Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
The world gave a huge sigh of relief on this day in 1962, when an agreement to resolve the Cuban missile crisis was reached by the USA and the Soviet Union. The historic accord averted the immediate threat of nuclear war between the two superpowers. The crisis started a fortnight earlier when a United States... Continue Reading →
1970’s American kid’s comedy shows are well represented today when it comes to birthdays. Both Happy Days actress Erin Moran and Mork and Mindy star Pam Dawber celebrate the day of their birth, along with Ralph Malph’s freckles which are 50 today. Erin Moran who played Joanie Cunningham is 55 today, whilst Pam Dawber who... Continue Reading →
On this day 1971 Walt Disney World was opened in Orlando, Florida. It was a day of excitable kids, colourful characters, mixing with goofy, a rollercoaster ride of emotions and constantly dipping into dad’s wallet. That’s how my mum remembers that day at our Low Fell home anyway! …….. I’ve no idea what Disney World... Continue Reading →
Actor Ricky Tomlinson is 76 years old today. Famous for his roles in Brookside, Cracker and the Royle Family, he is also renowned as the only person who uses the word arse more than my mum. Although, to be fair to my mum, if I wasn’t around my parents house so much her use of... Continue Reading →
On this day 60 years ago, the channel now known as ITV became the first channel to challenge the BBC’s television monopoly. On its inception it was known as ITA (Independent Television Authority) and, unlike the BBC, was not licence funded but financed through advertising revenue. The channel was launched following a ceremony at the... Continue Reading →
In 1879 on this day the Blackpool Illuminations were turned on for the first time. This display was nowhere near the grand scale of the modern day, as the electric light bulb hadn’t been patented yet. This resulted in an understated inaugural display consisting of eight arc lamps on the promenade. After Thomas Edison’s patent... Continue Reading →
It’s 6th September already. This year is absolutely flying it only seems like yesterday that it was 5th September. Today is my mum’s birthday. She is in esteemed company as she shares the same birth date as Basil Brush’s minder, an extra from Coronation Street and French engraver Eve Luquet. The day she was born... Continue Reading →
The first James Bond, Scottish National Party (SNP) supporter and man who turned down a chance to play for Manchester United in his twenties, Sir Thomas Sean Connery is 85 today. Yesterday, I passed the very same details as the paragraph above to a group of friends. Their responses ranged from “Ah, I didn’t realise... Continue Reading →