The day after.

My new stuff turned up and it worked out OK. I was really ill for most of the day but I had a reasonably good night.

I now have a safety bar to hold onto at the side of the bed and it does mean I'm in no more danger of falling out of bed, which would have been a bit of a disaster. It's also a lot safer and a bit easier getting out in the morning, when I've been relying on help from gravity to do the job for me.

Unfortunately, my comfy new mattress topper is about two inches thick and it means I can't really get into bed without help from Robyn, so that's a bit of a problem.

But I slept better and hurt a little less. it wasn't so good during the day - as I said I felt pretty ill but I am back up at hospital next week (gulp!) so that may sort some things out.

I'll keep you posted.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Challenges.

I've not been looking forward to tonight - to be honest I've been scared. It's not like me...the one thing I wasn't in life was scared. Not of bullies, not of giant corporations or even States. I took them all on.

I am a bit scared tonight when I go to bed. We had another delivery, courtesy of the physiotherapist who is busy spending money to try and keep me out of hospital.

We got a grab rail which will stop me from falling out of bed. And, yes, that has become a problem. Also, I'll be able to grab onto it (I hope) and use it to move myself about on the bed, which is something I've been finding harder and harder.

We also got a mattress topper - a two inch thick thing for me to lie on, which will make things more comfortable. That's what's frightening me. It lifts the bed up two more inches which means I've got to get my dead old legs two inches higher and that's going to be really hard and it's going to hurt. I'm also not sure whether I can get out of bed in the morning, safely and that's even more worrying.

Once I dreamed of climbing great mountains in spite of being scared of heights. Now I have much smaller ambitions but they are no less challenging.

Wish me luck.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home; helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

A day out.

I had another really tough day today, lots of pain and spells of sleep.

I decided to take a day off and went to The North York Moors, where I took a walk from Port Mulgan to Staithes.

Port Mulgan is a derelict quarry port, dominated by the high, crumbling cliffs of the Jurassic coast of the North East. The only way down to it is along steps cut in the cliff by local fisherman, in places so steep that there are ropes to hold onto.

All around is the vaguely worrying sound of rocks falling down to the beach. The cliffs here are full of fossils but many of them are so fragile that they fall apart as you pick them up; the seashells of long dead creatures that waited a couple of million years,just long enough to frustrate you as you open them up.

The path to Staithes hugs the cliffs. It's June, so the weather is beautiful, a clear sun and blue skies.

Rolling fields are to the left, blue sea on the right. As I walk down to Staithes, the path cuts across a field of golden barley, waving in the breeze at hip height. Without moving your arms, your hands brush against the seed heads, drying in the sun

In my mind I can hear Sting singing; 'Fields of Gold' and it seems just right.

Staithes lies on a dangerous coast but it has a unique rock formation that juts out giving the village a natural harbour, which means it has always been a fishing village and a port.

The little alleyways and old buildings are deceptive - the greengrocer there was a Ship's Chandlers 200 years ago and that made it the centre of the world.

And when James Cook got the wander bug he came to Staithes to be apprenticed to the local who sold supplies to passing ships. Later he was to move to nearby Whitby and after a while working as a whaler before he rose to captain and became the famous explorer. As a result, Staithes and Whitby are always full of Australians and New Zealanders looking for their roots. Above Whitby are a pair of Whalebones put in place by the Canadian Government as a memorial to the trade between the two countries.

At Staithes there are many pubs  and seats on the front overlooking the sea where I eat lunch before walking back the way I came to Port Mulgan, uphill this time, along the cliff edge.

A fine day.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Come on The Eagles!

I had a slightly easier day today - less pain for no obvious reason. I didn't do a lot although I got some writing done.

Unfortunately, I'm running out of the easier bits and find the prospect of researching Nuclear Power and Leukaemia (hope I'm not giving too much away there) quite tough.

I also did a fair amount of sleeping and had some memories of a week ago yesterday when I was in agony a week ago when I went up for my blood transfusion.

It's good to be thinking about serious things again when too much of life is centered about just surviving from one day to the next.

Robyn is still having a very tough time putting up with me, although she is getting very excited about the forthcoming appearance of what I believe are called The Philadelphia Eagles, who are playing in The Superbowl next weekend.

I have major problems with American Football, which at its worst seems to be a bit like Rugby, which I've never enjoyed and nothing remotely like our Football, which is just the best.

I fear I'm going to have to become an Eagles fan for the next week, or I'm in real trouble.

Neil Harris
a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

I started work.

I had another day of being really ill, it's becoming a bore. I spare you the details, which are just too unpleasant.

I did manage to make some progress on my big article although I wasn't well enough to start the scientific research I need to do.

I started writing the 'soft' stuff, the autobiographical details of how things happened forty years ago. It wasn't easy, being ill, it took me back all those years to events I haven't thought about for a long time.

What I need to do is get the research done, write out a simplified version of what it's about and what happened and I'll get there......I think.

It's big stuff. I wish I had the knowledge back then that I have now.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Pysio Friday.

I had a visit today from a very helpful physiotherapist. I've spent a lot of time with physio's in the recent past and they've always been helpful and I've always followed their advise. This time I was just feeling pretty low and hurting a lot, so I didn't feel able to do a lot, I'm leaving it a day or two to start off on this one.

I still have hopes the exercises will help with my legs and mobility when I'm able to start doing them.

Meanwhile, I was out of it again today. It's funny, a week ago I was up at hospital and not feeling so bad. Things deteriorated quite quickly after that although it may just be the effort of getting there twice in three days.

Better news soon, I hope.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)

Home: helpmesortoutstppeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

I have been one acquainted with the night.

Here's another Robert Frost Poem, always a delight;




I have been one acquainted with the night.I have walked out in rain - and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.

Robert Frost

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Out of it again.

Another lost day - last night I didn't sleep all night, wreathed in pain to the extent that I couldn't even think. When I got up, despite not having had any sleep, I just couldn't sleep all day.

Boy, am I grumpy. Also it was a rainy, miserable day not that I was really going anywhere if it had been nice.

I'm still hurting, 24 hours later and that's not good but I feel a bit better than yesterday. And yesterday I got some stuff done.

What I haven't done is get any further writing my big article, which is annoying me and, as it's going to take a while once I get into it, it will be a while before it's ready.

It will be worth waiting for!

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com


 

January, January.

I must admit that January is getting me down and it's not just the cold weather, the rain and general greyness of everything....I'm struggling. I have multiple problems these days and none of them ever seem to get any better.

I'm amazed that Robyn is still putting up with me. Today she sent me a very nice picture through e-mail, which I'm not going to share with you. But it was a kind thing to do.

And it cheered me up a lot.

I'm trying to find the fight I used to have in me, which is somehow not such an easy thing these days as it once was.

On the other hand, I just don't feel like giving up until I have to, even though I've had to surrender a lot of things already.

Then again, I'm not sure how much I'm looking forward to February either!

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Fixing the figures once again.

The BBC has been doing some interesting research on Accident and Emergency departments in general, which has some relevance to St. peter's A and E, which was the original reason for starting up this Blog.

Way back when, A and E's had a target that they had to keep - 97 % of patients arriving needed to be discharged or admitted to a bed within 4 hours. It was felt this was the best way of measuring an urgent treatment department. Separate figures were kept for patients who waited longer than 4 hours to be dealt with, or longer than 12 hours.

The Conservatives, decided to reduce the target to 95% to be dealt with within 4 hours, to make it easier for the NHS to keep to it's targets.

NHS Trusts which consistently failed to meet the targets would lose money as a penalty, so it wasn't just serious for patients waiting at the hospital.

Last year, as things got worse in the NHS, the government quietly indicated that failure to meet requirements would no longer result in 'fines'.

In fact, over the last twelve months, the targets have been missed even by efficient and well run hospitals, mainly because it's now accepted that most of the NHS is underfunded and unable to manage it's targets.

Now the BBC has discovered that there has been some widespread misuse of 'Drop-in Centre's' to game the statistics.

Lets take, as an example, Ashford and St. Peter's NHS Foundation trust. It runs a traditional Accident and Emergency Department at St. Peter's where patients arrive on foot or in ambulances with problems that range from the trivial to the most serious. Obviously, on arrival they are subject o the collection of statistics leading to the figures that indicate whether the Trust can meet the four hour target.

In fact there is also a 'Drop-in Centre' next to Ashford Hospital. It's not an A and E, ambulances don't call there, it doesn't deal with emergencies.

In fact it's very useful; staffed by nurses you can go there without an appointment and get seen for minor problems. If it turns out to be serious the Nurse can arrange for a transfer to A and E. I went there to have dressings changed and it usually takes about an hour or so. In the past it was attached to a G.P's surgery which was intended by the Blair Labour Government to see people in the evenings and weekends. It's just been closed to save money.

The thing is, the Drop-in centre's statistics go into the figures for Accident and Emergency for the hospital as a whole. Now, no one attending the Drop-in Centre is going there instead of going to A and E - this is non serious problems. The kind of thing that the practice nurse at the Doctors could deal with - but you can be seen without an appointment.

So, in one way the Trust is encouraging people to come in to improve the number of people being seen within 4 hours, because most people attending have quick, simple problems. If you shut the centre, none of the people would be on their way to A and E.

In fact, the BBC has uncovered that not only is this a common practise but some unscrupulous Trusts have been including figures for patients attending Drop-in Centres that have nothing to do with them, in order to massage the A and E to look better.

This 'gaming' of statistics to make them look better is more common in the NHS than you would think - this time there may need to be a recalculation of all last years statistics to find out what the real position was at our A and E's.

The effect of this fixing of the figures makes life harder for patients and easier for over paid NHS managers.

We shouldn't let them off the hook this time.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Another day after.

After yesterday's trip to Charing Cross Hospital, I was completely out of it. Really, it was like taking two trips up in a row, even though there was a days gap between.

It wasn't much help that it was freezing cold, dreary and wet, with periods of snowy slush coming down.

I didn't get any obvious benefits from the transfusion, which is a shame and I had loads of pain too. So a tough old day. I have hopes things will get better but we'll see.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Saturday at Hospital.

Robyn took this picture for me - I was a bit out of it at the time.

I didn't imagine I'd be able to get to hospital at all, let alone on time. I got up late, feeling terrible.

But it was a Saturday and we coasted through the invisible traffic of the week. And we were able to park in the hospital car park, which we can never do.

Then I got a shock - I needed two units of blood, which is a lot. I have to be very grateful to whoever donated the blood for me to use.

It took 6 hours on top of waiting and getting test results. The chair wasn't comfortable, I had a really painful time.

I also had problems, which I don't need to bore you with here.

Somehow Robyn got me through it and also had brought a vast amount of food, which we needed because of the time we were there.

We left in the dark and made it home through the rain. I can't say I got the burst of energy a transfusion is supposed to give me, which can't be a good sign.

But we made it and I'm having a rest for a couple of days now.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The day after.

After good news yesterday, today was spent in some pain getting over all the excitement. Also, I'm puzzling as to why I'm short of Haemoglobin without any good reason. Robyn will tell me off for being pessimistic when I should be happy.

I'm not looking forward to an early morning and a struggle up to London for my transfusion. I could do with a good rest.

I'm sorry, I should stop grumbling and just be enjoying another three weeks of life. I'll try to.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Woo! Woo!

Well, that was an eventful 24 hours. We were hit by the gales everybody else got hit by and spent the night worrying about whether the roof would get torn off. Neither of us got any sleep.

I managed to get up, got dressed, which is fairly painful in itself. Somehow, Robyn got me into the car and drove us up to London, with me doing a lot of groaning on the way. There was hardly any traffic, probably due to the wind, so we got there on time.

I was pushed into Hospital on the wheelchair and we settled down to wait.

When we saw Dr Feelgood we found that my last months bloods were good and I can put Chemo off for another three weeks, unless things go really wrong in the meantime.

I went off for my infusion and found that I need to be back again on Saturday for a blood transfusion - nothing is ever perfect. But this is good. Three weeks is three weeks. Time to build up body weight, time to get some stuff done, build up some muscles.

I got home like a groaning sack of potatoes, but I got home. I managed to get over the front door step on my own when I haven't been out of the house for about three weeks.

So, I'm ahead, and up for trouble.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me; neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Blood pressure.

Oh that was a tough day - everything went wrong. The day before I go up to Charing Cross Hospital, which isn't going to be fun at all.

I had a bad night, which isn't unusual. I had the pleasure of the District Nurse coming round to change the dressing on my poor old leg. I'll spare you the other details.

Then Robyn had to go to Tesco's alone, which I think she prefers but it upset me.

She picked up my prescription from the Doctors - they gave me stuff I haven't requested because I didn't need it. They gave me stuff I didn't need urgently because I have a months supply left. They gave me the morphine patches which are a controlled drug and need security and I/D.

But they didn't give me my blood pressure pills which I'm running out of and need desperately. Robyn phoned them for me and I think we've got it sorted now, although it means an extra trip to the Doctors and the pharmacist, which she doesn't need.

It's enough to give you blood pressure.

I had a rough evening too but that's is far too sordid to talk about.

Wish me luck for tomorrow, I'll need it.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilaithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

2018; could do better!

I had another really tough day and am beginning to assume that this is going to be the new normal.

Thursday is going to be another really tough day with a trip up to Charing Cross Hospital which I last went to a month ago. There haven't been so many outings since then - half an hour standing at Tesco's, waiting for a disabled buggy to come free, which nearly did for me. Another trip to Tesco's and that's it.

Since then I've been too ill to go, with leg problems and ne wand exciting pains.

As a new year it's left a bit to be desired but I am still here, which is a good thing. If I'm lucky I will be accepted for one more chemo treatment although we all suspect it isn't likely to work.

Tomorrow I'm having a break and getting my head together for Thursday.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilaithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Cyrille Regis.

I was very saddened to hear of the death of Cyrille Regis today, a black footballer of the 1970's who was one of the first League One players of colour and who played for West Bromwich Albion at a time when the West Midlands were a strong area of support for racism. Regis faced off organised racist chanting and moved to nearby Coventry City where he won the F.A. Cup and eventually played for England despite receiving death threats and other abuse.

It's impossible now to imagine what players like Regis went through, indeed the next generation of Black players like Uan Wright were able to go on the offensive because of the stand that players like Regis had gone through.

It's also important to remember that they weren't alone  although support was often muted or not reported. Brian Clough was a strong opponent of racism in society in general and in sport in particular.

There's still work to be done but the likes of Cyrille Regis set the path that is now followed by so many.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you stop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

No comment necessary.

This was the image projected onto the front of a Trump International Hotel yesterday.

What more do I need to say?

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilaithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Ouch again!

I'm afraid I've been out of it for the last two days - lots of pain, no sleep at nights. It's been tough.

Today was another Christmas though, the District Nurse sorted out a delivery of a new cushion for me, which may help. These aren't just any old cushions, they cost a fortune and make things much more comfortable. And I may be able to use the old one, which wasn't mine in the first place and was all worn out.

I've been throwing stuff out - I've been a hoarder all my life and far too late, have come to the realisation that all this stuff needs to be sorted out and thrown out. It's something I can do even when I'm in pain.

And I need to find the paper file I need to write my article and that's going to take some archaeological digging so that I can find it.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Trump let us down.

It's hard to express how badly people here have taken the news that Donald Trump won't be coming to open the new American Embassy in the unfashionable area South of the River.

People are devastated, having been looking forward to the visit for some time. We can only hope that the State Visit, already promised, will still go ahead.

We had been looking forward to lining the streets to express our gratitude that he had come over to see us. I for one, was hoping that Robyn would be able to wheel me to a suitable vantage point in my wheelchair, so that make suitable noises from the pavement.

On the other hand, he probably doesn't want to associate himself with a country that he probably sees as 50% a Sh£thole.

Oh well, it's a pleasure we'll have to put off.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The big story is coming along.

I had a better day today - the District Nurse came around and changed the dressing on my leg and the pain wasn't too bad for most of the day, just getting bad in the evening.

I started writing my big article - I've planned it out and know what I want to say but to do that I need to do some fairly heavy scientific research. I've got the internet now, which is a great help but it's still hard going. I can only keep it up for limited periods of time. Also, because the events I'm writing about predate the internet, I've got to find some dusty old files, which isn't so easy.

Also, it's a combination of medical and scientific material and neither is really my thing, so it's not easy.

But I decided to make it largely autobiographical which makes it easier - I'm not writing for a medical journal or for a scientific newsletter.

Hopefully, it will go OK. I need to get it out there. It's a big story.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me; neilaithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Plans.

I had another really painful day - it's becoming a routine, just the place that hurts changes.

I still have lots of things to do - one of them is to write a piece for this Blog that I should have written a long time ago. Unfortunately, I'm finding it hard to concentrate at the moment but it is an important thing to deal with.

It's partly autobiographical but, more importantly, it's also an exposure of a significant wrong that was done, that altered the direction of the countries economy in the 1980's.

It's unfinished business for me because I should have put it to bed over 30 years ago.

What I need is a little break in the pain!

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Oh that hurts!

I must admit I thought I was doing quite well - last night I took another step back. I got hit with an almighty toothache - which, given the amount of painkillers I'm taking must be bad.

In fact it could be the cancer spreading, it could be a side effect from my meds or......ahem......a toothache.

The problem is I'm not very mobile and getting to a dentist is a real problem. And I may not be able to have any treatment because of the meds I'm on.

I was in such a bad way that Robyn got up in the middle of the night and unearthed an ancient painkiller from the far recesses of the medicine cabinet. I did actually work in the end. I suspect it's not available any more and I'm going to have to make it last.

It's been demoralising as well as debilitating. There's nothing like a toothache to get you down.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Visiting time.

Today went reasonably well - we got our visit from the District Nurse. It turns out that an elderly couple living on the other side of town but on a similarly named street have had a series of visits meant for us - which is why no one came here.

As expected the District Nurse was very efficient , took a quick look at my leg and dressed it. I'd been given stuff and there's more to come - I'm sparing you details because you really don't want to know.

Things could be a lot worse, although I'm not sure how reassuring that actually is.

I've had a tough couple of weeks over Christmas, now I need to start getting things sorted out, if I can.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Happy Birthday Robyn!

I can't pretend that times are good for Robyn because they aren't. We're now in the world of Community Nurses and District Nurses. Waiting for people to come to the house to look at my legs and not turning up, or not giving any indication of when they may come.

I've been there myself, caring for people and it's no fun.

Yesterday was Robyn's birthday and I was in no state to do anything, but we had a nice day.

There was Ice Cream cake!

Lots of Love Robyn, you are a very special person.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Back to normal.

I've had a great time picking music for my 'Turntable twenty' and I miss doing it. Things are back to normal - except normal isn't normal any more. I've had some severe mobility problems over Christmas as well as lots of pain. Picking songs has let me take my mind off things and spared you the grinding details of fighting pain and getting by.

With luck I'll get back on track and things will improve.

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

The photographs and still frames in your mind.

I've had a wonderful time putting together my 'Turntable Twenty' this Christmas. As I said at the start they aren't necessarily my favourite pieces of music, nor are they my top twenty. If I did this again tomorrow it would come out differently.


I rejected as many as I posted, tomorrow maybe I would rather have chosen those instead.

This last one is 'Good Riddance' by Green Day. Perhaps you need to arrived at my stage of life to appreciate it, perhaps not.

Here's the link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

No, No, No.

My 'Turntable Twenty', for Christmas, is winding down now, which is a shame. Actually it will probably end up being a 'Top Twenty One', because I'm too soft hearted when it comes to cutting out tracks that haven't made it.

This is the ultimate in 1990's 'Dancehall', it's electrifying.

It's Dawn Penn with 'You don't love me' (No, No, No.)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weFxKPsYTf4


Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

What is it all about?

Another amazing recording; it's 1965 and Burt Bacharach is conducting an orchestra at Abbey Road studios with Cilla Black singing 'Alfie' which is due to be the theme of the forthcoming movie.

It's around the 40th take and he's still not happy with Cilla's singing. George Martin is the producer, at the mixing consol with pursed lips. The orchestra wants to go off and get a cup of tea.

Cilla Black isn't giving up - she worked as a cloakroom attendant at The Cavern Club, which is how she got discovered as a singer; through knowing The Beatles who write songs for her and through Brian Epstein, The Beatles manager.

The film isn't that great but the lyrics to the song (by Hal David) make it something very special.

What's it all about, Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?
Are we meant to take more than we give
or are we meant to be kind?
And if only fools are kind, Alfie,
then I guess it's wise to be cruel.
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie,
what will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above, Alfie,
I know there's something much more,
something even non-believers can believe in.
I believe in love, Alfie.
Without true love we just exist, Alfie.
Until you find the love you've missed you're nothing, Alfie.
When you walk let your heart lead the way
and you'll find love any day, Alfie, Alfie.

At least it's very special to me.

Here's the link to the final take;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAuoNa5g6i8

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

It's a raid!

This should just be banned.

When it's played the M.E.A. will turn up on your front doorstep with a warrant and a battering ram and wearing black suits and ties.

That's the Music Enforcement Agency.

Listen once and it's just about alright.

Listen twice and you are lost. 
This is 1960's Young America. Brash and full of optimism. Just read some of the memories in the comments section.


And if you are prepared to give up any control of your head listen to it twice, but don't say I didn't warn you.

 Here's the link to 'Soulful Strut' by Young-Holt Unlimited.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX1XSOzDPik&list=RDyX1XSOzDPik#t=0

Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com

Dirty Old Town

Last November I was waiting for a scan at Charing Cross hospital and was whistling this tune when an elderly man waiting to find out whether his Lung Cancer treatment had worked or not, came up to me and told me it was his favourite song in the world.

I chose to go to university in London because that was where Punk was happening and it was where I wanted to be. But, at the same time, I was still open to other musical influences
 as well.

A friend persuaded me to join the 'Singers Club' which took place at 'The Bull and Mouth' pub in Holburn every Saturday night. It wasn't very expensive - there was a subsidy from the Political Committee of The London Co-Operative Society.

Those were the days.

The Club was really just a platform for Ewan Macoll and Peggy Seeger, who sang folk music.......not normally my kind of thing.

Except Ewan Macoll was an institiution in the Labour Movement. In 1920's Salford he was a firebrand Communist and set up a propaganda group called 'The Red Megaphones' which performed satirical views of the news outside labour Exchanges for the unemployed.

In the 1930's he was a militant Rambler and was press officer at 17 for the group that led The Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout, a privately owned, mountain outside Manchester. Many went to prison after the confrontation with the owners gamekeepers, but what limited access we now have to the countryside is due to them.

Macoll's first wife was Joan Littlewood and between them they established 'Theatre Workshop' which transformed British theatre and premiered some of the most notable plays of the 1950's.

But they split and Macoll specialised in music.

This song is product of a collaboration with his third wife Peggy Seeger, half sister of Pete Seeger the American folk singer and political activist.

It reflects his childhood in poverty stricken Salford and the post war Labour plans to transform it. I like The Pogues version too, but this has a great video and the music is better.

Here's the link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Wj7xZf8xm8





Neil Harris
(a don't stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutstpeters.blogspot.com
Contact me: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com