Simon Read
@simonread.bsky.social
Writer/broadcaster: an anagram of 'randomise'. Tweet about #cocktails #beer #blackandwhitefilms #music #puns #football #finance. Work: simonnread@ntlworld.com
First cocktails of Christmas day - the now traditional Snowballs
December 25, 2025 at 12:55 PM
First cocktails of Christmas day - the now traditional Snowballs
I've added a few more 50s and 60s seasonal songs to make my Christmas playlist (which includes all your favourites plus some rare gems) last 12 and a half hours. It should get you through the whole day! Merry Christmas
open.spotify.com/playlist/5Ch...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5Ch...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 25, 2025 at 8:16 AM
I've added a few more 50s and 60s seasonal songs to make my Christmas playlist (which includes all your favourites plus some rare gems) last 12 and a half hours. It should get you through the whole day! Merry Christmas
open.spotify.com/playlist/5Ch...
open.spotify.com/playlist/5Ch...
Reposted by Simon Read
This time of year can be tough for lots of reasons. In the UK anyone feeling in crisis can text SHOUT to 85258 to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer. It's a 24/7 confidential service that may just help you. You're not alone.
December 23, 2025 at 10:36 AM
This time of year can be tough for lots of reasons. In the UK anyone feeling in crisis can text SHOUT to 85258 to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer. It's a 24/7 confidential service that may just help you. You're not alone.
54 years ago this week. Was this the greatest ever UK number one?
December 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
54 years ago this week. Was this the greatest ever UK number one?
The Night The Reindeer Died: potentially the greatest-ever Christmas movie youtu.be/gkOYenddJ8g?...
Scrooged (1988) - The Beginning of the Movie
YouTube video by Samuel
youtu.be
December 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
The Night The Reindeer Died: potentially the greatest-ever Christmas movie youtu.be/gkOYenddJ8g?...
This time of year can be tough for lots of reasons. In the UK anyone feeling in crisis can text SHOUT to 85258 to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer. It's a 24/7 confidential service that may just help you. You're not alone.
December 23, 2025 at 10:36 AM
This time of year can be tough for lots of reasons. In the UK anyone feeling in crisis can text SHOUT to 85258 to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer. It's a 24/7 confidential service that may just help you. You're not alone.
Reposted by Simon Read
Sleigh bells ring are you listening?
In Hyde Park, coke is glistening
A typical sight, a massive fist fight
Brawling in the Winter Wonderland
In Hyde Park, coke is glistening
A typical sight, a massive fist fight
Brawling in the Winter Wonderland
December 21, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Sleigh bells ring are you listening?
In Hyde Park, coke is glistening
A typical sight, a massive fist fight
Brawling in the Winter Wonderland
In Hyde Park, coke is glistening
A typical sight, a massive fist fight
Brawling in the Winter Wonderland
Reposted by Simon Read
🔎 Columbo Eats 🍽️ 🤣 🍽️
December 21, 2025 at 9:08 PM
🔎 Columbo Eats 🍽️ 🤣 🍽️
Postcard from a central London pub at Christmas
December 21, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Postcard from a central London pub at Christmas
Starting on the Christmas #beers with an 11% Gingerbread Latte Imperial Stout from Edinburgh's @vaultcitybrewing. It's sweet, strong and tasty with seasonal cinnamon and ginger tastes. Just the thing for a cold day. Cheers!
December 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Starting on the Christmas #beers with an 11% Gingerbread Latte Imperial Stout from Edinburgh's @vaultcitybrewing. It's sweet, strong and tasty with seasonal cinnamon and ginger tastes. Just the thing for a cold day. Cheers!
I've had a fun and interesting week. I hope you have too.
December 20, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I've had a fun and interesting week. I hope you have too.
To the brilliant Cavern Pub in Raynes Park to see the excellent Feelgood Band, playing some great old British r'n'b and blues rock songs. Great venue, tight band. Love live music.
December 19, 2025 at 10:42 PM
To the brilliant Cavern Pub in Raynes Park to see the excellent Feelgood Band, playing some great old British r'n'b and blues rock songs. Great venue, tight band. Love live music.
Reposted by Simon Read
The ghosts of #Christmas past: Soldiers playing football in No-Man's Land during the Christmas Truce during the First World War in 1914
December 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
The ghosts of #Christmas past: Soldiers playing football in No-Man's Land during the Christmas Truce during the First World War in 1914
Reposted by Simon Read
Trump’s 50 lies in 18 minutes yet some people are more upset about one Panorama bad edit.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
50 lies Donald Trump told in his unhinged 18 minute address to the nation
The televised speech was a desperate bid to convince Americans they were imagining not being able to afford groceries, and that everything is getting better. And in doing so, he lied once every 22 sec...
www.mirror.co.uk
December 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Trump’s 50 lies in 18 minutes yet some people are more upset about one Panorama bad edit.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...
Why not rename some films in honour of Trump?
• A Trump On Elm Street
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Trump
• Alfred Hitchcock's Trumpo
• A Trump On Elm Street
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Trump
• Alfred Hitchcock's Trumpo
December 18, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Why not rename some films in honour of Trump?
• A Trump On Elm Street
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Trump
• Alfred Hitchcock's Trumpo
• A Trump On Elm Street
• Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Trump
• Alfred Hitchcock's Trumpo
I saw All My Sons at the Wyndham Theatre. It was a brilliant theatrical experience. Such a powerful and emotionally involving story and great performances. I'd highly recommend it. It runs until 7 March.
December 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I saw All My Sons at the Wyndham Theatre. It was a brilliant theatrical experience. Such a powerful and emotionally involving story and great performances. I'd highly recommend it. It runs until 7 March.
Tonight's #theatre treat is a production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons at the Wyndham Theatre. The play is a dramatic masterpiece I last saw at the Old Vic a decade ago and the current star is Bryan Cranston so I'm really looking forward to it.
December 17, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Tonight's #theatre treat is a production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons at the Wyndham Theatre. The play is a dramatic masterpiece I last saw at the Old Vic a decade ago and the current star is Bryan Cranston so I'm really looking forward to it.
I've spent many happy hours at The Crusting Pipe wine bar in Covent Garden, but it's closing down on Sunday after 45 years. Owners Davy's blame the closure on "changing patterns of use". I'm saddened to see another decent drinking den disappearing.
December 17, 2025 at 11:42 AM
I've spent many happy hours at The Crusting Pipe wine bar in Covent Garden, but it's closing down on Sunday after 45 years. Owners Davy's blame the closure on "changing patterns of use". I'm saddened to see another decent drinking den disappearing.
Reposted by Simon Read
And now I find out that The Salt Path wasn't even published by a real penguin.
December 17, 2025 at 6:37 AM
And now I find out that The Salt Path wasn't even published by a real penguin.
Reposted by Simon Read
December 17, 2025 at 9:34 AM
I love Dickens' Christmas ghost stories and having seen A Christmas Carol a few days ago, tonight it's The Signalman, a cracking short story which I reckon will make a gripping stage show. And I'm visiting a new pub venue, The Drayton Arms Theatre, which should be interesting.
December 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I love Dickens' Christmas ghost stories and having seen A Christmas Carol a few days ago, tonight it's The Signalman, a cracking short story which I reckon will make a gripping stage show. And I'm visiting a new pub venue, The Drayton Arms Theatre, which should be interesting.
The job search continues.
I entered a competition to be a shepherd. We were judged by our ability to herd young sheep but my flock fell down a slope. I lost the judges' vote by a lambslide.
I entered a competition to be a shepherd. We were judged by our ability to herd young sheep but my flock fell down a slope. I lost the judges' vote by a lambslide.
December 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The job search continues.
I entered a competition to be a shepherd. We were judged by our ability to herd young sheep but my flock fell down a slope. I lost the judges' vote by a lambslide.
I entered a competition to be a shepherd. We were judged by our ability to herd young sheep but my flock fell down a slope. I lost the judges' vote by a lambslide.
Postcard from the Wandle River
December 16, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Postcard from the Wandle River
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Laura, 1944. Cop Dana Andrews becomes obsessed by Gene Tierney while investigating her murder. Urbane Vincent Price fuels his obsession in Otto Preminger's brilliant #FilmNoir (which got 5 Oscar nominations) on BBC2 at 3.50pm youtu.be/jEWD98ICXRI?...
Laura 1944 trailer Gene Tierney Dana Andrews
YouTube video by Chloroform and Silver Nitrate
youtu.be
December 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: Laura, 1944. Cop Dana Andrews becomes obsessed by Gene Tierney while investigating her murder. Urbane Vincent Price fuels his obsession in Otto Preminger's brilliant #FilmNoir (which got 5 Oscar nominations) on BBC2 at 3.50pm youtu.be/jEWD98ICXRI?...
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: The Small Back Room, 1949. Downbeat Powell and Pressburger war drama with antihero David Farrar battling the loss of his leg and alcoholism and romance woes, while investigating a new German weapon on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 4.20pm youtu.be/Uhw5du2xAjM?...
The Small Black Room (1949)
YouTube video by Classic Movie Madness
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
#blackandwhitefilm of the day: The Small Back Room, 1949. Downbeat Powell and Pressburger war drama with antihero David Farrar battling the loss of his leg and alcoholism and romance woes, while investigating a new German weapon on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 4.20pm youtu.be/Uhw5du2xAjM?...