Little more to say than I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and hope, somewhere along the line, this has entertained you. Now…time for one more rant before the nurse escorts me back to the cell.
One Rainy Night In Manchester
If you ever get close enough to shake the hand of your hero best look good then? So it was that we spent several hours queuing in the cold Manchester rain way back in May before a three-hour concert that would have warmed a naked Eskimo.
My once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came as The Boss left centre stage to get closer to his soaking fans, striding barely a few feet past us, as we shivered in the rain And there I was, stood wearing a bin liner, soaked to the skin; not my finest look.
In a stomping concert there were many highlights but no more surreal than this; watch Santa Claus Is Coming To Town and I dare you not to smile.
The Boss…indisputably.
Only In Bradford?
Two stand up pillars of society appeared in court this week on charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Prosecuting solicitor Richard Davies said the charges related to a police chase from Rawdon last Friday starting at about 8pm during which five police cars were significantly damaged.
Those of us local to the area will know there was chaos on our roads and the police helicopter was out yet again.
Allegedly a light-coloured towel had been thrown from the car containing a loaded Walther pistol. Peace and goodwill to all men then and what a lovely choice of seasonal gift.
Here though are some classic extracts from the article, perhaps indicative of the world we now live in.
One of the defence solictors applied for magistrates to grant his client bail so plans for him to marry next week could go ahead. He said plans had been made months ago, invites had been sent out, venues booked…meanwhile just to kill a bit of time in between..?
Pity if he might lose the deposit on the venue, after all, what’s a bit of damage to a few cop cars and surely they must like getting the helicopter out to chase misunderstood souls like these two.
You could not make it up and, as I type this, a police siren wails in the background; perhaps that is the stag night?
You and I pick up the bill for five damaged cars before these wonderful chaps get a slap on the wrist and 100 hours community service. Most of us are grateful we live in a progressive, ordered and civilised society. Some, however, simply do not belong.
The Clowncil
Regular readers here will know I have been a vocal critic of our council in Bradford, a body of people seemingly devoid of any transparency or creative thinking.
I am also a great believer that, if our city centre is ever to see a revival of magnitude, we need an entertainments venue that can complement the outstanding Alhambra theatre which continues to draw top shows and people.
In my opinion – as written many times – the Odeon is the key here but it is increasingly clear that this will only happen with private money and that the providers of such are limited given the clear lack of confidence in our city.
What we must not do is let the idiots get away with another loony-tune idea – see here – to effectively flog off the family jewels. As a further indication of our slide backwards as a city this would be seismic.
The responsibility for our current woes cannot lie anywhere else that at the doors of City Hall. They have no plan, little aspiration – other than to keep lining their own pockets – and have a woefully inept leadership.
We stand at a cross roads as central government cuts bite ever deeper, especially in Northern cities. And yet, the same scale of cuts apply to Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield; the difference here is that things are moving forward not regressing backwards.
It is patently clear that the quality of people we have on our Council could not run a cake stall at the local fete. Sadly, their feet are under the table for at least another year with no local elections in 2017.
God only knows what the city will look like come May 2018.
One Hundred Years Ago
More tales from a different world with local tales of tragedy and drunken antics…plus ça change?
Woman Of The Year
There are some people who always seem to have a smile on their face no matter what shit comes tumbling down nor which ‘Nob ‘Ed walks through the door seeking ale and companionship.
Equally, you can never underestimate the value of places like The Scruffy and what they offer simple folk.
Next year could be a very interesting one for the pub trade nationally as predators stalk the owners of my second home – Punch Taverns plc – seeking to buy the debt-ridden business from the vulture capitalists.
Whether a change of corporate suit will make any difference to your local, only time will tell but lets hope there will always be Our Jackie stood behind the bar with her inimitable warm greeting.
“Get out you’re pissed again! You can bugger off if you think you’ve a chance tonight…that cellar’s far too cold!”
Time for a beer!
Judith says
That was really kind of Brucie boy to let that Mancunian half-wit share the stage. Can’t really believe you enjoyed spending several hours in the rain surrounded by red-rosers, but I know you have to keep up your cool image…
Have a great arse-mas and who knows, one day you might come and see us. xxx