New front bed

We have a shared front lawn with our neighbours. When we first moved in, two trees had been planted by the builder. As these grew and grew, they both eventually had to come down, leaving a plain square of grass between the two properties.

Two years ago we dug out an oval bed in the centre of the lawn, and on Sunday, my neighbour Angie and I started to strip the turf to make what will be a shrub and flower bed that will give each of us with our own piece of front lawn, and at the same time, provide a pleasant view from our front windows.

Stripping the turf was the easy part. Digging out for the planting was a harder job altogether. The upper layer of ground contained a fair amount of builder's rubble, and after that we were into the clay. So we used copious quantities of fresh topsoil and compost for the holes we dug for the plants. We finished the digging and planting the next day after a visit to the garden centre to buy the shrubs. We did pick two beautiful days to be outside. We still need to topsoil between the plants and cover the shady far end with bark. That will leave the final extension of the bed at the front of the lawn to be tackled another day.

M&S - "Itchycoo Park"

The combination of the Small Faces backing to the latest M&S advertisement is a little masterpiece. Mostly written by Ronnie Lane (who combined with the remnants of the Small Faces, after Steve Marriott left to form Humble Pie, to form the new Faces band with Rod Stewart and Ron Wood), "Itchycoo Park" joins a number of great songs from the sixties used on big ads. And Twiggy outshines the other four (much) younger models in presenting the new spring collection from M&S.

The Number 23, Becoming Jane and 300

Three very different films. Of the three, my preference was for "Becoming Jane". Anne Hathaway was excellent, as was all the acting, and the dialogue sparkled.

"The Number 23" had an interesting plot, but possibly suffered from the casting of Jim Carrey in the lead role, and that once the significance of 23 as a mystical number had been explored, there was not much else to the story. But well directed for the few chills along the way.

Similarly, once the "300" had won the first battle, the remaining fight sequences were pretty repetitive. And there seemed no consistency in their coming through the first battles unscathed, to their easy capitulation at the end.

Going for a Song

There is a wonderful series in the Sunday Times called "Going for a Song". Last week Phil Jupitus described why he he picked "The Birds will still be Singing" by Elvis Costello. He starts off "Being someone who is easily manipulated by emotions means that I am more than fair game for any artist who can spin a heart wrenching turn of phrase or construct just the right interplay of chords to tip me over into floods of tears".

I hardly ever reach such a state, but on Saturday at midday, the first game at the new Wembley was introduced by a montage of the old Wembley, its demolition and the building of the new stadium, all to Coldplay's "Fix You". Good old Sky. Sometimes they do things better than anyone. So that was all pretty emotional. But then they showed some interviews with people outside the ground, and some had memories of the old Wembley. I just thought of 1966 and that was it.

Edward Seymour - A start at last

My history project is underway at last. Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford was made Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector when the nine year old Edward VI came to the throne in 1547. He held this office for nearly three years before being stripped of his office and thrown in the Tower of London. It is this period on which my project concentrates, and in particular Somerset's relationship and struggle for power with his brother, Thomas Seymour.

I now have a number of sources (apart from Alison Weir's "Children of England" whose first one hundred pages covers this period). These include "The Boy King - Edward VI and the Protestant Reformation" (a highly scholarly but very dry book by Diarmid McCulloch), "England under Protector Somerset - An Essay" by Albert Fred pollard and various extracts from the internet including Marilee Hanson's piece on Edward VI on her website http://englishhistory.net/tudor.

I have also found a copy of a 1953 film called "Young Bess" with Stewart Granger as Thomas Seymour, Guy Rolfe as Somerset and Jean Simmons as the young Elizabeth. Although most of the film does actually cover the same period, it is primarily concerned with the relationship between the future queen and Thomas. But it totally distorts many historical facts. The story of Edward and Thomas Seymour is dramatic enough without having to resort to fantasy.

Lucinda Williams' "West" and Thea Gilmore "The Threads" EP

Two of my favourite artists have new CD's. When I first heard the opening two tracks of "West", I thought this was not in the same league as Lucinda Williams' "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road". But then came track three and everything changed. The opening chords were haunting and the song was as good as anything she has recorded. The experience of her mother's death runs through many of the songs, not least for "Learning How To Live". Why cant we have more piano solos like the one in the middle of this track. It reminded me a little of Floyd Cramer, the grandaddy of country pianists. "Come On" is a real rocky track with a wonderful Hammond organ in the background. Another reminder, this time Alan Price's playing on "House of the Rising Sun". Having now listened to the album a few times, all the songs have a great deal to offer in their different ways. An excellent piece of work.

There are few artists that would get me out on a Saturday evening, but Thea Gilmore is one. When I found out she was performing an acoustic set at The Stables on the outskirts of Milton Keynes, I was wondered how this would be. Especially after seeing her with her band two years ago at the same venue. I need not have worried. Her songs fit perfectly with one or two guitars (the other supplied by her partner/producer/etc Nigel Stonier). She played many of my favourites, along with half a dozen I had never heard before. Four of these were from a new limited edition EP called "The Threads) that we were able to buy after the show. And four of the best tracks she has recorded. And she saved my all time favourite "This Girl is Taking Bets" (thanks to Johnny Walker again for introducing me to Thea's music) for the end. I think I was the only poor soul who clapped the intro.

Music and Lyrics, Hot Fuzz and The Illusionist

If there was thing in common for these three films, it would be that they are somewhat lightweight, but still good entertainment. Hugh Grant is looking an even older lothario than usual in Music and Lyrics. But he still manages to give a great performance, and Drew Barrymore was always my favourite of Charlie's Angels. The ratings have always averaged two stars, but I found the whole film totally engaging and give it four.

Which is more than the other two films. Hot Fuzz was just slightly disappointing after the wonderful Shawn of the Dead, with too many repetitive jokes, and hammy acting. But good fun. I probably saw the twist in the Illusionist far later than anyone else. But is was good to be tricked for so long. It was just a shame about the casting of Edward Norton in the main role. Any other actor would have improved the film immensely.