James Bielby

Fancy dress

"Actually I didn't even apply to Stanford, yeah, they just wrote to me and said come and study here, yeah, and they weren't the only ones, either, and they said I was so good that I could probably skip a year, yeah. But in the end I went to Sussex because of my allergies."

Booking is now open for a free full-day symposium on the work of 20th-century Cumbrian poet, playwright and topographical writer, Norman Nicholson, on Sat 27 Sept at the University of Cumbria’s Ambleside campus. See here for further details and guidance on booking your place: www.normannicholson.org

Book about The Fall, clearly, not clear which one though

Just finished it, superb. Nice little “l Don’t Want Control Of You” Easter Egg in there

Some classics there!

I was at this! Very Robyn Hitchcock-esque

Are these players you would like to see there or genuine tips? Some unlikely ones in there eg Perry and Hamilton

That letter refers to a mooted show in 1993 which didn’t happen as far as I know. Select article “Yanks Go Home” was 1993

Sloop John B

Right-wing attacks singling out Sadiq Kahn - who is obviously & demonstrably an exceptionally popular mayor as far as Londoners are concerned - are so blatantly Islamophobic & racist that we don't even say it anymore.

But we should say it. It isn't normal.

There are more than 10m children in school in the UK…but, per Times, 3,000 might move to state sector because of VAT rise…so Whitehall is “braced” 😲😲😲

Says a lot about UK media bubble, the way this story is reported.

You pay VAT on luxuries. Private schooling is that.

Still privately educated!

John Healey went private

In the Ticketmaster queue for Mu Bloody Valentine tickets in Dublin this morning. Never mind Oasis, this is the 2025 gig everyone should go to. Take earplugs though

John Prescott was a politician both behind and ahead of his time. Considered too bluff and old Labour to reach to the very top in the 90s, today his authenticity and class credentials would have been perfect to fight Farage and populism. Labour needs more like him.

Still an influence on my politics and worldview 30 years later

Learned so much from the great man, Cardiff 1993-96

Other records released 40 years ago today, 12th November 1984. Take my money, Woolworths in the Whitgift Centre!