General Chat

Hi Mau Yes another brilliant programme, how I wish I could have met the man himself. As you say he did seem lonely in his old age. How poignant that he loved buildings more than people. Dee ;-)

Enjoyed tonight's show with Dan Cruikshanks. Lovely to have the chance to look back and see beautiful old buildings, Betjeman certainly gave voice to stop some of them being demolished.He looked rather lonely in his old age didn't he? but marvellous man! Mau

The last of the three part series is on tonight :-))

Another very good programme Viv, if you have heard him and then read his stuff you can 'hear' him reading it (if that makes sense) I could never understand Dylan Thomas till I heard Richard Burton read his work, then I began to get a better 'feel' for him ;-))

On now BBC2. Viv

Watched last night. I have never 'read' Betjamin but enjoy 'hearing' him. Viv

nudged ;-))))

David, I loved the programmes he did about the seaside, he was great, so perceptive Dee ;-))

Glad they arrived Gwen, looking forward to getting yours ;-)))

Dee my friend the cd's have arrived your wil be posted as soon as can get to po thank you,,,,,,,,,,,,no how loud will they take ,,,xxx

On again tonight, BBC2 9pm Griff Rhys Jones is discussing John Betjeman's life, along with other famous people ;-)))

Next week it is ;- Betjeman and Me: Griff Rhys Jones 9:00pm - 9:50pm BBC2 London & South East Since his death in 1983, John Betjeman has remained one of Britain's most popular poets. He's the nation's favourite teddy bear, the Bertie Wooster of light verse, but this sometimes means that his work isn't taken too seriously. Griff Rhys-Jones re-appraises the man and his work, in the company of critics, fans and admirers including Joanna Lumley, Barry Humphries, Stephen Fry, John Mortimer, John Sergeant, Craig Brown, and Craig Raine.

A review in one of today's papers said there was too much Rick Stein in the programme. Rick who? Cornwall, Betjeman and the poems crashed over the presenter like Cornish breakers, leaving a wide sandy beach for my memories of Cornwall, Betjeman and the poems.

Thanks for adding that Mau Joy, hope you enjoyed the thread ;-)))

Yes, I love his poetry too, Dee. I should be getting ready for an appointment now - oh dear - your thread's just caught my eye. Thanks, it's great, looking forward to coming back to it later. Joyx

Myfanwy John Betjeman Kind o’er the kinderbank leans my Myfanwy, White o’er the playpen the sheen of her dress, Fresh from the bathroom and soft in the nursery Soap scented fingers I long to caress. Were you a prefect and head of your dormit’ry? Were you a hockey girl, tennis or gym? Who was your favourite? Who had a crush on you? Which were the baths where they taught you to swim? Smooth down the Avenue glitters the bicycle, Black-stockinged legs under navy blue serge, Home and Colonial, Star, International, Balancing bicycle leant on the verge. Trace me your wheel-tracks, you fortunate bicycle, Out of the shopping and into the dark, Back down the avenue, back to the pottingshed, Back to the house on the fringe of the park. Golden the light on the locks of Myfanwy, Golden the light on the book on her knee, Finger marked pages of Rackham’s Hans Anderson, Time for the children to come down to tea. Oh! Fullers angel-cake, Robertson’s marmalade, Liberty lampshade, come shine on us all, My! what a spread for the friends of Myfanwy, Some in the alcove and some in the hall. Then what sardines in half-lighted passages! Locking of fingers in long hide-and-seek. You will protect me, my silken Myfanwy, Ring leader, tom-boy, and chum to the weak. My favourite Mau xx

Just looking at www.johnbetjeman*.*com while drinking my coffee ... :-)

Yes, I love John Betjeman, and have programmes recorded about him ... :-) Joy

He certainly loved England, which can be seen from this short quote from In Westminster Abbey Think of what our Nation stands for, Books from Boot's and country lanes, Free speech, free passes, class distinction Democracy and proper drains ;-)) I like the one on Slough as well Fred, and Lee, they actually used that quote on the programme last night ;-)))

A man who said quote 'my only regret was not having enough s+x' I know what you mean Sir.............................;-)