| Tigers at Layer Road 21:11 - Sep 23 with 250533 views | SparkfilmsTV |
In a strange twist of events l found myself in conversation with a young lady who had attended Layer Road for a match against Hull City in our first season in The Championship. The 5-1 encounter.
We were attending a promo evening for a band called The Datsuns in North London in 2008.
During the evening she explained that she had been present at a party that made the national news due to the tragic death of someone by the name of Mark Blanco.
The incident occurred in December 2006.
This incident will be shown on Channel 4 on Monday night at 22.00 in an hour long documentary and several people known to me have made contributions.
It may be of interest to some.
I am very much hoping that the police will reinvestigate the death of Mark Blanco as a result of what will be included in the content.
I know that what l was told by this young lady 15 years ago has been instrumental in the making of this documentary.
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 22:00 - Oct 31 with 1590 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SWOOP
'We've waited a long time to ask about those words that she wrote'.
SQUORK
'It's case sensitive when you have to confront someone with such a scenario'.
SWOOP
'Verse after verse of glorious words that were destined to create a classic folk epic but got scrunched up in a rock production somehow'.
SQUORK
'She did seem quite taken back by our observations'.
SWOOP
'I think we could describe her response as pensive remote'. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 22:02 - Nov 2 with 1512 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SWOOP
'Looks like we have an interesting find'.
SQUORK
'We need to get to work on this and have us a little scroll through'.
SWOOP
'Me thinks a long scroll through'.
SQUORK
'Seagull Police are Go'. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 11:37 - Nov 3 with 1478 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SWOOP
'It can't be very often a seagull hands a County Lines Burner in at Southway.
SQUORK
'It will be switched off and put in a room with all the others.
SWOOP
'Strange how all those items we discovered were together in a space not much bigger than a plate of fish and chips'.
SQUORK
'Perhaps they were left for someone else and we got there first.
SWOOP
'Mmmm....under a Merc no less'.
SQUORK
"Yeah, a car tyre making a ringing sound is quite unusual'. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:25 - Nov 3 with 1461 views | ghughes11 |
Is it time for the seagulls to fly south for the winter?
Is it time to start to inflate the Polar Bears? | |
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 19:10 - Nov 4 with 1385 views | SparkfilmsTV |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:25 - Nov 3 by ghughes11 |
Is it time for the seagulls to fly south for the winter?
Is it time to start to inflate the Polar Bears? |
Defo time to quieten the gulls and the Inflatable Polar Bears was fun to write.
Having written over a million words this year on various projects ( including on here ) l have just begun work on a new book that is entirely visual.
We did an extensive photoshoot of Colchester in lock down and l've decided to use the images as backdrops for collage work.
I'm trying to do a few hours on this each day along with other projects so any time contributing to this and other threads is limited.
As always I really appreciate folk following the bears, gulls or anything else l have added to this overlong thread. [Post edited 5 Nov 8:05]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 13:03 - Nov 6 with 1243 views | SparkfilmsTV |
A late night on the collage shift followed by an early morning valuation of vinyl records.
Now, I'm not sure how many folk on here will be familiar with a band from the late sixties to early seventies by the name of Freedom but their two Vertigo albums were among what l viewed this morning.
These records are rare.
Freedom played at what was then ( 1970 ) known as The Metro Club in the basement on Sunday evenings, it is now Colchester Snooker and Billiards Club located in George Street.
I knew the guys in the band and to see these records 'in the flesh' this morning was really uplifting.
Bobby Harrison ( sadly now passed ) was the drummer and founder of Freedom and he used to be in Procol Harum.
We exchanged some incredible phone calls over the years.
Also included in the boxes l went through this morning was a signed photograph by Madonna and many valuable heavy metal albums. [Post edited 9 Nov 22:31]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 11:13 - Nov 7 with 1157 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode One.
1988.
Our receptionist runs up the stairs with the morning post.
She tells me of an incident that has just occured.
A young mother and unknown to Graphic Warehouse has entered the reception, quickly changed her baby's nappy and slung it in the rubber plant feature which is in the large window and visible to passers by.
I was tempted to leave it there for a day or so. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 15:15 - Nov 7 with 1121 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode 2.
Geraldine Byrne
Where you now?
And where you bin?
You wrote your name
In red biro
On the back of NPL 18117
Most likely in '65
Was it you or your friend
Who smoked woodbines?
We had the record sleeve
Forensically tested
And traced you back
To a bedsit in Swiss Cottage
In the swinging sixties
Geraldine Byrne
Are you dead?
Buried in some sunlit churchyard
Do you hear the toll of the bells?
Do you hear the raven calling
From beyond?
Geraldine Byrne
Did you get married?
Have children?
Was your life fulfilled?
G. BYRNE
You wrote this in black biro
On Side Two
Of 'What's Bin Did
and What's Bin Hid'
By Donovan
So
What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid'
Throughout your lifetime?
Pray tell [Post edited 7 Nov 15:21]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 12:40 - Nov 8 with 1035 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode 3.
Following a £15 million refurbishment of a London Casino we have been assigned to dispose of the art that adorned the walls for many years via auction.
The task is to identify the pieces and write the text for their catalogue inclusion.
It makes a change from poetics / lyrics / TV crime docu's and the like.
The possible acquisition of ITV by Sky has put a hold on some of that.
Having been retired from full time employment for over 20 years l now have about six part time endeavours to occupy the days and have had to walk quicker with any dogs l may have in tow. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:47 - Nov 8 with 1001 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode 4.
So the art has been safely delivered from London Casino World and it's vibrant and powerful work.
I was working on a collage and my visitors took a far greater interest in it than many folk have done thus far.
In effect they offered to buy it and it's nowhere near finished.
All quite surreal.
I gifted them copies of the Monster magazines and they were flying through the pages with the kind of expressions l don't see too much of these days.
Being Mayfairites they seem more than excepting of some of the wild art l work on through the early hours.
I really hadn't considered a market for this type of thing in The Middle East.
As the Arabs left the building some of my family members arrived to use the facilities and we managed a quickfire dog walk which bought us into contact with an interesting group of people who were under the influence of various liquids and pills but were actually very pleasant.
They had somehow rested a giant mirror against a tree.
It looked like something from a 60's photoshoot on Primrose Hill. [Post edited 8 Nov 20:57]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 08:35 - Nov 9 with 963 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode 5.
POST MODERNIST OVERLOAD
Looking out
From your window
Down below
Taxi lights glow
On the Fulham Road
Traffic moves slow
In the contraflow
Alerted by the sound
Of the phone
All is not well at home
Jeremy said so
Step into the wardrobe
Pull the door closed
Fantasise and memorise
A journey you once took
Long ago
And down below
On the Fulham Road
Black youth groans
And batteries explode
In this widescreen freak show
This is
Post modernist overload
Best stay in the wardrobe [Post edited 9 Nov 8:42]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 11:28 - Nov 9 with 942 views | SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode 6.
Part of the former premises of Graphic Warehouse have come up for sale on the market in Colchester.
33 years ago 'UK Holidays in The Sun' was born on those very floor boards and has gone on to become possibly the biggest and most lucrative newspaper promotion in the world.
The original concept and planning was a masterstroke of genius by my former colleague Peter Sakal who sadly died last year.
Just imagine waiting for the first postal response to a new promotion and having no idea how many letters ( if any ) would arrive on the doormat.
Try 200,000!
Amazing times. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:59 - Nov 9 with 891 views | SparkfilmsTV |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 08:35 - Nov 9 by SparkfilmsTV |
Sparkfilms TV Shorts.
Episode 5.
POST MODERNIST OVERLOAD
Looking out
From your window
Down below
Taxi lights glow
On the Fulham Road
Traffic moves slow
In the contraflow
Alerted by the sound
Of the phone
All is not well at home
Jeremy said so
Step into the wardrobe
Pull the door closed
Fantasise and memorise
A journey you once took
Long ago
And down below
On the Fulham Road
Black youth groans
And batteries explode
In this widescreen freak show
This is
Post modernist overload
Best stay in the wardrobe [Post edited 9 Nov 8:42]
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Some explanation perhaps due.
The Fulham Road - loved this area of West London while working in Chelsea.
The view was from a 2nd Floor flat that was occupied by one of the Account Execs at our agency.
The phone call that mentions 'Jeremy'. This is in fact a phone call Jeremy Bamber made to Julie Mugford that related to the White House Farm' murders.
I believe Jeremy actually said 'Something's wrong at the farm'.
The wardrobe. This was something l peered into around 1970 at a stunning period property in Lexden, Colchester.
The wardrobe had attire from the 1920's flappers era and was part of student house share with many incredible furnishings and art works on view.
There was a student game that involved stepping into the wardrobe and making three wishes - some of which were realised in the following minutes.
The 'groan' is the result of a recent stabbing.
The battery explosion is something l saw occur in Hackney.
So - it's imagery that floats around and is joined up in the same way the collages are made, and to some extent, the way l create a quick omelette while working through the twilight hours.
In other words - a five minute automatic writing project that is keyed in 'live' ( as it were ).
Some folk like it.
Some folk dislike it ( or worse ).
Some folk don't bother with it.
That's how things pan out... [Post edited 9 Nov 22:22]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 12:19 - Nov 10 with 836 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 7.
Currently designing the back cover of a book ( in advance of some of the inner content ) and listening to an LP by Del Shannon that was released after his tragic death by suicide.
If only he could have heard the result of his work, which l think is his greatest ever album.
It's wonderfully produced by Jeff Lynne and Mike Campbell and features Tom Petty.
It's inspirational!
Rock On / Del Shannon - Silvertone Records, 1991 [Post edited 10 Nov 13:26]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 11:33 - Nov 11 with 772 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 8.
I always rated the following as one of the wonders of the world that l discovered.
The electronic keyboard known as a 'Musitron' on Del Shannon's 'Runaway' ( and also on his hit 'Hats off to Larry' ) was actually designed and custom built ( and played ) by Max Crook ( 1936 - 2020 ) who was a musical pioneer.
Thank you Sir!
When l first heard it as a ten year old l couldn't work out what it was.
I'm still in Del Shannon season as l spec up info for book production quotes.
For anyone familiar with print terminology it's A4, landscape, full colour, perfect bound, 220pp, 250gsm laminated cover, inners are 170 gloss and 220 pages with an initial run of 2,000 copies. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 20:25 - Nov 11 with 706 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 9.
I have just been walking through Colchester City Centre trying very hard not to get mowed down by a Deliveroo Delivery Rider and had several close shaves.
A name came into my head of a work colleague from the 1980's.
His surname was Cakebread and l must have asked him at the time if he was related to Gerry Cakebread who was the Brentford goalkeeper even before Chic Brodie was seeing hand grenades rolling around in the six yard box.
Cakebread is not a surname one often comes across these days.
Another name l recall from distant days was a footballer called Drinkwater. Possibly another goalkeeper.
Where have all these interesting names gone?
I recall a time when every street in England seemed to have a Mr and Mrs Smith, Brown and Jones, and many football teams would have those names in their ranks too.
Another development over the past 20 years or so is the amount of hyphenated names and some of these must serve as real tongue twisters for commentators.
Over in Romford during the 1970's there was a Mrs Greengrass living around the corner from Fred Breadbasket.
Neither of them were footballers as far as l recall. [Post edited 11 Nov 23:13]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 20:48 - Nov 11 with 691 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 10.
On the subject of unusual surnames there was an individual called Gordon Horsehead who used to drink with my father at The Globe in North Station Road.
Just imagine having Horsehead as a centre forward back in the day.
Gordon was a lorry driver if my memory serves me right and he didn't make our Sunday League football team at The Globe. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 21:11 - Nov 11 with 684 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 11.
Back to The Globe and St Helena School.
There was a Barry Greygoose who was a very decent footballer.
Here is a possible lineup for a football team even though some of them didn't play the game.
1. Gerry Cakebread
2. Simon Sensible
3. Anne Greengrass
4. Danny Blanchflower
5. Fred Breadbasket
6. Barry Greygoose
7. Henry Wildblood
8. Ray Drinkwater ( out of position ).
9. Gordon Horsehead
10. James Birdwhistle
11. Arthur Longbottom
Arthur was a Colchester United player but changed his surname to Langley.as he was nicknamed 'Shortarse' by a group of supporters behind the Layer Road goal.
We'd better have a couple of subs.
Stan Polish and Brian Boot on the bench.
Stan was a window cleaner and Brian.did a milk round and he was a crazy driver.
Sponge person - Dorothy Winkle.
Fred Breadbasket appointed as the Player Manager.
Joe Broadfoot once of Millwall and Ipswich Town would be a decent addition to the squad.
Danny Dangerfield is currently a farmer in Dorset but he too is worth signing.
Peter Barefoot from Sudbury will be a target in the transfer window.
[Post edited 11 Nov 23:05]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 22:53 - Nov 11 with 645 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 12.
God only knows how many folk l have met down the years but l have just recalled a few more whose surnames at the time didn't seem that significant...to keep things local to Colchester it's possible some of our older members may have come across the following.
Anne Honeybell -.once of Castle Road or Roman Road and briefly a student at Colchester Art School. Circa 1970.
James Honeydew - moved to Colchester from Bristol. Lived on Lexden Road. Graphic Designer. Circa 1988.
Laurie Honeyball. He was a photographer for the Evening Gazette and Essex County Standard. Circa 60's / 70's / and beyond.
Clare Honeywell. Nurse. Lived in the Prettygate area of Colchester. Circa 1975.
Brian Honeywood. Colchester United footballer - Circa 1969.
James Honeycomb. Photographer, Circa 1986.
Emily Honeybun. Waitress. Circa 1973.
[Post edited 12 Nov 12:42]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 10:34 - Nov 12 with 595 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 13.
'l William, Stanley, Archibald Birdwhistle take thee Miriam, Florence, Violet Meatyard to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer....
Mr and Mrs Birdwhistle resided in Barnsley, Yorkshire.
I James, Arthur, Wilfred, Ironmonger take thee Rosemary, Helen, Margaret, Loveluck to my wedded.....
Mr and Mrs Ironmonger resided in Diss, Norfolk.
I Alfred, James, Henry, Younghusband take thee Sylvia, Helen, Anne, Sweetapple to my wedded...
Mr and Mrs Younghusband ( Alfred was 22 ) resided in Cromer, Norfolk.
I Malcolm, James, Allbones take thee Lorraine, Kelly, Liquorish....
Mr and Mrs Allbones resided in Chelmsford, Essex.
I William, Gilbert, John, Culpepper take thee Rosemary, Constance, Anne, Relish.....
Mr and Mrs Culpepper resided in Poole, Dorset.
[Post edited 12 Nov 11:07]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:31 - Nov 12 with 525 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 14.
There was an accomplished Colchester United midfield player ( Circa 80 - 83 ) by the name of Dennis Longhorn.
By around the late eighties Peter Sakal and myself were driving all over the country in our pursuit of following Col U.
We were on our way to Hartlepool on one particular occasion and somehow Dennis Longhorn came up in conversation.
I was driving and referred to him as 'Longhorns' which sounds quite infantile but Peter must have visualised the player with large horns growing from either side of his head and was crying laughing.
This became a recurring topic.
Long way Hartlepool. ( We lost 2 -1 ).
I believe Dennis Longhorn still lives in the Sudbury area.
While watching the match at Hartlepool from the main stand a former Colne Lodge F.C. team mate who had relocated to the North East suddenly appeared beside us.
He has an interesting name too.
It was Martin Battle.
A favourite player of mine for Colchester United was Eric Redrobe. Fab name. Circa mid 60's.
And not forgetting 'Jungle Boy Westlake'.
Was it Jungle Boy or Eric who went after the linesman with a corner flag in front of what became known as Terrace 4? | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:52 - Nov 12 with 513 views | ghughes11 |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 20:25 - Nov 11 by SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 9.
I have just been walking through Colchester City Centre trying very hard not to get mowed down by a Deliveroo Delivery Rider and had several close shaves.
A name came into my head of a work colleague from the 1980's.
His surname was Cakebread and l must have asked him at the time if he was related to Gerry Cakebread who was the Brentford goalkeeper even before Chic Brodie was seeing hand grenades rolling around in the six yard box.
Cakebread is not a surname one often comes across these days.
Another name l recall from distant days was a footballer called Drinkwater. Possibly another goalkeeper.
Where have all these interesting names gone?
I recall a time when every street in England seemed to have a Mr and Mrs Smith, Brown and Jones, and many football teams would have those names in their ranks too.
Another development over the past 20 years or so is the amount of hyphenated names and some of these must serve as real tongue twisters for commentators.
Over in Romford during the 1970's there was a Mrs Greengrass living around the corner from Fred Breadbasket.
Neither of them were footballers as far as l recall. [Post edited 11 Nov 23:13]
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Danny Drinkwater, the former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder, has taken a new direction in his career by positioning himself in the building trade. After exploring various business ventures post-football, Drinkwater now finds joy on the construction site. | |
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 20:30 - Nov 12 with 502 views | SparkfilmsTV |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 18:52 - Nov 12 by ghughes11 |
Danny Drinkwater, the former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder, has taken a new direction in his career by positioning himself in the building trade. After exploring various business ventures post-football, Drinkwater now finds joy on the construction site. |
The Drinkwater l referred to was Ray and he was a goalkeeper in the late 50's and early 60's.
He played 199 games for Queen's Park Rangers ( l had to get assistance from Wiki to establish that ).
Danny Drinkwater may be related in some way.
I most likely came across Ray Drinkwater playing for QPR Reserves at Layer Road when l was getting autographs.
Some younger followers may not be aware that Colchester United played home matches every Saturday in the late 50's up until the mid 60's.
Colchester United Reserves played in the First Division of The Football Combination.
Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham, Fulham, Ipswich and Norwich were among the sides in that league.
When Spurs played at Layer Road they had a star studded team and beat Colchester 6 -3 in front over 3,500.
It was not uncommon to see international players who represented England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland playing in their reserve sides when coming back from injury.
It should be remembered that there were no subs back then.
Sometimes the teams would bring one or two reserves in case of sickness or for a trip out. [Post edited 12 Nov 20:39]
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| Tigers at Layer Road on 21:00 - Nov 12 with 495 views | SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 15.
The run of previous posts relating to English and British names and then into The Football Combination takes me nicely to the following.
A former Colchester United player recently told me of a match he played for the reserves against a really strong Chelsea side at a sparsely attended Stamford Bridge on a grey Saturday afternoon that was lit up by a wonder show by Peter Osgood for Chelsea who beat Colchester 13 - 1 ( or possibly 2 ).
About eight of the Chelsea side who played that day had played in the old First Division.
Of the Spurs reserve side l refer to in the previous post that beat Colchester United at Layer Road l seem to recall about six of them having played regularly in the double winning team.
Also playing in The Football Combination were Swansea Town and Cardiff City and both sides included Welsh internationals.
If football was still like that l would go and watch it.
I don't care much for the modern game or what comes with it. | | | |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 06:35 - Nov 13 with 468 views | SparkfilmsTV |
| Tigers at Layer Road on 21:00 - Nov 12 by SparkfilmsTV |
SPARKFILMS TV SHORTS
Episode 15.
The run of previous posts relating to English and British names and then into The Football Combination takes me nicely to the following.
A former Colchester United player recently told me of a match he played for the reserves against a really strong Chelsea side at a sparsely attended Stamford Bridge on a grey Saturday afternoon that was lit up by a wonder show by Peter Osgood for Chelsea who beat Colchester 13 - 1 ( or possibly 2 ).
About eight of the Chelsea side who played that day had played in the old First Division.
Of the Spurs reserve side l refer to in the previous post that beat Colchester United at Layer Road l seem to recall about six of them having played regularly in the double winning team.
Also playing in The Football Combination were Swansea Town and Cardiff City and both sides included Welsh internationals.
If football was still like that l would go and watch it.
I don't care much for the modern game or what comes with it. |
An explanation of something above.
Swansea Town became Swansea City in 1970.
As a subject I'm interested in the format of professional football that l discovered as a kid.
My personal take on the changes that have occured in the game are that with the introduction of mass substitutions football has been diluted
I accept that l am likely in a minority there.
There will be an argument that the modern game offers more to the viewer and I'm sure my fleet of Grandsons would support that - but they don't really have anything to compare it to.
One of my recent visitors was telling me how while on loan to a Championship club a few seasons ago he came off the bench for two consecutive matches for around 2 minutes.
He was 230 miles from his home, girlfriend, friends and family and actually told me he was bored watching the match being played out in front of him and would rather have been out shopping in London with his girlfriend than sitting on a bench watching the match.
I cannot imagine what it must be like for a player to sit on a bench for five consecutive matches and not play for a single minute.
This was exactly what happened to a colleague of the player l refer to.
STOP PRESS - as l key this in there is a Sky advertisement prompt which states ' So much football you'll lose your head'....
It's saturation overload on our television screens and l know some folk around me watch matches on their wide screens virtually seven days a week with food being delivered to their doors by the likes of Deliveroo.
No crime here but a lifestyle like this should come with a dual health warning. | | | |
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