September 29, 2015
Celebrating National Poetry Day. The Sparrow Bier Cafe presents Glyn Watkins’ latest show – Pylons Poetry & Pie. A sparky show about pylons, pies and other good things (warning: this show will contain rhymes, and may feature images and a poet going off on one!). Collection taken. Pies available. Sparrow. 19.30. Thurs 8th Oct.
September 28, 2015
I walked to the Sparrow this morning to sort the National Poetry Day show (announcement to follow). There was a party of children around Richard Oastler‘s statue.
I assumed the adults knew he fought to stop children working in factories for more than 10 hours a day.
I told the adults about how this statue was paid for by the whole nation, and was put in Bradford because Bradford paid the most.
A few children gathered to listen. Thinking back I wonder if the adults knew anything of Oastler. I thought about it later and wondered if any of them had the slightest idea who this heroic man was, and why his statue was providing a rest place between discarded kebabs and bits of stale buns.
I hope what I said makes a few able to add life to a random statue.
September 27, 2015
The quote at the end is from Bradford’s Lord Mayor at the opening as a museum in 1915. Oh that those that followed him had thought the same.
September 27, 2015
September 27, 2015
I do not know when this was placed here, but it was not here when I used to pass the spot on my way to and from different works. The youngest victim was 8, the majority 16 and under.
September 26, 2015
In Record Cafe.
September 26, 2015
We’d started the post-mortem in the Beehive, where I apparently beat Keith in a game of bar billiards. Stella had a Geordie mate come over from Harrogate, who’d never been to Bradford.
At my suggestion we then went to The Castle; were we watched Wales v England whilst singing along to punk music. I met another Welshman, and me and Stella sang along to Jilted John’s Gordon is a moron.
We then went to the Record and Sparrow.
September 26, 2015
Lost 0-2 to Peterborough, and never looked like we could score. Mere bagatelle.
Had a txt conversation with Sparrow Les about were to drink afore the game. I suggested Corn Dolly, which was accepted. Decades ago I always went to the Dolly afore a game. Today I had to think about how to get there! Or rather: how to get there with the least amount of effort.
September 25, 2015
On the bridge on the way to the Barge and Barrel.
September 25, 2015
In the morning I saw several Speculed Woods as I was picking blackberries near my home (800 gms in an hour). Saw this Small Tortoiseshell in Elland as I was taking Joe to the Drop Inn.
