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 [...]
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Pennbucky to Llangenny, new songs of old times
TweetA couple of weeks back I was introduced to a local group (from the Gower, near Swansea) who have produced a fabulous CD of folk songs in tribute to Swansea’s sailors and coppermen. It is called Pennbucky to Llangenny by Andrew McKay with Andy Baker, Tony Beddow, Joe Parsell, Dave Robinson and Ken Simpson. The 18 [...]
World Tango Championships 2010
TweetBeautiful images from this year’s World Tango Dance Championships in Argentina. Gorgeous. From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-11152136 From Demotix: http://www.demotix.com/news/419490/tango-world-championship-argentina
Some of my minerals on flickr
TweetOne of my fascinations in life is minerals and mineralogy. I can’t say I have an expert’s knowledge of crystalline structures or forms but I do have a good feel for the massive impact our use of minerals has on our lives, and has done in the past. I have had cause to think about [...]
Take the Lead tango
TweetNew Strictly Come Dancing dancer, Katya Virshilas, danced a very sultry tango with Antonio Banderas in the 2006 film Take the Lead. Take a look.
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 [...]
A single Wiltshire's new name: WC
TweetThe new name and dates for the new Wiltshire unitary authority has been decided. It is to be called Wiltshire Council or WC for short. There will be some increase in the time for the transition and we can actually ‘enjoy’ the result of our democratic actions last May for a little longer. WC will [...]
Government regulation of reincarnation
TweetHeaven knows (literally) how the Chinese government will administer this one! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20227400/site/newsweek/
Network Rail and Freedom of Information
TweetAn e-petition to 10 Downing Street is requesting that Network Rail be designated a public authority so that people may request information from it under the Freedom of Information Act At the moment it is very difficult to request certain details about the running of the railways from Network Rail owing to technicalities in the [...]
Train company threatens legal action
TweetAwaiting the 0830 Salisbury to Southampton service yesterday (13/08/07) my eye fell upon the front page story of The Times which reported the threatened legal action by First Group against the rail watchdog London TravelWatch. This is the story as reported by the BBC and here are some letters written in response to The Times [...]
