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The Magician/Colm Toibin

One of the interesting aspects of biography is the attitude – often better described as the relationship – between the writer and his/her subject. Gitta Sereny wrote an excellent biography of Albert von Speer but seemed to be in thrall of him. Tristram Hunt wrote a detailed account of [...]

October 29, 2021 // 0 Comments

A cremation

Yesterday I attended the cremation of the mother (Megan) of a good friend at Wessex Vale near Fareham. I only met the lady once and she struck me as having all her marbles, well-read and well-informed. I knew her son well enough to express my concerns for a lady of 94 living on her own. Her son [...]

October 14, 2021 // 0 Comments

Honouring Roy Hodgson

Last night I attended a soccer dinner for Roy Hodgson. Two things struck me immediately: he was worth honouring and he would be the last person to do so. By his own admission a modest player, he went to South Africa and returned with his wife from there Sheila, achieving success in Malmö. Except [...]

October 7, 2021 // 0 Comments

One more trip to the well …

Yesterday I was obliged to take a taxi in order to arrive at the Royal Ashdown Forest Golf Club by 0730 hours in order to play in an annual golf event that was taking place for the 37th consecutive year. [I note here for the record that this cost me some £118.50 before any tip, not far short of [...]

October 2, 2021 // 0 Comments

TED DEXTER’S FUNERAL

It is somewhat ironic that Ted Dexter, who was born on the Ligurian coast, raised in an elegant flat in the Piazza Repubblica in Milan – his father holding the Lloyd’s brokerage for Italy – and who settled happily in Nice and could be described as a lover of the seas – [...]

September 22, 2021 // 0 Comments

It was grim back then (or was it?)

These days it isn’t unusual – when recounting to modern listeners nostalgic tales of the more bizarre and hair-shirted practices experienced by those of us who went to British boarding “public schools” [what might more properly be described as “private schools” anywhere else in the [...]

September 21, 2021 // 0 Comments

Goodwood Revival 2021

Yesterday I was invited to Goodwood Revival, a celebration of classic car motor racing on the Goodwood circuit. The event is a  sell-out as it attracts a global audience, most of whom are in 1930s and 40s dress. Military uniform and overalls are most popular with the men, pleated dresses and [...]

September 20, 2021 // 0 Comments

Music of the movies

Sky Arts have assembled their normal team of Neil Norman, Ian Nathan, Steven Armstrong and Dr Bonnie Greer to cast their expertise on the subject of film scores. These can define a movie. Zinnemann Take for example Bernard Herman’s score of Psycho or rather take it away from the famous stabbing [...]

September 18, 2021 // 0 Comments

A hard life-lesson

It is about this time of year that I traditionally begin my latest annual fitness campaign and earlier this week I opted to visit a physiotherapist in advance for a “look-see” session and perhaps some advice. I cannot shy away from part of my motivation for this move: both my thirty-something [...]

September 17, 2021 // 0 Comments

Thoughts on the Test and Lord Ted

When Mark Wood was added to a lengthening injured list of speedsters – Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes and – with Ben Stokes declaring himself burned out – I feared for the England pace attack but first Ollie Robinson and now Craig Overton have stepped up to the plate. Both [...]

August 28, 2021 // 0 Comments

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