Jill Sparrow

Perhaps we ought to rewrite that one for young Trogg. Where do you go to, my hubby. When you're alone in your shed?

I'm surprised you still talk to me, the way I'm always pulling your leg, our Ben. However.... laughter is the best medicine!

Her name was Carni She was a looker. She came in after some cream cakes and Ben asked her for a date. "You're just a shop lad! Go mind your Hovis!" And while a tear came to Ben's eyes, Carni fingered the pork pies. "I'll let you ride me bike." "Just go and take a hike!" Flicked her ash in his corned beef pasties..and she'd wrecked his life! Shop at Marsden's, Vernon's and Farrand's, Annes, Dorothys, Maudes, Janes and Sharons! Melting Moments behind the freezer. Didn't go for his gherkins either! Down a

Can I add a verse? His name was Ben - Oh! He was a grocer. He'd slice your bacon with a squeeze. Slap and tickle with your cheese! "Let's see your haslet. Don't tell me husband!" Those women queued down Denman Street...and it weren't for potted meat! But when the blinds came down Our Ben would hit the town. Loafers, Levis and liberty bodice, Oh, boy did he look sweet? Shop at Marsden's, Vernon's and Farrand's. Dots, Shirley's, Pams, Lizzies and Karens He'd got crackling...under the counter! Tea bags

I assume that means you spent the rest of the night discussing quantum physics, Colly? And very worthwhile too!

Ay up, our Ben. This isn't good news! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50124102 Bet you're glad you gave it up now, aren't you?

Look forward to hearing your opinion, CT. I think, at some point, the diary mentions the ornamental fountain/tiered structure in the garden, the remains of which were still there in my days of working in the property.

I didn't know that, CT, but it doesn't surprise me. The chorus sounds almost like a Russian/Jewish melody. By the way, is that Big Maude, Ben's former terrifying landlady, in the photo?

Strange how songs bring memories instantly to mind, isn't it? I've never had any interest in pop music but my sister used to watch Top of the Pops every week. I can remember Mary Hopkin appearing on that programme and singing that song while my sister was packing her suitcase for her first trip to Spain. At the time, 1968, she worked for Horizon Travel on Parliament Street, just up from where the Victoria Centre was being built. She and her best friend, Su Pollard, went to Estartit for 2 weeks. Every time I hear the song, I think of them and that holiday. She came back loaded up with loads o

Couldn't resist rewriting the lyrics for our most famous grocer's lad. PARK TAVERN SONG Once upon a time there was a Tavern, where our Ben played footie for the team. With his shorts and muscled Granville-bike legs, women thought he was the perfect dream. Those were the days, my friend. Ben thought they'd never end. He'd flirt and play for ever and a day. The ladies formed a queue, Their husbands never knew For Ben was young and kept it up all day. Then one night outside the Lyons Cafe, in the alley right beside the bins, Ben came f

Judging by the photo DavidW posted, both yourself and your little brother have the cheekbones. Must be in the DNA! Wonder if the Park Tavern was the same one Mary was singing about?

What a cad! He's still two-timing!

You've got the cheekbones to sing that song Ben. All you need is the long blonde hair and a guitar!!

Cats rather than children any day, Colly. I have three!

Young Trogg, you put your feet up and do nowt for as long as you can get away with it. Get a note from your GP...EXCUSED WORK!

That is why you are so well behaved, Colly, and have disciplined your mind to ponder the intricacies of such esoteric subjects as quantum physics! I have no children either and can honestly say the desire for offspring has never entered my head. However, if there had been any, they would have been immaculately behaved otherwise I'd have given them away. In fact, I'd probably have done that anyway!

My mum's family lived in Lambley from the mid 1800s until around 1910. Prior to that, the line goes back through Kirkby in Ashfield, Bilsthorpe, Kneesall, Wellow, Ompton, Ollerton and Laxton in the 1600s. Many of the gravestones are still in those parish churchyards.

Coffee beans from Regent House in Matlock were my favourite. At Christmas, they offered beans soaked in Irish whiskey, Amaretto, brandy, etc. Wonderful smell. Regent House was a very genteel place. Victorian in construction, still with its original fittings and Lincrusta clad walls. Sadly, no more. I miss it.

You are not alone, young Trogg. I too drink black coffee with sugar. Never drink tea.

Are you sure it's not Mr Pastry?

You need to start much earlier than that, CT. I started as soon as I could speak. I was never welcome round at older relatives' houses because I asked too many questions, demanded to see photo albums and documents, etc. Emily at Garden Street was a particularly hard case when it came to getting information.

Or, if you're anything like me, you take along a recording device, a sharp stick, a coil of rope with which to tie the relative to a chair and shine a bright light in their eyes! You vill talk!! Surprising what information comes out of these sessions...much of it incorrect because said relative has been fed a pack of lies by earlier generations...but a starting point for those who, like myself, are incurably inquisitive.

Hate to disillusion you but I know several people who drink Earl Grey. One is a former colleague...and she's a communist!

They played lacrosse at The Manning but it had been discontinued before I arrived. Mixed feelings about that. I hated all and every type of sport and lacrosse was Bl**dy dangerous. However, in addition to cracking Pickleface's ankle with a hockey stick, I could have decapitated her with a lacrosse stick! Hmm!

Dread to think! Ginger moggie, Bruno, loves spiders and he usually sleeps curled up next to me so, if any spiders appear in the night hours, I'm relying on him!!