![]() |
The Angel Vaults |
![]() |
The Mansel Arms |
Jottings, drawings and random musings of a designer, writer, father and husband.
![]() |
The Angel Vaults |
![]() |
The Mansel Arms |
![]() |
A Pint of Guinness |
![]() |
Seren thinking Out of The Box |
![]() |
Here's another image of Jon and Tom building a serious structure at the workshop |
![]() |
Pike And Frazer have aching feet in tonight's Dad's Army |
![]() |
Dear Arthur, Love John will look at the working relationship of Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier |
"It is 1982 and as John writes to Arthur to say how much he misses him, the story flashes back to Dad's Army: the first read through, the reaction to getting 21 million viewers, Lowe's hatred of being recognised by the public, the rivalry between John Laurie and Arnold Ridley, Lowe's hostility to Clive Dunn and socialism; the affection Le Mesurier had for them all, particularly Jimmy Beck, and how, after initial snobbery about the show, the cast came to realise it was the best time of their lives.
Lowe and Le Mesurier were men of wildly different temperaments, yet bonded while working together on the series over the course of its nine-year run and became fast friends. Anton Lesser will play John Le Mesurier in the drama, while Robert Daws will play Arthur Lowe."
![]() |
John Le Mesurier Remembered on BBC2 |
![]() |
Ski With Dinosaurs Badge - 1980s |
![]() |
Mainwaring takes action in today's Dad's Army |
![]() |
Ricky Valance |
![]() |
Ice Cream On Amroth Beach |
![]() |
Instagram image by Rachel |
![]() |
The 381 Bus To Tenby |
![]() |
Lower Dock Street, Newport |
![]() |
Eee-O Eleven - The Best Of The Rat Pack |
![]() |
Originals |
![]() |
Grounds of Llansteffan Castle |
![]() |
A view from the top of the castle |
![]() |
Another view from the top of the castle |
![]() |
On Llansteffan Beach |
![]() |
A view of Llansteffan Beach from The Castle Grounds |
![]() |
Arthur Lowe |
![]() |
Programme for Stop it, Whoever You Are, 1961 |
![]() |
Floral display for Lady In The Van |
![]() |
Out Of This World - reissued on vinyl for Record Store Day |
![]() |
Doctor Who Sound Effects iss reissued on vinyl |
![]() |
National Girobank - 1980s |
![]() |
Lance Corporal Jones takes to the air with Captain Mainwaring today on BBC Radio 4 Extra |
![]() |
Arthur Lowe |
Lowe's performance showed the actor at his versatile best: although he spent much of his career being typecast, first as Leonard Swindley in Coronation Street and subsequently as Captain Mainwaring, he was actually very good at accents - the common London tradesperson, the insolent clerk, the supercilious mayoral aide. His performance was quite simply compelling, demonstrating to listeners why Diary of a Nobody has been so enduringly popular since it first appeared. I will certainly be tuning in to the remaining episodes of this five-part adaptation.You can check out Arthur's reading of A Diary Of A Nobody on BBC iPlayer
![]() |
Building a box sculpture |
![]() |
The boys with the finished sculpture |
![]() |
Janis Joplin: The Pearl Sessions |
![]() |
Arthur Lowe 1915-1982 |
![]() |
Jimmy Perry paid tribute to Arthur in The Guardian -with thanks to Andy Walmsley |
![]() |
Photo biographies for Old Tyme Music Hall |
![]() |
More Photo Biographies for Old Tyme Music Hall |
![]() |
A Complete running order for Olde Tyme Music Hall |
![]() |
Frank Williams at the Dad's Army 40th anniversary celebrations in 2008 - Andy Howells |
![]() |
South Wales Guardian Badge - 1990s |
![]() |
Bernard Holley (right) pictured with Joan Sanderson in an episode of Please Sir! (1972) |
"I was about 16 years old and just managing to listen to Radio Luxembourg on my parents creaking old set (probably worth a fortune now) and they played samples of the latest 'Rock n'Roll' which to my young ears was wonderful stuff but hated by the stuffy establishment. I went to school in Kilburn and in the local record shop that I frequented the owner, who I knew well, give me a record one day telling me that it was a demo disc and that it was a load of incomprehensible rubbish.
Intrigued I took it home and was knocked out by the voice, power and the rhythm of Mr. Presley singing Heartbreak Hotel. The only problem was I couldn't understand a word he was singing! I played that record over and over and over and over again writing down the lyrics as I deciphered them.
All this happened about two months before the record was released over here. I played the record to all my music mad friends and they all loved it too. So I reckon I was one of the first people in the UK to hear Elvis and for years I claimed I was partly responsible for his British success.
The record shop owner sold me for the disc for one shilling (5p) and I so wish I had kept it, probably priceless now!"
![]() |
One of Bernard Holley's most celebrated roles as Axos in the 1971 Doctor Who story: The Claws of Axos |
"I have to say that I was very surprised at the subsequent success of Elvis as I thought that me and the mates were the only fans! When my wife was in her late teens she bought an early Elvis LP and it is the only memento of those early rock and roll years.
It's pretty battered but you may like to look at the attached photo of the cover. It includes all his early hits Blue Suede Shoes, Money Honey etc but sadly not Heartbreak Hotel."
![]() |
The Holley's well-loved Elvis album from 1956 - with thanks to Bernard Holley |