FAREWELL EDWARD ELGAR

    ---               ---

Farewell Edward Elgar

Farewell Glaisdale moor

Farewell Gawsworth Hall, 

Ryton Rig, and Ipswich Toon.

Farewell Harrogate Spray,

Farewell Macclesfield, 

Farewell York and Weston,

And everywhere between.

We have bluebirded over, 

The white cliffs of Dover,

And sung with the Rastrick Brass Band,

We have driven the Loire,

Seen Salisbury's spire,

and skipped along Whitby sand.

Farewell Harrogate Blog,

You have served us right grand,

We lay you to rest as we leave,

 This green and pleasant land. 

UNDEFEATED IN 2008

The esteemed bunch of intellectuals below were photographed during a tense quiz night at the famous Dick Turpin in York. What was the name of the film released in 1949 and based on a book by Scott Fitzgerald starring  Alan Ladd? We pulled that one out of nowhere and won the quiz. Talk about highway robbery. At least two of the team are making an effort.

SNOW- SNO IT ISN'T - YES IT IS

The top two photographs were taken on 2nd January en-route to visit friends in Malton. Most of you will have already guessed that the second photo is included because the field shown contains gallops used by the nearby thoroughbred racing stable.

We had a great afternoon at the house of Romey (Gourlay), with her sister Marty and friend Jenny (Laverack) and their respective husbands Roger Willis, Bill Thompson and John Capstick. Sorry no photographs this time, but plenty of reminiscing. Romey, Marty, Jenny and Kerry all grew up (slight exaggeration) together in The Avenue, and went to St Andrews school together. Kerry is the only one who has moved away to live.

Afterwards we visited a photographer in the town to have some 35mm slides digitised, and lo and behold I found out that I knew the shop owners. I was at Amotherby school with Audrey Fairweather, the lady in the shop and at Scarborough school with her husband,David Wakely. If we had not given a contact name there would have been absolutely no recognition by any of us. So after bemoaning the fact that in all our visits to Malton over the years we have seen no one we recognise, we have now caught up with a large number of past acquaintances. Maybe if we walk round with large labels on our coats we will probably find we know everyone.

The three bottom photographs are included as supporting evidence for the above comments in italics.

A KID AT HEART

STAR PLANS TOUR OF AUSTRALIA

The star of the blockbuster Pantomime Dick Whittington, has announced that she will be touring SE Asia and Australia in 2008. The star's entourage and french management team 'Liaison International Australian Management', (LIAM) are due to touch down in Melbourne around the 27th March. The photographs show the star at a private party following the sell out performance in Solihull on 29th December and again celebrating the new year with a rendition of Old Long Ago, which we suspect is some reference to her uncle. But which one?

A CANAL TOO FAR

The top picture is taken at Ballsall Common near Birmingham, where Kerry took a trip down memory lane to where she began her teaching career.

After the Solihull Panto we spent a busy Sunday with Rob and Sanna Rolls and their lovely kids, Becky, Emma and Jonah in Bromsgrove. We had a great day playing with the Christmas presents including a "Flying Helicopter" and then had a delightful walk across the fields, then along the canal to The Queens Head Inn --A very salubrious hostelry, as can be seen in the photos. During the walk we managed to drain one of the canal locks of all its water. We do hope we have not flooded England again.

O LITTLE TOWN OF HARROGATE

AN ARROGATE CHRISTMAS IN YORK AND MALTON

We just could not buy a white Christmas and so made the most of an off-white, sort of greyish foggy, sometimes rainy, slightly damp, occasionally cold but not real frosty Christmas just like the ones we used to know. Where the tree tops glisten, and children listen through i-pods in the car.

On Christmas eve we started with a lovely meal at Manor farm, Ryton, with Dave and Jane. This was after I had visited "A Cut Above" the Malton hair stylist for discerning farmers located on the top floor, ney attic of the Yates farm supplies emporium. The best little snipper in the North.

We travelled to Ryton via Swinton Grange to photograph the house where I was born, the house where I was bred, and the school (now a house) where I was buttered. (See Photos).

Then in the early evening we took the A64 to see the Celeb D and his wife T. After a couple of J2O's in the Bishopthorpe working dentist's club, and some sliced meat in Garbett Way, we started a foggy pilgrimage to the replica of St Peter's - Rome, in Norton for mid-night mass. The road to Damascus got lost in the fog. The vicar who gave a very good sermon announced that the Norton St Peter's Church of England had approval to dispense the sacriment to non-conformist rif raf, and so I joined Kerry and John at the kneeling rail with those who truly repent or at least those who needed to.

We arrived back in Harrogate at 2.00am, but were soon back on our Garbett Way for Christmas dinner and present opening, at the home of the York celebrity dentist.

This self same dentist who prides himself with cooking and stuffing, provided a teast of furkey, three stuffings, sour fauces, ten vegitables and a flaming plum pud in a lake of brandy sauce.

The final of the Garbett Way darts competion was also held on Christmas day, but as with the Celebrity Come Dancing final, the result will not be announced until all the votes are in, and drug testing is complete. Remember if you want to vote for John dial 01324 567 4567 28 7 2345 65 23 45 89 01543864 247687 98234 3421 7643986 21 followed by 01

On Boxing day we joined 3,640 other disciples to cheer York city to a famous 2-1 victory over the high ranking H*%*$^?>!by United. Kerry must have some reason for sitting in a freezing soccer stand and watching non-league football. Could it be Racing Withdrawal Symptoms?

Finally, today the 27th December, we visited as surrogate neighbours, our close friends Stephen and Christine Upton at 20 Yew Tree Gardens for post Christmas drinks and nibbles. And so that was Christmas and a blogging 2007 draws to a close.