Hello. I do hope you are well and coping with life’s ups and downs. Happily, we have a holiday period coming up when most of us can have a well-earnt rest in a peaceful country.
Anyone can feature in this publication as long as you express yourself in a non-racist/non-sexist and non-homophobic way. Please send things to be considered for publication to: dean@fthm.org.uk or use the contact form on the Contact page.
Please note that our website address is: www.fromthehorsesmouth.org.uk
Best wishes, Dean Charlton.
MY NOT VERY SERIOUS STARS
Scorpio 24 Oct – 22 Nov
Someone may present their heart to you this week, but don’t be heartless if you don’t want it, for as you know, rejection is terrible. Money may be a big worry with Christmas nearly here, but you will sort it out somehow. Your partner is still loitering around a lingerie department so have a stern word with them. Resolve to start your much needed diet after the holidays.
Sagittarius 23 Nov – 21 Dec
A precocious child will solve a problem that has been bugging you for ages. Life may have been a bit better for you recently, but be prepared for the unexpected and keep your head down. Avoid being the talk of your office after the annual party – remember last year? However, next year your plans will all bear fruit and you will experience great pleasure.
Capricorn 22 Dec – 20 Jan
Romance will spring into your life after Christmas and this will signal the end of a long lonely, barren patch. Look for a new job that stimulates you more than your current one. A nosey taxi driver will get on your nerves, but just be polite and get to where you want to be. It is worth putting a lot of effort into this month as you will really benefit from it next year.
Aquarius 21 Jan – 19 Feb
Do something about your appearance as you look like a badly-dressed tramp. A married person will throw you some crumbs of attention but have you the appetite for an illicit affair? Workers looking for tips will be extra friendly this month, so, use your discretion. Do stop being your usual tight self and book a good holiday for you and your long-suffering family.
Pisces 20 Feb – 20 Mar
It’s time you started to enjoy the journey as much as actually arriving at your destination. Stop thinking you’re an expert on everything and open your eyes to new experiences. A manic person may frighten you with their bizarre behaviour but they are just ill. If you need help yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for it as we all need each other to get through this life.
Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr
A cold may be a pain at the moment, but stop moaning as you know it will soon pass. A gay friend’s creativity will astound you and make you see them in a new light. Only yesterday you were playing in the playground at school with friends who are now long gone, so, resolve to squeeze every drop from today. A friend will let you down in a very hurtful way. Accept.
Taurus 21 Apr – 21 May
Five aliens may come into your your life and show you how we’re not very complex and not that important in the universe. Take your foot off of the accelerator for a while and gaily cruise through Christmas. Today, we’re still coping with poor decisions we made in the past, so, just get on with it. Be prudent next year, and you will have a really good time. Smile!
Gemini 22 May – 21 Jun
If you can afford it, buy some chocolates for someone you’re sweet on. Now you will become the star you’ve always been inside and you will shine until the end. Money will come your way and as you now know it’s true value, you will use it well and not be foolish like in your youth. Also invest is some new underwear now you are no longer on skid row. Eat more fruit.
Cancer 22 Jun – 23 Jul
You are rushing around like a fool, so, slow down and regain your composure and melodic music will follow. Refuse the offer that is too good to be true. An unexpected bill may cause you some problems, but things will work out if you’re pragmatic. It is a very good time to relax and enjoy being with people who really care about you. Do something outrageous.
Leo 24 Jul – 23 Aug
Someone who is sporting a bun, and caked in makeup, will fabricate a lie about you that will cause a lot of problems for you in the short term. However, an attractive person will turn you on by flirting with you next Saturday. Also, a surprise gift will please you and make you feel appreciated. It’s the right time to buy some new winter clothes if you have some spare money.
Virgo 24 Aug – 23 Sep
People think you have a mouth like a toilet and that you don’t give a crap about anyone else. Now all this will change as you fall in love and show your polite and considerate side. Christmas will be a break from mundanity and you can join others in letting down your hair (if you have any) and having fun. Be kind to someone who slipped in the shower. Give.
Libra 24 Sep – 23 Oct
It is a good time to lay a wreath on the grave of someone you love. Spare a thought for those who are genuinely homeless and consider them. Maybe buy a new Christmas tree and take time to decorate it with love. Accept the kindness of a religious person even if you don’t share their belief system. Stop scratching your arse in public when others are eating crisps.
JUNE’S WORLD
Here I am again. How time flies! It only seems a short time since I last wrote an article for Dean. Today I want to write about when I was 10 or 11 years of age. I have to think very hard to make sure it’s correct.
I used to love living in Castleford amongst lots of interesting people who had lots of tales to tell. When you are young, you hang on to every word they utter. I liked running messages (errands). Also, I was willing to go shopping for the older people in the community who could not go our much as they were poorly or had bad legs.
My grandma and grandad always wanted me to place bets for them at the bookies, but as kids were not allowed in there, I had to ask other people to put them on for me. They had to have their names on the slips of paper – my grandma’s was nuts and my grandad’s was rags. If their horses won, I used to get a bit of money from both of them. This money was very welcome as I was always saving up for things that I needed.
My mother never had much money, so, I tried to help her when I could.
There was a lady who lived in Smithston Square where I played with a few girls who lived near Mrs Richardson; she relied on people to do her shopping and a few chores for her. She appeared to be an old lady to us kids. Anyway, I started doing jobs that she asked me to do. Her son had also just got married and she asked me to keep her company. My mother agreed to me doing this. So, every day after school, I went to her home, but one day, when she was expecting someone to visit her, she asked me to go down into the cellar out of the way. It was pitch black, so, instead of going down all the steps, I sat listening on the top two steps. I could every word and soon realised that Mrs Richardson was a money lender and that’s why I had had to disappear.
Another time I told Mrs Richardson that I was going to go to Stockton with my grandma and would see her on my return. Mrs Richardson asked me to bring her a teapot and gave me some money to buy one from the market there. I went to Stockton and bought a nice, white teapot and soon we were heading to the train station feeling good about things as it had been a good trip. On the train, I thought I took a look at the teapot. Unfortunately, it dropped out of my hands and smashed on the hard floor. I was devastated and didn’t know how I could possibly face Mrs Richardson after the accident.
Once home, when it was getting dark, I wrote a little note with the amount of money she had given me to buy the teapot and shoved it through her letter box. As I was a nervous child, I didn’t have the courage to go to her house again. The children with whom I played, told Mrs Richardson about my predicament and she said I was a silly girl. But I never plucked up the courage to go see her again. Love June. X
LOVELY DORIGEN TALKS ABOUT HER NEW CAFÉ PHAT LAVA AND HER LIFE
Dorigen, can you tell me a bit about yourself? I’ve always wanted a business of my own. But I was involved in a collision about eight years ago which changed my life.
Were you driving? No, I was a passenger and I was hit at 68 mph.
And what happened? I was pregnant at the time, forty-four weeks and I lost the baby. Because he wasn’t born, he was just classed as an injury. The accident did a lot of damage to my pelvis. As a result, I had to be in a wheelchair for a long time and I was out of work for seven years.
How have you got over it? Sharing the trauma has helped me overcome grief. Now I want to build aspirations of my own and something worthwhile.
Did you always want a café? I think that deep down I did. My first job was at Café Nero. I really appreciated the opportunity it gave me to meet and talk to customers, and build relationships that way. Now I want to put smiles on people’s faces.
But why did you want your own cafe? I wanted to do something worthwhile with the money I received from the accident. It wasn’t just about building something for myself. I wanted to bring opportunities to other people in Halifax.
Do you think experiencing the problems you have had, has made you more sympathetic towards other people? Yes definitely. I think the strongest people go through hard times. I think it’s about how you deal with it and how you can help others. There are lots of people who are amazing out there because of what they have overcome.
How do you find out about people? Just by talking to them in the café while I am serving them. I’m happy that this place has become a safe haven for people who have been through a lot.
And how long have you been open? About three months.
How are you finding it? I’m find it more it harder than I thought I would. It’s financially difficult because everything is so expensive.
Do you use local suppliers? Yes, I do. For example, I use Northern Bakeries. They are supplying me with top quality pastries.
What kind of customers does the café attract? A wide range as I am not only a café but I am interested in mid-last century artefacts. Consequently, I have many such items downstairs.
How do you promote your business? I have an Instagram and benefit from word-of-mouth.
Do you recycle yourself? Yes. I also buy pottery like Phat Lava which comes from Germany but was made in Denmark. It was quite fashionable back in the time. I also upcycle things like the couch downstairs.
Do people come just to look downstairs? It’s a mixture as some people use the café as well as taking a look downstairs while they are here.
What else, besides the café, have you got in your life? Do you have a family? Yes. I’ve got three children. My oldest daughter is 16, my middle daughter is now 10 and I’ve got a son who is 8. It’s difficult, but I think it’s also important for them to see their dad as we share responsibility for them.
Do you think you will have any more kids? I think that’s it for me. Anyway, my pelvis was bolted together because of the accident. I’ve not to have any more, children.
Have you travelled a lot in your life? I’ve been on holiday to places like Switzerland, Mexico and Spain. I went to Barcelona on my own in order to reflect on my life and also to recuperate.
What therapy did you have following, your accident? I had a type of counselling which was very cathartic. I also took various prescription drugs.
Do you have any other interests? I was interested in art and design but because my hand now shakes, it’s now difficult to follow this interest. Art was my favourite subject at school and I lived for it.
What do you like about being based in Halifax? People tend to be very friendly here. It’s a community.
What does the café offer, besides cakes from the Northern Bakery? It offers top-class, strong Italian coffee and bespoke food. For example, we cater for vegetarians. I buy Italian bread from Italian stores and I make paninis and yoghurts myself. The food is healthy but at the moment, it’s only geared for lunchtime trade. In the future, I would like to offer soup and hot meals.
Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time? I hope to be here and still bringing smiles. I want the café to be financially successful, but I have no plans to expand.
GRAHAM TOWNSEND’S MONTHLY QUIZ
Questions:
(1) What nationality is 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature winner Laszlo Krsznahorkai?
(2) Which high profile UFC fighter accepted an 18-month suspension in October 2025?
(3) Which alt-rock band are celebrating their 40th anniversary with the P40 tour in 2026?
(4) As at September 2025, what was the world’s most expensive car?
(5) The birth of which ancient Roman Goddess is depicted in Sandro Botticelli’s 1486 painting?
(6) Which actor died at the age of 40 after a road accident in November 2013?
(7) Feyi and Femi Adegoke are the parents of which British politician?
(8) Which computer language, developed by Microsoft, first appeared in 1991 and had its final release in 1998 with version 6.0?
(9) Which communications company was originally established as a pulp mill in 1865?
(10) Street lamps shaped like kisses are a notable feature on Chocolate Avenue in which US town?
(11) The Van Buren sisters were the first people to cross continental USA via which mode of transport?
(12) What does Batman wear around his waist?
(13) Who became the first female justice in US Supreme Court history in 1981?
(14) Which country does a Florentine steak originate from?
(15) What does WWE stand for?
(16) In which year was the first iPhone released?
(17) Who wrote the novel “The Great Gatsby”?
(18) Bimini is the westernmost district of which country, off the south east coast of the USA?
(19) Which singer-songwriter, best known for the song “Year of the Cat” celebrated his 80th birthday in October 2025?
(20) Which country does Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong represent at international level?
Answers:
(1) Hungarian (2) Conor McGregor (3) Pixies (4) Rolls-Royce Droptail (5) Venus (6) Paul Walker (7) Kemi Badenoch (8) Visual Basic (9) Nokia (10) Hershey, Pennsylvania (11) Motorcycle (12) Utility belt (13) Sandra Day O’Connor (14) Italy (15) World Wrestling Entertainment (16) 2007 (17) F Scott Fitzgerald (18) Bahamas (19) Al Stewart (20) Netherlands
A MAN SITTING DOWN 34
Written by Krishna Francis
Paranoia – A Misunderstood Artform
Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. Let’s break that down a little.
Who are THEY?
Why are THEY out to get you?
And what puts this in doubt thus resulting in your diagnosis of paranoia? Actually, also, who are you? That is, who is the you of the joke? Is it just me reflexively? Or is it more oceanic than that? Am I explaining a phenomenon? Or am I externalising an internal dialogue? Heck, am I even managing to explain anything and what would it say about the you that might be me or a metaphor anyway?
President Ronald Reagan said “If you’re explaining, you’re losing.” Which isn’t a comforting thought. Though it definitely feels like the sort of thing the star of Bedtime for Bonzo might say.
Take for example, my mother’s friend Geoffrey (my friend Geoffrey). They grew up in the fifties. He was gay. This gave him a very real problem of how to be. Being true to himself would mean him engaging in illegal activities. Growing into adulthood was a journey into a struggle with honesty. It caused him a great deal of distress, resulting in him being treated for depression with electric shock treatment. This in turn made him understandably afraid of any mental health services. Indeed, he was cautious of engaging with any form of health practitioners.
When in my own childhood, our psychiatrist friend Mike Amdurer came to visit our house, Geoffrey would excuse himself to go to the toilet. When I was sent to see if he was coming down for a drink, I would find the toilet empty. He would return hours later when he was sure the Dr was no longer in the house.
Was Geoffrey paranoid or were they out to get him? His experience had given him an answer he found worthy of acting on for the rest of his life. In the end he died of a highly treatable condition that would have been caught and treated if he hadn’t had the experience he’d had due to who he was. He was paranoid. They had been out to get him.
It’s like Robert Frost’s path in The Road Not Taken. He says right at the start, both that morning equally lay, In leaves no step had trodden black, admittedly this comes after telling us it was grassy and wanted wear.
But essentially, he wrote the poem to say you can’t be sure of certain things. He was amused by the reception the poem got. He was sensible not to limit the meaning people ascribed to it. To him it was more like a call to value your decisions rather than a paean to the process of deciding. Most people feel that the voice of the poem is correct in saying it took the path less travelled. The intention of the writer was to say that that is a good way to feel but it cannot be known for sure as the other path is, as the title tells us, not taken.
Weirdly I just did a search to clarify some details and the AI librarian told me this about it – The final lines, “I took the one less travelled by, / And that has made all the difference,” are often cited to suggest individualism and nonconformity, but they can also be seen as a reflection of how people later rationalise their choices with a sense of finality.
Damn that conforming (in the sense of ordering rather than following) modern institution of the internet! Putting my fumbling explanation to shame. Back to the important stuff. Geoffrey took a path that led him out of my life at a far earlier stage than I would have liked. But you only have my word for that.
*You know, it’s funny, (I’m writing this in italics so it looks like poetry because it’s a whisper of a thought suggestive of the way life sometimes serves up poetic moments.) I’ve quoted two of my favourite poets above. Both of them are called Robert and that was the name of Geoffrey’s father.
**Another small detail. A few years before he died, my mother affected a reconciliation of Geoffrey with his brother, John. John lived in Australia where he had moved in search of a better life. Geoffrey still lived in Maidstone; in the same house my mother had visited as friends when they were growing up. For most of their adult life they were estranged. When their mother died, and whilst the death duties were being sorted out, my mother encouraged the brothers to spend time together. Because of this Geoffrey’s final few years were filled with a sense of hope and purpose.
Exit with Browning. What of soul was left I wonder, when the kissing had to stop?
THE REAL SANTA?
Written by S. Bee
I smiled as I heard the Shakin’ Stevens song ‘Merry Christmas everyone’ from my friend Clare’s house. Clare and her partner Paul were hosting a Christmas party!
Festive dress was optional but I’d decided not to dress up, because I hadn’t been able to find a suitable costume.
“Merry Christmas!” I hugged her and I handed her a bottle of wine.
“Thanks for coming, Fay. Buffet and drinks are in the kitchen – we have mince pies and Christmas cake! There’s dancing in the living room and -”
The doorbell rang and she rushed off to answer. In the kitchen, I chatted away to people. Then I decided to try a dance!
Clare and Paul had hired a DJ and everyone was boogying down to Maria Carey singing, ‘All I want for Christmas is you.’
There was a variety of outfits – one guy was dressed in a red Santa suit, complete with hat, long white beard and black boots. There were several elves and fairies sporting strings of tinsel, too!
One attractive dancer in particular caught my eye. Wearing a cream reindeer patterned suit, a trim figure and brown curly hair got my vote!
He also had kind eyes and a warm expression, so when he smiled at me, I fell into step beside him. After all, I reasoned, I’d come the party to meet new people, hadn’t I?
However, I’m no Strictly contender, so when a slow song came on (Cliff Richard’s ‘Mistletoe and Wine’) I sank on the sofa, hoping to chat to Mr Reindeer Suit – but he’d disappeared. It was warm, so I peeled off my purple denim jacket. It was new – it had a Christmas tree design embroidered on the back.
Later, I went outside for fresh air. It was dark and cold – I needed my jacket. I went to the living room, but it wasn’t on the sofa. Then, through the window, out in the garden, I spotted a guy (he had a slight build) in a group. He was wearing a purple denim jacket, with a Christmas tree design on the back. I wondered if this party guest had taken my jacket by mistake. There was only one way to find out…
I went out and confidently tapped him on the shoulder.
He spun round. “Hello?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry to bother you but I’ve lost my denim jacket and it looks a lot like yours.”
“This is definitely my jacket,” he stated.
“Did you hang it up in the hall when you came in?” A glamorous woman in a gold dress and high heels asked.
“No. I took it off in the living room and -”
The woman cut in. “Have you looked in there?”
“Yes, but I couldn’t find it.” I suddenly felt flustered. The man turned to me. “Perhaps we have similar taste in jackets.”
I swallowed. “Maybe, but mine is still missing.”
“Oh, this is absurd.” He was getting annoyed.
I didn’t know what to do…
Then Clare ambled up, clutching a familiar looking garment.
“Fay, I have your jacket here!” she announced.
My heart rose. “Thank goodness!”
“Ah. Problem solved.” The guy smiled.
As Clare and I hastened away, I felt awful. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.
“What did he mean ‘problem solved?” she quizzed.
“It was just a silly misunderstanding about my jacket,” I gabbled.
“I see. Was he annoyed?”
“I don’t think so,” I replied carefully.
“Good- because that’s Paul’s boss.”
I began to fret. Would Paul’s boss mention the conversation to Clare and Paul? If he discovered that I was Clare’s silly, ditzy friend, it would look bad for Paul. Feeling out of sorts, I decided to leave. I said farewell to Clare and headed towards the hall. I sat down on the stairs for a moment. Guilt pricked. The guest wearing the Santa suit passed me, coming down the stairs.
“Don’t worry, Fay,” he whispered. “Everything will be fine.”
I was puzzled but before I could say anything, he’d walked on by. Then the good- looking, curly- haired guy appeared.
He smiled. “Hi again. We danced earlier – remember?”
Oh yes – I recognised the reindeer patterned suit.
I nodded. “Hi. I’m Fay.”
He wriggled about. “I’m Dan. This blasted suit. It’s so hot and itchy!”
“I bet the guy in the Santa suit was itchy, too,” I remarked.
He frowned. “There’s no – one here wearing a Santa suit.”
My mind whirled. “Oh.”
Hmm. Could he have been the real Santa, who’d reassured me?
A hoot on a car horn outside alerted us.
“That’ll be my taxi. Fancy sharing the journey home?”
I beamed. “That sounds like a great idea!”
SOME MORE OF SMASHING JUNE CHARLTON’S RECIPES
Ginger Sponge Pudding
Ingredients:
½ lb of flour
5 oz of soft brown sugar
2 oz of butter
3 tablespoons of treacle
1 egg
2 teaspoons of ground ginger
A pinch of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of carbonate of soda
1/3 of a pint of milk
Method:
1. Melt the butter, treacle and sugar in a large pan.
2. When the sugar is dissolved, stir in the flour, spices, carbonate of soda and milk and mix well.
3. Beat the egg and add it last of all to give a glossy crust.
4. Pour the mixture into a large, flat oven tin and bake for 1 hour in a moderate oven. Serve hot with custard or cold with stewed rhubarb.
Gooseberry Sponge Pudding
Ingredients:
1 lb of gooseberries
6 oz of sugar
2 oz of butter
1 egg
3 tablespoons of milk
4 oz of flour
A pinch of salt
½ teaspoon of baking powder
Method:
1. Top and tail the gooseberries, butter a pudding basin and put the gooseberries in the bottom with ½ the sugar sprinkled over.
2. Beat the remaining sugar with the butter, add the egg and beat well.
3. Stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and milk and mix thoroughly.
4. Pour the mixture over the fruit in the pudding basin.
5. Tie a buttered paper over the top, and steam for 1 and ½ hours.
6. Serve with thick custard.
Bread and Butter Pudding
Ingredients:
4 slices of bread and butter
3 oz of raisins
1 oz of sugar
1 egg
2 oz of candied peel
Pinch of salt
Method:
1. Cut the buttered bread into neat triangles, and arrange them in a pie dish with the raisins and chopped peel scattered between the slices.
2. Beat the egg with the milk and the salt, pour it over the bread, then sprinkle sugar on top.
3. Allow the pudding to stand and soak for 1 hour and bake it gently in a moderate oven until set and browned.
Fig Pudding
Ingredients:
½ lb of dried figs
4 oz of flour
4 oz of breadcrumbs
4 oz of sugar
1 egg
½ a teacup of milk
1 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
4 oz of suet
Method:
1. Cut the figs into small pieces and chop the suet finely.
2. Mix together the flour, breadcrumbs, nutmeg and suet, then add the figs and the sugar.
3. Stir in the beaten egg and the milk, then turn the mixture into a lined pudding basin.
4. Cover tightly and steam gently for 3 hours.
5. Serve hot with custard.
ALICE’S THING OF THE MONTH!
Written by Alice Kaur
Hello and welcome back to Alice’s Thing of The Month!
This month we are going to be talking about Finn Wolfhard.
Finn Wolfhard is a 21-year-old actor, musician and director from Canada, he is known for his role in Stranger Things as one of “the kids” Mike Wheeler, he also directed his first film which was released this year called Hell of a Summer.
Over the years, he has also shown he is very passionate about music and has had many bands including Calpurnia and The Aubreys. This year he released a solo album for the first time named Happy Birthday. The first single he released off the album was a song called Choose the Latter and I loved it, I had heard music by his past bands and had liked a few songs but was never that interested, but this song I really enjoyed and was excited to hear the rest of the album.
Happy Birthday was released on 6th June and it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard this year, some bands/musicians it reminded me of was Wavves, Daniel Johnston and the Where the Wild Things soundtrack by Karen O. My favourite songs on the album are Eat, Crown and Choose the Latter, the album is quite short at 24:39 minutes but it’s a wonderful listen. In July, Finn announced he was doing tours in the US, UK and EU. I was excited and got my tickets as soon as they were released, the tour was in October.
On Sunday 12th October I went to Manchester Academy 2 to see Finn Wolfhard and his support band The Slaps. First of all, I want to say Manchester Academy is very accommodating for people with hidden and visible disabilities, the staff are absolutely wonderful and were so helpful getting me in with priority due to my disabilities, if you ever go to a gig in Manchester, I really recommend this venue.
Once everyone was inside the venue it was about an hour until The Slaps came on but the time soon went by with the crowds all chatting away. I’d never heard The Slaps before but quite enjoyed listening to them, they are a 3-piece band from Chicago, their genre is primarily indie rock with elements of slacker rock and blues. They were all very talented on their respective instruments which were guitar, bass and drums, all three of them sang too. Sometimes when people aren’t interested in the support act they tend to talk through their set, which I find very rude, I think everyone should be supported and not be talked over just because you are not interested, I heard this going on behind me but overall, I enjoyed the band’s set.
Around 30 minutes later Finn Wolfhard comes on stage, again with The Slaps who play background instruments for Finn and a female bassist named Gep Repasky who is from the band Lunar Vacation. It was nice to see a female presence on stage too. The crowd instantly went wild and had completely changed from when The Slaps were on stage. People were screaming that they loved Finn and were so happy to see him, to me this was a little embarrassing and can come across as parasocial behaviour. I get being excited about being at the gig and enjoying the music and musician but a lot of people come because they are also big fans of Stranger Things the TV Show. At the end of the day the man is just a human being like the rest of us and should be respected in that way.
I had a wonderful time and loved hearing all my favourite songs, Finn showed he had a sense of humour and joked with the crowd at times. He also took his shoes off for the whole gig, which at first surprised me but whatever makes him feel more comfortable, he also suffers from anxiety which is publicly known. He did well on stage and I felt proud for him, some of his songs he made longer and even did an acapella. He did a cover of Another Girl, Another Planet, which fits well into his set and I enjoyed that a lot too as it’s a song I used to listen to when I was young.
When it was the encore, he came back on stage by himself (with security in the corner for obvious reasons) and played his song Happy Birthday on the synth. He had to tell the crowd to be quiet so he could play the song as it’s very quiet and requires the crowd to be respectful, it took the crowd a few minutes to calm down but once it did, he sang the song and it was beautiful. After that the band came on and played the final two songs which were Trailers After Dark and Crown, which was an epic ending to the show.
When the show was over the crowds piled out and went and queued up for merch, the line was huge so I didn’t bother and left the venue as soon as I could. When I got outside, I saw a lot of people already waiting outside the trailer for Finn to walk by, later I found out he waved at the crowd and got straight into his trailer. I don’t blame people for doing this and it’s ultimately up to them if they want to greet the crowd or not. I was just thankful we got an amazing show.
A few days later Finn played London and did a vinyl-signing the day after, I looked online and bought a signed copy of his vinyl, it was worth waiting for the merch.
With the new season of Stranger Things now out I really recommend you check out Finn’s album Happy Birthday if you’re into indie music and some of the bands I mentioned earlier, it’s a lovely little album.
Thanks for reading.
MY OPINION ON THE 2026 RESTRUCTURE OF SUPER LEAGUE
Written by Graham Townsend
So, as of 2026 the Super League has been restructured to include fourteen teams instead of twelve. On the surface this doesn’t seem too controversial however, the way the teams were chosen was a major bone of contention and, that is one of the key things we are going to look into here.
One of the biggest gripes of rugby league fans towards the super league is the way they decide how teams are admitted. Many feel the way forward is purely based on their teams on field performance however, this is only one of several factors that are taken into consideration for admission.
A lot of this is down to the partnership Super League has with its strategic partner IMG. They have introduced a grading system with the idea that it will grow the sport again and reinvigorate enthusiasm for rugby league in the UK although there will actually be two French teams in the competition in 2026.
You might ask then “what is the criteria for admission to Super League”. Well, there are multiple factors that are taken into consideration. These include Stadia, Community, Finances and level of support along with the actual performance of the team. There are twenty points available to each team with Fandom and Performance carrying five points each, these being the largest factors to count towards overall grading. To be rated as Grade A, the top grading, and qualify for entry to Super League you need to achieve fifteen grading points.
I would say personally, that Finances should be the one criterion alongside performance that should matter. One of the current Super League teams, namely Salford, has actually been precluded from re-applying to join the division due to their financial situation. This has also resulted in two other teams, my local team Halifax and also Featherstone, being unable to apply as they have HMRC petitions against them as far as I understand. I think that tells you where the game is at right now so, something certainly does need to be done to improve the situation.
A major concern amongst hardcore rugby league fans is that the Super League will become a closed shop where the current Championship (league below Super League) teams will not have an opportunity to reach the highest level of the game in the future.
It does seem that Super League is leaning towards having teams from big cities and towns within their membership however, there are teams like St Helens, Warrington and Castleford who are part of the set-up probably more based on their roots than the size of the town or city.
It will be interesting to see whether Super League moves away from the likes of Castleford and even Wakefield going forward. There was talk that London would become a Super League club this time around however, the gradings dictated that Bradford, York and Toulouse were the teams admitted. It may be mere coincidence that these are all quite large cities. Bradford certainly has a rich history within the game, even in relatively recent times.
Time will tell I guess as to whether Super League is sustainable in the long-term irrespective of the current grading system.
THE PERFECT PRESENT
Written by S. Bee
“Guess what, Ria? I’ve won some money on the lotto!” My friend Meg began over the phone.
“Really?” I was amazed, yet pleased.
Fifty- something Meg had recently separated from her partner. So, this unexpected windfall would be bound to cheer her up.
“Oh, don’t get excited! I’m not a millionaire. It’s only a thousand.”
“Well, that’s not bad. What are you going to do with it?”
“Christmas is coming. Some of it will go on that and I’ll make a donation to a charity, too. As for the rest – I’ll save half and spend half.”
I nodded. “That’s a good decision. You deserve a treat.”
“Talking of treats… that new gardening centre in the next town sells lovely things, don’t they? Mugs, pictures, notebooks and calendars. They have a Santa’s grotto, and a big sparkly tree, too,” she went on.
I smiled. “Yes, I’ve heard it’s nice.”
“I could have a look round there, couldn’t I?”
“You could.” We went on to arrange our weekly coffee date.
My hubby Tom and I were keen gardeners, but despite us being retired, we hadn’t got round to visiting it. As it was December, we were planning the outdoor festive decorations, so it would be good to go. Yes, Christmas was fast approaching… it was time to think about gift giving.
Meg was one of my oldest friends and at the season of goodwill, I liked to buy her a gift she’d value and enjoy. This year, I’d selected a soft, pretty pale blue snowflake patterned hat, glove and scarf set that I’d spotted in Morgan’s department store. I’d actually already bought it and had tucked it away. Yet when we met for coffee in town, I was taken aback to discover that Meg was wearing the same set!
“Isn’t this lovely?” she cooed. “I was browsing in Morgan’s a few days ago, and I just couldn’t resist it! The wool is so soft!”
“Yes, and that light blue colour suits you.” I joined in, yet my heart sank.
Right… well, I needed to find a second gift for Meg, I thought. So, I decided to gift the scarf set to Sheila, my next-door neighbour. She was also a good friend. We often popped into each other’s kitchens for a cuppa and a cosy chat. Then I spotted a gorgeous scarlet leather handbag in the window of a small store. The bag was similar to the one Meg had already, but I’d noticed that the strap on it had worn thin. I went ahead and bought it, but – oh no! Meg turned up to our next coffee date, proudly sporting the bag across her shoulder.
“I needed a new handbag. The strap on my old one was fraying,” she explained.
I wanted to say ‘I know!’ but I kept my counsel and began to think about present number three…
I decided to give the handbag to my niece for Christmas. Then I hit upon a good gift idea for Meg. In this case, it wouldn’t matter much if Meg had bought herself the same. It was the perfect present- in fact, it was something that I’d like to receive myself.
On Christmas Eve, with all the shopping, garden decoration and card sending finished, I could finally relax at home with Tom. Shelia popped round and we exchanged gifts and cards. We wished each other a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We’d invited both of my friends round for Christmas lunch, but this year, Shelia was staying with her daughter and Meg was spending the day with her sister.
When Christmas morning arrived, I was pleased to see that Tom had bought me some lovely gifts – a newly released crime thriller novel, a bottle of my favourite perfume and a big box of chocolates. My gifts to him: he loved the dark green velvet dressing gown, an annual subscription to a motoring magazine and a complete set of upmarket branded male toiletries. Then it was time to discover what Shelia next door had chosen for me… the wrapped parcel was medium sized, soft and squishy.
“I wonder if Shelia has gifted you the same scarf, hat and gloves you’ve given her,” Tom pondered.
“Well, if she has, it doesn’t matter. I liked them, anyway,” I breezed.
I carefully unwrapped the gift, only to discover that… yes, you’ve guessed it- she had!
I smiled.
Now it was time to open Meg’s present. When I opened her envelope, my eyes widened. Vouchers for the snazzy garden centre. Oh – this was what I’d bought for Meg!
Two friends with two great minds… the three of us clearly all thought alike. I just had to laugh!
BRENDA’S WILDLIFE CORNER
Stingray
The term stingray covers a great number of species (there are about 220 known of them) and they are found throughout the world in tropical, subtropical and in freshwaters. For example, the Thorntail stingray inhabits warmer waters while the Deepwater stingray can be found deep in the ocean. Some rays like the River stingray and some Whiptail stingrays only exist in freshwater. You may be surprised to learn that some species however, are close to extinction due to unregulated fishing.
Humans are rarely in danger from sting rays, with the tragic exception of the Australian naturist and broadcaster Steve Irwin who was stung and killed by a stingray in 2006. This shocked many people, but it was a very rare occurrence. On the other hand, humans catch stingrays for food like the “wings” (the area around the eyes) and the liver. In countries like Malaysia and Singapore, rays are grilled over charcoal and served with spicy sambal sauce, while in some parts of India, they are used in spicy curries. The skin of some sting rays is also used on Japanese swords as a leather wrap or cord.
The process of reproduction for sting rays is very interesting as it involves the emitting of electrical signals by the female to attract a male, and this when courting and eventual copulation occurs. Individuals have been known to mate for seven months before ovulation of the female in March, and this period involves social interactions that are aggressive with the best available male being selected. Sting rays have live young in litters between 5 and 13, and the embryo absorbs nutrients from a yolk sac which is replaced by uterine “milk” when exhausted. Most species, with a few exceptions like the Freshwater stingray, do not care for their young.
The majority of sting rays feed on crustaceans, molluscs and occasionally small fish, but some species such as the Manta ray employs ram-feeding to consume a lot of plankton at once, and even have been known to perform elaborate movements within plankton patches. Coral reefs are favourite feeding grounds which they often share with sharks.
Many sting rays can conceal themselves when hunting by flattening their bodies and only leaving their eyes and tails visible.
Why not take a deeper look at these fascinating creatures yourself?
* Ref Wikipedia
THE PHENOMENON OF THE TWELVE-INCH SINGLE
Written by Graham Townsend
Twelve-inch singles became all the rage in the 1980s although, they were first available commercially in the 1970s, the first one coming out in 1976.
New releases do still sometimes come out with a twelve-inch version however, they are far less common than they were three or four decades ago.
So, what was it that was special or unique about these singles? Well in particular, in my opinion, it gave impetus to house music in the late 1980s but prior to that disco and dance music benefitted most from them. Why was this the case? Well, it gave producers licence to experiment with different mixes of the song. They could then include these versions on the twelve-inch disc without taking away the focus from the standard seven-inch single. In many cases, the standard track was included on the “b” side of the disc anyway.
I have a fairly substantial collection of these vinyl records although, I haven’t got access to a vinyl player currently and they are hidden away in a case somewhere in my wardrobe. One thing they did have in common with the seven-inch single was that there were often limited editions available where you might receive a poster or a sew on patch or the disc might actually be a picture disc or be a coloured vinyl rather than the standard black vinyl.
The other thing I haven’t touched upon yet is the fact that they were played at forty-five RPM, just like the seven-inch singles. People were accustomed to albums being twelve-inch in size however, they play at thirty-three RPM.
The biggest selling twelve-inch single in the UK is “Blue Monday” by New Order. It has sold more than 1.16 million copies. The majority of those were from the initial 1983 released with additional contributions from the re-releases in 1988 and 1995.
Do I think there is likely to be a resurgence to the point where we see sales at the same level as the 1980s? I doubt it very much. One of the main reasons for this is the prevalence of digital music. For convenience the younger and more casual music buyers seem to prefer this format. Another reason is that musical tastes seem to have moved away from the genres that benefitted most from the types of remixes that appeared on twelve-inch singles. In particular I’m thinking of disco and funk. I looked at a recent CD compilation I purchased which was full of twelve-inch mixes from 1980 and of the forty-five tracks on it, the majority stemmed from those genres.
I think the music industry in general has also moved away from the format and the cost of vinyl these days would probably out price many potential consumers.
I hope you have enjoyed this look back at a music phenomenon that was a large part of my record buying journey, especially during my teenage years.
MERRY AND BRIGHT
Written by S. Bee
“We’ve run out of ground ginger,” my partner Jake muttered, as he peered through the kitchen cupboard. “We can’t make gingerbread people without ginger.”
We’d planned a baking afternoon on Saturday, today, Jake’s day off. He was a fifty-five-year-old optician who owned and ran his own practice here, in the rural village of Kipston. I’d recently moved into Jake’s cosy cottage. At the moment, I was in-between jobs.
Being a Jill of all trades, I could turn my hand to almost anything, but so far, it’d been difficult to find a position. Maybe it was my age that had put people off. Like Jake, I was in my mid-fifties.
Back to the kitchen…we were going to donate the batch of the gingerbread people to the local church Christmas fayre. The church held carol singing, too.
“Oh. I’ll nip to the shop,” I offered.
“Right. Well, I’ll find the unused Christmas cards from last year while I wait until you return,” he said.
“That’ll be good. I’ll only be ten minutes.”
As it was December and cold out, I reached for my coat, boots, scarf and gloves, plus my mobile and bag, then set off. The bonus of living in a village was that it was just a short stroll to the grocery store.
“Hello Kate! It’s another frosty day.” The friendly shopkeeper, Brenda, greeted me warmly.
The store inside was nicely decorated in seasonal green, gold and red.
“It is. Have you any ground ginger, please?”
“Ground ginger? Hmm…” We searched the shelves but we couldn’t find any.
“I’ll order some in,” she said.
I smiled. “That’s kind of you, Brenda.”
I bid a cheerful farewell and glanced at my watch. Hmm… the bus into the next town was due now. If I raced to the bus stop, I might just be able to catch it!
Panting, with my pulse racing, I sped along – but I was too late. My heart sank as I saw the bus ahead pull away. I traipsed back to Kipston, found a bench in the square, sat and took a moment to look around. Christmas time was so merry and bright here! All the shop window displays had fun festive scenes.
Brenda had snow-capped hills and tiny children playing in her window.
My Jake’s optician’s window showed Santa and his elves busily wrapping gifts… and the village Christmas tree stood tall and proud with a gold star atop. The sparkly lights were pretty, and the pub, The Red Lion, had just launched their seasonal menus. A poster outside the library caught my eye – it advertised the carol singing and of course, the church Christmas fayre.
That brought me back to my quest…what if I asked Sarah at the cafe if she had any spare ground ginger? I asked myself. Jake and I had chatted to Sarah, the cafe owner, when we’d popped in for lunch. Her window display was a group of lovely reindeer in a wood, grazing by Santa’s sleigh. When I pushed open the cafe door, the bell jangled and jolly Christmas pop songs were playing on the radio. As I joined the queue, I suddenly felt a bit silly. Wasn’t it a bit cheeky to ask Sarah if she had spare ground ginger?
Well, I’d offer to pay, I reasoned. But when I reached the counter, my courage failed, so I ordered a cuppa and a home-made mince pie instead. I squeezed into a corner table, where a community notice board informed me there was a vacancy at The Red Lion: ‘Temporary bar/waiting staff wanted to cover the Christmas period – could be permanent for right candidate. Call in for details.’
My sprit soared. The vacancy might have been filled by now, I thought. But I could still try.
I wasn’t really dressed for a formal job interview but I’d explain that I’d just seen the flyer in the cafe, and was enquiring on the off- chance.
I munched my pie, gulped my cuppa and hastened away. On my way, I rang Jake with an update.
When I headed into the pub, I was hit by the heady aroma of roast turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing. I was asked to fill in an application form. I had a pen and got started, but I could see that the staff were rushed off their feet. I made a quick decision.
“Look, what if did an hour’s unpaid shift now? As a trial?”
The manager Bill beamed, took my application form and handed me an apron. “If you could clear some tables and take out the food orders, that’d be brilliant.”
At the end of the shift, he turned to me. “You’ve been an absolute godsend, Kate. You’ve got the job!”
I smiled. “That’s terrific news!”
“I’ll check your references, but you’re Jake’s partner, aren’t you? He’s a good ‘un. He set me up with these.” He jiggled the trendy blue frames of his spectacles.
“I couldn’t see a blasted thing before I got this pair,” he went on. “My old specs were stuck together with Sellotape. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re good enough for Jake, then you’re good enough for us.”
Yay! I couldn’t wait to tell Jake!
When I arrived home, another warm scent greeted me. Jake had baked!
“Well, that was a long job interview,” he grinned.
“I did a trial shift. I’ve got the job! I start tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s great!” He hugged me.
“I found the Christmas cards but I had some ground ginger, after all. It was hidden at the back of the cupboard. So, we can celebrate your news by sampling a freshly baked gingerbread person each with a coffee.”
My heart warmed. It was going to be a truly fabulous Christmas!
A PARABLE
Sent by Peter Smith
My well-beloved has a vineyard, on a very fruitful hill.
He dug it up and cleared out its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine.
He built a tower in its midst,
And also made a winepress in it;
So, he expected it to bring forth good grapes,
But it brought forth wild grapes.
And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah,
Judge, please, between me and my vineyard.
What more could have been done to my vineyard
That I have not done it?
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes,
Did it bring forth wild grapes?
And now, please let me tell you what I will do to my vineyard:
I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned;
And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.
I will lay it waste;
It shall not be pruned or dug,
But there shall come up briars and thorns.
I will also command the clouds
That they rain no rain on it.
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel,
And the men of Judah are his pleasant plant.
He looked for justice, but behold, oppression;
For righteousness, but behold, weeping.
(Isaiah 5:1-7, RAV)
A FUN HOLIDAY QUIZ FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
Questions:
(1) How old was singer Marvin Gaye when he died?
(2) What is the capital of Lithuania?
(3) What was the first animal in space?
(4) Where was musician Chuck Berry born?
(5) What is the currency of Angola?
(6) Who invented vaping?
(7) How small was the smallest person ever recorded?
(8) What is the French word for blackbird?
(9) Where does Father Christmas reputedly live?
(10) Who plays keyboards on the Beatles’ song Let It Be?
(11) Who was the first person to perform a liver transplant?
(12) How many eggs does a female human have at birth?
(13) What is the most common cancer in the UK?
(14) Who was the first British Prime Minister?
(15) How many planets are in our solar system?
(16) What is the German word for Christmas?
(17) What does onomatopoeia mean?
(18) Where was footballer George Best born?
(19) How long can human sperm last in the female body?
(20) Who wrote the play Comedy of Errors?
(21) What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?
(22) What is the chemical symbol for iodine?
(23) What year did the Vietnam war end?
(24) What is the largest bird in the world?
(25) What is another word for clavicle?
(26) When was the modern British army formed?
(27) Who first developed paracetamol?
(28) Which band had an album called Deceptive Bends?
(29) Where do Coventry FC play their home games?
(30) Who invented the combination lock?
(31) What is the Italian word for war?
(32) Where was the first Burger King situated?
(33) How old was Adolf Hitler when he died
(34) What nationality is artist Yoko Ono?
(35) Who was leader singer of the Kinks?
(36) Who was John Lennon’s first son?
(37) Who wrote the book Catch 22?
(38) Who played Diane Chambers in the sitcom Cheers?
(39) When was the main Geneva Convention signed?
(40) Who was the oldest person in the Bible?
(41) What year did the Crimean War end?
(42) How old do you have to be to join the French Foreign Legion?
(43) What is the French word for computer mouse?
(44) Who invented disinfectant?
(45) Where was the first atomic bomb dropped?
(46) Who played Paulie in the Rocky films?
(47) What is the German word for typist?
(48) When was the first whisky made?
(49) What is the third biggest religion in the world?
(50) What is the currency of Afghanistan?
(51) Who were the first people to climb Everest?
(52) What is the capital of Iran?
(53) Who invented the food processor?
(54) Who was the last Egyptian pharaoh?
(55) Where do Dallas Cowboys play?
(56) What is the most powerful single-shot rifle?
(57) When was Coca-Cola first sold?
(58) Who is the current Women’s 800 metres Olympic champion?
(59) Who manufactures the Alfa Romeo car?
(60) Who was the Who drummer who died prematurely?
(61) Who played Doberman in Sergeant Bilko?
(62) What is the strongest beer you can buy?
(63) Who produces the most quinoa?
(64) Who was this year’s Challenge Cup winner?
(65) Which country produces the most cheese?
(66) Who played Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek?
(67) Where was footballer Lionel Messi born?
(68) How was Iran formerly known?
(69) Where is the most soya consumed?
(70) Which country produces the most coffee in the world?
(71) What is the capital of Nicaragua?
(72) What is nine minutes past nine on the 24-hour clock?
(73) When were the current Houses of Parliament constructed?
(74) Who invented the Dictaphone?
(75) Where is the most ice cream in the EU made?
Answers:
(1) 44 (2) Vilnius (3) Fruit fly (4) St. Louis, Missouri, US (5) Angolan Kwanza (6) Hon Lik – 2003 (7) Chandra Bahadur Dangi – 54.6 cm (8) Merle (9) The North Pole (10) Billy Preston (11) Thomas Starzl – 1963 (12) 1 to 2 million (13) Breast cancer (14) Sir Robert Walpole (15) 8 (16) Weihnachten (17) The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named e.g. sizzle, cuckoo (18) Belfast, Northern Island (19) Up to 5 days (20) William Shakespeare(21) Port Moresby (22) I (23) 30 April, 1975 (24) The ostrich (25) The collarbone (26) 1 April, 1707 (27) Harmon Northrop Morse in 1878 (28) 10cc (29) Coventry Building Society Arena (30) Linus Yale Jr, in 1862 (31) Guerra (32) Jacksonville, Florida US (33) 56 (34) Japanese (35) Ray Davies (36) Julian (37) Joseph Heller (38) Shelley Long (39) August 12, 1949 (40) Methuselah (41) 30 March, 1856 (42) Between 17.5 and 39.5 years – parental consent needed for under 18 (43) Souris d’ordinateur (44) Joseph Lister (45) Hiroshima (46) Burt Young (47 Schriebkraft (48) Over 1,000 years ago (49) Hinduism (50) The Afghani (51) Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (52) Tehran (53) Pierre Verdon (54) Cleopatra VII (55) AT & T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (56) 950 JDJ Fat Mac (57) May 8, 1886 (58) Keely Hodgkinson (59) Stellantis (60) Keith Moon (61) Maurice Gosfield (62) Beithir Fire – 75% ABV (63) Peru (64) Hull KR (65) US (66) Nichelle Nichols (67) Rosario, Argentina (68) Persia (69) China (70) Brazil (71) Managua (72) 21 09 (73) Between 1840 and 1870 (74) Alexander Graham Bell and Charles Sumner Tainter (75) Germany
Editor’s Final Word
Thank you for taking the time and the trouble to read this magazine.
I hope you enjoyed the experience and feel inspired to contact us at: dean@fthm.org.uk
If you would like to make a donation to help towards the costs of running the magazine, please use the donations form on the Donate page.
Best wishes, Dean, Brenda, Graham and Hari.
