Some Thoughts and Memories

by John Betjeman (1906 - 1984)   Wikipedia/above John Betjeman published his poem about Slough in 1937 in the collected works Continual Dew. Slough was becoming increasingly industrial and some housing conditions were very cramped. In willing the destruction of Slough, Betjeman urges the bombs to pick out the vulgar profiteers but to spare the bald young clerks. He really was very fond of his fellow human beings. Slough is much improved nowadays and he might be pleasantly surprised by a stroll there. Slough Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough! It isn't fit for humans now, There isn't grass to graze a cow. Swarm over, Death! Come, bombs and blow to smithereens Those air -conditioned, bright canteens, Tinned fruit, tinned meat, tinned milk, tinned beans, Tinned minds, tinned breath. Mess up the mess they call a town- A house for ninety-seven down And once a week a half a crown For twenty years. And get that man with double chin Who'll always c...

The following is a link from the BBC Listening Project of Robert Kennedy, sculpture, and artist, and Chris, a Polish man. It may be of interest, and was recorded at SHOC which is a homeless charity. The abbreviation means Slough Homeless Our Concern http://sloughhomeless.org/ Listening Project Conversation between friends, Robert and Chris, about their experiences of homelessness. Add a note Log in to add a note at the bottom of this page. All notes My notes Hide notes Conversation between friends, Robert and Chris, about their experiences of homelessness. 59:31 / 59:31 Click to make a note at 30:43. Add to playlist Log in to add this item to one of your personal lists. Add to favourites Log in to add and display this item in your personal list of favourites on the right hand side of this page. The British Library B...

Since around 1970 I have had a fascination in Renaissance, and Medieval Music, or Early Music. I recall buying my first two records from the HMV Shop in Oxford Street, London. Strange to relate I did not think much of the recordings initially...but for some reason, or other I became attracted to them at a later stage of re-listening........ ..... The first record was the famous Two Renaissance Dance Bands from David  Munrow, and his Early Music Consort of London. The other offering was Music from the Hundred Years War directed by John Beckett of Musica Reservata fame. The piece that impressed me most was the inspiring arrangement of the Agincourt Carol. In the case of the Renaissance Dance Bands it was Munrow's brilliant interpretation of La Bataille.... Also, I seem to recall having a small record of the TV series of Henry VIII, and His Six Wives which starred Keith Michel as the notorious Monarch. I bought a copy of it at an exhibition of the costumes used in the drama....

 For many years I knew Sir Michael Shersby who was the MP for Uxbridge. He was a charming fellow and we got on very well. I also knew his wife Babara and sometimes saw his son Julian as well as his daughter. I used to do his garden in Stoke Poges, and he once claimed that a break during work was a statuary right when I was kindly served pure coffee and biscuits. On such occasions we talked about a number of things but he was not keen on talking about politics as he had enough of that at Parliament. Google listings for Sir Michael Shersby From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation , search Sir Michael Shersby Member of Parliament for Uxbridge In office 7 December 1972 – 8 May 1997 Preceded by Charles Curran Succeeded by John Randall Personal details Born ( 1933-02-17 ) 17 February 1933 Ickenham , Middlesex Died 8 May 1997 ( 1997-05-08 ) (aged 64) Nationality British Political party Conservative Spouse(s) Barbara Barrow...

Eton, and Eton College is very close to where I live.  The latter is famous for having had many pupils who have gone onto to having very successful high flying careers.. Anyhow, in order to get to Windsor (from Chalvey where I live) I have to go through Eton.....This is a pleasant trip. To get to Windsor just takes under three quarters of an hour on foot...depending on how fast one is travelling ofcourse. It was at Eton College back in the 1970s that I went to a lecture by David Fanshawe on his musical magnus opus of African Sanctus. He illustrated his presentation with relevant slides. It was intriguing. In the same decade  of the 70s I also heard  a talk  at the College about television sets and  the seeming fact that many of them were made using  plastic to very credibly imitate stonework, woodwork, certain furniture, et cetera..I was impressed. Towards the end of every year, the College has a Fair w...

From around 1966 to 1977 I lived in Royal Windsor. The following are two links. One on the town, and the other on the famous Windsor Castle. RS https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor,_Berkshire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windsor_Castle An aerial view of the castle: (l to r) the Lower Ward, the Middle Ward and Round Tower, the Upper Ward, with the Long Walk in the lower right hand corner......

From the year 1990 I have lived in Slough, and know its roads, and shops very well....The High Street has been my special haunt, and on occasion I have whistled many a tune!! Apart from the Wikipedia link, and the two pics below  I have decided to reproduce an article on Slough which presents a positive image of itself... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slough The blogger 2019 in Slough..... From Mars Bars to Thunderbirds: Eight things Slough gave the world By Adam Whitty BBC News 14 September 2018                                                                  Image caption ...

Chalvey is part of Slough, and is the place I live in at the time of writing this note.  I live in a council flat nearly opposite St Peter's Church. The latter sometimes hosts jumble sales, and second-hand book sales...... RS Chalvey Buckinghamshire St Peter's Church Location Grid reference: SU965795 Location: 51°30’24 " N, 0°36’37 " W Data Post town: Slough Postcode: SL1 Dialling code: 01753 Local Government Council: Slough Parliamentary constituency: Slough      The World War I Memorial is in front of the church above but is not seen here in this pic. What is presented here is the back of the building. However, images of it appear on my blog. RS Chalvey   is a village in   Buckinghamshire   which is now a suburb of   Slough . It forms part of the ancient parish of   Upton-cum-Chalvey   in the   Stoke Hundred   of the county. It was first recorded in 1217 by an Old English word meaning "Calf Island", from  ...