Mike Rees

His Polish soul often had the last word

I said in my late Dad’s eulogy to a packed chapel that we are only a fraction of the people he had known him.

Comparisons to Profumo obvious from the start but getting stronger every week

The similarities between Epstein and Profumo merit far more attention

Lev Vygotsky , patron saint of Scandinavian education systems .

A couple of us bumped into our ex Head of Maths. Nice chap , double first from Cambridge, king of sarcasm , never violent. Became headteacher . We agreed to tell him what lads thought of teachers and he agreed to be honest about his ex colleagues. Except the Chemistry teacher , just shook his head

We had a chemistry teacher who would cane boys with a Bunsen burner rubber hose and then retreat to the lab ante room to ‘compose’ himself for a few minutes . Endless similar stories I’m afraid

Early Japan. When they supported Blue Oyster Cult

A coworker took this from her apartment. I haven't seen a crowd this size before. Maybe the first Women's March? But it was much much warmer that day. ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA!

Stonehenge is basically a motorway service station for trading routes of the time

Sorry , and a proliferation of very expensive crew neck leather jackets . No idea why

Went to the flicks to watch if NYE. Emotional on one hand but on the other too much on Tin Machine and not enough on what led to the last 2 brilliant albums .

I think that this will take attention away from the extent to which Clearlake are loathed by Chelsea fans . Bit like United and the Glazers

Will track these down for sure . Thanks .

Thanks for the kind words , it was fun to write. The list could have been much longer and would certainly include your suggestions ! Re subcultures and where they are now it prompted may similar replies. For me it’s about when subcultures become counter cultures.

Taste & style. Cecil Beaton, working class elitists & middle class mediocrity. Written by Mike Rees. I look forward to Charlie’s regular email missives. One thing caught my eye recently and prompted me to respond. The upcoming Cecil Beaton event and Charlie’s subsequent musings on taste and what he t...

gladstonehellen.co.uk/blogs/news/t...

Wrote this for Charlie Gladstone and the Hawarden folk earlier this year. Why we wear what we wear. Will be of interest to all #MDANT people and I suspect @collettwriter.bsky.social

By overriding clear evidence of recently-increased Chinese espionage and transnational repression in the UK in its intended decision to approve the new Chinese ‘mega embassy’ in London, our government is shirking its first and foremost responsibility, to defend and protect the country. Just say no.

The more interesting question is whether Putin will allow him to. The last time Abramovich put his head above the parapet on Ukraine he got a lick of the teapot

Caerphilly, forgot to mention

Best picture of audience the anarchy tour in 76. Punk style wasn’t really codified until around 78. Before that it was a free for all

The phrase that resonated was ‘punk representing a clarion call to the switched on of our generation’ . I think our generation was primed for it but by who and what ? Chris Sullivan has just rereleased and updated his book on punk and is addressing this I think so will check that out also

That was great. Look forward to reading the book . The perspective of the provinces hasn’t been properly written. I explained to my kids that the reason I didn’t see the Pistols in Caerphilly was it involved 3 changes of bus and the last bus home was the one you just stepped off.

Great film and great clothes

Big fan of M&S I heard . Something like that

Marie , can you put me on Starter pack 2 please. I was nominated in the other place

Cheers

La Conferencia Episcopal Española premia a ‘Lux’ de Rosalía y ‘Los domingos’ de Ruiz de Azúa Los Premios ¡Bravo! 2025 también han reconocido al periodista Fernando Ónega con el galardón especial y al escritor Javier Cercas en la categoría prensa

Para el arzobispo de Tarragona, el nuevo disco de Rosalía es un “canto a la luz que los jóvenes necesitan encontrar y la religión les puede ayudar”. La Conferencia Episcopal Española premia a ‘Lux’ de Rosalía y ‘Los domingos’ de Ruiz de Azúa

Playing Real Madrid and Man City in a short space of time isn’t ever going to be easy . They aren’t robots

‘you’re not the Tories any more ‘ comes to mind if we are talking terraces

There is an old local government saying ‘ magnificent in a crisis largely of his/her own making ‘ that applies here.

It is deeply unhealthy to have local governments who don't provide many visible/valuable services for most residents (because they lack the resources). Encourages distrust and populism - 'what am I paying my council tax for? The council does nothing for me.'

This is a really important point from @robfordmancs.bsky.social. Local government should be a source of and focus for local pride. It should be doing bold, visible stuff that enhances and reflects community. Instead, currently, it is almost literally reduced to ambulance work.