Mike Winters, Bernie Winters and Paul Hircombe RIP

Back in 1990, I had just finished rehearsing with my band, The False Dots. It was 11pm, I can't remember what night of the week it was. I'd was walking back home with the bassplayer in my band, Paul Hircombe, who was also a  great friend. Pauls flat was on the way back for mine. He said "Rog, hang on a second and I'll get Reg, he needs a walk". Reg was Pauls Jack Russell dog. He was a bit of a character, to say the least. After picking up Reg, we walked up Mill Hill Broadway, towards Mill Hill Circus. As we approached  the Day of the Raj restaurant, Mike and Bernie Winters emerged. They'd just finished a meal and were in good spirits. At the time, Bernie was well known for his comedy partnership with a large St Bernards dog Shnorbitz. It was a time when comedy was gentler and I think everyone loved Bernie and Shnorbitz. As we pased each other, Bernie commented to Paul "Nice little dog, of course I've got a VERY LARGE DOG", with a sense of heavy innuendo. Paul shot back "we'll it's like cars, men with big cars have....". Bernie shot back "You've been talking to my wife!" At this we all had a good chuckle. What followed was perhaps one of the most hilarious exchanges of stand up comedy I've ever witnessed. Paul was a master of the quick one liner comeback. Bernie clearly loved this and Mike joined in. After maybe 10 minutes, Mike commented to Paul "You should be writing our material!". We then discussed music and comedy and the state of the business. After about 20 minutes, Mike said "We'd better get home, my wife will be getting suspicious". I've met quite a few celebrities and well known people. I can honestly say I can't remember any who were quite as nice or as funny as Mike and Bernie that evening.

After that I'd see them occasionally in Mill Hill. Sadly Bernie died of Stomach cancer not too long after that aged 59. We'd always have a nod and a quick chat. It was announced yesterday that Mike had died aged 82. Sadly Paul Hircombe passed away last year aged 47 of oesophagal cancer. Reg the Jack Russell also passed away in the mid 1990's. Sadly the only witness left to that hilarious twenty minutes of banter is me. Although I can only really claim to have ever been on nodding terms with the Winters, I felt an extreme pang of sadness at the news about Mike. As I read the obituaries, I was reminded that he had a period of estrangement from Bernie during the 1980's. When we had our little chat they were on absolute top form and it was clear to me that there was genuine warmth and affection. Whereever Mike, Bernie, Paul, Reg and Shnorbitz are now, I hope that they can get a good curry, have a bit of banter and a good laugh.

May they all rest in peace and know that in their own way they all brought a lot of happiness and joy to those who knew and loved them. Maybe I will have a memorial curry in their honour on Saturday, after I've walked the dogs of course !

Lib Dems spice up the campaign trail

Friday evening was the last Friday night of the campaign for the general and local elections. We had arranged for a big canvassing push in Mill Hill and Duncan MacDonald and Sean Hooker, two candidates in High Barnet came over to help. After a hard evening pounding the streets of Mill Hill, the heavens opened. We decided to show our support for local business in Mill Hill and so adjourned to the Day of the Raj Indian restaurant. The Day of the Raj is one of two fine Indian restaurants in Mill Hill Broadway, the other being the Mill Hill Tandoori. Both restaurants are well established and have been around for years. It may not surprise regular readers to know that I am good friends with the owners of both restaurants.

Having lost nearly two stone in weight since the start of the campaign, with skipped meals and hours trudging the streets (yes seriously -  I may even offer it as a fitness course), I was well prepared for a tasty meal. Romal Miah, who is the owner and the chef at the Day of the Raj didn't disappoint. I said to Romal that it would be nice to say thanks to the kitchen team. He immediately invited us into the kitchen to meet them. They say that you can tell the true quality of a restaurant only by the state of its kitchens. The Day of the Raj has spotless kitchens. Given that the restaurant was rather busy, it is clear they didn't just spruce it up for us ! Oh and just in case you were wondering, we all paid for our dinners out of our own pockets.

I think it's fairly clear from just looking at these pictures that we've got a good team in Mill Hill and in the wider Barnet party. It was nice to take a little time out with the team and discuss matters other than politics, the election and the campaign. I'd be rather interested to know if any of the candidates and teams from any of the other parties were out together in over the weekend socialising together. It sometimes seems to me that some people are far too focused on politics and a little to divorced from real life.

There are many fine restaurants in Mill Hill. The people who work in these and run them are amongst the most hard working you will meet. I just wish my bank balance was large enough to support all of these establishments on a far more regular basis.