Author Archives: Chris

“Jazz Icons” by Professor Tony Whyton and flutterings in the dovecot

Professor Tony Whyton has published a book titled “Jazz Icons” that was reviewed by John Robert Brown in the May 2013 edition of Jazz Journal. The review caused a flurry of feathers in the dovecot and I met with John in Leeds when I was there recently and had a pint and a good chat. […]

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”.

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”, from Proverbs chapter 16 verse 8, sums up Fullers attitude towards the pricing  of its London Pride. Fullers have been playing around with the price of a pint of London Pride. After the last budget a pint of London Pride went down by a penny to […]

London Buses and Tesco – a little goes a long way but does not necessarily help

On Friday the 15th March I took a bus from Chalk Farm to Holborn. At every stop I was assailed by an on board public address system bellowing at me that this was this particular stop and the destination was Tesco in the Old Kent Road. I have no doubt this is very useful for blind or partially sighted passengers as London buses informed me. However the question that […]

Street Child World Cup fundraising event – and a rewrite for the Statue of Liberty

I played a fundraising concert at the Church of Christ the Saviour in Ealing Broadway in aid of the “Street Child World Cup” fund on 13th May. I was playing with the Acton Collective and also on the bill was Richard Hills, Colin Salmon,and Alexander Stewart. Here is a link to YouTube, the sound is […]

Live music not music streaming is the key to a healthy music scene

In the Money Guardian on Saturday 2nd February 2013 there was an article “Music streaming goes mainstream”. It is self-evident that for people to purchase music they need to hear it. However with streaming there is a real problem with the level of artists royalties that are paid. A physical product such as a CD will earn […]

British Telecom – if you have a problem with service do not waste your time calling – write

In February 2006 I had to write to the chairman of British Telecom Sir Christopher Bland. I rent a handset from BT which went on the blink. BT came round and sorted out the problem and then tried to stiff me with a bill for £134.38 The problems leading up to my letter were vexatious to put […]

London Buses and the skill requirements of some of the drivers

Sunday morning at the bust stop and the same problem repeats it self like a radish salad. Buses as you know always seem to travel, like secret police man in the former Eastern Bloc, in threes and regulate themselves at the bus stops. However if you want the bus behind the one in front you are as Dr Johnson said of […]

South West Trains – How to increase your turnover without selling tickets

Back in February 2006 I had the misfortune to catch a train to Richmond from Waterloo. Unfortunately it was impossible to buy a ticket with out a very long wait which meant I would miss that train I was hoping to catch. So I thought I would pay the extension from Zone 3 to  zone 4 on […]

Sir Cecil Anderson – Guest Contributor – EcoBank Nigeria

Sir Cecil Anderson sends in correspondence he has had with the EcoBank of Nigeria. Sir Cecil is never one to miss an opportunity for funds to help with the restoration of his country pile and to put his grandchildren through school. “Your repetition of the plea for sincerity and honesty is noted but unnecessary. You will be unaware that my lineage dates back to William the Conker……………….” To read more Please […]

Britain says no – especially if you are fellow members of the European Community

On the 28th January 2013 newspapers were reporting that the Government was planning to launch an advertising campaign to dissuade people from Bulgaria and Romania coming to these shores when they are given full travel rights across the EC next year. Britain has received any number of immigrants to its shores over the years; Huguenots, Jews,Poles,Indians, Ugandan Asians, West Indians. Currently […]