Pocket Notebook

Posted on 07/02/2022 by Patrick

Rupert Brook 1887 – 1915

He was in Germany when he wrote…

God, I would pack and take a train and get me to England once again, for England’s the one land, I know, where men with splendid hearts may go…

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Pocket Notebook

Posted on 19/12/2021 by Patrick

Baltimore Harbour 1955… Photo by Aubrey Bodine…

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Pocket Notebook…

Posted on 29/09/2021 by Patrick

MacGyver

Ok guys, I guess, I’m still working on the next episode of the popular “The Shriving” at www.patrickcallaghan.co.uk  – so meanwhile, I’m going to give you something that I’ve held back for a long time because it’s not that far back in TV time land. Now, Richard Dean Anderson just knocks my socks off with his portrayal of MacGyver in the named TV show. I first watched this on UK Freeview and it just swept me out. so much so, that I rushed out a purchase for all 139 episodes of the show from 1985 to 1992.

Each episode is carefully and skilfully written, with all the ingredients needed for a successful production, those of action, help and love, just where its most needed. It’s a show that has youth, vitality and conviction. This is a young adventurer who believes guns are a menace, a downfall to humanity, and that people are more valuable than bullets. Perhaps, that’s a gospel we should all try and live by.

I’ve not watched the later remake of the series starring a different actor, in not wanting to tarnish the images I have of Richard’s acting skills. I guess, the new guy, would be just as compelling to a newer and younger audience and technology would play its important part. But for me, I’m just in my own comfort zone with RDA and knowing he shares the same love of Ice Hockey as I do!

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Pocket Notebook…

Posted on 28/09/2021 by Patrick

British Actress Enid Stamp Taylor pictured in the back garden of her home in St. John’s Wood in 1934. The proud mother of daughter Robin Anne. The snap was taken by her husband Sidney Colton.

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Pocket Notebook…

Posted on 26/09/2021 by Patrick

Often seen around the Norfolk Broads and the River Bure is a Mississippi Paddle Boat named ‘Southern Comfort’ She is used for day trips, parties and conferences, gliding in true majestic style, out from Horning.

Photo by Roy Northwood

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Pocket Notebook…

Posted on 16/09/2021 by Patrick

The Gainsborough Studios in Islington London produced many fine productions prior to the 2nd World War and later in further acquired premises after war broke out. At Islington they had used an abandoned power station with a very high chimney and the worry became, that this may fall if hit in an air raid, so production was moved to safer shared studios.

Gainsborough was owned by the French Company ‘Gaumont’ therefore productions were mostly shown in their Cinema’s throughout Britain.

My friend Robin Anne, daughter of British Actress Enid Stamp Taylor, told me, her mother had worked at the Islington studios on ‘OK for Sound’ with ‘The Crazy Gang’ and that it had been a wonderful small team to work with. No less than forty staff behind the cameras!

The Gainsborough Lady who gracefully bowed her head at the beginning of each production was Glennis Lorimer, an actress in her own right who appeared as Albert’s girlfriend in ‘Ask a Policeman’

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The Shriving of Miss Esme Stamp…

Posted on 04/09/2021 by Patrick

Episode 93… A revival of thoughts…

For some days now Charles had pondered over Barney’s telephone call days earlier, and Barney’s words, or rather those of Rebecca. “We must all look to the north wind” it was very puzzling, what did she mean? Should some disaster over take them? Things seem to be going well and everyone around him were happy. But perhaps, that was the time to be wary. Things change in this world, he told himself, and nothing lasts forever. If only she she could tell us?

There was time for reflection and there was time when things have to have, a common sense approach, so for the present, these thoughts were put aside to the day to day running of life.

Esme in her way reflected and sat within the small scullery at the rear of the shop, the coal fire had been lit, and her thoughts ran to those recent events held across the road in The Kings Head. She sat within the glow of the coals, their red heat penetrated the pores of her skin and warmed the white of her bones. She stared long and hard into the glass of whisky as if it were full of a thousand nettles and finding no reason to swallow the liquid her mind moved over matters best with the gradient carefulness of an undertaker’s assistant…  What was Charles, she knew he was was all the world to her, but where was she, what was her direction, she knew she would want to be with him, but what did the future hold, and was her future really with him… Thoughts crossed her mind in many fashions, for this time in her life, she was happy and at one with herself. Then the dark thoughts of her mother stead through her mind…

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Pocket Notebook…

Posted on 03/09/2021 by Patrick

Arguably, one of the best of comedy movies in 1937 was ‘Oh Mr. Porter’ Directed by Marcel Varnel and featured the classic trio of Will Hay, Moore Marriott and Graham Moffett. It’s full of funny and witty lines and ranks as highly entertaining from the studios of Gainsborough. We visited ‘Buggleskelly’ just a few years ago, following a branch line from Basingstoke. To our dismay, it was neglected and overgrown, however, we could make out where the station booking office had once stood by looking at a line of shrubs and now hefty trees. Never-the-less, it was a worthwhile day out…

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Pocket Notebook…

Posted on 22/08/2021 by Patrick

Batford Springs Nature Reserve (A beautiful picture by Debra Moore)

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The Shriving of Miss Esme Stamp…

Posted on 18/04/2021 by Patrick

Episode 92… A New Life for Herbert and Linda…

It was the wedding of the year. It was Herbert and Linda’s time. Caxton Hall presented the perfect place for the ceremony and of course, the reception later was held in somewhat style with sumptuous foods from both London and Paris served to the 40 and more attenders at The Kings Head. Photography was very much on Charles mind and everyone was pictured at least a dozen times. Celebrations went on into the early hours. Linda having been given special permission from the Police.

The following days witnessed a bevy of wedding pictures hung from the interior walls of The Kings Head and much to the pleasure of Charles and Gabby’s skills. Having Herby’ and Linda more or less, on the doorstep, was something exciting for everyone, although, Herbert never neglected his role as an agent for The Peoples Palace and subsequently, enjoyed his participation in the running of The Kings Head.

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