Ralphadeus

Saturday, July 08, 2023

Happened in Radstock

Another entry from A grim almanac of Somerset.

2 June 1846

James Smith arrived home to Radstock after an absence of nearly 40 years, claiming to have made a fortune of £50,000 in America and the Indies. He was warmly welcomed by his brother and sister and their families, to whom he promised untold riches.

After James had enjoyed their hospitality for almost a week, one of his nephews, Joseph Carter became a little suspicious about the truth of his uncle's claims and, after intense questioning James Smith was proved to be an imposter who was not related to the Smith or Carter family in any way. Documents sewn into the waistband of his trousers identified him as John Giles, a native of Cornwall. Giles was forced to apologise to the family he had duped and was 'given a good dressing of soot and grease' before being run from the town.

Fosseway Press relocates to Midsomer Norton

visited the opening day at Fosseway Press. Lots of stationary and gifts. Fosseway Press have been my go to printers. Pics by Susan. They stock Martin Forster's jigsaw puzzles.

? and the Mysterians 96 tears 1966

Here on Detroit's Swinging time. Love this record. Here is the band wiki. One of the first punk bands.

Friday, July 07, 2023

Rosalyne et les lions (1989)

Full movie here. Another film by Jean-Jacques Beineix I remember enyoying. Wiki here

The Seeds Web of Sound 1966

I have my Seeds Web of Sound t-shirt on today so I thought I would spin ths version a deluxe edition. Wiki

I saw the Seeds at the Thekla which is a venue on a boat which was great. Thanks to my old mate Dave Mackay.

Radstock bomb

I picked up a book a Grim Almanac of Somerset from a charity shop. There are a few Radstock mentions. Here is one. I should add that this was during the 26 Strike.

The alertness of George Short 1926

A night watchman at Middle Pit colliery in the centre of Radstock foiled an attempt to blow up two pits in the area.

Middle Pit and Norton Hill Colliery had both experienced problems with people pilfering coal and consequently appointed night watchmen to try to catch the culprits red handed. During the night of 29th of October Short spotted a man crouching near the colliery headgear. When Short shouted, the man ran away. The night watchman took off in hot pursuit but eventually lost his quarry to the dark rainy night. Returning to the spot where he had first noticed the man Short found two canisters, with fuses attached. Nearby lay a piece of sacking, in which was wrapped another larger canister. Short immediately informed the police and pit manager of his discovery and, when the canisters were examined they were found to contain highly explosive material, fixed with fuses and detonators ready for lighting. The larger canister was labelled 'Norton Hill Colliery' suggesting that it was intended for use there. Had the explosives been successfully detonated at Middle Pit they would almost certainly have blown up the adjoining gasworks and devastated the town of Radstock.