veloman

Anybody see or hear about the interview with Chris Gayle after he was out in the Aussie 'Big Bash' series? I happened to see it and thought at the time that Gayle might be in trouble. Depends if you considered it harmless banter or demeaning to women. Opinions ? The interview is on the Big Bash Facebook page (Well - it was !)

Well the YOI I worked in followed the OCR Literacy/Numeracy Levels 1 and 2; all I did was organise (or try to) the sitting of the exams, invigilating and distribution of certificates if they passed. My 'unprofessional' opinion is that it was pretty good and the teachers in Literacy particularly did a damn good job. We did have a large number of ESOL (English as a Second Language ) prisoners and they, unsurprisingly, found 'numbers' as they called Numeracy, much easier. The level 2 Literacy did cause them problems though as it required what I would call 'Comprehension'.

I read The Government, in the person of Nicky Morgan, want school children to learn their 'times tables'. Whilst trying not to agree with anything this lot impose on Education, (as the father of a teacher) , I reckon this might be a good idea. When I worked in Prison Education , I discovered that the majority of the prisoners, who were 18 to 23, did not know their 'tables' and thus had difficulty completing the Numeracy exams in the time allowed. When I suggested to my 'boss' - a woman who looked very much like Meatloaf - that we held classes for learning tables she scoffed at the idea saying that they wouldn't have the concentration span. I would be interested to know what other VTers think - did you help your children with tables for example ?

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse in sport (AVFC's position), I find that Brendan McCullum has signed for Middlesex !!! I thought he was due to come back to Warks; I hope they've got a decent overseas signing lined up - they've had my money now .... and cashed the cheque !

Excellent, if you don't mind me commenting. Was the studio 'NEON' by any chance ? Ah , Premier drums ! As used by Keith Moon ! (and bloke out of Iron Maiden possibly ?)

WHAT !!! No jazz guitar !! You are both philistines . https://youtu.be/arG5ZT9OCw4 You'll be saying Gabby is idle next !

No, no ; what I meant was the sort of 'acoustic' setting you referred to. If you like this geezer (Earl Klugh) check out his version of an old 'Orleans' number called "Dance with me" Good to talk to you. (I'll drop the capo business ..... but still dislike Oasis)

Mr Mooney ! Is this the sort of thing you mean ? My favourite acoustic guitarist! (otherwise, it's Lee Ritenour) https://youtu.be/Y8bOqGZemFA

Yep; I'm sure you are right. As I said earlier, I haven't played that sort of stuff, hence only mixed with electric players. I just remember guitarists I HAVE played with being a bit sniffy about using a capo. Don't forget .... I'm/was only a drummer

You are probably right. Try this guy; https://youtu.be/GWaO9CwLPG0

I've 'liked' your post 'cos I reckon you are right. however I hope you are wrong. who the hell would want to come to Villa now anyway?

I have to say .. I have a mate who works for AVFC and he has been telling me that (at least) some signings were at the behest of Reilly and Almstadt. I didn't believe it at the time but am beginning to wonder now. If it is available, have a look at Reilly's CV/previous roles.

Ah ! your explanation of the technicalities now makes sense. I've never played that 'genre' of music. (probably just 12 bar knockoffs .. and that was on drums)

I'm sure you are a good muso Mr Mooney, just reporting on my (limited) experience ... and anything to have a go at that little turd Gallagher. Never saw SW use a capo before - we were lucky enough to support the Spencer Davis Group when SW played a Harmony !! but he barred his chords.

Jeez - my eyesight must be going. Was looking at Teletext and noticed the word 'Gallagher' In Concert. Immediately put it on thinking it would be the excellent, late Rory Gallagher. Unfortunately it was the pratt out of Oasis. To me, there is more life on the moon than in his music ... and he uses a capo. No self respecting guitarist I've ever played with would do that.

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Manfred Mann again' this time 'Pretty Flamingo' with the fabulous Jack Bruce on bass; " cos a pair of dykes is where I'll be"

Perhaps you are all right; let's see how he goes in South Africa. I could just be feeling curmudgeonly 'cos I haven't been out on my bike for 3 days AND Warwickshire have my wife's membership up by £20 !!

I don't think I'm being wise after the event; I think I mentioned this earlier in this thread so ........ how many more chances is Moeen Ali going to have ? He is not up to it as a batsman and certainly not as a front line bowler.

" I believe in Milko" Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing.

Blimey, this Test is painful ! I can confidently claim to be quite a talented cricketer myself; having once scored 10 n.o. and once taken a hat trick against Newey and Eyre in a midweek league at Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton. If the England batsmen want to come round to my place, I can show them how not to play across the line to a leg spinner when trying to save a match!! Jeez.

Don't know if this should be in VT Deadpool but was very sad to hear of the death of Tom Graveney . One of my favourite cricketers (even though he played for Worcs !!) I thought he was an excellent and thoughtful commentator too but committed the cardinal sin of mentioning that Pakistan had been 'cheating us for years' and was never heard on the BBC again. That's him and Brian Close gone within months of each other. Almost the end of an era.

Was that NACRO by any chance ?

I think JB's post re. trade team clothing is pretty civilised - even if I don't personally agree with it. In my defence, much of the team kit is brightly coloured and we need to be as visible as possible - funnily enough the SKY kit isn't really is it ? So I guess people will look at me and think I am an FKW. My jacket says " Landbouwkrediet" and "Colnago" and is green, white and red. Colnago make high end Italian frames - not sure about the other - could be Belgian blow-up dolls - but my mate rode for them on the continent and gives me his unused kit ! There aren't may over here so if you see me out don't forget I'm a Villa supporter !!!

So ... there is to be a formation of Spitfires, Hurricanes etc flying in formation to mark 75 years since the Battle of Britain. Now I think I have got my facts straight and apologise for the post if not, but I do believe that the Spitfire was :- designed by a Stokie, built in Birmingham and may have had Derby-built Rolls Royce engines. However, the flight is just over Southern England !! Were they the only ones to suffer at the hands of the Nazis ? Birmingham ,Coventry etc etc . Once again most appalling Southern bias; I would love to have seen that flight as the mere sight and sound of a Spitfire (IMO) is incredible.