A compendium of musical delights by Alan and Margaret Ashworth
MENTION the name Bernard Manning these days, particularly to those of the Leftie persuasion, and the response will be: ‘Vile old racist homophobe’. Yet while he did tell racial jokes … Continue readingIn defence of Bernard Manning
WHEN Robert Maxwell bought the Mirror in 1984, one of the first tasks he set himself was to make sure that Keith Waterhouse stayed with the paper since, for many readers, his … Continue readingAn afternoon with Keith Waterhouse
FROM the day I started infants’ school at the age of five, my mother insisted that I come home every day for lunch. Perhaps influenced by her own experience as … Continue readingSchool meals, yum!
IT was in early January 48 years ago that I arrived in Newcastle upon Tyne to begin a school-leavers’ course at the Thomson Regional Newspapers training centre. The office was … Continue readingThe wrestling vicar
IT is more than two years since my doctor at the health centre in Clitheroe retired. I still don’t know if her replacement is any good, or indeed what he … Continue readingWhen doctors were our friends
SOME time ago I invited readers to share their favourite newspaper headlines. First off the mark was therealguyfaux ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ , who submitted this classic from the New York Post: HEADLESS BODY IN TOPLESS BAR He … Continue readingHeadline News
THE longest six months of my life was spent working at a cardboard factory in the gap between leaving school and starting a journalism course. It paid extremely well, with … Continue readingNot cut out for cardboard
OVER the years I have heard many examples of inspiring teachers whose enthusiasm gave their young charges a lifelong passion for the subject. In my case, however, love of English … Continue readingShakespeare v Wodehouse
IN the days before technology took over and nerds ruled the world, national newspaper production was oiled, indeed well-oiled, by an ocean of alcohol. Daily Mail sub-editors and newsdesk staff would think … Continue readingBooze of the World
MANY years ago the missus and I decided that what the world needed was a book about George Carman, the brilliant defence barrister whose acquitted clients included Jeremy Thorpe, accused … Continue readingStitched up by George Carman