Author Archives: garymoore

News Chronicle

A dozen or more years ago, I found an old enamel sign, buried in the garden. It’d had a hard life and parts had rusted away. But it’s still a cool thing and would have originally been fixed to the front wall of the house, in the days of its life as a shop.

For a while, the sign was hung at the top of the stairs, but redecoration resulted in its retirement to a dusty corner.

However, As of today, it now sits proudly in the bathroom.

The sign originally advertised a daily newspaper, News Chronicle. This went bust in the 1930s, so the sign’s most likely from the early 1900s. Beamish museum has a more complete version.

I’d imagine that it was relegated to the garden in the early 60s, when the shop moved from its long time newsagent role to one of general dealer.

Lightnin’

In the mid-90s, I bought an album called Fargo. There’s no connection to the film of the same name, although I do like that too.

I bought the album because I liked one song. It was a sort of compilation album; I was interested in a song called White Man’s Melody, by Cyndi Lauper, though she didn’t write it. In common with a few of the other album tracks, this one was pretty bluesy.

Anyway, the track before this one is called Needed Times, by Mr Lightnin’ Hopkins. And it’s damn good.

Recently, while decorating, Amazon has been playing Mr Hopkins’ music. It was something of a surprise to hear that my second in command likes his music too.

Go on, Alexa, play Lightnin’ Hopkins.

Albert and Rufus

Mr Rufus Wainwright put on a pretty good show tonight. The third time I’ve seen him live and my second visit to the Royal Albert Hall.

The pictures aren’t the best; I had to be quick because they don’t like that sort of of thing.

Wortley Almshouses

After experiencing disappointment when visiting Peterborough over the past year and a half, I was extremely pleased to find that the Wortley Almshouses has recently reopened.

He who watches over us is currently watching over me while my second in command has her nails done.

I’ve missed him.

Save Us Now

Apparently, there is a new political movement in Gateshead. They are shining a light on corruption.

This leaflet arrived through our letterbox this afternoon.

Unfortunately, this new political party, which wants my vote in the local elections, aren’t able to achieve even a minimal standard of grammar in their marketing material.

There’s the obvious apostrophe fail, several instances, spaces before commas (on a pretty big scale), and missing full stops.

Oh, then there’s the weird change in font, presumably to fill a page.

Should I mention the scaremongering about Gateshead Council’s pruning trees to allow a 5G signal to work more efficiently?

Now, Gateshead Council are rubbish, but is there really a subversive move towards streetlight 5G transmitters?

I’m more concerned, as I’ve previously mentioned, about their tendency to demolish old buildings and their failure to maintain clean streets.

I shall read what they have to say at www.saveusnow.org.uk. although I think they should have gone for a .com. it does appear to be complete rubbish though.

Noble Jacks

Saw a decent band last night at the Cluny, Noble Jacks. I’d read about the gig a few days ago and thought it’d be be worth checking out. And it was.

They’re worth checking out. The support was good too, a bloke called Matt Dunbar.

Salt Beer Factory

On discovering a tap takeover in a bar in town, I mailed the brewery to question whether their beer contains fish bits.

I didn’t expect a response until next week, so this was very much forward thinking, but they replied straight away. On a Saturday evening.

Anyway …
We don’t use isinglass in any of our beers so they are all vegetarian friendly. Hopefully you enjoy them!

So I obviously had to go back to try one.


And it was gorgeous. They’re based in Saltaire, which is also gorgeous, so I shall make the effort to visit their premises.