Tweet I have now had my banjo six months and recently reached a bit of a plateau in my performance and improvement. Part of this was caused by having to move home during which time my practice time went out of the window and part of it was caused by a sudden lack of direction [...]
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Learning the 5-string banjo pt 5: My picking right hand
TweetI have long promised a post on my experience with picks and what I am doing, or not doing, to improve my right hand technique. My banjo came with three standard picks. Two silver nickel picks made by Dunlop and one standard (giant) plastic thumb pick. There is an awful lot of information on picks [...]
Banjos
TweetThey say you know a gentleman by his ability to play the banjo, but his choice not to. Or words to that effect. This and other banjo jokes have not deterred my long-standing interest in the instrument and its music. Recently Steve Martin produced an album that epitomises a banjo lover’s seduction by this peculiar [...]
Too old to work?
TweetThe Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice is about to make a ruling on whether it is fair to force people into retirement at the age of 65. Since 2006, British Law has decreed that it is legal for employers to force retirement at 65. Over 600 challenges in tribunals await the decision. At [...]
Chippenham to Salisbury – even slower
TweetIt’s been a while since I’ve made this journey on the train, and definitely not since my little survey of train journey times between Salisbury and Chippenham. And incidentally the price has gone up to £17.50 for a Saver Return. The journey time from Salisbury to Chippenham via Bath Spa (no direct services at all) [...]
Shame on FGW: old problems still persist
TweetI have so much backlog to go through for updates on local train issues I thought I would kick-off with a disappointment and share my frustration at both my outward and return journey on Saturday 13th October, travelling from Salisbury to Bristol. Out. Took the 10.40 to Bristol Temple Meads. Surely a ‘peak’ service considering [...]
Government regulation of reincarnation
TweetHeaven knows (literally) how the Chinese government will administer this one! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20227400/site/newsweek/
Give us this day our daily bread
TweetLast year, during the FA World Cup, I bought a sandwich which came with its own thought for the day. Today I find myself buying the same sandwich made by Daily Bread: shaved cheddar and pickle. It still comes with its daily motto which today is: If God wanted us to fly, He would have [...]
Service Cancelled: due to Glastonbury Festival?
Tweet Last week and today, First Great Western organised some 60 extra services on its network to ferry festival-goers to and from Castle Cary for Glastonbury 2007. The question is: did other regular services suffer?
Access to Archives?
TweetWiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council are currently in the middle of moving various heritage services from around the county (mainly Trowbridge) topurpose-built facilities in Chippenham which will open some time after October 2007 as Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. These services include the record office (archives), archaeology, museums service conservation (moved from Salisbury) [...]
