Exit Smiling and Big Nose Bill!

Just a quickie this posting!  Last night (Friday) I had a splendid evening in Bridport.  I went down to visit my dear old friends Jill and Mark Beed, and after a splendid Cod and Celery free dinner we wandered down to Bridport Town Hall to see a really wonderful new band in concert.  From Burton Bradstock on the coast in deepest darkest Dorset they are called Exit Smiling and are really worth tracking down.  Mostly a quartet, though other peripheral players come and go during a show, they comprise of two older gents (I am sure they won't mind me referring to them in such a way) and two young ladies.  Each and every one of them is blessed with natural musical skill but the young cello player (who also showed amazing skills on keyboards, vocals and even bass) was a real wow.  A wonderful evening of stunning English folk music.  My joy was completed when one of their biggest fans turned up - namely Mr Billy Bragg - aka Big Nosed Bill from Barking.  He joined Exit Smiling on stage for a couple of their numbers and then after the show had finished, I managed to grab a quick conversation with the man himself and he was delightful.  A great evening all round.  To check out Exit Smiling please go to their website at http://www.exitsmiling.org.uk/ and tell them I sent you.

I also add a picture of Billy Bragg.  (This for my sister Sue in Wales and for Jill in Bridport who both go weak at the knees at the mere mention of him). 

Richmond Avenue Primary School, Shoeburyness

Back to jolly old Essex again! I drove up to my parent's house in Mountnessing on Ash Wednesday and spent a nice evening sitting with my Father and watching Fabio Cappello's first game in charge of the England Football Team. My, how little seemed to have changed!

The following morning though, I was up with the lark and off down to Shoeburyness near Southend-on-Sea for a visit to Richmond Avenue Primary School. I couldn't even remember when I last visited Shoeburyness - must be over 20 years. Whenever I think of Shoeburyness it brings to mind Billy Bragg's immortal song "A13 - Trunk Road to the Sea" with the opening lines "If you should ever go to Shoeburyness..." Anyway, I managed to find the school OK and was warmly welcomed by the staff who were all just wonderful. I set up in a charming little hall and waited for the children to arrive. I had been told they were a lively bunch - and they most certainly were! We had a great morning. They certainly knew their Tudor stuff and took great delight in showing off the knowledge they had already picked up. We had lots of laughs and a good time was seemed to be had by all. We finished the morning session with a question and answer session in a packed class room.

The afternoon was equally fun, with lots of laughs had with the stocks routine. The final jousting session was hilarious. One ladies team thought they had won with only two of their riders home and just stopped! By the time I had realised what they were doing the other team had managed to rush home and win! The ladies eventually went on to win a thrilling and very close grand final. I can honestly say this was one of the nicest schools I have visited in a long time and I really hope they will consider having me back again next year. Thank you all for a wonderful day.