Gary Strachan – "Write" Said Fred
Whimsical observations from deep within an erratic mind
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 →
Forty years ago yesterday, Dougal Haston and Doug Scott became the first Britons to reach the summit of Mount Everest in the Himalayas. It was a remarkable achievement, especially when you take into account that the duo had only gone out for a night out in Kathmandu. They came out of The Fleece pub just... Continue Reading →
Fifteen years ago today, in Sydney, British rower Steve Redgrave made sporting history when he won gold for the fifth consecutive Olympics. In a tense coxless fours race, he and fellow Brits Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Tim Foster pipped the Italian crew by half a second to become Olympic champions. A crowd of around... Continue Reading →
Former US swimmer Mark Spitz made history on this day in 1972, when he became the first person to win seven gold medals in a single Olympiad, in Munich. To add further kudos to his feat, not only did he win the gold medals but he also set a new world record in each of... Continue Reading →
Yesterday’s date (29th August) held particular significance for actress Ingrid Bergman. Not only was it her birthday but it was also the date she passed away after a long fight with breast cancer, aged 67. She joined an exclusive club of people with this unwanted accolade. This includes English writer William Shakespeare, Italian artist Raphael,... Continue Reading →
Actor Robert Shaw died on this day in 1978. The Lancastrian born actor died in Ireland following a heart attack. He had felt unwell whilst driving so pulled over, before collapsing at the roadside. He was pronounced dead at Castlebar General Hospital not long afterwards. It was a dramatic final scene for the Englishman. However,... Continue Reading →
In today's blog, I want to share the story of a recently found cassette recording of my sister Helen at the age of three. In it she performs an iconic song from the musical Evita. Her vocal performance was of such quality that, upon hearing it, Grimsby impresario Greg Jameson remarked "Well, It's a better... Continue Reading →
Motown’s first ever Number One was released on this day in 1961. The song in question was Please Mr Postman which was performed by the all-girl group The Marvelettes. The same song also reached the top of the charts when the Carpenters covered the song in 1975. Other acts such as The Beatles, not to... Continue Reading →
In the first three lines of their song No More Heroes the 1970’s punk band The Stranglers ask the rhetorical question:- Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky? He got an ice pick. That made his ears burn. The reason this song came to mind today was that on this day in 1940 Trotsky received the fatal... Continue Reading →