Here as an early Christmas present, if only to myself, is an audio recording of the Spencer Davis Group on the television pop show Ready Steady Go! As the song they sing, My Babe, is on their first LP, Their First LP, I assume this is from the band's debut on the programme. That was on 14 May 1965. My Babe was first written and performed by Bobby Hatfield and Bill Medley, who were about to find fame as The Righteous Brothers. At the time of this edition of Ready Steady Go!, Steve Winwood was three months past his 17th ...
Are you ready for Christmas? Are you staying at home or are you planning to visit your loved ones? These are some of the questions that we will be hearing a lot these days. There is a rush to buy, cook and make sure that the "Christmas experience" is close to being "perfect". Whether we like it or not, it is almost impossible to avoid all the madness around the Festive Season. I often wonder whether we have lost our ability to recognise that Christmas can give us all a lot more than only a new toy, phone or a ...
The contrast between Johnson's spots in 1964 and John F. Kennedy's in 1960 is remarkable. In style, the difference is more like a decade removed, not just four years.
Peter Geogehan reminds us that Michelle Mone is a symptom of a much deeper disease corrupting British politics. "In the hours after the arrest, pretty much every British political media organization prominently reported the man's arrest, together with his age, his position as an MP, and his alleged crimes. But while every reporter in Westminster knew exactly who he was, it took more than a year before anybody dared publish his name." Esther Webber explains how British libel law lets bad people get away with bad things." "I am the only reader present in what's typically a bustling space. The ...
There's a paradox about people's position on Brexit. Much as a clear majority of voters would support Remain (or Rejoin) in a new referendum, knowing what they know now, many of them nevertheless have no desire to go back to the divisiveness of the pre- and post-referendum period. Many families, friendship groups, communities and social groupings have been riven by Brexit; some people are still not on speaking terms with those on the other side. It's little wonder that the Remain/Leave division is still the most powerful in British politics. That makes the route back into the EU one that ...
Michael's surgeries take place today and every Thursday during school term time. They are as follows : Thursdays at 5.45pm prompt - West End Campus (come to reception area of St Joseph's RC and Victoria Park Primary Schools) Thursdays at 6.30pm prompt - Harris Academy reception area All welcome - no appointment necessary! These are Michael's last surgeries of 2023 and his surgeries return immediately after the school holidays in the New Year.
