My time as a journalist in Basildon was not all politics and crime, although I did spend a lot of time in the council chamber and the magistrates’ courts. The Arts Centre, just off the town square, was a cultural centre for the district and, as well as hosting concerts and professional entertainment, it providedContinue reading “Tears of sorrow for a Welshman in exile”
Category Archives: journalism
Dipping my toes in the murky waters of politics
When I returned to my desk on that mid-November Monday, following the funeral of my last grandparent, I was determined to throw myself into my work and become part of the Basildon community (although to do that fully I would need to wait until I was allocated a flat). Basildon was born out of theContinue reading “Dipping my toes in the murky waters of politics”
Knock! Knock! Who’s there?
DOORSTEPPING – we’ve all heard about it. A politician or an entertainment celebrity is alleged to have done something (cheated on the wife; fiddled their taxes; taken a bribe) and members of the press are on their doorstep waiting for them to step outside and face a string of questions and a barrage of cameraContinue reading “Knock! Knock! Who’s there?”
Up in court on my first day in this Brave New Town
At 8.30am on Monday, 9th October, 1972, I entered a Brave New World – Basildon. Although that comparison to Aldous Huxley’s sci-fi classic would cast me in the role of the Savage whereas I felt I was the explorer in a concrete jungle. The drive from Burnham-on-Crouch, where I was living in a rented caravanContinue reading “Up in court on my first day in this Brave New Town”
A fine weekend in the country
Though I say it myself my memory is quite good, short-term and long-term. The long-term memory, in particular, is normally excellent, even down to what I wore on a particular day. There is one foggy area, however, and that deals with the weekend from Friday, 6 October, 1972, up to 8.30am on Monday, 9 0ctober,Continue reading “A fine weekend in the country”
Time to take flight to the Lost Lands
Once I had got my breath back, following the phone call which set me on a new path, I realised I had a lot to do and just four weeks to get it done. I got the call on Friday, 8 September and I was due to start on Monday, 9 October. In between IContinue reading “Time to take flight to the Lost Lands”
Looking ahead the only way is Essex
Despite finding my desire to travel to foreign lands effectively blocked, I still had itchy feet and wanted to break out of my little bubble and see, at least, a new part of this country we call the United Kingdom. Despite the myth that all journalists yearned to work on Fleet Street (a real streetContinue reading “Looking ahead the only way is Essex”
Not innocent but certainly naive
Looking back on my life I realise how naive I really was aged 22. I do mean naive because I certainly was not an innocent. My naivety was more a lack of information on issues that maybe I should have been more aware of. I had a lucky escape over South Africa because if IContinue reading “Not innocent but certainly naive”
Never mind the boots – these feet were made for walking
I have said before that my musical tastes are eclectic – they range from Donovan to Debussy and Beautiful South to Beethoven. In my teens I enjoyed the hits of the day and believe the 60s was one of the best decades ever for young people. It did not stop me also enjoying the soundsContinue reading “Never mind the boots – these feet were made for walking”
Ten years between tasty tipples
I don’t drink much alcohol these days, not that I was an inveterate boozer getting plastered every night even in my heyday. I do know I never drank just for the sake of drinking, or to keep up with the crowd. I also did not drink just anything on the basis that it was alcoholic.Continue reading “Ten years between tasty tipples”
Robin's Nest 