Apollo astronaut JIM LOVELL - R.I.P.

The USA's Apollo program of exploration of how to get to the moon and finally land upon it mesmerised many people of the world throughout the '60s and '70s, as it did me as a young lad, but notwithstanding the immensity of that human achievement little change for humankind sprang from it.

Astronaut Jim Lovell (1928-2025) - RIP

Leaving aside that thought, I wish to note the passing of astronaut Jim Lovell, a space pioneer who died as he had lived: on the dramatic edge of life where only those with "the right stuff" survive, about which a film was made. He was in the first Apollo (8) crew to orbit the moon (10 times) in 1968 and went there twice, but never stood on the moon because of his "claim to fame" which was being in the crew of the ill-fated, but ultimately saved Apollo 13. Their emergency gripped the world's media and was later recorded in the hit film, "Apollo13".

The passing of fellow Apollo 8 crew member Bill Anders is here.

Lord NORMAN TEBBIT M.P. - R.I.P.

I do not have respect for any current politician of any persuasion, either because I have not know them, or because of the simple fact that they are a (modern) politician.

There has of course been many UK politicians deserving of a virtuous eulogy, but sadly many warrant no more than a sterile resume of their life. Lord Norman Tebbit, former M.P. and Conservative  Cabinet Minister (always under Prime Minister "Lady" Margaret Thatcher) was not such a person.

I first became aware of "Norman" in the 1980s with the introduction of his caricature into the UK satirical TV show called Spitting Image, often portrayed in a black leather fetish suit of a manic biker sadist; He wasn't of course, but he did get a "hard man" image, telling anyone whinging about unemployment to "get on your bike" and get a job!

For me he came across as a plain-speaking, passionate and erudite man, who held principles for behaviour that sometimes put him out of step with his fellow government colleagues - but at least he held beliefs, by which he lived and spoke about in calm and measured tones. He was perhaps the most likely MP to usurp Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in her later and more dictatorial days.

Norman's start in life suggests he would naturally be amongst the Labour ranks, but restrictive practices went against his nature so he joined the Conservative party. He believed in self reliance and disliked those who didn't.

Following an IRA attempt to kill the whole Conservative cabinet, by blowing-up the Brighkton hotel they were all staying at, Norman resigned from parliament to forevermore nurse his wife who was paralysed in the explosion. Norman, thank you for your service.

Lord Norman Tebbit (1931-2025) R.I.P.

Norman's Spitting Image characterisation 

Here is more information about Lord Norman Tebbit, from SKY News, from the BBC  and from a Polish media source.

American comedian BOB NEWHART - R.I.P.

In 1960 an American comedian came to popular attention with monologues delivered in a droll and engaging manner, almost opposite to the "zany", "quick-fire" or "slick" delivery of contemporaries' Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Sammy Davies Jr, et al. 

Bob Newhart (1930 - July 19 2024)

Bob Newhart died today aged 94 and had sustained a consistently popular presentation style throughout his career. As "performing Bob" he had a dry and self-deprecating personality, played to the fullest extent, most recently, as "Professor Proton" in the recent smash hit TV series called, The Big Bang Theory. This is his BBC eulogy.

Bob Newhart as Professor Proton on TBBTheory

Though very popular in The Big Bang Theory, Bob's earlier comedic career was his mainstay, leaving us many comedic monologues, of which "The Driving Instructor" is his most popular.

Hear The Driving Instructor here

Apollo astronaut BILL ANDERS - R.I.P.

The USA's Apollo program of exploration of how to get to the moon and finally land upon it mesmerised many people of the world throughout the '60s and '70s, as it did me as a young lad, but notwithstanding the immensity of that human achievement little change for humankind sprang from it.

Apart from one thing,

One single photograph, taken by the lunar module pilot of Apollo 8, William "Bill" Anders, encapsulated emotions and knowledge never before experienced by practically the whole human race. A single photograph, possibly the most awe inspiring ever taken, shows the graceful beauty and visual fragility of Earth as never before; a now totemic image, still able to generate reverence and contemplation, which inspired in many an awareness of global fragility and the need for "greener" global policies.

The barren landscape of the moon accentuates the vivid blue of Earth's cosmic presentation, showing a pristine planet which we know is no-longer the truth. It inspires and yet reminds us only of what was, for humankind is ruining it. To put it bluntly, we are pissing in our own pot for a multitude of evolutionary and despotic reasons and will probably continue to do so until Earth says, "no more!".

Leaving aside that thought, I wish to note the passing of its creator, astronaut Bill Anders, a space pioneer who died as he had lived: on the dramatic edge of life where only those with "the right stuff" survive, of which a film was made.

The passing of fellow Apollo crew member Jim Lovell is here.

Lord FRANK FIELD M.P. - R.I.P.

I do not have respect for any current politician of any persuasion, either because I have not know them, or because of the simple fact that they are a (modern) politician.

There has of course been many UK politicians deserving of a virtuous eulogy, but sadly many warrant no more than a sterile resume of their life. Lord Frank Field, former M.P. and Labour Cabinet Minister was not such a person.

I first became aware of "Frank" with the introduction of televised parliament in the UK, when he was an M.P. advocating for the creation of a Pensions Reform Group, which he subsequently chaired. He came across as a plain-speaking, passionate and erudite man, for whom there seemed great respect in the chamber, such was his regard there. When Frank rose to speak there was usually very little "back-chat" and I admired his achievement of that with his calm and measured deliveries. 

Though he made it into a Labour cabinet and was later elevated to a Lordship, Frank remained steadfast in his lifelong lobbying for the betterment of the care and welfare of, dare we say it anymore, the "common man". When Frank spoke I listened and was impressed, thus my personal remembrance here. Frank, R.I.P. and thank you for your service. Frank field frankfield

Lord Frank Field R.I P.

"Frank" (7th from left) amongst the 1997 Labour Cabinet

N.B. How many people can you recall from this photograph?
         I got Alistair "safe hands" Darling, (2nd from left)
         Gordon "posturing" Brown, (6th)
         Frank, (7th)
         David Blunkett (9th - only blind minister of state),
         Marjorie "Mo" Mowlem (10th humility + fame for N.I. peace talks)
         Peter "Mandy the traitor" Mandelson (11th slippery and slimy)

         Who the rest were I haven't a clue, such was their influence!

Here's more information about Lord Frank Field, from SKY News, from the BBC, from someone who knew him and from Frank's own constituency page.

SUSAN FEWSTER R.I.P.

Yesterday my sister-in-law died of cancer. We will miss her greatly. She was the bedrock of many people's life, steadying for them their twists and turns of life with selfless dedication and little thought to her own requirements. She was a loyal, friendly, helpful, supportive and caring person who we will miss greatly and think of often.  Sue Fewster , Susan Fewster , Susan Fewster (nee Markham) , Sue Fewster (Nee Markham) , Bat Bat , batbat ,

Susan Fewster R.I.P.

I have come to the end of my journey

and the sun has set for me,

but I want no rites in a gloom filled room;

why cry for my soul set free?

Miss me a little please

but not for long with heads bowed,

remember my love or friendship

and smile when I’m not around.

Take care of yourselves my friends,

may your care of others abound;

take time to reflect upon the Earth

and what you leave to be found.

* This poem was inspired by an original by Christina Georgina Rossetti

With hindsight her hospital (Hull's Castle Hill) made a pigs-ear of her treatments - undue delays in treatment (due to petty strike action and the catch-all excuse of COVID), "lost" test results, "trying" different medications like they didn't really have a clue (or much interest), different doctors popping-in to ask inane questions, as if they were there out of curiosity to see what near-death looks like. There was nothing more telling than when one nurse on the ward confided, "you wouldn't treat an animal like this". Complain you may say? 

What's the point of taking on a well oiled excusing and denial machine.

Cancer patients at risk, again and again and again and again and again and again and again and again and  again.

Update 11th Nov 2025: Being ranked 119th of 121 UK hospital trusts reflects the dire and inexcusable performance in Hull -  0 of 3 targets met and over 50% failure of diagnosis to commencing treatment requirement.