Twelve Days of Christmas
If the Council of Tours hadn’t met in 567 then we probably wouldn’t have had Twelfth Night. That gathering of learned churchmen decided (among other ecclesiastical matters) that the period… Read more »
Deck the Halls
The holly and the ivy,When they are both full grown,Of all the trees that are in the wood,The holly bears the crown. People have been hanging up midwinter decorations since… Read more »
Goodnight Sweetheart
Good night sweetheart, tho’ I’m not beside youGood night sweetheart, still my love will guide youDreams enfold you, in each one I’ll hold youGood night sweetheart, good night Words and… Read more »
Made for sharing…
…is just one of the many slogans attached to television adverts for Walkers crisps which starred Gary Lineker. The former England football captain turned tv pundit and National Treasure was usually… Read more »
O crikey! I say, you chaps
In August 2021 Boris Johnson (remember him?) was due to come to Scotland. Police set up the usual security operations always associated with the visit of a British Prime Minister…. Read more »
Who’s a pity boy then…?
A Budgerigar in a Cage Puts all Heaven in a Rage William Blake was actually talking about a ‘Robin Redbreast’ (you knew that of course) but the principle’s the same. The… Read more »
Ballad of Bethnal Green
‘Extraordinary how potent cheap music is’ observed Amanda, a character in Noel Coward’s Private Lives. It’s also extraordinary how a piece of music you haven’t thought about for decades suddenly chirrups back into… Read more »
Stick it in your family album
All lined up in a wedding group, here we are for a photograph.We’re all dressed up in our morning suits all trying not to laugh.Since the early caveman in his… Read more »
Bring out the Branston
In a pub I asked what kind of sandwiches they had. ‘Ham and cheese,’ the man said. ‘Oh, yes please,’ I said. ‘Yes please what?’ he said. ‘Yes please, ham… Read more »
The Green Fields of France
And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind?In some faithful heart is your memory enshrinedAnd though you died back in 1916To that loyal heart are you always 19Or… Read more »