@derek2bell.bsky.social
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Uncut Best New Albums 2025. Trying the 80 albums that make the list for this. The last two years have been challenging but led to some discoveries
A victory for perseverance as I seem to have been dipping into this since the first Christmas, not helped by my refusal to read it out of season. Finally finished it. Favourite story by Nicholas Blake, pen name for Cecil Day-Lewis #booksky
November 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
A victory for perseverance as I seem to have been dipping into this since the first Christmas, not helped by my refusal to read it out of season. Finally finished it. Favourite story by Nicholas Blake, pen name for Cecil Day-Lewis #booksky
A combination of sorting out and impending festive season leaves me wondering about recreating Christmas 1967. The December Family Circle from that year full of helpful advice
November 12, 2025 at 8:25 PM
A combination of sorting out and impending festive season leaves me wondering about recreating Christmas 1967. The December Family Circle from that year full of helpful advice
Uncut Best New Albums 2025. Trying the 80 albums that make the list for this. The last two years have been challenging but led to some discoveries
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Uncut Best New Albums 2025. Trying the 80 albums that make the list for this. The last two years have been challenging but led to some discoveries
When I was young there would be the Remembrance Ceremony at the War Memorial then all the veterans, dignitaries, cubs, scouts, guides etc would march to one of the churches for a service. It was quite a sight as flags were brought in. Now it's as quick as they can get to the pub
November 9, 2025 at 2:13 PM
When I was young there would be the Remembrance Ceremony at the War Memorial then all the veterans, dignitaries, cubs, scouts, guides etc would march to one of the churches for a service. It was quite a sight as flags were brought in. Now it's as quick as they can get to the pub
Saw the first domestic Christmas tree today, up and ready to be decorated. Same person is always early. Probably be down by teatime on Christmas Day (and yes I know it's up to them when they put it up, already got our Christmas bedding on!)
November 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Saw the first domestic Christmas tree today, up and ready to be decorated. Same person is always early. Probably be down by teatime on Christmas Day (and yes I know it's up to them when they put it up, already got our Christmas bedding on!)
We're now diagnosing dead 19th century authors with 'isms' are we?
‘If you’re unhappy with Reform, this is a soothing balm’: Gurinder Chadha on her reboot of A Christmas Carol
‘If you’re unhappy with Reform, this is a soothing balm’: Gurinder Chadha on her reboot of A Christmas Carol
She has directed cross-cultural versions of Pride and Prejudice and It’s a Wonderful Life. Now, the film-maker is reworking Dickens’s A Christmas Carol – with an Asian Scrooge
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:30 PM
We're now diagnosing dead 19th century authors with 'isms' are we?
Time for the end of year music mags I will attempt to do the Uncut 80 albums again. It's been a bit a plod the last two years and I'm not overly optimistic for this lot. My sub issue hasn't arrived but I've had a look on Readly and the number one doesn't fill me with confidence
November 7, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Time for the end of year music mags I will attempt to do the Uncut 80 albums again. It's been a bit a plod the last two years and I'm not overly optimistic for this lot. My sub issue hasn't arrived but I've had a look on Readly and the number one doesn't fill me with confidence
Autumn colours on a wet morning by the Tweed in Kelso #autumnwatch #autumnbeauty🍂
November 5, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Autumn colours on a wet morning by the Tweed in Kelso #autumnwatch #autumnbeauty🍂
Amongst all the usual fuss around Christmas adverts I was pleased to see that the sledging ladies were being used again by Amazon at the weekend (I'd happily see the tower block gardening girl again as well
November 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Amongst all the usual fuss around Christmas adverts I was pleased to see that the sledging ladies were being used again by Amazon at the weekend (I'd happily see the tower block gardening girl again as well
One other thing on the John Lewis ad fuss is how weird is it that those who foam at the mouth because the word Christmas isn't used enough don't seem bothered by the fact that it's never mentioned in the ad
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
One other thing on the John Lewis ad fuss is how weird is it that those who foam at the mouth because the word Christmas isn't used enough don't seem bothered by the fact that it's never mentioned in the ad
Chris Evans on Virgin radio reckons the John Lewis ad has a twist and I tend to agree with him. I assume he thinks the son is autistic. The headphones, the nervousness it's all there. So those who like it because it's not 'woke' will be furious
November 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Chris Evans on Virgin radio reckons the John Lewis ad has a twist and I tend to agree with him. I assume he thinks the son is autistic. The headphones, the nervousness it's all there. So those who like it because it's not 'woke' will be furious
The Christmas stamps for 2025 by Paula Doherty are out and very nice they are. I was reminded a little of the 2022 ones by Katie Ponder #christmasstamps
November 4, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The Christmas stamps for 2025 by Paula Doherty are out and very nice they are. I was reminded a little of the 2022 ones by Katie Ponder #christmasstamps
Lidl doing a 'Love Actually' style Christmas ad (not sure if it's the main one) to the extent of using Beach Boys song as well while Sainsburys have gone for a pretty dismal BFG effort
November 2, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Lidl doing a 'Love Actually' style Christmas ad (not sure if it's the main one) to the extent of using Beach Boys song as well while Sainsburys have gone for a pretty dismal BFG effort
A new album from @thecharlatans.bsky.social is always something to look forward to and this is the first in some time. On first listen this is hugely enjoyable. It's got a very laid back feel to it (via Five Rise records) #newmusic #vinyl
November 1, 2025 at 7:35 PM
A new album from @thecharlatans.bsky.social is always something to look forward to and this is the first in some time. On first listen this is hugely enjoyable. It's got a very laid back feel to it (via Five Rise records) #newmusic #vinyl
I like Donald McRae is a superb sports writer and pretty much the best around. His last book was exceptional but these regular interviews are becoming a bit predictable. They are in danger of becoming a game of mental health bingo
Mary Earps says she told Wiegman she was rewarding Hampton’s ‘bad behaviour’
Mary Earps says she told Wiegman she was rewarding Hampton’s ‘bad behaviour’
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Goalkeeper lifts lid on tensions in Lionesses squad
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Hannah Hampton replaced Earps as England’s No 1
Mary Earps says she protested to the Lionesses head coach, Sarina Wiegman, that “bad behaviour is being rewarded” when rival goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was restored to the England side.
In her autobiography All In, serialised exclusively in the Guardian, Earps says Hampton’s “behaviour behind the scenes had frequently risked derailing training sessions and team resources” during England’s triumph at the 2022 Euros. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:10 AM
I like Donald McRae is a superb sports writer and pretty much the best around. His last book was exceptional but these regular interviews are becoming a bit predictable. They are in danger of becoming a game of mental health bingo
Here's Tarquin the archetype Tory turned reformist. Either wearing red trousers or a Rupert check I'd bet
‘Young Tories are fed up’: the students switching to Reform in big numbers
‘Young Tories are fed up’: the students switching to Reform in big numbers
A ‘nasty split’ is emerging on campus with one Conservative society opting to merge with their rightwing rivals
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Here's Tarquin the archetype Tory turned reformist. Either wearing red trousers or a Rupert check I'd bet
There's a surprise. It's always all about them
Arsenal oppose Crystal Palace’s ‘unfair’ request to play Carabao Cup tie on 23 December
Arsenal oppose Crystal Palace’s ‘unfair’ request to play Carabao Cup tie on 23 December
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Original 16 December date could change to 23 December
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Palace set to play three games in five days if tie not moved
Arsenal have voiced strong opposition to Crystal Palace’s request that their Carabao Cup quarter-final be played on 23 December, with Mikel Arteta insisting it would not be fair to make both teams play two matches in little more than 48 hours.
The tie is scheduled for Tuesday 16 December in a gruelling run of three matches in five days for Palace, who have a Premier League game at home to Manchester City two days earlier and a Conference League fixture against KuPS on 18 December. Continue reading...
dlvr.it
November 1, 2025 at 8:02 AM
There's a surprise. It's always all about them
Was told yesterday it will take the Office of the Public Guardian in Scotland nine months to process Powers of Attorney. Still blaming a COVID backlog - utter nonsense it was five years ago. Scottish Government need to get a grip and focus on things like this
October 31, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Was told yesterday it will take the Office of the Public Guardian in Scotland nine months to process Powers of Attorney. Still blaming a COVID backlog - utter nonsense it was five years ago. Scottish Government need to get a grip and focus on things like this
The new Record Collector is a 1980 special. The year I turned 16 and all that implies, sat my O grades, started my highers & O grades in the right subjects, had my Saturday job in the Co-op to fund my record buying and I got a lot
October 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM
The new Record Collector is a 1980 special. The year I turned 16 and all that implies, sat my O grades, started my highers & O grades in the right subjects, had my Saturday job in the Co-op to fund my record buying and I got a lot
Having Jimmy Carr host a programme with that title is like shooting fish in a barrel. We all know the answer
Jimmy Carr’s Am I the A**hole? review – the idea for this comedy panel show is one of TV’s laziest
Jimmy Carr’s Am I the A**hole? review – the idea for this comedy panel show is one of TV’s laziest
Its whole concept – comics judge the public’s tales of awfulness to decide who is the most horrible – is based on a subReddit. It’s a confusing, outdated watch
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Having Jimmy Carr host a programme with that title is like shooting fish in a barrel. We all know the answer
Daniel Kitson's 'Maybe a Ghost Story'
@lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social
last night was everything you would hope it would be. Funny, touching and just maybe a little scary (but fun scary) and it will leave you hankering for a cheap sweetie sugar rush
@lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social
last night was everything you would hope it would be. Funny, touching and just maybe a little scary (but fun scary) and it will leave you hankering for a cheap sweetie sugar rush
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Daniel Kitson's 'Maybe a Ghost Story'
@lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social
last night was everything you would hope it would be. Funny, touching and just maybe a little scary (but fun scary) and it will leave you hankering for a cheap sweetie sugar rush
@lyceumedinburgh.bsky.social
last night was everything you would hope it would be. Funny, touching and just maybe a little scary (but fun scary) and it will leave you hankering for a cheap sweetie sugar rush
As I have a liking for lists I enjoyed this a lot. Very much in the Uncut Greatest Albums format. No real surprises in the top end but some interesting ones further down and a reminder of what a great decade for films. Hopefully they will delve into other decades #film
October 26, 2025 at 8:59 AM
As I have a liking for lists I enjoyed this a lot. Very much in the Uncut Greatest Albums format. No real surprises in the top end but some interesting ones further down and a reminder of what a great decade for films. Hopefully they will delve into other decades #film
I'm not a big fan of musicals but this is a fabulous puzzle from The Original Jigsaw Co who make the best ones around
October 24, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I'm not a big fan of musicals but this is a fabulous puzzle from The Original Jigsaw Co who make the best ones around
Only two episodes in but 'Leonard And Hungry Paul' is an absolute delight. Gentle, warm and witty
October 24, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Only two episodes in but 'Leonard And Hungry Paul' is an absolute delight. Gentle, warm and witty
This could be a definition of frustration - two gaps, one piece and it fits neither 😖😖
October 22, 2025 at 7:42 AM
This could be a definition of frustration - two gaps, one piece and it fits neither 😖😖