Turning Club Christmas Party

Christmas 'Do' At the wood Turning club last night,  I am probably not so popular this morning,  We had two small quizzes, I won both of them,  We had a raffle,  I won a bottle of Wine,  and we had a competition for a "Hanging Christmas Tree Ornament"  and would you believe it?  I won first prize.  

I have been trying to photograph the article this morning and not doing so well, so below are three photos, One in artificial light,  One outside in natural light, and one taken with the flash.  None of them brilliant but they show my little trinket

For the perspective, the thing is around 5 inches overall length (Height). The ball is made from Yew, the bottom finial is pine and the Snowman is made of the same pine and then painted.  I think technically I shouldn't have won, but the Ladies were allowed to vote last night and they went for the decorative appeal.  I don't really care.  I won!

Turning

I have been enjoying my wood turning recently, although the cooler weather is making the shed a less friendly place......I have sold a few items recently, but compared to some of my fellow club members my work is still a bit agricultural.  Having said that I am quite enjoying making usable items for the garden (Pic 3 shows a dibber, and plant pot and seed tray tampers) They don't need finished to a mirror polish!  As I said earlier, I am enjoying it so little else matters.  I hope you enjoy looking at the photographs and should you feel a desperate urge to own any of the items (or similar) please contact me and we can disuss price and designs.

  Laburnam Pot-Pourri and small 'pot'

 Bud vases in Yew and Banksia Nut

 Tampers, Dibber and door wedge in Pine , Oak and Mahogany

 Spinning tops, Bracelets and a gavel in (from top left, clockwise) Oak, Ash, Mahogany, Pear and Pine

 Ball Pens in various woods.  The middle one is Bubinga the others various

Three plates / dishes in Mahogony, Tulip Wood (the biggest)and Ash (the smallest)

Inspirational

I don't know if this will work properly, but if you have a minute watch the attached.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=458450032620

Classics

Went to the NEC Classic Car and Bike show last weekend with my friend Jack. Another great day out. Here are a few photographs.

A Healey Silverstone from 1949 or 1950. One of these recently sold for £121,000

A Gull Wing Mercedes Benz from the mid 1950s - similar sort of price to the above!

A 1938 500cc Flat twin BMW

This is a rare beast indeed, A Matchless Silver Hawk. 600cc V4 (Yes, Vee Four) There were not many made, It cost £72.00 when it was new. Wouldn't like to put a price on it now.

BSA M20. A real work Horse. Jack rode one of these whilst in the army. A Side Valve 500cc which a few years ago you could pick up for a song. they are now fetching around £4,000

Ah Well, when that nice Lottery man coughs up.......................

My Old Mum

Finally found a video of one of my 'appearances' on TV.

Have a look at this http://www.bbc.co.uk/connect/campaigns/gah_tv_trail.shtml

Marco Simoncelli 1987 - 2011

I don't usually post sad things here but as an exception I report the sad demise of Marco Simoncelli. He was an up and coming star of the Moto GP circuit. Sadly there was a tragic accident this morning, when Marco lost control of his Honda, and two other riders couldn't avoid hitting him.

I had a massive amount of time for this lad, he was a bit of a rebel and a hard rider and I really thought he was destined to take over from my other 'hero' Valentino Rossi. Sadly we will now never know his potential.

My thoughts are with his Family, Friends and Colleagues.

I Hope they have a good bike waiting for him at the pearly gates.

Rest in Peace Lad

Rob Barlow

The turning club had a demonstration today by a gentleman called Robin Barlow. Below are a few rather poor photographs of some of the work he brought along to show us.

The main Item is a lidded box in Yew with (I think) a rosewood lid and an Ebony finial

Two apples in Bubinga and Sycamore and a toothpick holder in Yew. The Apples are secret boxes which are accessed by pulling on the stalk of the fruit. beautifully executed, you really have to look carefully to see that they are made in the style of a 'bandsaw box'

The tall pierced vessel is truly amazing, and the two bud vases at the front are quite interesting, they have been 'ebonised' ie painted black with the addition of some gilding compound to bring out the grain. Most noticeable on the taller of the two, but the photograph doesn't do justice to the finished article.

You can see some work by other members of the club by logging on the web site here

Stafford again

It is that time of the year again, Last weekend Jack and I went to the Stafford showground for the Autumn Mechanics show. We went on the Saturday this time and although we were lucky with the weather, the show was unbelievably busy. We drove down to the Stafford turn-off in under an hour, and spent about the same amount of time driving the last 4 miles to the showground to get in.

Still there are always some wonderful bikes to look at:

A 4 Cylinder Nimbus

A Rather special Velocette Valiant

A gorgeous 1930s Indian Chief

A Scott Flying squirrel

A 350cc Douglas. Unusual to see one in Red!

If only that nice Mr Lottery man would cough up!!!!!

My Old Man said follow the Van

Funny title for a blog entry, but last week I mimed to a re-written version of that song, for the more hours than I care to remember.

I was called, in my office of a walk-on artiste, to film a 'promo' that's what the BBC call an advert. They are trying to get younger people to assist older people to become more computer literate, the 'promo' was filmed a week last Wednesday in a selection of fields, woods and hills in the peak district. That particular day (12th October) it rained incessantly and we were filmed wearing a pair of cotton trousers, a shirt and a woollen jumper. we were allowed to put on coats and hats between shoots, but the inside of those soon became as wet as we were, I haven't been so cold and wet since I fell in a reservoir!

Still I will be paid around £220 less my agents fees, so I can't complain....Well yes I can but who is going to listen. I was called to meet up with some others at 05.15 at Piccadilly station, from where we were taken by minibus to the Snake Pass Inn on the A57 outside Glossop. we got back to Piccadilly at 19.45. Bit of a long day, but with a good group of people. All part of life's rich tapestry

Look out for the BBC ad with an older lady - Valerie Minifie, a younger man - Richard Corgan and in the final couple of seconds a well known gentleman called Tony Millan.

I may be visible at times wearing a rather fetching Pink bow-tie

Dangerous Corner

Just spent a wonderful evening at our local drama societies production of J.B. Priestley's play "A Dangerous Corner"

Rossendale Players have been putting plays on in Rossendale since 1936, Have a look at their web site Here

The Photo above is stolen from their web site and shows a scene taken at the dress rehearsal. The bloke being attacked (in the Plum coloured jacket) is a good friend of mine.

Gorgeous play and wonderful 1930/1940s use of the English language where the word 'queer' is used to denote something odd or peculiar, and the word 'Gay' is used to denote something bright and cheerful.

Great Evening and well done to one and all

Over a month now since I even logged on to this wonderful blogging medium, I can only blame a paucity of time management skills.

I have been busy, but not so busy that I couldn't get on here, I can always find time to nosy around face-book to see what friends are doing, or spend time on e-bay looking for a bargain, so what have I been doing?

Summer has been pretty poor as anyone in the UK will be aware, so the gardening has been odd again. Good potato crop, poor tomato crop and zero Aubergines. Apparently it has been the coldest summer for a number of years, which of course affects some crops and helps others. all in all just when I think I am learning a bit about horticulture, something happens to prove it is a bigger subject than one might think.

I have spent some time out on the Harley-Davidson and very little time out on the AJS. I feel unsure of my own engineering capabilities regarding the AJS, it being a British motorcycle and rather prone to the occasional breakdown. This coming winter I intend to spend some time doing serious maintenance and feeling better about it.

I have been doing quite a lot of wood-turning, and in fact through the Wood turning club I have joined, attended a few craft fairs. In fact we have one coming up this coming Sunday (11th Sept) at Townely Park in Burnley. It is a part of a celebration called "Wood-Fest" obviously a festival of wood, I'm looking forward to it, I only hope the present inclement weather improves a touch.

I have also been fishing a couple of times, but the fishing (for Me) has been quite poor, possibly because of the unusually cold weather! It still is a pleasant pass time to go and stand on the banks of a reservoir for a couple of hours, away from the bustle and throng etc. and watch the wildlife.

I do have a tough life. More to follow, I promise.

Kawah Ijen

The following link will take you to a clip of My friend's Daughter Lucy talking about a bit of interesting filming she was involved in indonesia

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00jdr45

Thanks to the BBC etc etc

This link may only last for a few days, Meanwhile I will try and find a way of 'saving' it.

Ride Out

Today's Ride (15/7/2011) as follows. Whalley, Mitton, Dunsop Bridge, up the Trough road - calling for a brew at the caravan - Stopped at the viewpoint just before the Caton turn-off. Turned right for Caton, Hornby to Kirby Lonsdale. Bacon and Sausage Butties at Devil's Bridge. South on the A65 to Ingleton. Left on the B6255 to Ribblehead then Turned right for Settle via Horton in Ribblesdale. Through Settle, crossed the A65 and home via Rathmell, Tosside, Bolton by Bowland, Sawley....diverting into Chatburn to sample the delights of Mrs Hudson's home made Ice cream. Over the Nick of Pendle and the Motorway in the Sky. Where Howie got pulled by the Plod and let-off, for doing 80 / 90 mph. I must lead a charmed life. Chris and I enjoyed the run.

Shameless

In my capacity as an "Extra" otherwise known as a "walk-on", "Background artiste" or even sometimes as a "Wipe" I was lucky enough this week to film an episode of the wonderful Paul Abbott's drama series - SHAMELESS.

Filmed in one of the bars of the Midland Hotel in Manchester, a scene for the next series where Frank Gallagher played by the magnificent David Threlfall, is having a conversation.

I wasn't close enough to hear what the conversation was about, and I may not even be seen in the final cut, but it was a privilege to be present whilst the great man was working.

I am a fan of Threlfall, particularly the series of radio plays called "Baldi" where he plays a Franciscan priest and philosopher turned amateur detective. They are 45 minute plays made for the Radio 4 afternoon slot and they are a delight to hear. They are being repeated on Radio 4 Extra at the moment.

There is a chance that I will be filming a scene or two for "Waterloo Road" next weekend, and the week after that the possibility of several days filming a TV advert for Vauxhall. Maybe I will get a new car out of them!

I've had more work from my new agent in two months than I had with the old one in two years.

The Old agent was PHA! Make note and avoid them. They are simply making money by exploiting people, they have far too many people on their books and simply cannot find work for them. But that doesn't stop them recruiting new people and charging them for "Induction" Courses, for poor photographs and not enough representation. Be warned!

Isle of Man TT Races

It is practice week on the Isle of Man this week, Wish I was there, It is the most exiting, evocative place for anyone who has ever ridden a motorbike. The people are wonderful, the Island is beautiful and the racing is amazing.

I am lucky enough to have seen Mile Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and the others of the 60s. Not as fast as the boys of today, but very skilled with the machinery they had at that time.

If you can spare 10 minutes, watch this

An open Letter to the PM

Dear Mr. Cameron

Please find below our suggestion for fixing England 's economy.

Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander
the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.
You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 10 million people over 50 in the work force.

Pay them £1 million each severance for early retirement with
the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.
Ten million job openings - unemployment fixed

2) They MUST buy a new British car.
Ten million cars ordered - Car Industry fixed

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage -
Housing Crisis fixed

4) They MUST send their kids toschool/college/university -
Crime rate fixed

5) They MUST buy £100 WORTH of alcohol/tobacco a week ......
and there's your money back in duty/tax etc

6) Instead of stuffing around with the carbon emissions trading
scheme that makes us pay for the major polluters, tell the greedy
bastards to reduce their pollution emissions by 75% within 5 years or we shut
them down.

It can't get any easier than that!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members of parliament pay
back their falsely claimed expenses and second home allowances

If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you
know. If not, please disregard.

Grumpies of the World Unite

Also………..

Let's put the pensioners in jail and the criminals in a nursing
home. This way the pensioners would have access to showers, hobbies
and walks.

They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment,

wheel chairs etc and they'd receive money instead of paying it out.

They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be
helped instantly, if they fell, or needed assistance.

Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be
ironed and returned to them.

A guard would check on them every 20 minutes and bring their

meals and snacks to their cell.

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose.

They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counselling,
pool and education.

Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, PJ's and legal aid would be
free, on request.

Private, secure rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard,
with gardens.

Each senior could have a PC, a TV, radio and daily phone calls.

There would be a board of directors to hear complaints, and the
guards would have a code of conduct that would be strictly adhered to.

The criminals would get cold food, be left all alone and unsupervised.

Lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week. Live in a tiny room and
pay £600.00 per week and have no hope of ever getting out.

Think about this (more points of contention

COWS

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during
the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in
Appleby almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the county
of Cumbria?

And, they even tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are
unable to locate 125,000 illegal immigrants wandering around our country.

Maybe we should give each of them a cow.

THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq ... Why don't we just give them ours?

It was drawn up by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for centuries and we're not using it anymore.

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse or Parliament, is this -
You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal', 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians..... It creates a hostile work environment!

It isn't often that I make political comment, but I found the above quite relevant. Thanks to my friend Eileen for sending the stuff to me.

Cheap Flights

You may have seen this before but it tickled me! Doesn't take much these days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM

Busy, Busy

Well it has been a busy couple of weeks, I took on a part time job as a census collector, quite interesting and a little frustrating. The interesting part was the fact that I have discovered parts of the immediate area that I never knew existed. The frustrating part? really we are not allowed to talk about the job, so I won't.

Last week walking on the Hills above Grane, I spotted this little girl. for a couple of days I forgot to take a camera, however she is about 5 days old when these were taken. Three of the other mares in the field are also pregnant so watch this space

Easter Sunday I went with my Friend Jack to the Stafford Motorbike Show. The weather was kind to us and the show is always interesting.

Details of a Scott Flying Squirrel. 1st Prize for the Best in the Show and rightly so!

This is a Sunbeam S7 - Those balloon tyres were unavailable a few years ago. Nice to see an original model, complete with oil leaks.

Very Early Royal Enfield. Not one of the "Made in India" models.

Easter Monday we made the annual pilgrimage to a Freak Hill climb event held every year in a village called Great Whitley in Worcestershire. The event is called the Red Marley Hill Climb. Again the weather was kind and the racing was good. If you have never seen a dirt type hill climb, have a look at THIS

Stephen Cameron Murder

Last July, I spent 3 days filming a Drama / Documentary for a Manchester based production Company called "Title Role" for a series called "Crimes that Shook Britain" The episode I am in is about the Murder of a young lad called Stephen Cameron by a man called Kenneth Noye.

Quite a frightening story of Road-Rage for which Mr Noye is still in prison, and I really hope he stays there for a long time. The Fiance of Stephen Cameron, who was with him when he was stabbed and left to die on the slip road of the M25, is still under Police protection because she identified Mr Noye, and allegedly he has put a contract out on her life.

Watch the show if you are in the UK. I am playing the Father of the murdered boy along with an amazing lady called Diana Stenson playing his Mother

Flier for the TV Show

Me and Diana, a still from the film, shot in the public gallery of a court during the reconstruction of the trial of Noye. Actually filmed in the Old Court house in Stafford town centre's Shire Hall. Hopefully it should be an interesting and informative show. If you see it let me know.

Busy

Two weeks have flown by since my last post, I have been rather busy, I have taken on a part time temporary job as a Census Collector, That is keeping me busy for 25 hours a week chasing up any stragglers who have not yet completed their census forms. Quite interesting work though.

As well as that I have recently sacked my old theatrical agent after spending 42+ weeks telephoning them every Friday telling them that I am available for work, and getting nothing, Zilch. A couple of weeks ago I had a go at them and the Hard faced booking clerk tried to tell me off. Anyway I have sacked PHA.

Remember that name, don't touch them, they are recruiting all the time, charging people for an induction course (with a promise that if they don't find you a job in 6 months you can have your money back) so they are taking on so many new staff, who must get at least one job that they cannot find work for their long suffering older staff.

My new agent whose name I am not going to broadcast at present, has already found me two jobs. Last Saturday I shot a single non speaking scene, I was playing a Lawyer against Max Beasley Snr. (Father of the well known Max Beasley) who has in fact been in music and acting for many years. During the time scenes were being set I had chance to have a chat with him. What a lovely man, a Mancunian and it transpired that I used to work with his Uncle at Belle-Vue back in the early sixties. What a small world.

I have another walk-on job booked for this coming Thursday but as yet I don't know what that is, nor do I care as long as it puts a couple of pennies in the family tin.

Just in case anyone reads this who cares, This coming Sunday evening at 9.00pm on the UK Sky channel called "The Crime Channel" there will be "Crimes that shook Britain - The Stephen Cameron Murder" I am playing the Father of Stephen Cameron and my wife is being played by the wonderful Diana Stenson. Watch it if you can, and let me know what you think.

Rainbow

Just spent a couple of hours on the reservoir and managed to land a Rainbow trout just a fraction under 3 lbs. Quite proud of that really.

Caught it on a 'Stick Fly' tied by me of course, I remember well the first trout I caught on a home tied fly; It does give a sort of Hunter/Gatherer buzz to catch food in that manner. The joke is I am not really that fond of Trout, but She who must be obeyed likes them so that gets me the required brownie points.

Opening Day

March 15th is the first day of the Fly Fishing season, I have never actually fished on opening day, It gets far too busy for me. This year over 50 members of our local club fished the local reservoir at Grane. Not that bad I suppose, as the water is in excess of 50 acres in area, and that includes the period dawn until dusk. It is a personal choice, the photographs below were taken about 08.30 on opening day, from the footpath I use most mornings when exercising Jay the Autistic Spaniel. It was a mild morning for March, with a bit of local mist as can be seen but according to the catch register a lot of fish were caught.

Jay the Autistic Spaniel enjoying his morning Run.

View of the Bay across Grane Road, six (maybe seven) fishermen are visible in that small portion of the reservoir, but has you can see it is not exactly overcrowded.

I went fishing on Thursday morning, just for a couple of hours. caught two fish with a total weight of around 2.5 pounds. After two hours, the cold wind was getting to me, and I was only what is referred to as "Lure Bashing" although there were reports of fish rising, I personally didn't see any. The flies I used were "Cat's Whisker" and "Stick Fly" I may start putting piccies of the flies on here, when I have tied them..... a possible new challenge!

Note to self: I must organise myself better this year and have a couple of hours fishing every week, I do so enjoy it when I get out there.

Longest Password

Some things are too good not to pass along...


During a recent password audit, it was found that a
blonde was using the following password:


"MickeyMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofy Edinburgh"


When asked why she had such a long password, she said
she was told that it had to be at least 8 characters
long and include at least one capital.

Busy Busy

Sorry I have been missing for a few weeks, I have been rather busy with the "That's Entertainment" blog See HERE - coupled with meeting up with old school friends, doing a bit of gardening, some wood-turning and other bits and bats that keep me going, life has been quite fulfilling. Plus of course these days I don't tend to rush at anything if I can help it!

Anyway just to let you know I am still here, Jay the Autistic Spaniel is still here, a picture below shows him looking wistfully out of the window, probably on a day when I was too busy (or it was too wet) for me to take him for our usual walk on the hills.

Grandson Thomas is also pictured below, taking an afternoon nap with Lumpy. He never goes far without Lumpy the purple Heffalump. Aren't they lovely when they are sleeping? He is lovely when he's awake as well, and growing all the time. I find it hard to believe that in a couple of weeks he will be 4.

Anyway the Jungle Book show has now finished, and in a couple of weeks the fly fishing season starts, and it is almost warm enough to start riding the Motor-bikes again - I admit that I have been a bit of a wimp this winter and hardly been out at all, but things will change shortly.

I really must start posting more regularly. So please don't lose heart and watch this space. I will be back shortly. PROMISE

Balalaika

I have never really listened to anyone playing the Balalaika before, but this is quite amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC1uqTEesIk

That's Entertainment

Whilst putting the poster on this worthy organ last week, I completely forgot to add the link which is www.thatsentertainment1.blogspot.com

Silly old fool that I am

Harrier Jet Flypast

Harrier Jet Flypast

This is the final farewell flypast of Number 10, Downing Street of the world famous Harrier Jump Jet.

Magic!

Thanks to Mike Nicholas for this.

New Blog

Just started a new Blog, based around "That's Entertainment" Which is our local Amateur Pantomime Society. During the Forthcoming Half Term we are presenting Disney's "Jungle Book" Which will be a North-West premier. Get your tickets now, tell your friends and visit the Blog. Now that is an order!

Animal Voiceovers

Thanks to Jake at Oldscroteshome for pointing out the following

http://www.wimp.com/animalvoiceovers/

I haven't laughed so much since my Granny caught her tit in the Mangle

Unintended Use

As the "Festive" season is now over, I have come out of hiding.

Happy New Year to one and all by the way.

Should you feel the need to idle away a few minutes, have a look at

this

Great fun.