Chris Ponting
@chrisponting.bsky.social
Formerly known as Sporting_chin.
Cheese, beer, tripe.
Sharing Arthur Hirst’s 1947 diary.
If you’re looking for Professor Chris Ponting of the University of Edinburgh, you’ll find him at @cgatist.bsky.social
Cheese, beer, tripe.
Sharing Arthur Hirst’s 1947 diary.
If you’re looking for Professor Chris Ponting of the University of Edinburgh, you’ll find him at @cgatist.bsky.social
Dr McBean doesn’t notice Arthur hasn’t been taking his tablets, and prescribes physio.
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
November 11, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Dr McBean doesn’t notice Arthur hasn’t been taking his tablets, and prescribes physio.
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
And Miss Carter finally makes an appearance.
Tuesday 11th November 1947
46 degrees. Dr McBean came noon and reported improvement and ordered physiotherapy from St Stephen’s.
I to tea with Miss Carter.
#1947Diary
Arthur goes to the chemist in the morning and out to dinner in the evening, with a lift home afterwards.
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
November 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Arthur goes to the chemist in the morning and out to dinner in the evening, with a lift home afterwards.
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
Monday 10th November 1947
48 degrees. I to chemist a.m.
At 7 to Denham’s for dinner - Merle Malsem also there. Stanley motored me home 9:30.
Wrote Cyril and Pat Ray.
#1947Diary
Arthur’s alone for lunch, but visits Tuggay with his ‘friend’ Donald.
Sunday 9th November 1947
46 degrees. Mild and damp - drizzle.
Lunch alone.
Donald and I to Tuggay for tea and he came to 48 for supper.
#1947Diary
Sunday 9th November 1947
46 degrees. Mild and damp - drizzle.
Lunch alone.
Donald and I to Tuggay for tea and he came to 48 for supper.
#1947Diary
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Arthur’s alone for lunch, but visits Tuggay with his ‘friend’ Donald.
Sunday 9th November 1947
46 degrees. Mild and damp - drizzle.
Lunch alone.
Donald and I to Tuggay for tea and he came to 48 for supper.
#1947Diary
Sunday 9th November 1947
46 degrees. Mild and damp - drizzle.
Lunch alone.
Donald and I to Tuggay for tea and he came to 48 for supper.
#1947Diary
And now I’ve been given this. By my dad.
November 9, 2025 at 8:28 PM
And now I’ve been given this. By my dad.
The weekend ends as it started, with a pint of Butty Bach in the Berkeley Arms. And it’s in a Quartic, @cheeseford.bsky.social
November 9, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The weekend ends as it started, with a pint of Butty Bach in the Berkeley Arms. And it’s in a Quartic, @cheeseford.bsky.social
We’re okay, living in the soon to be seaside town of Dursley.
November 9, 2025 at 12:07 AM
We’re okay, living in the soon to be seaside town of Dursley.
Arthur catches up with Frank Larken, and Elaine.
Saturday 8th November 1947
42 degrees. Nice day.
Frank Larken to lunch and tea and Elaine came at 4 o’c.
Bed 9 o’c.
#1947Diary
Saturday 8th November 1947
42 degrees. Nice day.
Frank Larken to lunch and tea and Elaine came at 4 o’c.
Bed 9 o’c.
#1947Diary
November 8, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Arthur catches up with Frank Larken, and Elaine.
Saturday 8th November 1947
42 degrees. Nice day.
Frank Larken to lunch and tea and Elaine came at 4 o’c.
Bed 9 o’c.
#1947Diary
Saturday 8th November 1947
42 degrees. Nice day.
Frank Larken to lunch and tea and Elaine came at 4 o’c.
Bed 9 o’c.
#1947Diary
“Where’s your fucking poppy?”
November 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
“Where’s your fucking poppy?”
A pint after a busy day. Viewed two houses, put an offer in on one, now being firm and put a best and final in. We’ll see on Monday.
November 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
A pint after a busy day. Viewed two houses, put an offer in on one, now being firm and put a best and final in. We’ll see on Monday.
Post you from a different era
Visiting a mate in Blackpool, early 90’s. I’m using the Boddingtons as an improvised ashtray. Classy.
Visiting a mate in Blackpool, early 90’s. I’m using the Boddingtons as an improvised ashtray. Classy.
November 8, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Post you from a different era
Visiting a mate in Blackpool, early 90’s. I’m using the Boddingtons as an improvised ashtray. Classy.
Visiting a mate in Blackpool, early 90’s. I’m using the Boddingtons as an improvised ashtray. Classy.
Arthur is stood up by Miss Carter, but has plenty of other visitors.
Friday 7th November 1947
38 degrees. Lovely day.
I expected Miss Carter to tea but she didn’t turn up.
Mrs Coventry to lunch and I took them to Putney Bridge station 3 p.m.
Stanley Denham came 6 o’c til 7.
#1947Diary
Friday 7th November 1947
38 degrees. Lovely day.
I expected Miss Carter to tea but she didn’t turn up.
Mrs Coventry to lunch and I took them to Putney Bridge station 3 p.m.
Stanley Denham came 6 o’c til 7.
#1947Diary
November 8, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Arthur is stood up by Miss Carter, but has plenty of other visitors.
Friday 7th November 1947
38 degrees. Lovely day.
I expected Miss Carter to tea but she didn’t turn up.
Mrs Coventry to lunch and I took them to Putney Bridge station 3 p.m.
Stanley Denham came 6 o’c til 7.
#1947Diary
Friday 7th November 1947
38 degrees. Lovely day.
I expected Miss Carter to tea but she didn’t turn up.
Mrs Coventry to lunch and I took them to Putney Bridge station 3 p.m.
Stanley Denham came 6 o’c til 7.
#1947Diary
Popped down with daughter and her boyfriend to see the folks. I’m sat in the bar with dad enjoying a pint and putting the world to rights while the kids are upstairs entertaining mum. Good times.
November 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Popped down with daughter and her boyfriend to see the folks. I’m sat in the bar with dad enjoying a pint and putting the world to rights while the kids are upstairs entertaining mum. Good times.
Arthur goes to pick new glasses.
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
November 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Arthur goes to pick new glasses.
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
After nearly a year of intercontinental travel, doing very little seems to be the way forward.
Thursday 6th November 1947
38 degrees, thick fog.
Took prescription to Tummin’s for new glasses.
#1947Diary
He can do that, but still look uncomfortable while riding The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
November 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
He can do that, but still look uncomfortable while riding The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Saturday reminded me how fantastic the Barbican estate is.
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Saturday reminded me how fantastic the Barbican estate is.
Arthur heads to Harley Street for new glasses.
Wednesday 5th November 1947
44 degrees, lovely day.
I to town after lunch and saw Norman Fleming, 92 Harley Street who ordered new glasses for me.
#1947Diary
Wednesday 5th November 1947
44 degrees, lovely day.
I to town after lunch and saw Norman Fleming, 92 Harley Street who ordered new glasses for me.
#1947Diary
November 5, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Arthur heads to Harley Street for new glasses.
Wednesday 5th November 1947
44 degrees, lovely day.
I to town after lunch and saw Norman Fleming, 92 Harley Street who ordered new glasses for me.
#1947Diary
Wednesday 5th November 1947
44 degrees, lovely day.
I to town after lunch and saw Norman Fleming, 92 Harley Street who ordered new glasses for me.
#1947Diary
It’s time once again to remember the fallen, with a life sized man of poppy parked by the fire escape of our local Tesco.
But he’s safely in barracks* every evening.
*back of the car
@remembrancewatch.bsky.social
But he’s safely in barracks* every evening.
*back of the car
@remembrancewatch.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 8:54 AM
It’s time once again to remember the fallen, with a life sized man of poppy parked by the fire escape of our local Tesco.
But he’s safely in barracks* every evening.
*back of the car
@remembrancewatch.bsky.social
But he’s safely in barracks* every evening.
*back of the car
@remembrancewatch.bsky.social
Seeing the doctor and dentist then a trip to the shops for Arthur.
Tuesday 4th November 1947
44 degrees, overcast.
Dr McBean came 9:45 and reported improvement.
I went to dentist and shops 11-12.
Otherwise very quiet.
#1947Diary
Tuesday 4th November 1947
44 degrees, overcast.
Dr McBean came 9:45 and reported improvement.
I went to dentist and shops 11-12.
Otherwise very quiet.
#1947Diary
November 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Seeing the doctor and dentist then a trip to the shops for Arthur.
Tuesday 4th November 1947
44 degrees, overcast.
Dr McBean came 9:45 and reported improvement.
I went to dentist and shops 11-12.
Otherwise very quiet.
#1947Diary
Tuesday 4th November 1947
44 degrees, overcast.
Dr McBean came 9:45 and reported improvement.
I went to dentist and shops 11-12.
Otherwise very quiet.
#1947Diary
He’s in Winchester. Have seen the furry fella out and about many times over the years.
November 4, 2025 at 9:39 PM
He’s in Winchester. Have seen the furry fella out and about many times over the years.
William Burroughs is having lunch with Andy Warhol, who’s decided to wear his personal stereo throughout.
November 3, 2025 at 10:41 PM
William Burroughs is having lunch with Andy Warhol, who’s decided to wear his personal stereo throughout.
More fantastic Arena documentary on BBC Four right now. The Chelsea Hotel in New York this week, and of course Quentin Crisp has turned up.
November 3, 2025 at 10:18 PM
More fantastic Arena documentary on BBC Four right now. The Chelsea Hotel in New York this week, and of course Quentin Crisp has turned up.
Arthur continues to take it easy. His pal Jimmy visits for lunch and tea.
Monday 3rd November 1947
45 degrees. Lovely morning. Rose 10 a.m.
Jimmy came 12:45 and stayed lunch and tea leaving 4:45.
#1947Diary
Monday 3rd November 1947
45 degrees. Lovely morning. Rose 10 a.m.
Jimmy came 12:45 and stayed lunch and tea leaving 4:45.
#1947Diary
November 3, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Arthur continues to take it easy. His pal Jimmy visits for lunch and tea.
Monday 3rd November 1947
45 degrees. Lovely morning. Rose 10 a.m.
Jimmy came 12:45 and stayed lunch and tea leaving 4:45.
#1947Diary
Monday 3rd November 1947
45 degrees. Lovely morning. Rose 10 a.m.
Jimmy came 12:45 and stayed lunch and tea leaving 4:45.
#1947Diary