Well now, we can probably all agree that the Load of Mischief should be a pub and, if so, our sort of place. In fact, these days it’s a private house in Blewbury, its pub days a thing of the … Read More »

As the goals rained down on Southampton the other evening there was no great surprise around the ground. After 13 minutes, with Tottenham three-nil up, the manager was bound to be sacked and it was just a question of playing … Read More »

I’m not sure how many books remain unread, how many films unseen but we’re well into three figures. And yet, I found time the other day to watch The Third Man again and finally nodded off well after midnight, just … Read More »

Where possible, I try to correct mistakes. I don’t mean factual errors so much as mood or overall background. The other day, troubled by a recently fractured right arm, I was caught somewhere between the sporting years 1964 and 1982 … Read More »

W Six Times, Bertie Bassett and Three Nuns tobacco.   Not long ago, and for the first time in a while, I stayed awake in the small hours, listening to Radio 3 and thinking about Bill Chapman, Carnforth and the Today … Read More »

George IV paid his last visit to the Royal Pavilion in Brighton in 1827. He loved the town and he loved his Oriental pleasure palace even more. His successor William IV was also very fond of Brighthelmstone, as it was … Read More »

I always thought there had to be another Bellamy’s and, of course, there is. It’s on Bruton Street, W1 and looks a rather expensive restaurant. Anywhere with a separate oyster bar will need careful consideration, yes? Bellamy’s takes its name … Read More »

You make it to 75 and you assume that, by and large, there are very few surprises left. I’m happy to go along with this, the occasional 125/1 winner notwithstanding, but on Radio 3 the other morning I heard something … Read More »

“Don’t really know whether to congratulate or commiserate. Suppose just bad luck on all concerned to be born same century as L Piggott.” A typically warm response from the late Fred Winter in a sympathetic card to Barry Hills just … Read More »

For a while Miss Alligator did her level best to earn a special place in the history books but an honourable sixth in the !949 Musidora Stakes at York was never going to be enough. Three years later she was … Read More »

Ask me to name a handful of famous sculptors and until recently I’d probably have fallen about four short. Auguste Rodin rescued me and that was long before the equine version landed last year’s Epsom Derby. Rodin’s most famous work … Read More »

Cambridge came and went too soon. I see that now and foolishly think of going back, even at this late stage, to write a thesis on some aspect of Marcel Proust’s oeuvre that others have missed. Three years half a … Read More »