jackson

Thank you for that poohbear. I would have known Miss Walker. On leaving school early 1960's I became a library assistant with Nottingham Public Libraries. Although I was based at Bilborough Library, every Monday I had to go to the Central Library to help in the Archive Department. Lovely memories.

Buddy is / was a ROYAL; love everything he recorded, especially 'Peggy Sue'. When talent like Buddy is taken so very young, you always wonder what could they have achieved if they'd lived longer?

What a lovely story letsavagoo; as I was reading it, I saw all the images. Thanks for telling . . .

Hi mick2me, love your new profile, is it a watercolour of you when a boy? If it is, it's very good - lovely and bright.

Fascinating photograph at the top; the kind that makes you want to keep returning to it, see if you can spot anything else. As for the biddy she could have been a member of the general public wanting to take a view at what was going off; wouldn't anybody be interested in something as wonderful as this?

As soon as I read Babs' description the image of the road she describes came into my mind.

My mum always had her shopping bag hanging on the back of the pantry door; she used to put clean newspaper at the bottom - of course when it got soiled she'd replace it. When sent on errands I was given a list of things to buy, the money and I helped myself to mum's shopping bag. The 'string bags' Kath mentions were made of nylon - which became the craze in the 50's. You could buy the bags in different colours and they were really quite amazing the stuff you could carry; they very rarely broke as they were made from strong stuff but if they did break, you just tied the ends that had broke

Hi Badman, 'The Sweet', now there's a great group; have you ever heard their: 'Peppermint Twist'? I wonder if the van that broke down was the same one in 2easyco's photo? You can imagine the frustration the music makers felt breaking down on the way to a venue. John Lennon said that he was the most happiest when success was just a dream.

REBUILD IT, that's what I say; knock down 'the block' that replaced the Gothic masterpiece that the 'Black Boy' was. Any citizen, respecting the value of the architecture of the 'Black Boy' within our city would agree.

Hi mudgie49, I've never been to Florida - although I must have plenty of long lost relatives over there; a cousin of mine married a GI way back (after the war). Cadbury's chocolate eh? What an invite but I'll have to say no to the others. One thing's certain: I'm definately not spending another winter in this country - it could mean the death of me.

What a way to go! Wish I was a witch - there's plenty about - and then I could fly: I'd set off from my back garden; how long d'ya think it would take me on my broomstick to Florida?

No it's not a rant, it's just ridiculous. You're right, the price you finish up paying will only be rounded off.

When my grandma and dad were alive - they were both keen gardeners - they used to argue over whose buddleia was attracting the most butterflies.

mick2me, sometimes when they're in this state the shop reduces them - thus you can get them extra cheap.

Hi Pixie, you need a buddleia if you wish to attract butterflies. I bought one in a sale for £1; it was slightly damaged but with a little bit of care and love it survived. Last year its mauve blossoms were incredible. I felt so proud that I'd saved the plant - that may have been why it put on such a terrific show! I think the bush still looks attractive with its dark brown blossoms now that winter's here. You could put a buddleia at the bottom of your garden - in the corner; you can always cut it back if it gets too big. One thing you'll be sure of though is that you'll get lots of bu

One thing that gets me is that as we Brits shiver our timbers off, we receive postings from people residing in such lovely, sunny places as Florida and California! Am I jealous - no, I'm not the jealous type. Or just plain lazy? Because with a little bit of thought and planning I could be doing the same as them.

Hi 2easyco, if you Google: 'Bygones: Memorial to GI's at Wollaton Park' you will be able to read an interesting article on the GI's stationed in Nottingham by well-known Nottingham writer, Joan Wallace. I'm sure Joan wouldn't mind being approached for further information if you require.

Had a real treat today when looking out from the kitchen window: a flock of starlings descended on one of my apple trees - the one I'd left a load of red apples hanging on. The birds had a feast; they must have been starving as they flew away leaving only a few cores hanging from the snow capped branches. Glad I left them there now.

I've been checking out the talented Anthony Newley; he finished up in Florida. Not such a bad thing I reckon when suffering this freezing cold.

Agree with you mick2me; Chuck's done much better things.

Great idea of Stu's to make a bird bath out of the tree stump. A beautiful sight I experienced today when looking out of the kitchen window into the garden: I'd left some lovely red apples on a tree hoping perhaps they'd be of use to the wild life out there. Anyway a couple of black birds were perched on the snow topped apple tree's branches pecking away at the fruit. The view made me feel so happy, the abandoned apples having proved useful at last.

You've come a long way since literally having the number 22 on your doorstep Kath!

2easyco, have you had your photograph of The Beatles' van valued?

polystyrene cups - the very thought of them makes me dither - yuck!

Hi Pixie, I've had plenty of experience in establishing a garden from practically nothing. Regarding your future lawn I agree with Stu and think turf's the best. And regarding that tree stump, why not keep it and make it a feature by buying an obelisk to put at the side (Wilko's sell these reasonable)? You could buy a clematis to grow up it; there's a big gardening stall in the market (Victoria Centre), everything I've ever bought from this stall has proved successful for me - and they're reasonable. You could place potted geraniums on the tree stump - or even a piece of sculpture - W