Monthly Archives: May 2008

>I found myself in Bethnal Green a couple of days ago. We lived there for many years, and I’ve still got a real fondness for the place. Lots of independent shops, a good street market and tatty pubs full of … Continue reading →

> It’s the Eurovision Song Contest this weekend. We’ve got boring coverversion-droid Andy Abraham flying our flag. Not that the country that produced The Smiths, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones or even McFly have anything to prove. The French, however, … Continue reading →

>So, it’s Bella’s turn for the MOT. Compared to “Dino”, my adored 1973 Sprint feels tiny and even more agricultural. The P-range of Vespas, the so-called “New Line” are a distinctly different ride from their ancestors like Bella. Although hardly … Continue reading →

>When you ride an older vehicle, it pays to have a decent relationship with the folks that fix ’em. In London we’re lucky that there are five or six places that you can get a classic scoot fettled. One of … Continue reading →

> More from Nouvelle Vague – this time a cover of the Specials’ Friday Night And Saturday Morning. The song’s protagonist talks of being ‘Out with mates and dates and friends’, although you get the impression that he’s lonely, wishing … Continue reading →

> A few years ago I walked from Settle to Clapham via Feizor, Austwick and Norber. That’s Clapham, Yorkshire – not the South London one where BBC governors live. It rained and rained and rained. By the time I got … Continue reading →

>These photographs were rescued from the archive of Dean, Smith And Grace of Keighley. "Deans" was founded in 1865 and made the "Rolls Royce Of Lathes" . My dad worked there as a patternmaker from 1964 until the company closed … Continue reading →

> Who doesn’t love a model village? Perfect miniature towns with no sink estate, no inconsiderate parking, a high street full of butchers, bakers and very probably candlestick makers. The Post Office hasn’t been closed to improve efficiency. The pub … Continue reading →

>Further along the B1252 at Sledmere is this memorial to the Wolds Waggoners Special Reserve. The Waggoners were the idea of Sir Mark Sykes (whose descendents still live nearby at the lovely Sledmere House) who as early as 1905 recognised … Continue reading →

> Driving from Bridlington along the gentle B1252, you’ll pass through the hamlet of Rudstone with its handsome Norman church, All Saints. But – hang on – what’s that in the churchyard? “That” is Rudstone Monolith – reputedly the tallest … Continue reading →