Sunday 12 December 2010

Rebecca - The New Queen of Soul





Voted for the Queen of Soul - Rebecca, taking up Aretha`s mantle. Can`t believe that she didn`t win, but she is the best, Matt was good but I can see her being World Wide soon. Hope that she has a new album, It`ll be on my shopping list. My African Grey sings along when she`s on tv, so a new Old Grey Whistle Test thumbs up.

Reading about Frank Muir when he was a kid. He enjoyed going up to the railway depot, running up the sand heaps, jumping on the cement bags and pelting nuts and bolts at the watchman`s hut.

"One evening Mother asked us what plans we had for the morning. We said "We`re going to the builder`s depot to play with the Bugger Off Man."

I hate the Xmas card writing farce, parcelling up packs of cards inside elastic bands, dishing them out to everyone. It costs a bloody fortune to post them, I needed 55 stamps! Won`t be getting the tree out of the loft as it`s full of junk, couldn`t retrieve it last year as we had to launch it into the loft the year before. I did run a line of thread between the wall lights and pegged cards on, it looks very nice and ENOUGH! Did win a bottle of gin at a Xmas party so it`s not all bad. Don`t mean to be Bahh Humbug, but at 58, I have listened to Are you hanging up your stocking.....Well here it is Merry Xmas...Walking in a winter wonderla-yawn for donkeys and it all wears a bit thin. But, being a heathen, I do enjoy the spending. I treated myself to a Zandra Rhodes handbag, she was at Collectables on Sunday signing her creations. It`s a fabulous plum patent affair with shell clasps. Can`t wait to stuff it with my junk and go swanking around with it. Yes...I know how shallow that is thankyou!!!

It will be the last playwriting session at Live Theatre on Wednesday and I will miss it. I`ve learned so much from this and I`m raring to go with new ideas.

Maggie Tait`s chapbook launch at the Lit and Phil on Tuesday,

Looking forward to seeing Tron in 3d. Still haven`t seen Inception, but it should be reduced after the holidays so I can wait until then.

Thursday 2 December 2010

Monday 29 November 2010






We stood for an hour to board the Ark Royal, it was freezing cold. Hats off then to the young people who man the ship, there all day and well into the evening to clear away once the last visitor has gone, then to take the ship on it`s journey to Germany before returning to Britain. Hearts of lions! They were all so friendly and didn`t mind giving us information.

How are parents managing for money at Xmas? Saw an advert for Mr Potato Head, it said Save £17 - only £32!!! I would be gagging to pay even £10. But you get 2 sets of eyes and mouths, so that makes it ok then!! His eyes, nose and ears pop off when he hears a loud noise. I`m sorry, but what`s wrong with giving them a real potato, let them make the features, I`ll make the loud noise and they can pull the eyes off. Then there was a dinosaur for £50 that tells you when it`s nose is itchy.

Godfrey Bloom - From the man who holds that women don`t clean behind their fridges enough and that he represents Yorkshire men who want their dinners on the table. He`s made a gaff by making unprofessional Nazi jibes at a conference. How can this country ever progress with old dinosaurs like him who can`t keep his twittering pompous gossiping in order. He also states that no self respecting small businessman with a brain in the right place should employ a woman of child bearing age. Mr. Bloom, have you forgotten the roles women played during the war, poor pet , it was a long time ago and maybe he didn`t notice that since then women have been holding down jobs, professions and running homes. And by the way Clean behind your own bloody fridge, you keep food in there too don`t you?

Saw Inheritance for the third time and loved each perfomance, first at dress rehearsal, second with D and third ten of us for our lasses night out. Fabulous meal at Cafe Vivo. I was made up to receive a copy of the play from the theatre signed by the cast, writer and director. As I`m enjoying the playwriting course at Live, I can study the play along with the others we are working on.

At the Metro Centre on Sunday, D was wearing his body warmer with velcro fastenings at the front. As he left the jacket open it kept attaching itself to my new coat. The fabric was going all fluffy. We`re not into the whole keeping presents secret, I knew he wanted a Wii sports system, thingy, whatever they are called. Of course he had all of the bits on the floor setting it up once we got home. He chose a kind of avatar which was wearing an orange jumper. He was watching it stepping on and off a platform and the idea was that he was supposed to copy the actions. Little messages kept flashing on the screen "If you`re having trouble following directions......" D decided to follow the little footprints with arrows on. Then a whole load of little men in different coloured jumpers suddenly got faster.

D "Hi stop it!!! Are you videoing this?"

Result - Dwindling Fire.

So, he changes to a running programme. There are little dogs running past him through a park and lots of people running past doing backward waves at him (He`s still wearing the orange jumper like a little jaffa cake) The words come up encouraging him to wave his arms to burn off more calories. When it finishes he has a score of 94% and says that he is 2nd top

D "See that, see that 2nd top, it`s saying Roaring Fire now."
Y "Well it hadn`t much to beat as it`s only the second game you`ve played."
D "Shut up you!"

It tells him that he has a stable rhythm and if he wants to continue. He declines, then proceeds to the kitchen. Comes back with two apple pies and custard. I`m not complaining, just as long as he remembers to clean behind the fridge.

Saturday 20 November 2010

Crime and Punishment in the North East by Lorna Windham





Interested in reivers, press gangs and executioners? Then this could be the book for you! Intrigued by pickpockets, absconding miners and murderers? Then this is definitely the book for you! Fascinated by capital punishment, imprisonment or transportation? Then this is absolutely the book for you!

A great read, packed full of fascinating facts and photographs which bring the North’s past back to life.

Purchase a copy, priced only £4.99 from: www.summerhillbooks.co.uk/books/crimeandpunishment.html



About the Author

Prize winning northern author Lorna Windham's short stories have been published by Byker Books, Talking Pen and on the following websites: BBC www.bbc.co.uk/my-story/stories/family-and-friends/162653 ; the Poetry Library, Southbank Centre, London www.poetrymagazines.org.uk/magazine/record.asp?id=24089 and National Trust for Scotland www.nts.org.uk/culloden/learning/competition.php (writing as Lorna Murray). They have been transmitted on local, hospital radio and The Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

Several of her poems have also been published in The North East Poetry Journal.

Austrian Spice Craft

Sunday 14 November 2010

Rewind the 60`s




Next on:
Wednesday, 09:15 on BBC One
SynopsisWe’ve reached the 1964-65 in the BBC’s celebration of the decade when Britain began to swing. Joining Lulu in the Rewind the 60s studio is fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, to chat about what it was like to be young, free and single during that exciting time.

By the mid-1960s the black and white of 50s Britain had given way to a world of colour. There was a fashion revolution going on, and Zandra tells Lulu what it was like starting out as a young designer in the mid-60s. While London was the style capital, dedicated followers of fashion could be found all around the country. We hear from Yvonne, then a teenager in Newcastle, who talks us through the experience of being a fashion-obsessive on Tyneside, and how you just couldn’t get away with some of the looks that were popular down south. People were quick to judge, and so hemlines were kept below the knee. If a girl wore a miniskirt, “ all the neighbours would be out. And saying look - its above the knee. She would be classed as someone who was quite risqué”.

We meet an ex-mod and an ex-rocker, who give us the inside story of the decade’s most notorious gang rivalry. As John, a mod, admits, “it didn’t bother us being labelled as hooligans. Because that’s what we were.” Nevertheless, he tells us about witnessing the infamous tussles between mods and rockers on Brighton Beach, and describes how he feels the media blew it out of all proportion. Also in today’s episode, Charlie Ross discovers how the mods achieved ‘Lambrettability’ with that most groovy of fashion accessories – the scooter. But why was it the mods favourite mode of transport? Apparently it was just perfect if you wanted to avoid getting oil on your bottle-green mohair suit.

The sixties was a great time to be young, and with the launch of Top of The Pops even the stuffy old BBC were taking teenagers seriously. In 1964, one young man suddenly found himself in the heart of the establishment. Robin Wilson recalls how, as a student at Oxford, he watched the results of the 1964 general election with the growing realisation that his father Harold was going to be the next prime minister. Robin tells us what it was like living in a flat at the top of 10 Downing Street, meeting pop stars and celebrities at swanky receptions, and having the PM pop upstairs to join the family for lunch, as he took a quick break from running the country.

.

Monday 8 November 2010

Tom Taylor






Check out the Retro Sweet Shop on Fenham Hall Drive. Mint humbugs, freshly made popcorn and all of the sweets you can remember from your childhood. You can sit down and enjoy a cake and giant cup of tea. Tom is also a performer, Freddie Mercury and Norman Wisdom tribute acts and events specialist.

Books on Tyne



Took advantage of the free sessions at Central Library this weekend. Saturday, Peter Mortimer held a playwriting workshop. He listened as we took turns in speaking about our works in progress and gave advice. We all wrote something and received a critique. We made enquiries with library staff to see if Peter could take a day workshop. Sunday, Tom Kelly, poet and playwright gave excellent readings from his forthcoming book and recounted his memories from when he lived at Hope Street, Jarrow. A Greggs corned beef pastie later, I went to see Geoff Laws, cartoonist. He gave a great presentation of his work with tips and funny stories.

Watched Abigail`s Party for the umpteenth time on BBC 4 last night. Alison Steadman was also interviewed before the play started and I hadn`t realised that she was the eco friendly woolly hatted actress in Nuts in May, which I also loved.

To prevent D watching one of those programmes where people tell the world all their seedy secrets on live tv, I put Blue Peter on. A team of explorers went into a cave which over the years had amassed a floor of shit which had dropped from the entrance above. The occasional unlucky bat got caught in the pile to be eaten alive by the swarming masses of cockroaches. The floor actually looked as if it was moving. One lad moved a rock and the most disgusting creature the length of his forearm scuttled out, a scutigera. It`s a kind of centipede with the longest spindliest legs I`ve ever seen. As he was holding the rock with one of these buggers sitting on it, another ran out over his leg. Then, we saw one of them running along with a cockroach in it`s nashers. How people do these jobs!! Hearts of lions.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Inheritance (Live Theatre)




Everyone should go to see this brilliant play. The acting is superb. I loved every minute of the performance, what a cast!! I felt as if I`d been hit by a steamroller, it brought back feelings I thought were buried, made me laugh and cry in equal measure. I was at the dress rehearsal last night and will be there again tonight.

I love Melanie Hill`s acting having seen her feisty Aveline in Bread, that`s the way she should be played in a family of wide boys, she would have had to stand her ground. She was great in Auf Weidersehen and Joe Maddison`s War. David Hargreaves - first time I`ve seen him, but what an actor, I must look for films he`s been in!! Martina Laird, portrays a businesswoman who is upwardly mobile superbly. Matthew Wait gets the laughs and Steven Hillman is hilarious and shows the tensions of sibling rivalry and brotherly love to perfection.

This will be with me for a long time to come. Well done everyone concerned!!!

What a priviledge to have seen this.

Monday 1 November 2010

Westenders book launch 30th October




What a day on 30th October! We set up the St James Heritage Centre Hall ready for the launch of Westenders. Around 70 turned up and we sold 52 books. There was a great atmosphere, people eating scones and drinking tea, looking through the photographs from the collection. Stephen Watson set up his drawings which are excellent, he`s now working at Beamish Museum getting togged up in period clothing.

We then went on to the Slug and Lettuce for a coffee. Then straight to the West Denton Fire station where I had booked the room for the Benwell Reunion. I set out the tablecloths,white with black lace ones on top and Poundland spooky paper plates, when all the guests came they put out food they`d brought, the table was groaning. I set up a raffle and lots of great prizes were donated. Around 100 turned up, so I`ve easily raised the money to book the hall again for next year. Sold another 40 books.

Travelling back from town today a young lass boarded the bus with a huge pram which had a little seat and two wheels which attached to the back of the pram to accommodate a toddler. It took up all of the space on one side of the bus. A little old lady sat with a small shopping trolley on the other side. Then, another mother got on with her buggy. This was a big bugger too, so she struggled around the alleyway to fit it in. Then the first mother shouted across "It`s these shopping trolley`s that are the problem!" She`d be the same one who will complain about prams when she`s a pensioner. How does she think old people manage to go for shopping, hauling heavy goods with arthritic arms. Put your kid in a foldy up push chair for goodness sake. I suppose if a wheelchair user had got on she would have had something to say. Why don`t we all stay at home so that she can swan around with her armoured vehicle? Well, that`s my post menopause rant over, ahhhhh, that`s better. Now where`s my notepad, I`m just in the mood to send a letter to the council!!

Friday 29 October 2010

The Dead That Never Lived

The Dead That Never Lived
Enter a circus of words where the dead converge, a funeral chapel
playing host to mourners for famous fictional characters; Scrooge
McDuck, Darth Vader, Cathy from Wuthering Heights and The Milk Tray
Man among them. We pay tribute to the many who have meant so much
through theatre, spoken word and dark comedy.

Death himself puts in an appearance.....{A recent sell out at Arc, Stockton}

A funeral service dedicated to the characters that warmed our hearts,
chilled our bones and shaped our lives in wonderful ways.

Funeral attire and hankies encouraged.

Featuring emerging national talent Ross Sutherland
****The Times 'Top Ten Up and Coming Literary Stars', 2008****
and Monkfish WordTank Collective (www.bit.ly/WordTank) of Viv Wiggins,
Si Hymers, Robbie Lee Hurst, James Fisher and Mike Edwards, (Produced
by Claire Morgan)

****The Late Shows 2010 - sell out show****

****Monkfish Productions - "....highlight of the Late Shows 2009"
Journal Culture Magazine****

Late Night Halloween Special
Sun 31st October 11pm - Midnight
The Mining Institute
Westgate Road
Newcastle
Tickets £5
Pre-book via:- simonbrooks@mininginstitute.org.uk

Friday 22 October 2010

Westenders




At last my new book is ready to go. After Benwell Remembered I had intended to write a second on Elswick and a third on Scotswood, but this book includes all three and a little of Arthur`s Hill. I can now concentrate on creative writing but I`m still interested in recording memories and local history.

Laboca Annual Winter Exhibition

The Art Cafe will be hosting another brilliant exhibition.

"I have secured amazing photography from US based photographer Christopher Singleton and stunning illustration artwork from German artist Schirin Khorram. This will be both artists debut in the UK and shouldn`t be missed." Andrew Belshaw.

Opening at 6.30 and singsong afterwards until 8.00 on Thursday November 18th.

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Playing at Writing



Enjoyed Made in Dagenham, not so Going the Distance. The latter stars Drew Barrymore and some bloke. He lives in New York and she lives miles away. A map appears on the screen showing a plane flying from one place to the other, (to enlighten the dim folks who can`t tell the difference.) Does it matter where they are if all they do is shag about in both venues? I`d rather watch my collection of old black and white films - Billy Liar, A Taste of Honey, A Kind of Loving, Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Second to that I`ve got back into reading plays, Under Milk Wood made a good re-read.

Just found out that I have been accepted on a playwriting course at Live Theatre. The plays we need ar A Number by Caryl Churchill, Translations by Brian Friel and The Pitman Painters (Which I already have and it`s brilliant) I`m also learning lots at an NCLA course run by the university and held at Hancock Museum. The tasks we are given will help me towards playwriting as we cover characterization and dialogue. The theme is "Ageing" something of which I know a fair bit about!! One of the tutors kindly tries to raise our spirits by saying that everyone is ageing, even the young. But, it doesn`t work. My gammy leg, H coughing her guts out next to me and K struggling to hear add to my squinting to read what`s on the board- dom and feelings of "Am I understanding this?"

It`s been a great couple of weeks. Great art exhibition at La Boca. A good article in the Evening Chronicle advertising my book Westenders which will be launched on Saturday 30th October. Really enjoyed Sheree Mack`s chap book launch Night`s Skin. Before I got there I met the lasses at Tyneside Cinema Bar, then we went for a 2 for 1 meal at Zizzi`s. Carried on to the Lit and Phil. I read three of my poems. Lovely to read first so that I could really concentrate on the work of the other writers who were supporting Sheree.

On the 15th I attended a meeting with Julie Ballands, film maker, who made The Woolly West among other works. She`s putting together a new film which will feature people, photos, film and memories of folks in the West End so I`ve submitted a piece for that. Later that night me and Jess Johnson performed some of our work at The Mixer, upstairs in the Jesmond British Legion Club. We were in support of Gary Kitching of The Suggestibles who was doing his one man show Me and Mr C. The support act couldn`t make it, but it was a good opportunity for us. He was hilarious.

I`ve seen the Suggestibles advertised but it was the first time I`d seen this. There was lots of audience participation. We had to write on two pieces of paper in response to the words Remember When.... and The worst thing you ever said or had said to you. For Remember when....I wrote "When you pissed yourself at school", which he used in his act and "I`ve never heard of a crisp sandwich!!" It`s a great venue and well worth a visit.

Picked up tickets for Live Theatre to see Inheritance on 3rd November, should be good as Melanie Hill is part of the cast, love her acting. She was great in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and more recently in Joe Maddison`s War on tv.

Friday 24 September 2010

night`s skin by Sheree Mack


between the floorboards by Degna Stone




Went to the Lit and Phil last night to listen to Degna Stone read from her new chapbook published by ID on Tyne. The seats were all full. I love these poems, have re read them today, they bring back memories and have inspired me to write some new poems. Supported by fine writer`s Catherine Graham and Maggie Tate.

World`s Biggest Coffee Morning

Joined in with the Macmillan Cancer Coffee Morning today. I donned my pinny and turban, told some jokes, monologues and passed around the memorabilia, flat iron, children`s games, plunger, rolling pin and the eternal dickie comb among lots of other stuff. Some of the young lads there were game to try some of the fashioned toys like the top and whip and diablo. Kevin stood in the stocks to be pelted by wet sponges for a small fee, Sylvia,Dorothy and Irene taught the men how to knit, there were raffles, bingo,cake decorating, fortune telling, cakes and cream teas and much more. Everything raised went to cancer research.

One lass I got chatting to had me in stitches with stories about her son who came home from school with news

"Mam, we`ve been learning about half a vegetable"

Turned out it was Harvest Festival.

Then when he sang a nursery rhyme Little Lucy`s Grandad which was his interpretation of Goosey Goosey Gander.

Aren`t kids great?

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Monday 20 September 2010

National Poetry Day - Monkfish Productions

Monkfish Productions: National Poetry Day Special Event

Poetry Booth*
Thursday 7 October
@The Shed, High St South, Gateshead NE8 1EN
7-9pm (Free)

Just in time for National Poetry Day Monkfish Productions launches their shiny new Poetry Booth!
This is a unique travelling poetic portal like no other!
Come and share your poems, stories or thoughts for the day
Come and bring your musings on the theme of Home (this year's NP Day theme)
Or enjoy a free glass of wine or juice in The Shed's foyer space

We will have friendly Poetry Booth attendants and writing ideas to get your creative juices flowing. This is
YOUR chance to record your work in the booth!

For more info www.bit.ly/wordtank
See you at The Shed!

Thursday 9 September 2010

Cobblers to that.



I was talking to a friend, telling him about the reminiscence sessions I`ve been doing at care homes. I take along an old flat iron,dressing table brush set, ink well and pen,old books and photos, traditional games such as Ludo, marbles and top and whip. Then I go on to monologues, jokes and we finish off with singing. I mentioned to him that when we`d cleared my dad`s flat I left behind his cobbler`s last. R said "Open that door" There, was a silver last.
R "I made it when I worked at Scotswood iron foundry.you can have that." I was over the moon, it was so much more important that it was made by him.

I took it around to three venues, then was booked for a fourth. Decided to tidy my trolley out where I store them all and the last was missing!! I rang the other places I`d been, nothing. I was gutted. Then I started to pull everything out of the cupboards, I got into the shed, maybe D had used it to chock something open and forgotten to tell me, the garage, nothing!

Our G came around with three T shirts for me to take up on the machine, all different colours so I had to change the threads, then he brought out two dress shirts which were a bugger to line up the front. I got on chatting and mentioned that I had lost a cobbler`s last

G "What`s that?"

Me "Years ago people repaired their own shoes so they used a metal stand which usually had three different sized "feet"

G "Ah, that anchor looking thing...it`s in my garden!"

Without a by you leave, he had just picked it up to use as decoration next to his plant pots. It is now back in MY house, thanks very much! But something good came from the fiasco. I told my cousin the tale and she gave me a replica iron, the kind that people used to put hot coals inside. So G...you`ve done something right for once!

Wednesday 8 September 2010

Jibba Jabba at the Trent

JibbaJabba

Saturday 11th September

Doors 8pm for 8.30 start


The Trent House (upstairs)

1-2 Leazes Lane, Newcastle.


A veritable feast of all things oratory, hosted by Karl Thomson and J.J.Pascoe.
Entertain us! Be entertained!
Cheap drinks, friendly faces, what more could you ask for?
Only £3 for a crackin' show, or perform yourself and get in absolutely free!!



If you're on Facebook, please join our group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=138158896202998 for photos and event updates.


OR e-mail vaudevillainous@yahoo.co.uk to receive regular updates on future events.

Pink Lane Poetry & Perfomance

Jessica JohnsonSeptember 8, 2010 at 5:55pm
Subject: Pink Lane Poetry & Performance
Hello Pinky Poohs

After a long, hot, summer break....

Pink Lane Poetry & Performance is *** BACK***
Not 1..not 2...but 3 times sexier than before!!! WHEY!!

So my Pink Panthers get your FREAKIN' bottoms down to see us @ The Jazz Cafe this Thursday!.... with a host of arty farty delights in store we'll titillate your senses till you can't take no more.

Pink Lane 'because your worth it!'

Doors 7pm Show 8pm

£3 Entry!

By gum I've missed this crack!

X

Monday 6 September 2010

Remembering Benwell

St James’ Church, Benwell

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS EVENTS
September 10TH-12TH 2010


Open for visitors:

Friday 10th 10.30-4, Saturday 11th 10.30-4.30, Sunday 12th 12 – 4.


Every day:

• Photographic displays – “Remembering Benwell” and “West end churches”.
• Explore the church and graveyard - self-guided tours.
• Find your ancestors - searchable data-base and plan of graveyard.
• Noah’s Ark exhibition – hundreds of woolly animals and a knitted Ark on display!
• Refreshments


Friday 10th September

10.30 a.m. Doors open. Coffee and scones.

11.00 a.m. Talk on: “Methodism in West Newcastle”:

2.00 p.m. Talk on: “The local heritage of John Dobson”:

4.00 p.m. Film show: “West Newcastle through the past century”


Saturday 11th September

10.30 a.m. Doors open

All day Family activities – graveyard trail, colouring, face painting, etc

11.00 a.m. Try our homemade cakes

11.30 a.m. Guided tour of church

2.00 p.m. Guided tour of church



Sunday 12th September

12 noon Doors open

All day Graveyard wildlife quiz

Wednesday 1 September 2010

Rewind the 60`s (BBC Staff)





Rewind the 60`s








Was contacted by Tyne Bridge Publishing to ask if I was interested in speaking about the
60`s for the BBC. A programme to be screened for a week on daytime television. I happened to mention that I often take a look in a vintage shop called Attica, courtyard of the Old George pub. They decided to film me there. I wandered around the shop looking at clothing from the period,trying them on and recounting memories.

No wonder filming takes so long. Three times I was in full flow with what I had to say and was stopped because the pub were rolling beer barrels along the cobbles outside. Lighting was a problem in the shop, being an old building and pretty closed in along an alleyway, but the cameraman had filters and other wonderful things which I knew nothing about.

Knowing that the programme would go out in October sometime, I thought that would be all I`d hear until they had an exact date. Received a phone call asking if I would like to go to London to be filmed on a chat show called Rewind the 60`s with Lulu as the presenter...would I ever!! I was suddenly slammed back to when I was 13 dancing around the jukebox to Shout at the Spanish City in Whitley Bay. Friend K asked "Find out what she does to look so young."

A taxi picked me up at home and I was taken to Central Station with tickets for King`s Cross and a tube ticket to Paddington. A taxi picked me up there and I was taken to Ramada Hotel. I was given a voucher for £100 for my evening meal. As my daughter in law B was already in London working on a contract I met up with her later at Charing Cross. We went for a meal and a few drinks. Got back to hotel around 10.30.

Picked up again by taxi after breakfast and taken to Shepherd`s Bush studios where I was met by Claire who had sorted me out at Attica. Makeup was first, wow what a revelation. Everything was put on with a brush, liquid makeup, blusher, eyeshadow...even the eyebrows. I have NEVER had eyebrows like this! I looked like one of those women in the before/after shows. In the green room I was shown how they had put the film from Newcastle together and it`s great. Then, Lulu came walking up the corridor, I could only see her from behind, she was so slim with a light jumper with tiny jewelly things on and a fabulous pair of beige suede boots over her knee with high heels. I could see even from behind that her hair was lovely.

Heard her talking to someone and Claire said "That`s Zandra Rhodes." I was gobsmaked, we loved her in the 60`s, her adventurous styles and the way she dressed. At this point I`m waiting for other people to arrive who are to be on the show, maybe someone from Newcastle? But, no it`s only me! I was taken onto the set before Lulu and Zandra got settled for a look around. Took photos. It was brilliant, white tv, huge white chair which I could sit in, record player that released 6 discs at a time and one of those rocket shaped lava lamps.

Back in the green room I could see Lulu and Zandra on set chatting, but couldn`t hear them. The BBC staff were brilliant, popping in and out to chat and offer me food and drinks. Then it was my turn. They were really friendly and made me feel right at home. Lulu commented that my complexion was lovely, I was chuffed. Lulu directed questions alternately to me and Zandra. She sat in a cream leather chair and we were on a sofa. I was asked for my address so that Lulu could send me some of her products.

Then all too quickly I was in a taxi heading for Paddington tube station.

Dragging my little trolley case behind me I realised that nothing was getting through to King`s Cross from the usual line, I had to go to Edgeware to get another tube out. On arrival at King`s Cross I had two hours to spare so I went out to St Pancras Station for a look around and something to eat. Couldn`t resist calling in to Bodyshop for an eyebrow brush and powder! Got carried away and spent another £26 on other stuff, but I bet the make-up artist at the studio spends heaps more than that!

On getting back to King`s Cross it was packed...some poor bugger had landed on a train line, so nothing was getting into King`s Cross at all. We all waited until it was clear then things got moving. People were complaining, but I know that I`d rather be sitting there than having a policeman knocking at my door to tell me that someone I loved had died in that terrible way. Wouldn`t like to be in that house.

I was expecting to receive a few samples of beauty products similar to what Avon give out, but NO. A massive parcel arrived with Lulu`s Time Bomb and Bomb Shell range. Friend K was at my house at the time, she said "Quick, Google it to see how much it is!" Day, night, eye, foot and hand cream. I`ve used it since, the fragrance is lavender and it`s so light. I`ve taken the hand cream around with me and my friends have tried it, everyone comments on how gorgeous it is. Maybe I can look like Lulu....but isn`t it strange to think of all those years ago when I was dancing around the juke box, Lulu was jetting all over the world, wearing the best clothes, staying in hotels and I was in Whitley Bay. It`s taken forty odd years to meet her, she`s still going strong and as popular. Our lives couldn`t have been more different, but we still share our memories of the 60`s as being the best era.

Tuesday 13 July 2010

Jibba Jabba




Performing Arts The Second Saturday of every month.


A veritable feast of all things oratory!
Entertain us! Be entertained!
Cheap drinks, friendly faces, what more could you ask for?
Only £3 for a crackin' show, or perform yourself and get in absolutely free!!
Doors 8pm for 8.30 start.Privacy Type:Open: All content is public.

Saturday 10 July 2010

James Oates in Performance

Check out The Amazing Folk Roots Show at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and again at
8.pm
Tune in on Digital (DAB)radio or via www.amazingradio.co.uk

James is a regular at the Cumberland Arms, Lamplight Centre and Pinklane Performance at the Jazz Cafe and Lit and Phil among others.
TUNE IN

Sunday 20 June 2010

I wish I`d looked after me teeth

Fought through the crowds at Primark for socks for D. A couple in front - she had filled one of those net bags with clothing. He`s standing by her, hands in pockets
and he says

"I just hope you live long enough to wear it all!"

I`m considering buying new wardrobes, but I really need to chuck a whole load of shite out first. Shoes I can`t walk in, things that are too tight, scarves. So I can`t snear at Mrs. Shop till she drops.

Made a new dental appointment. The first injection didn`t numb so she gave me another one. I was wearing plastic goggles which steamed up. These are new, must be in case bits of filling splat into your eyes. Looked at myself in the mirror and a panda stared back. Must invest in waterproof mascara. By the time I`d left the surgery my eye felt droopy and I needed to shove my neck forward to swallow. Went to the newsagents for a paper and when I spoke I sounded like the woman in the Tunes advert. Invested in a new electric toothbrush, need to look after the owld ageing teeth at my age. (Thanks to Pam Ayres for the title)

Monday 14 June 2010

Confidence or Laziness...You decide!

Menopause could be used by many as an excuse for confusion,disorganization, forgetfulness? But, it doesn`t only apply to my age group. At the bus stop accompanied by my shopping trolley, the bus arrived and I got on, purse in hand. When I opened it, no note. I knew that I had a tenner to buy my weekly bus pass. I had to get off, dropped the purse, pennies sprinkling all over the path then had to wait half an hour for another. I sat near the front and a young lass got on at the next stop, long dark hair soaking wet.

She was carrying a bright orange handbag that was the size of a holdall, explained to the driver that she couldn`t find her pass, could she get on and produce it when she`d sorted herself out. He drives off and she parks her backside on one of the retractable seats while peeling her bag open on the other two. She reaches inside the tardis and pulls out a long pink perfume bottle, sprays it animatedly all over herself. She`s oblivious to my choking sounds, puts it back and drags out a spray deodorant which she points down her cleavage and under her arms. There`s a book and a hair brush that I can see. She finds what she`s looking for, leaves the bag wide open and slaps along the bus, holds up the pass to the driver and returns to rummaging in the bag. A vest top comes out, is folded and put back in. A pink fluffy towel is next out, a quick ruffle to her hair. Next she takes out a powder compact and in full view of many open mouthed pensioners she tarts up.

Part of me is in awe and admiration of the confidence and total lack of thought to what anyone else thinks and the other part is wanting to scream at her "Can`t you get ready before you leave the house!!" What is it that rises in me, is it a menopausal trait or being English,or because I am a nosy bugger? I want to make a comment, but don`t. She`s still not finished, she attempts to put on mascara as we travel over speed bumps. It was almost worth missing the bus to get a load of this farce. I was amazed that a hairdryer didn`t come out of the bag, maybe she could have asked the driver to plug it into his cigarette lighter socket. Sadly I had to get off, couldn`t help but wonder if she would read her book or maybe call someone up on her mobile. When I think of the palaver I have before I leave the house, checking and re-checking the back/front door etc and I still misplaced my money. It was in the back of my purse all the time.

Now, I`ve just checked my diary and I had a dental appointment today which I`ve missed and probably will have to pay a fine on top of the £45 I`ve already paid. And god knows when I`ll get another appointment. Eeee it`s coming to something when you have a diary, write in it, then forget to look at it.

Friday 11 June 2010

Summerhill Books (www.summerhillbooks.co.uk)

Welcome to Summerhill Books.

Summerhill Books is a North East publishing company specialising in local history.
Our aim is to produce high quality books that reflect the unique history of Tyneside, Northumberland and Durham. Titles include photographic histories of local communities, personal memoirs and books reflecting the great industries of the region.


Ordering :
There are two ways to order a book from Summerhill Books

PayPal : On each page there is a link to a Paypal shopping basket. When you have added all the books you wish to purchase you can use the PayPal system to place your order.

Cheque : Send your name and address to the Summerhill Books address below with a list of the books you would like to purchase.
- Make cheques payable to Summerhill Books.

We are happy to answer any questions about our books. Please email Andrew Clark on summerhillbooks@yahoo.co.uk and he will help with any questions.

Postage and packaging is FREE on all UK orders.
For overseas orders please email your order to summerhillbooks@yahoo.co.uk and we will get back to you with a price including postage.
For further information or to pay by cheque contact Andrew Clark
Summerhill Books
PO Box 1210
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE99 4AH
Tel: 07971 859 401
Email: summerhillbooks@yahoo.co.uk

Trade discount is available – email: andrew_clark@hotmail.co.uk

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Pink Lane Poetry and Performance

Jessica JohnsonJune 1, 2010 at 10:34am
Subject: Poets & Writers Call.
Prole is a new literary journal. Our first issue went out in April. We aim to appeal to a wide audience and hope to attract readers from a broad spectrum.
We are being reviewed in The Crack next month.
We are open to submissions of poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.
I'd be grateful if you would share this with your members. Our website can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/l/529d3;www.prolebooks.co.uk

Sunday 18 April 2010

Frayne & Co (Presented by Monkfish Productions)

Esteemed Friends, Colleagues and Fellow Artists,

Monkfish Productions are delighted and honoured to present:-

************** FRAYNE & CO **************

Take a pinch of Variety, add a hint of Cabaret,
throw in a soupcon of Spoken Word,
a generous dollop of Superb Singing,
a whisper of Drag, a bite of Burlesque
all smeared generously with a jus of
Tongue-in-Cheek Comedy and what do you get?

We've called it 'CABARESQUE' and it's a dish best served hot........


Featuring:-

Margaret Frayne
Robbie Lee Hurst
Crystal Meth
Greg (Peter) Jenkinson
Toxic Cherry (Bittersweet Burlesque)
Simon Hymers

...and perhaps a very special visit from the INVISIBLE MAN
himself!!!!

With company like this and an inexpensive bar, what are YOU waiting for?

Sunday 25th April, 2010
Doors 7.30pm 8pm start
Admission £4

The Legion (upstairs)
3 West Jesmond Avenue
Jesmond
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 3EX



Launch at The Legion!

Viv xx

Friday 9 April 2010

Easter Bonnet



I won the competition, a bottle of wine!! Which was quaffed that night.

The first book launch at Pink Lane was brilliant. We read our poems from the book and a few more.

After a quick flip around the shops in town, I came back on the bus. A woman and her daughter boarded with a huge mastiffy kind of dog which was really whiffy. It wore a muzzle which was so tight that it`s tongue stuck out like a piece of boiled ham. It had severe eczema on it`s elbows (If that`s what they call them on canines) They were taking it to the vet.

Friday 2 April 2010

Local Heroes-The Cup Comes Hyem




Paul Jannou and Jan Radwanski have put this exhibition together. See it at the Olivier Suite at the Theatre Royal

Also if you need copies of the photos from the exhibition visit
www.jan-prints.co.uk

Wednesday 31 March 2010

On the Way Oot


I`m an orphan, an empty nester,
a menopausal mobster
I get murderous when I clean
The oven, the duvet and the toaster
I clean my teeth
They`re still yella
No chance I`ll get a fella
Unless I go to singles nights
Where I`ll meet the creeps
And the clever shites
I get to the top of the stair
I forget why I`m there
I lock the door
Go down the street
Takes me half an hour
Gassing to the folks I meet
Then I think, Did I shut the door
Best go back to check some more
Did I tell you I`m an orphan
An empty nester
A menopausal mobster
......Have I said this before
I`d best go and check that door.

This one will be included in the new Pinklane Poetry and Performance book due out soon.

I just love to watch the clips of people on the Anthony Gormley plinth. My favourite is the guy dancing to Pokerface by Lady Ga Ga. Love his style. When he comments that the street is completely empty "And it`s NOT because of my dancing!!" Keep gannin kidda you`re a diamond.

Visiting Des today to take him a disc of his 90th party then on to town for a coffee. I should be at home today making an easter bonnet for the competition at the club tomorrow but D is out on a works leaving do "I wish it was me" I`ve heard him mutter more than six times, poor bugger. Says me who is doing as she pleases. I have a huge white affair from Matalan for £5 which I intend to spend tonight painting with gouache and then plastering it with flowers and little chicken. I know, not very original, but I haven`t had time, too busy holding interview word checks with the contributors and making my pair of parrots for the arc project. I have the wings on one bird but they are both minus legs. They are so top heavy that I will have problems getting them to stand. I have three options

1 Tell the others that the birds heave eaten windfall apples and are drunk
2 Make a plaited felt nest
3 Hunt the woods for an appropriately sized branch

Or...I could blame the menopause and say I forgot.

Saturday 27 March 2010

Lamplight Centre

Kevin Cadwallender
appearing at
Poetry Jam
Waddington Street Centre
Durham City
Thursday 1st April 2010
See attached pdf flyer for details

new book "Sagrada Familia"
www.redsquirrelpress.com

"His poems have teeth and bedclothes."
- John Hegley


This is a great venue. Steve Urwin holds regular poetry slams and spoken word events here

Thursday 25 March 2010

Good Causes TV

http://goodcausetv.posterous.com/yvonne-young-talks-about-her-life-and-her-sto

Friday 12 March 2010

Slam Winners Slam





This will be a night not to miss. Fantastic performers.

At the Jazz Cafe` last night to celebrate the first birthday of the show. It was packed and the line up was amazing as usual. I read a few old piecs and a new one, but I must get down to writing new work.


David Woods interviewed some of us from Her Story at Benwell Library. The link is
http://goodcausestv.com



Kate Fox Won the slam

Wednesday 10 March 2010

The Arc



This is the first felt parrot body for The Arc project. I have the brightly coloured wings feathers cut out, but need time to fit them on. Then I`ll start on the other bugger.

Taking part in Her Story project with artists and writer Ellen Phethean at West End Library. We have made a book each, decorated with collage materials and answering questions about our lives and creative writing about objects which we brought with us. We were given a wooden mirror each to decorate and questions to answer written on fabric. I really love being involved in this. The display of finished work will be in the Grainger Market, Saturday 24th April.

I was interviewed on ne1fm last Friday and met some great people who are on the Elders Council doing good work in the community. Also recorded a grisly story for Westgate Past. A murder at Windy Nook Co-op in 1907. A fella was stealing from the butcher`s department, they set a trap by putting fresh sawdust down in the shop. Four of them lay in wait, grabbed him, hit him over the head with various sharp and blunt instruments. He still managed to kill one, wound another and escape. He was suspected and interviewed at his place of work and tried to explain all of his injuries away as having fallen, bumped into things etc, but they rounded him up and searched his flat. There were 114 pairs of shoes, Co-op butter, soap, fabric among lots more things, the meat he gave away to local people. I bet that was the only drama that Windy Nook Co-op ever saw in it`s whole lifetime.

Westerhope History Day will be held at the Old Miner`s Institute building on Hillhead Road between 10.45 and 12.45 on Wednesday 14th April. Anyone born, brought up there or lived there and has photos, they can bring them along to be scanned and added to the archive.

Called to Des`s house. He opened the door and when he saw me standing there he said "Good, I`ve got a problem." I went into his sitting room, a starling was looking down at me from the curtain pole. As I approached the window it flew to the back of the curtain. I tried to curl the fabric around the bird, but it came out at the bottom and scuttled along the floor to the other side of the room. I moved two chairs to block it in while looming over the top so it couldn`t fly out. There were a couple of cardboard boxes nearby, so I lay one on it`s side and coaxed the bird inside by buffeting a cushion in front of it. Des stood at the front door and was thrilled to see it fly away. He was 90 yesterday and I`m looking forward to his party this week. Only trouble is I`m invited to a 70th on the same day, so 7-9 then 9-11 will be the only way I can do it. Can`t miss either.

Tuesday 23 February 2010

February at Pink Lane

Robbie introduces the acts




Jazz guitar




Claire Morgan and Mother






Scott Tyrell






Amanda performs


Jess and Martin looking fab at Pink Lane Performance at the Jazz Cafe`. I enjoyed taking part as one of the judges for the acts. The standard was high as usual and I struggled between Amanda Baker and Scott Tyrell, but settled to vote for Scott who won.

Jess and Martin before the show