I have been to a few funerals recently due to three deaths in my family and although I am from an Irish background I was not immediately familiar with a song played at one of them. After some research I remembered it’s significance and it’s stuck in my mind
Fields of Athenry
December 26, 2011If I knew then what I know now
November 5, 2011Almost every night on the news we watch our inexperienced politicians blunder about on the world stage, making our problems worse and getting us involved in situations that don’t concern us.
Watch this clip below and see another well meaning but naive young man interfering in a situation that doesn’t concern him
Gallipoli and the ANZACs
August 15, 2011In 1915, fighting during World War I had reached an obvious stalemate in Northern France. The Allied governments were looking for a way forward and noticed that in parts of southern Europe there were long stretches of coastline with difficult terrain, defended by Austrian and Turkish forces who were perceived to be weak. Germany seemed to have a “soft underbelly” and if a bridgehead could be established it would be relatively easily link up with Russia and drive straight into the heart of Europe.
The Gallipolli peninsula in present day Turkey was chosen as a point of attack but it proved to be much more difficult than expected. The coasts were windswept and bare with few bays and many steep cliffs. The land was well defended by 84 000 troops, the sea was heavily mined and attempts to use naval strength failed with the loss of two battleships.
Despite this, on 25th April 1915, an Allied army containing a large number of Australians and New Zealanders (ANZACs) landed at Gallipoli. Some attacks were successful because the Turks were unprepared but others were fiercely defended. At one beach, Allied troops were massacred and a British pilot reported that the sea was “absolutely red with blood”
The survivors fought their way in land to drive the Turks back and numerous footholds were gained. The Turks, under the determined leadership of a local commander called Kemal, continually prevented the Allied troops from capturing their real objective which was the hills above the beach which run along the whole length of the peninsula. Unfortunately for them, the Allied troops became trapped between the steep hills and the open beaches and repeated attacks led to awful losses with thousands dying to capture a few hundred yards.
They had no choice other than to dig in as the fighting continued and increased in intensity as the summer approached. In August, a second landing was made at the nearby Suvla Bay where 5 000 Turks were killed in one morning.
Between offensives, the men lived in awful conditions, sweating in the heat, surrounded by their dead with disease spreading like wildfire. Even so, a friendly respect grew between the opposing armies such that Allied troops threw tinned beef to the Turks who threw fruit and sweets back.
The Allied Generals in London began to have doubts about the operation and in November 1915, Lord Kitchener was sent to investigate. He soon realised it was hopeless to fight on, ordered a withdrawal and by January 1916, no Allied Troops were left at Gallipolli.
Every year, the 25th April is celebrated as ANZAC Day and it is commemorated throughout Australia and New Zealand. An annual Rugby League Test Match is staged between the two countries on or near to ANZAC Day and is called the ANZAC Test.
In 2015, to celebrate the centenary of Gallipoli and the ANZACs it is proposed that the ANZAC Test Match will take place in Turkey, possible at a large soccer stadium in Istanbul. This will be fitting tribute.
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There are only two Richard Burtons
July 28, 2011A famous chant involves supporters singing the praises of their star player to the tune of “Guantanamera.” My first memory of it involved the Manchester City supporters in the late Seventies singing “there’s only one Kazy Deyna” about a Polish international player who played for them briefly.
Most people have a namesake and most people can describe the good and bad antics of somebody with the same name as them. A few people liven up the lives of their contemporaries with tales of a famous namesake and some actually change their name by deed poll to do this. Very few celebrities actually share the same name as each other because prospective candidates rightly don’t want to limit their career chances and usually adopt a suitable stage name at the earliest opportunity. Richard Burton is an exception to this rule.
Chronologically the second but probably the most famous Richard Burton was a Welsh actor who was nominated for an Oscar seven times without ever winning. His film roles included The Robe, The Spy who Came in from the Cold, Look Back in Anger, Becket and 1984. He also starred in Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolfe with Elizabeth Taylor and they were married on two separate occasions. This Richard Burton is probably best known for his heavy drinking, his womanising and his tempestuous, on-off relationship with Ms. Taylor who he met on the set of Cleopatra. He also had a successful stage career on both sides of the Atlantic and died in 1985 aged 58.
The other Richard Burton was far more interesting. He was a Victorian explorer who led a life that made Indiana Jones seem like a quiet and retiring chap. Richard Francis Burton travelled in disguise to Mecca and Medina to become one of the first non-Muslim Europeans to make and give a detailed description of the pilgrimage known as the Hajj. He led various expeditions to Africa on behalf of the Royal Geographical Society, explored the Great Lakes and attempted to locate the source of the River Nile. In 1858, this Richard Burton and his partner John Hanning Speke, discovered both Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria and the subsequent public quarrel about their adventures entertained Victorian society. Burton and Speke were due to publicly debate the subject but unfortunately Speke was killed in a tragic accident the day before.
This Richard Burton was a prodigious and erudite author who wrote articles and books on a wide range of diverse topics including travel, human behavior, falconry, fencing and ethnography. He was a renowned linguist who spoke approximately thirty European, Asian and African languages. This Richard Burton was responsible for the first full translations of both the “The Arabian Nights” and “The Karma Sutra” into English.
Richard Francis Burton served as British Consul to Fernando Po, Damascus, Santos and Triesteand was awarded a Knighthood in 1886. He died of a heart attack aged 69 in 1890 and is buried alongside his devoted wife Isabel at St Mary Magdalen’s Church in Mortlake near London. His remarkable tomb is the shape of a Bedouin tent and is a fitting tribute to his extraordinary life. It is well worth a visit.
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Douglas, Castletown and Port St Mary
July 15, 2011After pleasant journey from Pier Head in Liverpool to Douglas Harbour, I returned to the Isle of Man after an absence of approximately twenty years. I regularly visit old haunts to reminisce and am usually surprised at the pace of change but the Isle of Man seemed to be stuck in a time warp. I enjoyed revisiting some of the famous features and also discovered some hidden treasures
On the promenade in Douglas is a striking memorial to William Hillary who founded the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (R.N.L.I.) In 1830, at the age of 60, he took part in the rescue of the packet St George, which had foundered on Conister Rock at the entrance to Douglas Harbour. As a result, Hillary became a prominent member of the scheme to build the Tower of Refuge on Conister Rock which still stands there and is the subject of a poem by William Wordsworth.
The Isle of Man has long standing brewing regulations which forbids the use of additives in any beer brewed there. The island has become a Mecca for real ale enthusiasts who visit the many pubs to sample the excellent beers on sale. I recommend Okells Bitter and enjoyed a few pints myself in and around Douglas.
At the far end of Douglas promenade is a small village called Onchan which is home to a remarkable, recreation of St Bernadette’s Grotto in Lourdes. It was built in 1951, near to St Anthony’s Church as a replica of the natural cave in France where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1858 and was the brainchild of Father James McGrath who sadly died in 1982.
Close to Douglas and Onchan is Groudle Glen which to my amazement was deserted during my Friday evening visit in high season during August. It consisted of an easily accessible stream complete with waterfalls and a waterwheel flowing through a picturesque wooded valley. I thoroughly recommend it.
Within easy reach of Douglas, past Ronaldsway Airport is the ancient capital of the Isle of Man called Castletown which was home to the government until it relocated to Douglas. The narrow streets and working harbour are dominated by Castle Rushen which used to provide a home both to the Kings and the government. I visited on the day of the Castletown Festival when the roads were closed to accommodate stalls, attractions and Bouncy Castles. A good time was had by all.
Further along from Castletown is Port St Mary which is the home of sailing on the Isle of Man and I have happy memories of childhood holidays spent there. I can say the same about many other places but Port St Mary, for once doesn’t disappoint with it’s the clear water in a quiet, tranquil bay, clean sand and a quaint harbour. On a summers day it’s an idyllic spot and one of my favourite places on earth.
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Where has all the money gone?
June 26, 2011When Labour Treasury Minister, Liam Byrne was leaving office he left a note for his Coalition counterpart saying “there’s no money left” This is probably true and I’m not blaming the last Labour government on their own but where has it all gone?
Future generations will find it difficult to go to University due to tuition fees and will struggle to get buy a house due to sky high property prices. They will struggle to get a job due public sector cuts and the decline in manufacturing industry. If they do they will have to work much longer due to massive cuts in pension provision.
This country has continued to be relatively wealthy even in recent years. Past generations have either pocketed or squandered the wealth leaving their children and grandchildren to pay the bill.
They have a right be feel aggrieved
The Boys from Brazil
June 15, 2011At first glance, “The Boys of Brazil” seemed to deal with unusual subject matter, it seemed to come with a high pedigree and as a result I was initially expecting a great deal. Top notch stars such as Gregory Peck and Laurence Olivier further whetted my appetite and I knew that Director Franklin J. Schaffner had a proven track record with titles such as “Papillon,” “Patton” and the original “Planet of the Apes.” “Welcome Home” starring Jane Fonda and John Voigt is another career highlight and another particular favorite of mine.
Originally released in 1978 and based on a book by Ira Levin, I saw the film as a teenager although it didn’t particularly stick in my mind. When I noticed a recent re-run in the terrestrial TV schedules I decided to do some reminiscing.
While attempting to explore a controversial topic, it proved to be an effective although ultimately shallow and unsatisfying thriller involving a Nazi cloning plot organized by Dr Joseph Mengele. Death camp Doctor Mengele, who performed infamous concentration camp experiments in attempts to develop a superior Aryan race, is now exiled in South America and still pursuing his dream of a Fourth Reich. Gregory Peck is excellent as Dr Mengele as is Laurence Olivier as a Simon Wiesenthal type professional Nazi Hunter, Ezra Lieberman, who hears of and then attempts to foil the plot. Other famous faces featured include an underused James Mason, a young Steve Guttenberg, Lili Palmer and Denholm Elliot. Watch out for Prunella Scales a.k.a. Sybill Fawlty too.
The scientifically possible but very improbable plot might hinder your enjoyment but the two main stars, high profile director and the quality cast live up to their reputations and provide good value for money although everybody involved has done much better.
In many ways this is a wasted opportunity and I personally was looking for something with more depth. No real attempt was made to address the legal, ethical or scientific aspects of cloning and the age old nature or nurture question concerning child development was hinted at but not fully explored.
It might be useful as a sixth form vehicle to provoke a discussion on cloning and associated topics such as GM food but my original appraisal from thirty plus years ago turned out to be highly accurate. Maybe I was a reasonably cultured teenager after all.
Is it time to play the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and Clash albums again?
Anyone for “Cranked Up Really High” by Slaughter and the Dogs?
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Station Road, Swinton
June 8, 2011I was born in Salford and worked for many years within the City but after a long absence I returned there recently for a brief visit. In reality, I visited Swinton which is a separate location within the City of Salford and is home to a small but busy shopping centre and the administrative offices of Salford council.
Famous Salford resident LS Lowry, who painted famous pictures of “match stalk men and match stalk cats and dogs” was actually a life long resident of Swinton and lived on Station Road nearby.
Swinton, and particularly Station road, are also famous for a Rugby League team who were once one of the biggest names in the game and in 1927/28 were one of only three clubs to win all four cups played for in one season. Their successful team of the 1960′s won the Championship twice with stars such as Alan Buckley, John Stopford and Ken Gowers.
Station Road was the venue for numerous international matches between Great Britain and other nations in particular Australia for the Rugby League Ashes. It was once called the “Aussie graveyard” because for many years Australia were unable to win there.
In 1930 at Swinton, in the third and deciding Test with the score standing at a very unusual 0-0 and time running out, Australia’s half-back Joe “Chimpy” Busch picked the scored what seemed like a match winning and Ashes winning try. Busch and his team were jubilant but the referee consulted the touch judge and over-turned his original decision.
In 1948, the Second Test match was played at Station Road and before the game, the Australian players paid homage in the corner where “Chimpy” Busch had been denied but they lost the match 17-6 and The Ashes with it. Station Road, once again proved to be the graveyard of the Aussies.
In 1950, Australia won the Ashes for the first time since 1920 when they won a series 2-1 on home soil but Great Britain regained them in 1952 at Station Road.
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In 1963, the Australians finally won at Station Road and became the first Australian team to win an Ashes series way from home. The result was a 50-12 massacre which was a record score at the time. Station Road was no longer an “Aussie graveyard”.
In 1992, the famous Swinton club had fallen upon hard times and the then directors decided to sell the ground to a housing company to clear debts. No consultation process was carried out with the supporters, the local council or the Rugby League authorities. It was an act of treachery and betrayal.
The Rugby League team are still called Swinton but have since played their matches at various locations including Bury FC and Sedgeley Park RU and have struggled ever since. They are currently enjoying their best season for many years and stand top of Championship 2. They play their games at The Willows which is the home of fierce rivals Salford but at least it is close to their traditional home. There is talk of them moving to a new purpose built stadium nearby. Let’s hope so
Station Road is a now a nondescript housing estate and when I visited I saw no mention made of it’s significance in Rugby League history. There was no signpost, no commemorative plaque or even roads named after famous Swinton, Great Britain or Australian players. It really is a great shame.
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1984 – The Book and the Film
May 26, 2011This famous book was written by George Orwell and was first published in 1949. It describes a totalitarian society of the future where everything and everybody is controlled by Big Brother and the Party. Winston Smith works at the Ministry of Truth rewriting old newspaper stories written mainly about people involved in the continual war being fought. When he embarks on a brief affair with fellow Party member Julia, Winston discovers that life might have a purpose after all and it opens his eyes to various new possibilities. Despite overwhelming odds and constant danger, Winston and Julia continue their affair, they begin to form their own views, begin to question the Party and are subsequently made aware of a conspiracy called The Brotherhood. Unfortunately for them, Big Brother will not tolerate any dissent even in the mind and anybody guilty of Thought Crime must enter Room 101.
In the book, Orwell introduced concepts and phrases which have become widely recognised and widely used today such as Big Brother, Room 101 and even Thought Crime. He predicted the National Lottery too.
All books are open to personal interpretation but most readers will recognise, amongst other things his prediction of political correctness, the war on terror and the influence of a large screen in each room.
I have read and re-read this book many times, it works on many different levels and can be interpreted in so many different ways. It is a fascinating story of an individual and his relationship with a large organisation and each time I read it I discover something new. It’s just as relevant today as on the day it was published
Obviously, a film version was always going to be released in 1984 and it starred John Hurt at the height of his fame and Richard Burton in his last role. Some familiar faces from TV also appear including Gregor Fisher later to star in Rab C Nesbit and Roger Lloyd Pack from Only Fools and Horses. Like most films of books it struggles to convey some of the subtleties of the original although the producers avoid the temptation to rewrite a revered text for the sake of convenience. The subject matter dealt with is hardly a laugh a minute and the film version is pretty grim fare but it tells the story of Winston Smith in a reasonable way and makes most of the important points.
Maybe an appearance by Mary Nesbit or Del Boy might’ve livened up proceedings. Probably not.
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Remember Prestonpans
May 10, 2011In the good old days, England used to play regular soccer fixtures against Scotland, usually during May as part of the Home International Series involving England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I vividly remember Scottish supporters displaying banners with the motif “Remember Prestonpans”.
Prestonpans is situated to the east of Edinburgh and was the scene of a landmark battle in Scottish history. In 1745, the Jacobite forces under Charles Edward Stuart (or Bonnie Prince Charlie as he is usually known) defeated the English at Prestonpans as part of his campaign to regain the English throne for his father. Encouraged by this, the Jacobites ventured as a far south as Derby causing panic in London which was virtually unprotected at the time. The Prince was persuaded by his advisers to retreat due to a their failure to gain the expected levels of support and the opportunity was lost. Eventually the Jacobite forces were massacred by the English under the Duke of Cumberland at Culloden Moor near Inverness in 1746. The Prince went on the run and escaped to France where he spent the rest of his life in exile.
During a recent trip to Edinburgh, I decided to pay a brief visit to Prestonpans to satisfy my curiosity. I found a quiet, pleasant bay with excellent sea views and a yacht club but few facilities. The nearby Cockenzie Power Station dominated the skyline although the numerous new housing developments inland indicated that other people shared my opinion about unrealised potential.
I was particularly disappointed to find no mention of the Battle of Prestonpans. There were no sign posts, no visitor centre and no pubs with historically accurate names.
There was a Museum of Industrial Heritage which looked interesting as were various unusual murals and I later found out that Prestonpans is a mural village with a mural trail. Musselburgh Racecourse was nearby as were the varied attractions of Scotland’s capital but there was nothing concerning the Jacobite rebellion. What a shame!
Eventually, I managed to track down a small information board about Prestonpans with some historical information about Bonnie Prince Charlie, the battle and other relevant facts about the area. I saw a signpost for a cairn commemorating the battle but after a brief search I couldn’t find anything obvious.
Modern day Scots are toying with the idea of independence but are they actually aware of the exploits of perhaps the greatest Scottish Nationalist of them all?
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