the state of the colburn lodge at the moment

Obviously l could not have taken these pictures myself, as it would have been trespassing and illegal, and l would never break the law of the land.  However, as they have somehow arrived in my possession, it would be amiss of me not to post them up for all to see.
The Colburn Lodge, a favourite old drinking establishment of mine in Catterick, as it was a couple of days ago.
The talk is that it is going to be re-furbished, re-opened and selling meat, but also have some kind of eating place within.
No doubt we will find out soon, but it is a shame that it is no longer going to be used as a pub, as many a cracking night has been had within those walls, especially when 60 Squadron used to be based over the road from it.
Trust me, it could be as mad as Mad Jack McMad himself (but in a good way!).

toodle pip

colburn council houses being renovated

My sister lives in a council house in Colburn, Catterick (the lucky woman), and Richmond council have recently been tarting them up a bit.  However, their plan for the outside wiring was to leave it exposed, as in the photographs above (the brown bits).  Of course nobody is happy with this, and the tenants have protested.
Who on earth thought it would be a good idea to leave the houses in that state?  I'm sure they wouldn't want their own houses to look that way, so why should the council tenants have to put up with it?
The last l heard, talks were ongoing.

toodle pip

the colburn lodge is being renovated

At long last!  It doesn't look it in these photographs, but at long last, The Colburn Lodge  pub in Catterick is being renovated.  Apparently it is going to be some kind of restaurant which will also sell meat.  That is the gossip the the pub, but who knows, it might be completely wrong.
No doubt we will be finding out soon, but l can't see it being open again until well into next year, no matter what is being done.
At least it is not being knocked down, as it is a local landmark, and the scene of many a happy night out over the years, especially when 60 squadron used to be based over the road from it.

toodle pip

more of 'nasty' nicks poems and dylan thomas reading 'do not go gentle into that good night'

I take my time, but eventually get round to doing things.  Here's some more of 'Nasty' Nicks poems.
I scanned them because if l have to type them out, they wouldn't have got posted anytime in the foreseeable future.
For the original post about him and them, look here.

For a classic poem, read by it's author, look no further than Dylan Thomas reading 'Do not go gentle into that good night', although l would recommend Richard Burton's readings of Dylan Thomas' poems and 'Under Milk Wood' as his voice suits the poetry perfectly. All available on youtube.
Modern life and easy access to everything - it's great.



toodle pip

the hildyard arms

There was a bit of a mix up last night, as l thought it was the last night of The Hildyard Arms pub in Colburn before it gets refurbished. I blame Col Moore myself, but me and a tasty crew of Rocker, Ritchie, Pon, Lammy and Powlie decided to head down there for a few ales to say goodbye to the old place, as we used to drink there years ago when Graham ran it.  We all met in The Wine Bar at White Shops because we forgot the Hildyard wasn't open until 7pm, and then when we did get down there, it wasn't the last night after all, there was only about 4 people in it, and it was still crap. We headed straight back to White shops after one drink.  It was still a good time though, as plenty of ale was consumed, the arguments and tales all kicked off, and myself and Lammy ended up being the last ones kicked out of JT's.
Hic.
Back to work today, but it's my last shift for nearly 3 weeks, and l'm off out in Middlesbrough at the weekend (and probably the weekend after). Hurrah!!!!

toodle pip

the poems of nasty nick

A couple of poems by 'Nasty' Nick (D.C Nicholson), 'The Woods At Rollencourt' and 'Dole'. He's a fellow l have known for a few years in the pub, and trust me - he's the last person you would expect to be writing poems. However, l got to talking to him about poetry ages ago (as you do) and he gave me some of his that l said l would put up on my blog at some stage.  It's only taken me about two years to get around to it, and there are more to follow, which l will try not to leave so long before sticking them up.

toodle pip

all the way from russia - the singingoffkeys!!

Amongst some recent finds searching through old photographs, were these snaps of a barbershop quartet l used to be in called The Singingoffkeys ('All the way from Russia').  There is a club near to where we lived called The Travaux that we used to play football for, and they used to have a barbershop singing competition every year.  As a laugh, myself and three mates decided to enter it, but to liven it up, we did comedy routines along with the singing, as there was no way we could take it seriously.  The above photograph features our dirty old men flashing routine, but we also dressed in nappies and danced like babies (amongst other delights).  Anyhows, we ended up winning it every year, as the audience voted for their favourite act, so the (old and disgruntled) organisers of the competition got upset with our impertinence and cancelled it, leaving us as undefeated champions.  I think the trophy is still on display at The Travaux, and l'll check it out the next time l go there (whenever that will be).  As for the other members of the quartet, say hello to Frenchie (Peter French), Lammy (Paul Lambert) and Rocker (Mark Rye).  I am the good looking one in the coloured undies.

toodle pip

the old catterick camp cinema

The old Catterick Camp cinema that used to be in Shute road was closed when l arrived here, and the nearest one was in Richmond (which later closed and became a church).
I have however, just seen this. A 1966 programme for the Catterick cinema, which l never knew it was an Essoldo one (they used to be a huge franchise).  Not exactly riveting viewing on offer, although l enjoyed 'Voyage to the bottom of the sea' when l was a kid (on TV).
Nowadays, Richmond has a new cinema at The Station, and very pleasant it is as well (featuring 3D films!!), but l think the old cinemas had more character.
Mind you, nowadays, the smoke, sticky carpets and noise from children would get on my nerves too much.

toodle pip.

jisum at jt's

Here's two videos of Jisum at JT's (in Catterick) last night, taken by Joe and Mark.
It was crowded and hot - excellent!.

toodle pip

the lads from catterick

Various lads from the Colburn and Catterick Garrison area back in the day.  Not all of them are alive now, and there are some seriously bad fashions on display, but Coley looks cool rocking his long haired Shaun Ryder look.
They were the days.....van trips to festivals and gigs, drugs, drink and girls a plenty, Manchester United were just about to dominate English football, and The Scorpion (The Walkie) was still open.
These were a generation below me, but we certainly had some good times together.

toodle pip

stormin' norman whiteside photograph from the arc

It's only taken me since July of last year to work out how to get the Norman Whiteside photograph off my mobile and onto the computer, but here it (and he) is.  From the excellent 'gentlemens' night at the Arc.
It's about time Hammy got off his arse and arranged another one.

toodle pip

living by the countryside (part 583)

This is the view a mere 5 minutes or less from my bedroom, and by car, not jet pack or aeroplane.
I like being able to get to the A1 within 5 to 10 minutes, and therefore head out to Leeds, Newcastle, York or Middlesbrough within the hour (which l can), but the countryside and it's lack of other people is still handy to have nearby.

toodle pip

the scorpion nightclub

Ah.... This certainly takes me back.  It doesn't matter if you remember the place as The Scorpion, The Walerville, The Walkie, The Rats Palace, The Pink Palace or Staxx, you will definitely remember the wild nights, the mine sweeping, the fights, the romance, the food  (either inside or at Brian Taylor's van), and the search for a party afterwards.  Catterick and Colburn is not the same without it, and the bloody Colburn Lodge is still closed and up for sale.  Progress - Pah!

toodle pip

the iron bridge at catterick has been done up

Wow!  I'm amazed!  The old Iron Bridge across the River Swale at Catterick Bridge has been renovated so that it can once again be used to cross the river. It looks like the council (I assume)  might even be making some cycle paths around the area, including over the bridge   It has been closed up for years, and l fully expected it would be pulled down one of these days, but maybe it has been classed as a historic monument, as the old iron parts are still visible on the outside.  It used to take the old Catterick Camp railway line many moons ago, and when l used to work in the Catterick Bridge area, l used to run across it every morning and evening to and from work, but made sure l was very careful as l did so, as there were plenty of gaps in the floor at the time.

toodle pip