Frank Mansell
Another Sedentary Session.
“Cotswold Choice” by Frank Mansell. It seems we are having a short season of poetry. All from the dulcet tones of Bill Hicks. It’s not surprising given that the Strolling Chums all live near to where Diddley came from in the Cotswolds. You will remember that we have often told stories about her friendship with…
The Church, Miserden, Gloucestershire
The Church, Miserden Many books have been written about the poet and author Laurie Lee. Back in the 1990s, a television programme was produced based on interviews with him as he talked about his life. The transcripts of those interviews have come to life and been turned into a book.
Diddley’s Story.
Diddley’s Story. This week we have a very special contributor. Diddley herself. In researching the forthcoming Cotswold stories, we found some papers that she had kept and, most importantly, a story she had written. It may be a rough draft? Who knows, but it’s worthy of sharing with you. I am sure she wouldn’t mind….
Memories on the Bedside Table.
The Bedside Table. Mindfully Bertie started as a kind of bereavement therapy for Bobby. As you know, I had been best man at their wedding and chief mourner at Diddley’s Funeral. It’s now over three years since the blog started and we have covered every subject imaginable. Never forgetting that each week we would end…
More Balls Than Most.
More Balls Than Most. Dear Friends – The other week, we reminded you of our positive approach to mental illness. This week we can lighten the mood on the same subject. There is no doubt that relaxation, in what ever form it can take, is beneficial. But not always easy to obtain for the person…
Routemaster.
Routemaster…. an Ode to a Bus. The Bus of the Future. Back in 1957, Bobby finally grew up and became a plane spotter. (He still is… nerd!). Forsaking the dirt and smoky grime of steam trains for the shiny glamour of aircraft. Shortly before, he had also left behind his bus spotting days. Just two…
Snowdrops. The Harbingers of Spring.
Snowdrops. THE SONG OF THE SNOWDROP FAIRY Deep, sleeps the Winter, Cold, wet and grey; Surely all the world is dead; Spring is far away. Wait! the world shall waken; It is not dead, for lo, The Fair Maids of February Stand in the snow!
Frank Mansell
Frank Mansell. It’s the twenty-third of August 2016. Bobby and I are sitting at the Laurie Lee bar in the Woolpack pub at Slad in Gloucestershire. Him talking to anyone who will listen. Me thinking about Frank Mansell. A poet and close friend of Diddley’s. She grew up and went to her first school in…