Radstock rail accident

Read about it here

Britains zoo animals

I think I had all of these

Magpie vintage

New shop for Midsomer Norton High street.

Get Out of Denver - Eddie and the Hot Rods

Sorry to see Barrie Masters has died.  Here's one of his earliest moments on French tv I believe.

French in camp Ralph Mitchard

Napoleon's Line infantry and artillery

Bought this book the other day. It's from 1996 so it's after my time but it still is an enjoyable read. 

260th of 1759

1999 photo by John Norris for Skirmish magazine

Today is the 260th of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759. So to commemorate it why not check out the pages of photos of my French and Indian war reenactment years. All in subjects. 

Midsomer Norton's record shop

Buddy Holly in-car entertainment.

 I was introduced to Buddy Holly by my Uncle Graham. He lived in Cornwall and had a greatest hits on 8 track which he played in his car and it was great experiencing loud music as we sped around the villages. Good times. 

100 years war in France

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2353874028060318&type=3&sfnsn=mo

Photos Stephane Ponty

South Petherton rocknroll fans ahoy!

This gig was mentioned on Geoff Barker. I like the idea of a band doing rocknroll period Beatles. If you want to see Beatles from this era check.our my Pinterest page https://pin.it/bnfh4ze2woqb5t

Peterloo Massacre 1819

Today is the 200th anniversary of this event.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterloo_Massacre
Trailer for the 2018 movie here

Mitchards in Radstock

My Dad as a baby and his brothers and sisters in the 1930s. Eventually there was 10 children

There's this great website Somerset coalfield connections which details all the people from the coalfield. Goes back quite a way. There are 146 Mitchards listed see here

Napoleon's 250th birthday

Former Selwood Printing Works Frome by David Ward

This building was once the home of Butler & Tanner - printers who I did my apprenticeship with but they weren't in these premises by that time but I heard stories from people who did work there.  All flats now.

Animals & Men by Peter Lowery 1979

About 40 years ago we got professional photos done by Peter Lowery who used to have his studio on Church steps Frome. He got me and Susan to hold hands which we found strange and we weren't keen on but he said they would be cropped off. You can see his lines in the contact sheet.

Ralph in Frome as a punk

Here's me from about 78/9. The jacket was Sue's from BOY. This is a Polaroid from our flat in Frome at the time which was spacious. We had one room set up just for war games we used to do 1940 battle of France. I was the British and Nigel was the Germans i think I lost every battle. We used these rules and the British tanks were crap.

Buddy Holly in Bristol

ookTweet about this event

The legendary Buddy Holly only managed one UK tour in his short career as a Rock and Roll pioneer, and we were lucky enough to receive him in Bristol. This performance also included his band The Crickets, Garry Miller and Des O’Conner.

40 years ago this came out

Rock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 American musical comedy film directed by Allan Arkush, produced by Michael Finnell, and starring P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, Clint Howard, and Dey Young.^[3] The film featured the punk rock group The Ramones.

Psychedelic timeline

This list is pretty interesting - it charts the progress of Psychedelia musically from the first gasps.
https://rateyourmusic.com/list/Byrdsnix/psychedelic_rock_timeline/
This one by the Yardbirds was quite an early one in 1965. 

Heinz - C'mon Everybody (The London Rock N Roll Show, Wembley Stadium Aug 5, 1972)

Featuring a young Wilko Johnson on guitar

P.J. Harvey - 1993 MTV Studios

-Sheela-na-gig
-Highway 61 revisited

PJ is from Bridport Dorset where there was a skirmish in the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Went to college in Yeovil. If you are wondering what a Sheela Na Gig is you can find out here

Howlin' Wolf with Hubert Sumlin playlist

This is still a work in progress but it's coming along it might not be totally correct. Helped by the fact that I own a copy of this book. Worth getting if you love the blues.

Wacky Races Board Game

When I first saw about this I had to tell my brother. He is a big Wacky Races fan from the old days so I think he's going to buy it. Board game geek for review and where I found this image. I think there is a painted set and a non painted set but the cars look good. Get it on Amazon or ebay.

The London Rock and Roll show 1972

This was a pretty big show. I remember seeing it on the news. A strange line-up that included MC5 and Gary Glitter. wiki
Malcolm McLaren was there selling t-shirts, Mick Jagger was in the crowd. A lot of vocal groups couldn't get permits so they filled in the gaps with UK bands. 

The 5.6.7.8's performing I Walk Like Jayne Mansfield and I'm Blue at The House Of Blue Leaves

When Kill Bill Vol. 1 came out in 2003, Japanese trio the 5,6,7,8's who had a cameo in the movie, came to play Purr club at Moles Bath whilst still riding on that wave. People queued up for a long line and some of our friends couldn't get in. But it was an all ages show so our kids could come in and enjoy, which they did buying t-shirts and the works. They were everywhere for a while including an advert for Carling lager. 

Flashing Blade theme 1969

What I was watching 50 years ago. The theme song is called "Fight' and it's by the Musketeers. It's on Spotify if you have this. It was only on the British version but I loved it as a 9 year old. The only tv series based on the War of Mantuan succession. Wiki

Tolpuddle Martyrs 150th in 1984

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolpuddle_Martyrs

 So in 1984 a group of us from print union the NGA from B&Ts in Frome went to Dorset for a Trades Union ralley. Neil Kinnoch was there as was Len Murray the TUC leader. Sue came down with my parents while I travelled with workmates. That's me and Dave Mackay Animals & Men and Terraplanes bass) and a printer still. It was during the Miners strike so it was all the more poignant with NUM banners and people.

Conflict of Wings 1954

This is a fine film - some early environmental activism. In rural Norfolk, villagers are spurred to action when it is announced that the nearby RAF station is taking over the Island of Children, a much-loved and untouched bird sanctuary, for rocket practice.

wiki

Interview with Nigel House

40 years ago Nigel House was bass player of Animals & men. Now he is co-owner of Rough Trade. Here's an interview with him from 2 years ago.

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On Me [Docu]

Jay Hawkins birthday today (July 18 1929) so how about his documentary? Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On Me [Docu]

The legendary Screamin' Jay Hawkins was a great influence on many musicians and his performances were so highly provocative in their originality that even today they can be considered "revolutionary".

Screamin' Jay Hawkins met Nicholas Triandafyllidis and commissioned him to make a documentary about his notorious life in and out of the music industry. Screaming Jay came to Greece and he gave his very last concerts in Thessaloniki and Athens, before his sudden death in Paris in 2000.

Having been left a legacy of confidential sessions and footage of his final live performances, Triandafyllidis completed the film with a little help from Jay's friends: Jim Jarmusch (director of Ghost Dog), Bo Diddley, Eric Burdon (The Animals), Rudi Protrudi, Diamanda Galas, Arthur Brown (The Crazy Word of Arthur Brown), Andre Williams and others.

He remained faithful to their common vision:

"A film full of positive energy, an endless source of life".

Bear wood to open near Bristol

Bear's wolves and Wolverines coming soon to a wood near you!
https://www.facebook.com/wildplacebristol/

https://www.wildplace.org.uk/explore-the-park/bear-wood?/bearwood
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/first-look-inside-bear-wood-3095498?int_source=taboola&int_medium=display&int_campaign=organic

Ralph at Midsomer Norton's M-Fest

Watched Bath band Ulysses.

Moskvitsh

Susan's dad had one of these in the early 70s - a light blue estate. He used to be a teacher at Frome college. Gave me a lift to school once. Have to add he wasn't a socialist by any means. He was impressed by the engineering and its ability to start on cold mornings.

Monkey boots

A fashion piece. Susan likes Monkey boots. She was wearing some in 1978 when I first knew her and she has them now. Got a new pair the other day for a good price. I don't know much about them but I always knew them as a cheap alternative to Dr Marten's. Made by Grafters.

Read about their history and Eastern bloc origins here

Tewkesbury is this weekend

Took part in this event. Was fun. Borrowed kit. Had a bill and a sallet. Can't remember what year about 98 no photos sadly.

Sonny Boy Williamson Spotify playlist.

Some of my favourites on here. Wiki on the man. 

Cyril Davies All Stars with Long John Baldry and The Velvettes - Preachin' The Blues

One of the Uk's first blues harmonica players if not The first. Died in 1964. http://cyrildavies.com/

Ralph on Geoff Barker's rock and roll party.

I did a phone interview for this show the subject was 'My first rock and roll record'. I talked about Frome, the Bad Detectives, and other bits. It's on 1.29.29 in. I t will be up for a short time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07d3qdq/

Frome Cheese show field c1979

This is my parents' garden in Frome. The field behind was used as a venue for the Cheese show and would fill with marquees for that week. In the distance beyond those bushes was a pond in the grounds of Selwood school. Now there's a hospital in the field. The Cheese show is held out of town and schoolchildren no longer get the day off.

Sedgemoor 1685

Today's anniversary. Get my booklet here

Film we shot on the battle site a few years ago. I am on both sides. 

A Somerset and Dorset engine driver - my Grandfather Henry (Tom) Newman

At engine driver school in Swindon

Nunney Castle

Interesting page on Nunney castle near Frome.
https://www.visitnunney.com/nunney-castle-saved/

At Nunney Castle in the 80s

50 years ago today Brian Jones died.

Mike Reynolds (Winchcombe Calling dj) visited the grave in Cheltenham today

Child of the Moon promo 1968

The flip of Jumping Jack Flash. Directed by Micheal Lindsay-Hogg

50 years ago the last photos of Brian Jones.

Taken by a schoolgirl neighbour.

50 years ago at Bath

Nearly the anniversary of this event which happened locally. Was a success so they went bigger the following year at the Bath & West show ground Shepton Mallet where Michael Eavis got the idea for Glastonbury
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_Festival_of_Blues

Led Zep at Bath

Loads more here

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/Zep-69-bath.html

ion

Swing shift Cinderella (1945)

Swing Shift Cinderella is an animated cartoon short subject directed by Tex Avery. The plot involves the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood. Frank Graham voiced the wolf, and Colleen Collins voiced Cinderella, with Imogene Lynn providing her singing voice.^[1]

Swing Shift Cinderella from Movie Memories on Vimeo.

Beatles merchandise

Beatles talcum powder. My sister had this. Used to put a towel over it when she bathed. Did you have any Beatles merchandise? I know we had a tin tray too

Marvin Gaye - Hitch Hike 1962

I love this - the Stones covered it but it's not as good as this. The Velvet Underground nicked the riff for their song There She Goes Again. The Wiki has some interesting facts.
   I used to hitch a lot in my youth but you don't see it these days. I never had any trouble - the only incident was when my brother was hitching and a car drove past them and they were all making gestures out the window as they passed and they promptly ran into the car in front of them!