Our MascotFRIDAY 25 JANUARY
GROSVENOR
Thanks to Lawrence for sending me the latest pictures of our glorious mascot Grosvenor, the Black Rat. And what a fine-looking creature he is, to be sure. His plump proportions and shiny coat not only put all other, less media-friendly, rats to shame; they also bespeak a life of pampered ease, which is no more than a Rat of his importance deserves. He is truly Grosvenor the Happy Rat and the entire company of truckshunters should be grateful to Lawrence for looking after him so well on our behalf.
Are his ears supposed to look like that. though? They look almost human; unnervingly so, in fact. They remind me of an ex-colleague.....
Thanks to truckshunter Mary from Low Fell for calling me the other day to remind me that the Chinese New Year is almost upon us - the Year of the Rat. What do you think we should do to celebrate? A ‘live’ Nightshift, perhaps? Hmmmmm.....
THE MINER’S HYMN
Another ‘thankyou’ now - this time to the many truckshunters who answered the call of our President, Bob Williams from Blackhall Colliery. He wanted to know if there was a recording of the Miner’s Hymn and you responded exactly as I would have expected. It seems there are at least three. You may be interested to know the details. The Grimethorpe Colliery Band include it on a CD produced by Castle Music (based in Chessington, Surrey). The Ellington Colliery Band have also made a CD which includes the Miner’s Hymn - you can get further details from their website: ecband.org.uk. And Easington District Council (whom God preserve) include it on a CD they commissioned called Banners Music.
This last-mentioned CD actually sounds very interesting. Kev tells me that 200 local musicians and singers perform on it - led by the redoubtable Jez Lowe. The Daily Telegraph named it ‘Folk Album of the Year’. So well done, Easington District Council - you are almost (but not quite) forgiven for inflicting that dreadful logo and slogan on us.
WEBSITES
Most people who use the internet to buy CDs tend to go for amazon.co.uk - usually with good reason. If, however, you’re into more unconventional music of any kind - including rock, folk, jazz, classical and world - you may also like to try CDbaby.com. It’s an American site chockablock with fascinating and often rarely-recorded music that deserves a wider audience.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
ianstuartrobinson@googlemail.com
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
GROSVENOR
Thanks to Lawrence for sending me the latest pictures of our glorious mascot Grosvenor, the Black Rat. And what a fine-looking creature he is, to be sure. His plump proportions and shiny coat not only put all other, less media-friendly, rats to shame; they also bespeak a life of pampered ease, which is no more than a Rat of his importance deserves. He is truly Grosvenor the Happy Rat and the entire company of truckshunters should be grateful to Lawrence for looking after him so well on our behalf.
Are his ears supposed to look like that. though? They look almost human; unnervingly so, in fact. They remind me of an ex-colleague.....
Thanks to truckshunter Mary from Low Fell for calling me the other day to remind me that the Chinese New Year is almost upon us - the Year of the Rat. What do you think we should do to celebrate? A ‘live’ Nightshift, perhaps? Hmmmmm.....
THE MINER’S HYMN
Another ‘thankyou’ now - this time to the many truckshunters who answered the call of our President, Bob Williams from Blackhall Colliery. He wanted to know if there was a recording of the Miner’s Hymn and you responded exactly as I would have expected. It seems there are at least three. You may be interested to know the details. The Grimethorpe Colliery Band include it on a CD produced by Castle Music (based in Chessington, Surrey). The Ellington Colliery Band have also made a CD which includes the Miner’s Hymn - you can get further details from their website: ecband.org.uk. And Easington District Council (whom God preserve) include it on a CD they commissioned called Banners Music.
This last-mentioned CD actually sounds very interesting. Kev tells me that 200 local musicians and singers perform on it - led by the redoubtable Jez Lowe. The Daily Telegraph named it ‘Folk Album of the Year’. So well done, Easington District Council - you are almost (but not quite) forgiven for inflicting that dreadful logo and slogan on us.
WEBSITES
Most people who use the internet to buy CDs tend to go for amazon.co.uk - usually with good reason. If, however, you’re into more unconventional music of any kind - including rock, folk, jazz, classical and world - you may also like to try CDbaby.com. It’s an American site chockablock with fascinating and often rarely-recorded music that deserves a wider audience.
CONTACT ME
Post comments on this blog or contact me in any one (or more) of these ways....
ian.robinson@bbc.co.uk
ianstuartrobinson@googlemail.com
text 07786 200954 (while the programme is on-air)
call (between about 0545 and 0630 Monday to Friday) 0191 232 6565
Ian Robinson, The Nightshift, BBC Radio Newcastle, Spital Tongues, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE99 1RN
NOTE
Please bear in mind that the views expressed in this blog are my own and NOT the views of the BBC.
6 comments:
Hi Ian,
Glad you like Grosvenor's latest photo with his little adoptive family.
His ears.... hmm yeah I guess I'd never really realised as I've kept rats for so long.
The other rats in the photo are standard "top-ear" rats as we're all familiar, but Grosvenor, being a really rare and special rat, is a special shape genuinely known as "Dumbo" which sees him and all other dumbo rats have their lugs slung and mounted on the sides of their heads, indeed in a very human-like manner, including the rather more rounded shape giving this very cute look.
What really intregues me though, Mr. Robinson is.... to whom are you commenting on when you say Grovvey's ears remind you of an ex-collegue..... that's the really interestig bit!
All the best Loz
grosvenor,s a star!
His ears are very human like, ive never seen anything quite like it!
bet he,s well looked after as will his friends be too.
ian i,m listening to you speak of the holocaust,moving, heartrending, i,ll never complain again.
Hi Ian,
Have to agree with Gilly, tales of the holocaust are always a jolt to folk's reality and the events in those camps of torture and horrorand suffering should never be forgotten.
Re-calling events, as you've just read needs to be regularly so the new generations know the ghastly truth.
I have to say not for a very long time has a radio item made me just.... STOP! Rigidly in my tracks... listening with a cold horror at the terrible events and happenings..and listening with tears welling in my eyes.
Superb radio Ian..... chilled to the bones..... we must never forget.
Lawrence
well said lawrence.
my sentiments exactly..!
Thanks for your comments about the Holocaust Memorial Day item. As you can imagine, it was incredibly difficult to read aloud without stumbling with emotion, but I was determined to get through it for Eddie's sake (the man whose words they were). What you heard was the third 'take'. And I agree with you; it WAS worth it - but ONLY if we NEVER EVER forget the depths of cruelty and inhumanity that human beings are coolly and dispassionately capable of. Thanks again.
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