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The blog for the afternoon news and current affairs programme presented by Eddie Mair.
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Eddie:
I hope that everyone enjoys Saturday's programme...
~Dennis Junior~
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Listening to Inheritance Tracks, with Frank Sinatra, I'm thinking of Eddie who, if I'm not mistaken, probably loves listening to Mr. S. And the song? "I've got you under my skin". How appropriate!
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No link to the iPM blog. Most annoying :-)
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Stewart - the iPM link's the second item in the list on the right of this page ;o)
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Gill 4, (Tee hee....)
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This programme was a delight and a total joy to listen to!!!
It is humbling to hear the dedication, service and selflessness of so many of those nominated by all your listeners.
A really positive half hour that inspires and gives my heart a lift!!
nik
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Today at 5.30.
What a brilliant Sequin sequence of Whom!
It was just like being in the Tardis itself.
Deja vu, encore.
The new Who is no quack, I'm sure.
Here's to the defeat of Israel on the ground by Hamas. May they follow Hezbollah's example.
Such a victory would be better than peace.
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Well I started listening but sorry I got distracted by the Dr Who Shennanigans. So I missed most of the candidates. Will have to listen again.
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I joined you, Eddie and SHE didn't win?
Thank goodness she hadn't known her name had been mentioned in despatches. That would have been enough to convince her she was a "shoo in" for the award. After not being picked for the next Doctor role - two disappointments in one day - well. That was close! lol
Seriously though. Well done to the winner. Well deserved - well deserved.
Now how about putting my missus forward for Masterchef? The Apprentice? Dragons Den?
MASTERCHEF? One TV series and you are a ......
I got my quals 40 years ago, Eddie and lowly though my placements were - time was served in the business until a career change. But had I stayed "in the heat" of the night - I still wouldn't give myself that soubriquet!
Eric Morecombe teaching Andre Preview the piano and due respect to your ability in the kitchen, Fern Britton, but offering hubby recipes in that advert are my role models.
You can ALWAYS learn something new.
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The way Gordon Brown was talking on Andrew Marr's show, it seems that he is considering SERIOUS action against the banks.
Taking the banking sector fully into public ownership seems to be a real possibility.
Should PM and iPM be gauging listener opinion on this matter?
Off hand I can't believe there is serious opposition to the idea.
Will we find that out at 5.30 tomorrow? Or will Edgie® be still hiding behind a serious voice and silly jokes about the economy?
Hey, we could call the Israeli slaughter in Gaza, Uprockets, Downrockets, eh, Mare®?
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Surely this invasion is ILLEGAL?
If it isn't, we need new laws.
Israel has always derived strength from the Diaspora.
It's time the Diaspora explained to Israel that the Holocaust is a historical tragedy, not a carte blanche.
The slump in US asset values, particularly the Dow, may limit US Diaspora financial support for this slaughter.
We can only hope.
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An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a truth for a truth.
Over 500 Palestinians murdered.
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pmL 11, I'd complain to the Israeli Embassy.
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pmL 11, I remember watching Enos Slaughter play baseball and that wasn't illegal.
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14
Like the economic slump, this is no ball game, sunshine.
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Now, here's a fellow (Braille) who should have recieved an award.
A very good piece from David Blunkett.
"Why Braille is brilliant"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7807217.stm
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Charlie: you may be aware of this, but Dennis Norden has developed over the last few years a serious sight affliction (the latin name of which I'd never remember) but he was on the wireless a day or two ago chatting about it. I've checked the 'listen again' thingys - it doesn't seem to be there, but I enjoyed it immensely.
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Thanks for that Jester.
I didn't know; either about Mr Norden's sight situation or, the broadcast, but tomorrow, I'll try and find the prog.
I'll report back.
Dennis Norden, Frank Muir.
Those really were the days. For me...
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well the wiki place says Mr Norden has Macular Degeneration. No latin in that.
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OED:
macular: from Latin macula = spot
degeneration: from L. degenerare
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Sid / Stewart. I do so love a pedant's squabble! Tee hee.
(squabble - not fr Latin)
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Pedants R Us on the Frog, annasee!
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annasee - where's 'squabble' from then?
Sounds vaguely Indian, like 'bungalow'
but do they have Qs in India - apart from the ones we all experience.
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annasee 21, Squabble - 1. A small squab. 2. Arguing over a game of Scrabble.
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Bungalow is in fact of Irish origin and dates from the 1950's cement shortage. A Belfast builder could not complete the 2-storey houses he had started and decided to a bung a low roof on them.
Squabble is a word boardgame invented by Jonathan Ross
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Tjs 17, Charlie 18, Ah yes, My Music and My Word! They don't write them like that any more.
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pmL 15, Tell us about the last time you visited Gaza or about your degree in economics. ........buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack.... Just got back from de-decorating the Cathedral. I got to remove the tinsel from The Bone from Cologne. Does the sun shine out of, er, um, no I won't go there. Metaphorically speaking, that is. And I never met a phor I didn't like.
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No blogs today?
Nowhere to express utter shock at the idea that the Scottish government is going to spend around 17,000,000 pounds on an Italian painting.
If all the art-luvvies are so desperate to keep this picture in Britain, they should have a collection. I don't mind appearing to be a philistine when I say *no* picture is worth that much money, certainly not when people are sick or hungry...
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Jester,
Found it!
So pleased you posted the "Dennis Norden" information. As you say, an immensely enjoyable broadcast. AND, extremely useful information...
Fabulous stuff. Really.
Only the Part 2 only, is now replayable! so, be quick will go off-line this PM(?) though downloadable transcripts are avaible from the site.
This link takes us to the Progs BBC webpage. "In Touch"
Hosted by the BBC's superb Peter White
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/intouch.shtml
"Peter talks to the entertainer Denis Norden about his life in show business and his deteriorating sight.
Denis Norden has been gracing the world of Light Entertainment for well over 60 years. From Take It From Here, through programmes like My Word and My Music culminating in It will be Alright on the Night, he has been playing with words and winning.
But maacular degeneration has forced him to cut back a little on his work commitments, though you suspect that nothing will persuade him to cut back on puns anecdotes and wry observation.
Part 1 - Tuesday 23rd December 2008
Part 2 - Tuesday 30th December 2008"
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Okay Sid, My Latin ends with Nul illegitumum Carborundum.
And I suppose as the Plural of Macula is Maculae it does suggest latin.
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Stewart M. A graceful conclusion. Thanks for the link to the text stuff, I'll try in when there's nobody looking.
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Courtesy of dictionary dot com:
Squabble
1595–1605; prob. < Scand; cf. Sw dial. skvabbel a quarrel, gossip, Norw dial. skvabba to prattle
Bungalow
1670–80; < Hindi bangla lit., of Bengal
Scrabble
1537, "to scrawl, scribble," from Du. schrabbelen, frequentative of schrabben "to scratch," from the same root as scrape (q.v.). Meaning "to struggle, scramble" first recorded 1638. The game Scrabble is from 1950, proprietary name (reg. U.S.), probably from scribble-scrabble "hasty writing" (1589), a reduplication of scribble.
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And from the same source:
Blog
1998, short for weblog (which is attested from 1994, though not in the sense 'online journal'), from (World Wide) Web + log.
Web
O.E. webb "woven fabric," from P.Gmc. *wabjan (cf. O.S. webbi, O.N. vefr, Du. webbe, O.H.G. weppi, Ger. gewebe "web"), from PIE *webh- (related to O.E. wefan; see weave). Meaning "spider's web" is first recorded c.1220. Applied to the membranes between the toes of ducks and other aquatic birds from 1576. Internet sense (usually capitalized) is from 1994, shortened from World Wide Web (1990); Website is also from 1994.
Log
"to enter into a log book," 1823, from logbook "daily record of a ship's speed, progress, etc." (1679), which is so called because wooden floats were used to measure a ship's speed. To log in in the computing sense is attested from 1963.
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Will this be available by tomorrow @ 5.30 I wonder..?
This is exciting on soooo many levels!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/4109496/New-treatment-for-blood-poisoning-could-prove-instant-hangover-cure.html
New treatment for blood poisoning could prove instant hangover cure
A bloodstream 'cleaner' which could save thousands of lives a year by quickly disabling poisons has been invented by British scientists, and and may even provide an instant hangover cure."
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I just can't think of anything to blog about.
I mean, I am having to use a red pen as I have forgotten my other pens. And it's a little bit annoying. But that's all really.
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Perhaps you need to follow Harry Hill's example, Eddie, and wear a coat with a top pocket permanently stashed with pens? Oh, and a big collar, of course ;o)
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How many Israeli soldiers have died in Gaza since the Israeli invasion?
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Don't tell me the Blog is in fear of failure..?!
Does it need to go into "Administration"?
And, why can't administration supply you with some pens Eddie?
Things can't have come to this so suddenly. Surely?
Why didn't the "Regulators" forsee this..?
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@37: IIRC, one - due to shrapnel.
I suppose what follows should really be GB or FB material, but since there isn't a lead anywhere else, I'll get it off my chest here.
<rant>
The current ratio of deaths appears to be 100 Palestinians for each Israeli. I can't help but think if any other country overreacted in the same way, there'd be insurmountable international pressure to stop. But while the US (read: George Bush) continues giving the Israeli military carte blanche to do whatever they want to do it seems as though no-one else is willing to do anything (other than talk with other diplomats behind the scenes).
It wouldn't surprise me at all that even if they manage to stop all imports into the strip, and/or the vast majority of rocket fire stops, they'll still (a) impose a severe blockade (allegedly to prevent weapons getting in and suicide bombers getting out), and (b) launch regular air strikes (allegedly to kill more Hamas leaders or to dispose of sites which their "intelligence" claims are weapons stockpiles).
I can't help but feel the action they're currently taking is the real reason they withdrew their citizens from the territory...
</rant>
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I want to know why Katie (17) wasn't chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber on Saturday as a possible entrant for Eurovision.
Discuss.
(For those of you who didn't see her, she can be viewed on iPlayer at 46m50sec, and she has a fabulous voice.)
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Wonder why this is considered "News"..?
Of course it was! I well remember seeing the "Stones" there.
Which is how the place got its' name...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/4108867/Stonehenge-was-giant-concert-venue.html
"Stonehenge was 'giant concert venue'
A university professor who is an expert in sound and a part-time DJ believes Stonehenge was created as a dance arena for listening to "trance-style" music."
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In my experience the greatest controversial debates of our time are always hard to follow.
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Big Sis@40
Well, since you ask, I have a feeling it's because Katie spends too slowly.
I firmly believe I could spend $14 million far quicker and have told ALW so.
I'm expecting my invitation imminently...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/4110377/Katie-Holmes-spends-14m-in-six-months-in-New-York.html
"Katie Holmes has singlehandedly come to the rescue of New York's economy, spending £10 million in the city since she moved there six months ago, it has been claimed."
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Can you put your point another way please Jester?
You've lost me...
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I can't do pointing, but Mrs J made a good job of the chimney.
What a coincidence! I was reading your post about Stonehenge and looking at a picture of it at the time. 'Course it does happen to be a framed one on the wall, with the sun behind it.
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I doubt very much if the Katie rejected by ALW would have anything like as much at her disposal. But she has a truly magical voice and the kind of appeal that would melt hearts across Europe.
But then, what would ALW know? After all, she didn't have curly hair.
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Ed. Why don't you have another staff meeting about targets?
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On the subject of which Jester - "pointing" that is - you've reminded me:
I remember (I think!) being a member of the theatre audience to see "The Last Goon Show of All" recorded.
"Bluebottle" and "Moriarty" were having one of their customary arguments and, without digging-out the vinyl, I think I've got this the right way round.
Moriarty: "...that's a moot point!"
Bluebottle: "...don't point that moot at me Moriarty!"
Strange what one (especially this one) remembers.
Anyway, good at chimneys you say...
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Actually I did try to post something about an hour ago and it hasn't gone up. We may have a problem...
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Jester@47
Problem is, meetings usually involve people who can't or won't see eye-to eye, and revolve around what's basically... now, how can I put this? Ah yes, "Bull"
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Eddie
"We may have a problem..."
Not of the "Houston..." type I hope
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Charlie: Whilst scrabbling in the abbles a while ago I came across 'psychobabble'
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Eddie (44) We'll just chat amongst ourselves then....
*twiddles thumbs and whistles*
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An interesting condition Jester and, as it happens, I can confirm that the medication prescribed to control it, doesn't work.
Oh dear...
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Jester - that's what you get for having a dabble.
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There's a good Len Deighton on the iPM link.
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Big Sister 46
"But then, what would ALW know? After all, she didn't have curly hair."
Ouch!
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Eddie 49
Forgive me, I'm only trying to help:
"...and it hasn't gone up."
Y'know, If there's some sort of erectyl dysfunction problem, help is - well... I was going to say, "at hand". But you know what I mean
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Charlie - I'm wondering where our ancestors got their dodecahedronic and huge bass speakers from ...
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Piper (58) - The Naughty Step is located on the Beach. I can show you the way.
And whilst we are at it. Big Sis - (46)
"But then, what would ALW know? After all, she didn't have curly hair."
Did the auditions really include such personal examination?
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Eddie (49):
You see, this is what happens if you cast a 12-year-old as Doctor Who; the entire BBC starts to crumble!
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QL
Not again, surely?
Look, I was only trying to help!
I've got a prescription pad I nicked (sorry, borrowed) from the GP so, I can write...
Okay, okay, you're right. And, let's face it, I've had a reasonable run.
Detention, it clearly is.
Write-down 4,000 times: "I must not raise people's..."
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Sid@49
I always read your posts with interest. They're informative. However, I can't fully understand the question you've asked me.
Some of it sounds Greek to me...
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39
That IIRC figure is what the IDF is saying.
Hezbollah won in Lebanon. The true Israeli death figures came out later, IRRC.
IIRC Israel gets v. upset at every lost soul. Just a few more deaths and they may go home.
They won't for any other reason.
IRRC it's the Diary of Anne Frank tonite. Enjoy.
How DOES Edgie Mare get away with these 'off topic' posts. This is supposed to be about tomorrow at 5.30.
And iPM of course, since all roads lead to Saturday at 5.30.
(Did any of the great unknown bloggers get an Honor)?
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sid@59
Apologies, confusion is another problem I suffer from (possibly from the Latin side of ...)
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SSC 28, I agree, no painting is worth that much. Let Emin and Hirst pay for it.
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QL@60
Incidentally, I think it's a couple of hundred hours community service for you on the beach - and, wearing a fluorescent orange jacket...
Look, I just dropped a "Chocolate Orange" wrapper over there...
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mittfh 32, Bungahole - Bombed bungalow.
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Eddie 35, Is the pen red or the ink?
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pmL 37, How much wood can a woodchuck chuck?
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pml 64, Yeah, Frank has that Tamsin Greig in it. Very funny woman. Not, however to be confused with Edvard Grieg.
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Piper (67) - Fluorescent orange jackets aren't allowed on the beach - they scare the camels. I'll wear my lilac Bermuda shorts, if that's okay.
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I know this is a bit of a diversion, but I need advice.
I parked the "Harley" outside a church today, overstayed and got... well, got a parking fine.
So, what to do..?
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I liked Denis Norden singing He Left Her Behind Alone
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This blog is so educational - I pondered the question so eloquently posed by David McN @70 and looked up 'woodchuck'. Never knew it was a groundhog. 'Woodchuck Day' doesn't have the same ring to it somehow.
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David M 71 - or Debbie Aldridge........
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QL 72
Not too sure about that.
My family's held the Donkey-Ride Rights there for... Donkeys years.
Don't want you frightening 'em
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UtT 76, Not an Archers fan. (The radio program, not the drink.)
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Charlie 73 - get a proper bike ;0)
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Piper (57): He did, however, pick one with curly brunette hair. She was a fine singer, but not as good as Katie (imho).
He also chose a pair of (female) twins, who were, like Katie, blonde. But then we all know about male fantasies, don't we? ;o)
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Anne P 75, You'll like this, then. Years ago they posed a question about Groundhog Day on ?Brain of Britain and referred to Punxsutawney, Pa as being fictional. Coming from Pa, I wrote and corrected them. The then producer (now dead) replied that he assumed it wasn't real because he couldn't spell it right.
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@70, 72, 75: "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"
Personally, I prefer the English fossil woman:
"She sells sea shells on the sea shore"
Or, to make it even more of a twister, transplant her to a sunnier climate...
"She sells sea shells on the Seychelles sea shore"
And talking of significant dates, the 200th anniversary of a certain famous naturalist's birth is the 12th Feb. Oh, and one of his grandparents was Josiah Wedgwood - just to keep nice and topical :)
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mittfh 82, I perfer the Peter Piper one. No relation to the Piper on this blog, however. Or Billy.
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Not only that, mittfh, but this year is the 250th anniversary of the founding of Wedgwood.
Such a shame to see the potteries as casualties like this, but in some ways I think they've contributed to their own demise by pursuing the mass market and, to cut costs, importing chinaware from abroad.
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OK - can anyone settle an argument?
Neeps - are they what the English know as swede or turnips? There was some discussion that catering may attempt a haggis, neeps and tatties meal at the end of the month and consternation that they might not get it right.
They won't. I don't believe it was chicken in my curry at lunchtime but don't want to imagine what it might have once been.
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I can hear Eddie, but I can't see Eddie.
No sign of him on the webcam - unless he's under the desk looking for his pen.
Oh, and no Glass Box, either.
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BS 84, Yes, it's a shame that Tony Wedgwood Benn has gone into receivership at 84.
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Mr. Benn has the stamina of a 40 year old, from what I've observed. I don't think he'll be cracking up in a hurry. Pun intended.
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I don't know about Wedgwood but it looks as though the Glass Box may have been made by Waterford Crystal.
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BS 88, But his son is no chip off the old crock. Pun intended.
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Okay, as there's no other action here, can I propose to my fellow froggers that we begin our own Morris Dance?
So: /\ your sticks and Z bend your knees, S in and out and % ring those bells!
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Hillary Benn is named after Hillary Clinton, you know.
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Sorry about the lack of glass box...and other items. They will probably appear in the middle of the night.
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Is there a connection, then, David?
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Swedes, aka swede turnips, Karen. All orangey when they're cooked, and best with a grinding of black pepper and a knob of butter (go on, then, do the jokes, folks) or other fatty substance of your choice.
There's a Welsh dish called 'punchnep' which I can highly recommend: neeps and tatties, mashed separately, stirred together but not mixed, bit of salt and pepper, then makes some holes in the top and put a knob of butter in each indentation. You can also use yoghurt and, probably, cream. It's yummy.
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DMcN, don't we all come from Pa? Though Ma did most of the hard work, it should be said.
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Does Shaun Ley report over a Ley line?
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Eddie, we'll all sit up late and make our comments then. Just for you. :o)
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Big Sis@84. I echo your sentiments and analysis completely. There were no excuses for Stoke City's FA Cup defeat 0-2 at Hartlepool, but I don't think they had any Chinese players in the side.
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Upshares - Downshares?
Edward (Christopher Beeny) is regularly in "Last Of The Summer Wine" and I thought of Eddie and Nils.
Now that is too too much. I tune into the TV show to have a laugh.
Nils? A "Mrs Bridges too Far" if you ask me - starring a "Hudson Hawk" type actor. Step forward David Caruso! Agh!
Christopher Beeny's character last night in "Summer" changed names too.
"Come to my arms, you Beamish boy!"
Eddie. Nils. Stay right where you are! lol
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BS 94, Well, Clinton said she was named after Hillary the mountain climber, so...
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F_O 96, We always said that everybody in Ohio came from Pa.
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The webcam is back online. Eddie has appeared.
All's well in the world (though pmLeader will doubtless immediately disagree with me)
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I always assumed that the ex first Lady's name was short for hilarity as Bill made her such a laughing stock.
Happy New Yea........
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Thanks Frances (95) that's what I thought it was. Catering will probably improvise with something else...
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btw, Karen, I meant to ask earlier - are you a chemist? Pharmacist? Your posts suggest a pretty comprehensive knowledge of medicine
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Of course, if this is cheeky of me, or you'd rather not say, please ignore the above.
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Frances O@96
Sent from the Beach where, I'm serving a 400-year sentence..."
All I can say is that I've "always" been told, that I "...should stick-up for my father...", because "...he'd stuck-up for me."
make of that, what you will...
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Piper (108) - You've just lost any chance of parole!
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QL
Ain't that the truth..!
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Charlie@73
You're with "paddybh"
Cough-up...
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BigSis @ 80
Now, tell me.
You don't raeally expect me to respond to that...
Do you..?
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@84: And until they closed, there was a poster in the window of the Kenilworth branch of another ex-company inviting people to join in their 100th anniversary events later this year.
-oOo-
Ceramaspeed (ceramic hob manufacturer based in Kidderminster) - currently in administration - incorporated 3rd Oct 1973
Woolies - inc. 23/07/1909
Adams (children's clothing):
Adams Kids - inc. 19/02/2007 (currently dormant)
Adams Childrensware - inc. 05/12/2006 (active)
(previously HAMSARD 3060 LIMITED until 05/04/07)
Adams Childrensware Holdings - inc. 13/12/2006 (active)
(previously HAMSARD 3035 LIMITED until 13/04/07)
Wikipedia states they started in 1933, and previously entered administration from sometime in 2006 to Feb 2007.
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Big Sis - ah, the predilection for curly hair explains the inclusion of the apparently voiceless/tuneless but pre-raphaelite-looking one?
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Charlie - long time ago.
(a) thank you for your kind words. However, the Greek words I used were copied from the Telegraph article someone referred to re Stonehenge ... oh dear, it all gets so complicated.
(b) something else ... I've forgotten what I was going to say ...
And Frances O - would you like a knob of butter? Oops ...
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Eddie:
From your remarks at 3:10pm on 05 Jan 2009..There are no pictures and also, no Glass box in the item!!!!
~Dennis Junior~
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ValP -I concur completely. And Katie would have been a far worthier contestant. How sad that men are so often led by the trousers!
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Big Sis - indeed!
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