8px 10px;">1.31%</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><div>My first thought was I wonder where they all are? According to TFL, <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2023/november/latest-tfl-figures-show-the-tube-reaching-4-million-journeys-per-day">there are 4 million tube journeys every day</a>. My guess is that most of these are return journeys, so about 2 million of us get a tube, less than a quarter. About 200,000 of these are tourists. Then there are the buses. <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2023/november/latest-tfl-figures-show-the-tube-reaching-4-million-journeys-per-day#:~:text=Across%20London%2C%20bus%20ridership%20also,journeys%20now%20being%20made%20daily.">There are 5 million journeys a day on these</a>. There are also a around half a million journeys on the London Overground. There are also millions commuting into London on the mainline railways, but most don't live in London. What is less clear is how many of the above journeys include multiple means of transport. If I need to get the tube, I have to take a bus to Burnt Oak. If you watch people leave Mill Hill's Thameslink station, probably half get a bus to complete their journey. Around two and a half thousand people use Mill Hill Broadway Station. According to the last census, 18,000 people live in Mill Hill, so around 12% of the population jump on a train every day. </div><div><br /></div><div>The London Cycling Camapign estmates that 155,000 cycle to work every day, which is roughly 2% of Londoners. As for walking, there are around <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/transport/cycling-and-walking/making-walking-count">six million journeys a day</a>. Given that every bus, tube and train journey has a walking element, made me think. Does that mean that three and a half million Londoners never go out? What do they do?</div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I had a wonderfful day. I joined around 200 other revellers on a Ska Cruise on the River Thames. We do this quite regularly, as my company sponsors the London International Ska Festival. I always find that travelling on the river makes me feel connected with London in a way nothing else quite does. We always spot landmarks and get excited as we pass pubs that we like on the river, such as The Gun at Greenwich and the Prospect of Whitby. We always have the same conversation about how we must do a 'river pub crawl' of them all. I also love seeing the various places I worked at that overlooked the river. I was privileged. I had river facing offices when I worked for BT at Baynard House, at Blackfriars, and also at tother companies, including Trinity Tower at St Katheryns Dock (a spectacular view of Tower Bridge), a wonderful view of St Pauls and The Shard at Red Lion Court on Park St, by London Bridge, and one of London's most famous landmarks at 60 Victoria Embankment, which is one of the building on the old Thames TV opening credits. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WwpTBAQSvtg" width="320" youtube-src-id="WwpTBAQSvtg"></iframe></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was the old City of London School. which is the building to the left of Big Ben on the credits. The front of Trinity Tower was used in the opening sequence for the cult comedy "The IT Crowd" and Uma Thurman was also spotted filming in the building next door, which was empty at the time, sadly I can't recall the film. When I worked at Trinity Tower, we'd often go for elevensies at a nice coffee shop in St Kaythryns Dock, and on one occasion we saw an episode of "Life on Mars" being filmed. It was before it came out, so we had no idea who Gene Hunt was. I mention this, because like me, you may be a tad surprised that it was possible to film in such a busy location, in the middle of the day. In truth though, much of London is not as busy as you think. The reason we chose the coffee bar for elevensies was because it was quiet.</div><div><br /></div><div>Which brings me back to the point of this reflection. Where are all of the people. It appears that three million don't venture out at all. But for even those who do, where do they go and what do they do?</div><div><br /></div><div>I was reading an old blog about the development of the National Institute for Medical Research Development earlier in the week. When Sadiq Khan passed this, he reduced the number of parking spaces. Given that the 240 bus was already overcrowded and the nearest tube station involves a mile long schlep up/down a massive hill, I wondered whether the new residents would live on Deliveroo deliveries (other delivery services are available) and work from home in a hermit like existence. I am now starting to wonder if 3.5 million Londoners are living such an existence? </div><div><br /></div><div>Which made me ask myself. "The reason to live in London is becaise there is so much going on. It is expensive and noisy, why would you live in London if you don't go out?". I walk up and down Mill Hill Broadway every day. I am inquisitive by nature, so I always check out how busy the restaurants are. I also often go to the local pubs. As mentioned above, there are 18,000 people living in Mill Hill, but on any given evening I doubt more than 5% of them are out and about in Mill Hill. I'd guestimate that if you took all the pubs, bars, restaurants in Mill Hill on a Saturday night, there would be less than 1,000 people out and about. Perhaps the busiest and best restaurant in Mill Hill is the Good Earth. It always appears to me that most of it's clientelle are from far and wide. Of course, many people will go out in Town, but even then, the Thameslink ridership figures indicate it is a small percentage of Mill Hill residents. I am using Mill Hill as an example, as I know this area. Is this repeated across the Capital.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having said all of that, I regularly meet friends in town for drinks and to eat. I've been taken aback by how busy areas of Central London are on a Thursday night. A few weeks ago, I met a mate for abeer and curry in Farringdon and it was rammed. It seems that The Elizabeth Line has made it a go to destination. They all seemed to be in their 20's and 30's and going for it on the 'enjoying themselves' front. There were far fewer people of my sort of age out. Is this a hangover from the pandemic? Did the 40+ generation get out of the habit of going out and doing things? I've spoken to a few people who used to be most gregarious, who now say they dislike crowds?</div><div><br /></div><div>My main love is live music, it is my passion. My band regularly plays gigs in places like Camden Town. We have a decent following for an unsigned band playing original music. We get ariound 100 or so people who regularly watch us at the Dublin Castle in Camden, where we have a residency. There are perhaps 200(???) grassroots music venues in London currently operating. If we are typical, then there are perhaps 20,000 people on a weekend night watching live grassroots music. In some ways this is great, as audiences are growing, but it is only 0.2 percent of London's population. If you think that when Blur played Wembley, four times that number turned out a night, it does make me wonder. It is quite a shame that the vast numbers that turn out for the mega gigs, don't turn out to support up and coming bands. </div><div><br /></div><div>I go to a lot of gigs. On Friday, I went to see the Mel Gaynor band (drummer from Simple Minds) at The Waterrats. He was great. Last night, after the Ska Cruise, we went to St Albans to watch a Rolling Stones tribute band at the Horn, which was packed and tonight, we'll see US rock and roll legend Sonny George at The Arts Club in West Hampstead ( a venue I've not been to before). I simply cannot understand how anyone would not want to go out and see great music. I know that not everyone has the same musical tastes as me, but there are so many options and things to choose from. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I started writing this series of blogs, I determined that I'd write long and at times rambling blogs, but ultimately each one would have a theme and hopefully raise a few points of interest. The theme I am most interested in here is whether there is a whole subsection of London society that is 40+ and has simply gone off going out at all? Is this the case? Did the pandemic make a bunch of us so risk averse that we'd rather stay in all the time? Is there another reason, such as 14 years of mismanagement have made us all skint and we can't afford £7 a pint? I don't know, but what I do know is that there is some great things going on. For me, the difficulty is trying to fit them all in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, if reading this has inspired you and you fancy a nice night out, why not come and see my band, The False Dots, at The Beehive in Bow on Saturday March 23rd. We really are rather fun - <a href="https://www.seetickets.com/event/underground-sound-presents-the-beehive/the-beehive-at-bow-bow/2940927?src=the%20false%20dots">get your ticket by clicking here</a></div><div><br /></div><div>We are rather fun, here is an example of our work!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDqtE_je8dk?si=nuPKifE1oilj8NY1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-47359603599655991682024-02-17T10:06:00.000+00:002024-02-17T10:06:09.908+00:00The Saturday #429 - The ten minefield phrases that we face in relationships<p> I think this one speaks for itself</p><p>1. Does my bum look big in this</p><p>2. Doesn't my sister look lovely in that dress</p><p>3. Don't get me anything for Valentines day this year</p><p>4. Go on, say what you think</p><p>5. Doesn't she look like a tart in that skirt</p><p>6. Do you like your dinner, the recipe took 3 hours</p><p>7. My mum can’t go to my sisters for Xmas this year</p><p>8. How much did you have to drink last night</p><p>9. Do you want me to arrange something for your birthday </p><p>10. Shall I cook or shall we get a take away</p><p>Correct answers on a postcard please!</p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-89585369973340939792024-02-15T11:06:00.001+00:002024-02-15T11:06:36.138+00:00My opinion on the new names for TFL lines<p> TFL has announced new names for London Overground Lines. Whilst I think this is a wonderful idea, on reflection, I think he's not got it right. Here are my views on the new names, line by line, with a mark out of 10</p><p><img alt="🟡" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-zw8f10 r-sjv1od r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" draggable="false" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f7e1.svg" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; display: inline-block; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: 1.2em; margin-left: 0.075em; margin-right: 0.075em; vertical-align: -20%; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 1.2em;" title="Yellow circle" /><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Lioness - 10/10 - I like this. It goes to Wembley and the Lionesses deserve the accolade. This is the one they got right. It makes sense</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><img alt="🔵" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-zw8f10 r-sjv1od r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" draggable="false" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f535.svg" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; display: inline-block; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: 1.2em; margin-left: 0.075em; margin-right: 0.075em; vertical-align: -20%; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 1.2em;" title="Blue circle" /><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Mildmay - 0/10 - This has always been the <b>North London Line</b>. People know it. It doesn't need changing. </span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><img alt="🔴" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-zw8f10 r-sjv1od r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" draggable="false" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f534.svg" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; display: inline-block; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: 1.2em; margin-left: 0.075em; margin-right: 0.075em; vertical-align: -20%; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 1.2em;" title="Red circle" /><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Windrush - 1/10 - Windrush is associated with the arrival of Carribean workers from the West Indies. They largely settled in areas in South and West London, such as Brixton and Notting Hill. If the line ran from Notting Hill/Harlesden/Willesden to Brixton, this would be a great name, but it is on totally the wrong axis of London. I gave it a 1, as the line does need a name. As the main area served is East London, the old name, The East London Line might have been OK. I'd have called it The <b>Cablestreet</b> line if I was going to change it</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><img alt="🟣" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-zw8f10 r-sjv1od r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" draggable="false" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f7e3.svg" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; display: inline-block; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: 1.2em; margin-left: 0.075em; margin-right: 0.075em; vertical-align: -20%; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 1.2em;" title="Purple circle" /><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Weaver 2/10 - Another line that needed a name. The Weaver line says nothing that I can associate with. I'd have called it the <b>Grassroots</b> line, as it stops at Hackney Downs, the home of Grassroots football in London. Association Football is the sport of London and I doubt too many would argue. There are quite a few proper grass roots clubs of repute on the line, they should have bigged this up. I guess that our Mayor isn't interested in what ordinary Londoners are interested in</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><img alt="🟢" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-zw8f10 r-sjv1od r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" draggable="false" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/1f7e2.svg" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; display: inline-block; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: 1.2em; margin-left: 0.075em; margin-right: 0.075em; vertical-align: -20%; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 1.2em;" title="Green circle" /><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Suffragette - 0/10 - Again, Londoners know this as the <b>Goblin</b> Line as it goes from from Gospel Oak to Barking. To me, the Suffragettes were a national campaign, this implies it was a North London quirk. Totally inappropriate.</span></p><p><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span><img alt="⚫️" class="r-4qtqp9 r-dflpy8 r-zw8f10 r-sjv1od r-10akycc r-h9hxbl" draggable="false" src="https://abs-0.twimg.com/emoji/v2/svg/26ab.svg" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; display: inline-block; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; height: 1.2em; margin-left: 0.075em; margin-right: 0.075em; vertical-align: -20%; white-space-collapse: preserve; width: 1.2em;" title="Black circle" /><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Liberty - 4/10 - I wasn't aware of this line, three stops from Romford to Upminster. As such it clearly needed some sort of rebrand, but why 'Liberty'. I know little about Romford (other than I dated a girl from there) and even less about Upminster. I did a little google and apparently the Speed of Sound was first calculated in Upminster. I'd call it the <b>Sonic</b> line, but let the locals decide.</span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1419;"><span style="font-size: 17px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihegLqjzpwHS38LB5c7MYziQ0HyHEZgWe8ZL1hyJKQ6PC0lzk_CzBdL5Wa_vL2w2yUF9ZsExyUReBoiEaW34rwqymVXHNAwpR69wt6rVGooVESqjZOhA6wZWQZEBbz1d8AN-NDJu_Ad_cglvm4GXCwgpAvgwUVpZ_CBrYiHUVdr3yJuXw0-XRtgSZMC04/s1800/TfL-Graphic-LO-line-naming-network-map-Autumn-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1163" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihegLqjzpwHS38LB5c7MYziQ0HyHEZgWe8ZL1hyJKQ6PC0lzk_CzBdL5Wa_vL2w2yUF9ZsExyUReBoiEaW34rwqymVXHNAwpR69wt6rVGooVESqjZOhA6wZWQZEBbz1d8AN-NDJu_Ad_cglvm4GXCwgpAvgwUVpZ_CBrYiHUVdr3yJuXw0-XRtgSZMC04/w414-h640/TfL-Graphic-LO-line-naming-network-map-Autumn-2024.jpg" width="414" /></a></span></div><span class="css-1qaijid r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0 r-poiln3" face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1419; display: inline; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-overflow: unset; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><div>In short, I get that it helps to have distinct name, but whoever the Mayor of London asked to do this, did an absolutely crap job. It stinks of change for the sake of it and displays a total lack of imagination. <br />
<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-55319241468056548392024-02-15T10:18:00.002+00:002024-02-15T10:18:31.436+00:00Empathy for Eddie Nestors car crash radio show on BBC Radio London<p> Yesterday was Valentines day. The day when we spoil and treat our beloved partners. I day when we let out our inner Casanova to shmooz the special person in our lives. Sadly for one of my favourite radio presenters, even though he's always banning me from his show, the words that greeted him when he got home were not "How wonderful to see you!". They were more like "Idiot", "Don't you ever think", "Have you no respect". If you weren't listening, you may be wondering why. Eddie started the show off by explaining he was in trouble. I assume, although he didn't explicity say so, he forget the obligatory card and chocolates, required to ensure a romantic evening. I felt his pain, I had also forgot. One of my staff is off, so I've been covering shifts. It's also been really busy and I've been getting home late. No excuse, I know, but there you go.</p><p>But it got worse for poor old Eddie. He then told a story about how his teenage son had been searched at the pound shop, suspected of shoplifting. It appears that this was in error and Eddie was cross. He mentioned it in response to a comment from a caller. A few minutes later, he rather sullenly said "Now I'm really in trouble, Mrs Nestor is not happy, I hadn't told her about our son getting searched, but I told the whole of London first". I can jut see the situation as he walked in "What were you thinking?".</p><p>I have a degree of empathy for Eddie here. Of course he's a fool and an idiot, of course he shouldn't discuss the family business on air, but I do get exactly why he's found himself in this mess. I've done the same thing myself in this blog. I've had the cold shoulder and the "How dare you" when I've mentioned personal things. It is no justification but when you are on a roll and saying something that is important to you, it is so easy to switch of fyour common sense filter. </p><p>This morning, Eddie is not on his show. I am genuinely worried for him. He's a had a journey a bit like mine. He's a cancer survivor, he's had his challenges with his mental health, he likes to talk and he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is also careless in his personal relationships and doesn't always get his priorities in order. My missus will no doubt have a lot of empathy for Mrs Nestor. The fact that both of us are bad at using our common sense in these matters does not mean we don't put the family absolutely first. We just think in a way that means we get things wrong occasionally and that is part of the package.</p><p>Last year, when I was at my lowest point following my radical prostatectomy, Eddie reached out to me and offered support. He's a good man and when I heard he wasn't on the air, I felt for him. I get why he's in the doghouse, God knows, I've had enough lectures on the matter to appreciate why. All I can posibly say to Mrs Nestor, who I guess is totally fuming about this matter is that women are always telling men that they don't talk about their feelings enough. The thing is, when we do, we often shoot ourselves in the foot. We are rubbish at it. So I ask her to forgive Eddie, just as my long suffering Mrs has forgiven me for being a complete, indescrete, uncaring idiot on many occasion. </p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9215006984353817373.post-55266006664423560372024-02-14T15:24:00.003+00:002024-02-14T15:24:29.860+00:00Rock and Roll Stories #6 - What were you doing 45 years ago today....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2nDZWEQEuHlmqtcFALb1buLm1H5wI5FTR826c0QUyPOf7X3EzauzxdP6bIAxlrkSdrJbvnf5yAwUFAQ3ZeKF_oPWxI3qXiUnTX6dBzHYM_6YdwaPLyicso_TK1cXh38xeDcrrUgtyCRMPq5-2RfRs1_Z0lZOnCgunVK_dg0jUwrGll5TAJwOd-2cx_Q/s1800/FD%20logo%20original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2nDZWEQEuHlmqtcFALb1buLm1H5wI5FTR826c0QUyPOf7X3EzauzxdP6bIAxlrkSdrJbvnf5yAwUFAQ3ZeKF_oPWxI3qXiUnTX6dBzHYM_6YdwaPLyicso_TK1cXh38xeDcrrUgtyCRMPq5-2RfRs1_Z0lZOnCgunVK_dg0jUwrGll5TAJwOd-2cx_Q/s320/FD%20logo%20original.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>Today is Valentines day. A very special day in the history of The False Dots. On this day in 1979, we had our first rehearsal - It is a proper Rock and Roll story in itself. <p></p><p>It is a day that is burned into my memory for ever. Myself and Pete Conway had been working on getting a band together for the best part of a year. First we had to save up some money, as we had to procure guitars and amps, then we had to learn to play a few notes & chords. Then we had to write some songs and practice them. Then we had to find other members. On the 3rd February, we had a meeting where we met a prospective drummer and 2nd guitarist. We agreed that we'd have our first rehearsal in the disused caretakers cottage at Bunns Lane Works on Valentines day. </p><p>This was a deliberate ploy by Pete and myself. The idea was we'd make it a party. We'd be so good that we'd automatically have an instant following and maybe some georgeous groupies. The cottage was the derelict former home of the yard caretaker. It had been empty for a couple of years, after the previous resident killed themselves. On of my brothers mates, a rather odd fellow called Donovan had moved in. On the first night, a ghost grabbed his bed and threw it down the stairs, with him in it. He moved straight out. I was lucky that my Dad owned the site and said we could use the place as for rehearsals if we paid him £5 a week. We didn't have enough gear, so we hooked up with a couple of bands and did a deal on sharing gear and costs. <a href="https://millhillmusiccomplex.co.uk/">That was how Mill Hill Music Complex Studios originally came to be, asa musicians collective, but that's another story.</a></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFYslt5Zt1fhmIalE1oabOmuxPzT_YBtMFBn1qaa0tH1MjyHq48xe4OWAB4QJxaWFnncSLs5Lxf3-1NZJKiKG4NxL3EBHNWCOSZOc6PzsNXl0WK9JoDJl8tnT-jooMb3OMiSK7MM_d3hDDv-nsA-G1FgrCsFe3sj8JdczU09CoqWppDSWCD1pFcUbsnI/s4032/IMG_3012.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFYslt5Zt1fhmIalE1oabOmuxPzT_YBtMFBn1qaa0tH1MjyHq48xe4OWAB4QJxaWFnncSLs5Lxf3-1NZJKiKG4NxL3EBHNWCOSZOc6PzsNXl0WK9JoDJl8tnT-jooMb3OMiSK7MM_d3hDDv-nsA-G1FgrCsFe3sj8JdczU09CoqWppDSWCD1pFcUbsnI/s320/IMG_3012.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cottage - Me with a cuppa to keep warm</td></tr></tbody></table>Despite the ghost and the general state of delapidation (the plan had been to knock it down and put another workshop on the site), we were super excited. We were 16 years old and having a place to hang out and make music seemed super cool. We invited another band to come down and also have a rehearsal. The idea was that we'd watch each other, then have a little party. I recall buying six bottles of Strongbow and asking a few girls I rather liked from school. In my mind, I had a vision that we'd rock up, play the numbers we'd been strumming away on, and the girls would think we were better than the Clash and we'd be on our way to rock and roll heaven.</p><p>There were several flaws in our cunning plan. The first was that we'd never played with Dave the drummer and he'd never played with a band. He only knew two beats, Dave Beat 1 and Dave Beat 2. The second was that we'd promised a visit to our amazing new studio and it was a derelict house in an industrial esated. We'd nailed corrogated iron to the windows to secure it, as most of the window were broken. It was in the middle of winter and was absolutely freezing. The final and perhaps the worst part of all was we'd asked another band along to join us who could actually play. Seats for the audience? There were a couple of old, very smelly sofas in the place, hardly suitable for the amazonian Godesses we'd invited. We set up and we ran through a couple of songs before anyone turned up. The horrible truth struck. It was awful and we were rubbish. And the songs? A bunch of rants with screeching guitars thrashed wildly over the top.</p><p> Looking back on this, reading old diaries, and dredging up memories, I am struck by just how similar 1979 and 2024 are. The then government had long passed its sell by date and was in the process of falling apart (there was an election in May and they were booted out). There was a refugee crisis on the news (the Vietnamese boat people), we'd just had the "Winter of Discontent", with seemingly endless strikes. Inflation was rampant and the Bank of England was in crisis. The employment prospects for pur generation seemed bleak, and the country seemed to be falling apart. The one big difference was the amazing music of the period. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJA_7yxi6B2MxfBmRGJviAQacQrmBAAxyK0qJdFKUdVTOO1t1iaVEGXpFqmSXEKhckpNP7aM-EXW3dXeKiJO2XeHxSCSE1i3k1nI_JifzHuBT9MYJgW9_1a78MJURnrSsaprP0z0tnQjtPT_TYBXHPCpJBK4LuJ7OPw0TsnIlPjdhHFB6w1WldLp4kvY/s1197/FD%201979%20Dave2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="778" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJA_7yxi6B2MxfBmRGJviAQacQrmBAAxyK0qJdFKUdVTOO1t1iaVEGXpFqmSXEKhckpNP7aM-EXW3dXeKiJO2XeHxSCSE1i3k1nI_JifzHuBT9MYJgW9_1a78MJURnrSsaprP0z0tnQjtPT_TYBXHPCpJBK4LuJ7OPw0TsnIlPjdhHFB6w1WldLp4kvY/w130-h200/FD%201979%20Dave2.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>Our friends were genuinely excited. Ny sister took some pictures of the band on her Kodak Instamatic Camera in my back garden, before we went to the rehearsal. And the members? We realised we'd totally overpromised, when we said we were the future of punk rock. Dave was a few years older than us. He was a nice enough bloke and didn't seem phased by the fact he'd walked into a complete car crash. Dave brought his girlfriend Mandy, she brought her guitar and the plan was to get her in the band, but for the first rehearsal, she didn't know the songs.<p></p><p>Dave was a big fan of The Heartbreakers and Tubeway Army. He lived in Finchley. He had the makings of a good drummer as he was a good timekeeper, but hadn't mastered fills etc, so could only really keep simple beats. My view was that he was very like Mo Tucker of The Velvet Underground in style, minimalist and tight, so ideal.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN84O45VEURd-eRkZaQSbIrSNkmwZzFLCz656CkeRpEyR9CZsS0St4wqQ5SL16DYjK8qbphdRi3ceyLAz13NOZYhT6sglIHlNbhF_oqr_6GBWcrxF4Sg7F46ZZQGYbhFXb00o0QLBk4UXjbAAAaqGW84murRZ0_scjjLJMwx1iLwdWJX44jsLlVxH7HE/s1611/FD%201979%20Pete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1611" data-original-width="1231" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN84O45VEURd-eRkZaQSbIrSNkmwZzFLCz656CkeRpEyR9CZsS0St4wqQ5SL16DYjK8qbphdRi3ceyLAz13NOZYhT6sglIHlNbhF_oqr_6GBWcrxF4Sg7F46ZZQGYbhFXb00o0QLBk4UXjbAAAaqGW84murRZ0_scjjLJMwx1iLwdWJX44jsLlVxH7HE/w153-h200/FD%201979%20Pete.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>Pete was the bassplayer. Pete was charismatic, charming and semi psychotic at at times. We'd been mates since we were four years old and he was a very bright guy. From an Irish Republican family, he was a hater of the Monarchy and The British Establishment, so fell right in with the Sex Pistols ethos. He was always careful to 'look right' and decorated his bass accordingly. We wrote amazing lyrics and songs together as we progressed, but at this time most of the songs were rubbish. Most were about the drugery of life such as "The Factory" - "Beating a track, to the factory, I'm not a person, I'm a packer you see". Some were about social injustice and some were about nihilism. None were much fun. We set a three chord limit on all songs in the early days. Some only had one or two, but as Lou Reed had said that all you need is one chord if you have the right attitude, we thought we'd be fine. At that stage, Pete took the monica of "The Cadillac Kid", which he soon abandoned, when someone asked where his Cadillac was.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR-8J4uDJ39GcX0fM5Tue6L-1Cja4Ci7xGbFvOZYJu7KmyIUwP_Ob8Iui3LRKMmjNNOaLxoCq_99Y9_cdHHNwG_JZvswVSo3sitfKsvrG-SMbVMFqfr1o0aaHqpZEfGhetFLfPw9BxAD1nbcAqM5j7gSRev09_uC4b-irx070JlzXIhyphenhyphenzhubiog6dTGI/s1119/FD%20ROg%201979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1056" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR-8J4uDJ39GcX0fM5Tue6L-1Cja4Ci7xGbFvOZYJu7KmyIUwP_Ob8Iui3LRKMmjNNOaLxoCq_99Y9_cdHHNwG_JZvswVSo3sitfKsvrG-SMbVMFqfr1o0aaHqpZEfGhetFLfPw9BxAD1nbcAqM5j7gSRev09_uC4b-irx070JlzXIhyphenhyphenzhubiog6dTGI/w189-h200/FD%20ROg%201979.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>Then there was me. For the first rehearsal, I borrowed my sisters Kimbara Les Paul copy Guitar. Kimbara guitars looked amazing but were almost unplayable and are impossible to tune properly, even if we'd known how. I could just about manage to play A, D, E and C chords as well as a couple of barre chords. I'd happily bought into the party plan, but as we ran through a few numbers with Dave, I started to feel sick. I'd asked girls I'd met from my new school. I'd started at Orange Hill the previous September. I knew the word would go back that we were a joke and a shambles. All my credibility would be gone. There were several bands at the school, including the Polecats, who were brilliant and had a top ten hit shortly after. It hadn't occurred to me that they'd take a year or two to get the band sorted and could all play in the first place. <p></p><p>To make matters worse, Mandy had asked her friends band, which included Liz and Wendy. Wendy was the girlfriend of Abbo, who was the singer in<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_Decay"> UK Decay, a reasonably well established punk band from St Albans</a>. Wendy was used to hanging around with musicians who knew what they were doing and could play. When they sat down and set up, we were horrified. They knew what they were doing and knew how to tune guitars etc. I went outside with Pete to discuss what we could do. Pete said "We'll smash it, lets just go mad and see what happens". </p><p>The other friends arrived, We passed around the cider. Liz and Wendy did their thing. It was all very nice. One of the songs was a humourous rework of "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSRlQPD6Xiw">The Halls of Montezuma</a>" (The US Marines hymn). I recall thinking "They are pretty good". The girls were very pretty and could sing. Everyone who came was enjoying themselves. They only new three or four songs, so then it was our turn. We turned up the volume to "ear splitting" and then announced that we'd do the rehreasal standing on chairs, with the lights off and candles. We played them all three times faster than we had earlier and Pete was screaming and behaving like a madman. </p><p>We got to the end of what we'd been doing, with Pete shouting "Dave Beat 1" or "Dave Beat 2" so he'd know what to play and everyone looked absolutely shell shocked. To this day, I've no idea whether we were brilliant, rubbish or both. The girls we'd invited seemed to like it. Dave and Mandy left at 10pm, to get the bus back to Finchley. The rest of us stayed until the early hours. There was a brief moment, after we had played our songs, just sitting with the friends, in a freezing cold room (The cold didn't help, the headline of<a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-frosty-reception-on-valentines-day-snvf6mq6q"> the Times that day was the snowstorms</a>.), drinking cider, that I realised it was the first time in my life I'd ever been truly happy and new what I wanted to do. There were no shenanigans, we had hoped that maybe, we'd be able to persuade one or other of the girls to join us upstairs, but when we mentioned that there was a ghost, that put paid to that. It was just that, for the first time, I was doing what I wanted on my own terms. Rock and Roll really does set you free. </p><p>We scheduled another rehearsal for the next week. We decided that we'd not ask people again until we could actually play the songs properly. Once we got it together, we started asking friends down again, but it was never quite as manic as the first gig. We all had a huge laugh. I'd always assumed that the girls we invited thought we were awful, but were being polite. I saw one at a school reunion a few years ago who told me that it was the most rock and roll night of her life and that she loved it. </p><p>----</p><p>The band are still going. <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">Why not come down to see us at The Beehive in Bow. It's a great venue -</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.seetickets.com/event/underground-sound-presents-the-beehive/the-beehive-at-bow-bow/2940927?src=the%20false%20dots" style="color: #2288bb; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; text-decoration-line: none;">CLiCK HERE FOR TICKETS</a></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXabYF75wLb_MYI-bM6gBLl_zinflsal_J93m9sjf_S9PDxGf9j_0O9kGNlE8REkIrXiR0l9cQrJztvQaEPMnlW49wX35Zbu2Vyd8BazIOfMWQxNhcivonOZYqDYZyu0YtKLu6aXXAQzw6dwfWEhCSeUyPNDIs4-nEgTWiwZN04P-HFoVeDZ_bIB6q44/s2816/FD%20Beehivegig.jpg" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2711" data-original-width="2816" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXabYF75wLb_MYI-bM6gBLl_zinflsal_J93m9sjf_S9PDxGf9j_0O9kGNlE8REkIrXiR0l9cQrJztvQaEPMnlW49wX35Zbu2Vyd8BazIOfMWQxNhcivonOZYqDYZyu0YtKLu6aXXAQzw6dwfWEhCSeUyPNDIs4-nEgTWiwZN04P-HFoVeDZ_bIB6q44/s320/FD%20Beehivegig.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Our new single</p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDqtE_je8dk" style="display: inline;" width="320" youtube-src-id="TDqtE_je8dk"></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rog Thttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08139705078907584931noreply@blogger.com0