Graham Barber
@grahambarber.bsky.social
Retired civil servant. Raised in Blackpool, now living in Norfolk. Have never voted Tory so happy to be living in a Truss-free zone. Voted Remain. Still follow Blackpool FC and Lancashire CCC
Current affairs, railways, whatever else nudges my curiosity
Current affairs, railways, whatever else nudges my curiosity
Thank you for another excellent Diary, and especially the well deserved slaps for Clacton's very own quockerwodger!
November 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Thank you for another excellent Diary, and especially the well deserved slaps for Clacton's very own quockerwodger!
Epitome of cool!
November 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Epitome of cool!
I think they got banned from a lot of places over dress code issues. Mind you, back then I very much doubt that Mick Jagger ever thought he would become Sir Michael Jagger and a Member of the MCC!
November 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I think they got banned from a lot of places over dress code issues. Mind you, back then I very much doubt that Mick Jagger ever thought he would become Sir Michael Jagger and a Member of the MCC!
The Stones are one of the many bands I wish I'd seen but haven't. They appeared twice in Blackpool in 1964 but I didn't have the money for a ticket. Probably as well, as the second visit resulted in a riot that saw them banned from Blackpool for 44 years!
November 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The Stones are one of the many bands I wish I'd seen but haven't. They appeared twice in Blackpool in 1964 but I didn't have the money for a ticket. Probably as well, as the second visit resulted in a riot that saw them banned from Blackpool for 44 years!
You are right about the combinations. The first tour also had Cat Stevens and Engelbert Humperdinck. Second one had the Move, the Nice, Pink Floyd and Amen Corner. Both tours were in 1967, so before he got too far into drugs and alcohol.
November 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
You are right about the combinations. The first tour also had Cat Stevens and Engelbert Humperdinck. Second one had the Move, the Nice, Pink Floyd and Amen Corner. Both tours were in 1967, so before he got too far into drugs and alcohol.
Someone who was never destined for old age. Saw him twice - in Blackpool (tour headlined by the Walker Brothers) and RAH (he was the headliner). Amazing performer.
November 28, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Someone who was never destined for old age. Saw him twice - in Blackpool (tour headlined by the Walker Brothers) and RAH (he was the headliner). Amazing performer.
He probably has one of those fairground mirrors that distort his image to look something like a Greek god. Awful thought!
November 27, 2025 at 4:48 PM
He probably has one of those fairground mirrors that distort his image to look something like a Greek god. Awful thought!
Quite right. It begs the question of how much faith you would place in a Rubio assurance. Very little verging on none, I would suggest.
November 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Quite right. It begs the question of how much faith you would place in a Rubio assurance. Very little verging on none, I would suggest.
As he got a (dis)honourable mention about Russian assets in today's Budget speech, it's quite possible. Mind you, he does seem to have trouble remembering things at the moment!
November 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
As he got a (dis)honourable mention about Russian assets in today's Budget speech, it's quite possible. Mind you, he does seem to have trouble remembering things at the moment!
True, but that's the easy bit. The hard part will be getting Trump to concede defeat and relinquish power. To borrow from Dylan Thomas, he will not go gentle into that good night.
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
True, but that's the easy bit. The hard part will be getting Trump to concede defeat and relinquish power. To borrow from Dylan Thomas, he will not go gentle into that good night.
Nice try, but nobody can be that dumb. They can't, can they??!!
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Nice try, but nobody can be that dumb. They can't, can they??!!
Rejoice in the incompetence of this regime, but never lose sight of the actual damage and misery that it carries out.
November 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Rejoice in the incompetence of this regime, but never lose sight of the actual damage and misery that it carries out.
Every day, in every way, she moves the Tories nearer to total oblivion. Astonishing arrogance.
November 24, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Every day, in every way, she moves the Tories nearer to total oblivion. Astonishing arrogance.
I started off well this morning but have since drifted, so I will put it down to simply being one of those days.
As a fellow Northerner I hope you also like parkin. If so, my advice is to take the recipe offer, have a cuppa, and start afresh tomorrow with renewed vigour.
As a fellow Northerner I hope you also like parkin. If so, my advice is to take the recipe offer, have a cuppa, and start afresh tomorrow with renewed vigour.
November 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
I started off well this morning but have since drifted, so I will put it down to simply being one of those days.
As a fellow Northerner I hope you also like parkin. If so, my advice is to take the recipe offer, have a cuppa, and start afresh tomorrow with renewed vigour.
As a fellow Northerner I hope you also like parkin. If so, my advice is to take the recipe offer, have a cuppa, and start afresh tomorrow with renewed vigour.
A good band but bettered by Bay Area Rapid Transit, as they got my wife and I to SFX a few years ago to catch a flight to Honolulu. I'm sorry, I'll get my coat and leave quietly!
November 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
A good band but bettered by Bay Area Rapid Transit, as they got my wife and I to SFX a few years ago to catch a flight to Honolulu. I'm sorry, I'll get my coat and leave quietly!
I've read something similar, but without the picture. It brings a smile to my face, which is more than the reality of Trump does.
November 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I've read something similar, but without the picture. It brings a smile to my face, which is more than the reality of Trump does.
This makes an old man very nostalgic! I bought this album in 1966 with Kicks being one of my favourite tracks, although I confess I haven't played it for a long time. I also have Kicks as a single by an Irish band called The Wheels, which is worth a listen.
November 23, 2025 at 8:37 PM
This makes an old man very nostalgic! I bought this album in 1966 with Kicks being one of my favourite tracks, although I confess I haven't played it for a long time. I also have Kicks as a single by an Irish band called The Wheels, which is worth a listen.
An excellent choice! Their early records were truly touched by magic
November 23, 2025 at 12:15 PM
An excellent choice! Their early records were truly touched by magic
So someone who looks out for himself and his cronies has in effect painted a target on a group who have looked out for the country. Crazy!
November 21, 2025 at 3:52 PM
So someone who looks out for himself and his cronies has in effect painted a target on a group who have looked out for the country. Crazy!
Indeed, although there will be greater delight when the other bloke in the photo goes the same way.
What with this and the roasting that Johnson got in the Covid report you would hope that the glamour of populists is diminished. I'm not holding my breath, though.
What with this and the roasting that Johnson got in the Covid report you would hope that the glamour of populists is diminished. I'm not holding my breath, though.
November 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Indeed, although there will be greater delight when the other bloke in the photo goes the same way.
What with this and the roasting that Johnson got in the Covid report you would hope that the glamour of populists is diminished. I'm not holding my breath, though.
What with this and the roasting that Johnson got in the Covid report you would hope that the glamour of populists is diminished. I'm not holding my breath, though.
Thank you for this. I had seen the comment, which is crazy anyway, but didn't know the context. He should maybe reflect on his contribution towards the events of January 2021.
November 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Thank you for this. I had seen the comment, which is crazy anyway, but didn't know the context. He should maybe reflect on his contribution towards the events of January 2021.
Good news, and a well overdue eviction.
November 20, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Good news, and a well overdue eviction.