Celeb spotting/photting on the rail network.

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

It's quite likely that the Jeremy Clarkson we so on our TVs^▸ (Thames Valley, or TeleVision, depending on context) and read in the papers is a character created by Jeremy Clarkson.

The same may, for all we know, be true of Dr Brian May CBE PhD FRAS...

[JayMac]

Well, Dr Brian has gone a bit badger bonkers recently.

[ellendune]

Depends what you mean by bonkers.  The argument is that the government position is scientifically flawed (i.e. the science says it will make things worse!)

That might be why a scientist with all those letters after his name is saying things about it.

[JayMac]

When he makes poor comparisons such as this:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/10259160/Criticising-the-RSPCA-is-like-wanting-paedophiles-to-escape-justice-Brian-May-claims.html

The badger cull may have been scientifically flawed but to say it could take us back to the Dark Ages where we burned supposed witches at the stake is a bit bonkers. He may be a hero of mine, for the music mainly, but those particular comments, in my opinion, did no favours to his point of view.

And I think the science is currently saying the cull may make things worse, rather than will.

I'm very much on the side of those opposing the cull of badgers, but the anti- and pro- sides should stick to the science.

I also share some of the concern that the RSPCA has lost its way somewhat. Brian May, as a vice-president of the charity, is entitled to defend it, but to label its critics as, "pro-cruelty" and "utterly ruthless", and to say such criticism is "...like wanting paedophiles to escape justice", is again, in my opinion just a little bonkers.

There are many instances where RSPCA Inspectors have been abusing their limited powers and have started prosecutions with little or no evidence of actual cruelty, including prosecuting the elderly and children. That's to say nothing of the 50,000+ animals the RSPCA euthanises each year.

[John R]

a city made great by the motor car industry before Red Robbo and his chums brought it to its knees.

Though why they chose to site a world renowned university so close to the motor industry I'll never know. Do you think all the american tourists are disappointed when they arrive and can't find a British Leyland factory, just a library, and a few fancy colleges.

[Puffing Billy]

a city made great by the motor car industry before Red Robbo and his chums brought it to its knees.

Though why they chose to site a world renowned university so close to the motor industry I'll never know. Do you think all the american tourists are disappointed when they arrive and can't find a British Leyland factory, just a library, and a few fancy colleges.

Yes, I take your point (which I presume is somewhat tongue-in-cheek). If I was being pedantic, I should have said " ... made great, AMONG OTHER THINGS, by ...". As a native, and, until recently, a resident of Oxford, I am very proud of our university. But neither can the achievements of William Morris be belittled, and I am proud of our car-making, marmalade-making, canal-building, publishing and league-cup winning achievements among many other facets of Oxford life which have existed before and since the establishment of the university.

[Chris from Nailsea]

However if ANYONE could react to the following incident in the manor of which Mr Clarkson here does. Even if I despised them, they would have my respect.

No John Prescott, then.

Ah, yes: John 'two jabs' Prescott's robust response to an egg-throwing heckler. Classic! 

[Steve Bray]

Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary has sat next to me a couple of times on my morning commute. And yesterday evening, at St Margaret's station, Charlie Stayte (BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Breakfast News presenter) was on the platform waitimg to board the 1800 train to Waterloo.

[JayMac]

A few more, but the railway links are tenuous:

Arthur Smith, photted very near Cardiff Bay station


Pete Waterman, tinkering away at STEAM, Swindon


Brian May. I had to catch the train to see him! (Nov 2009 - hoping for a repeat on 14th Nov 2013)

[TonyK]

Ah, yes: John 'two jabs' Prescott's robust response to an egg-throwing heckler. Classic! 

I had a letter published in the Times on the back of that one. It was on the lines of "By way of involving myself in the political process, I had decided to go to one of John Prescott's rallies, and throw some eggs at him. I have changed my mind in light of recent events, and may visit his website instead." Got a mention on Radio 2, as well. If you can remember the date, you can check it out. FTR^▸ (Fitness To Run - All locomotives or rolling stock that have been in store and need to be moved by rail need to have a 'fitness to run' test before being moved), I thought Prezza's actions to be entirely understandable, if not entirely justifiable, and probably added to his political - er - clout.

a city made great by the motor car industry before Red Robbo and his chums brought it to its knees.

Though why they chose to site a world renowned university so close to the motor industry I'll never know. Do you think all the american tourists are disappointed when they arrive and can't find a British Leyland factory, just a library, and a few fancy colleges.

In my experience, American tourists would visit Oxford to see people concerned with the higher things in life, rather than the day-to-day minutiae, to see people in unusual garments reading books and pamphlets in alcoves, or on benches in leafy corners, or in pubs or cafes, enhancing their knowledge not always of their chosen subject in life, but of that vast universal miscellany that informs and educates every well-spent life. An archaic language to which few outsiders were privy merely added to the sense of absolute majesty of the occasion. They don't have this in the USA, a semi-formal forum where peers discuss philosophical and political theories, untroubled by the need to cloud the mind with unseemly thoughts of manual labour.

In the afternoon, after the car works, they would visit the university.

[Chris from Nailsea]

If you can remember the date, you can check it out.

It was 16 May 2001 - see http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/16/newsid_4098000/4098929.stm 

[JayMac]

Gary Rhodes (chatty),

Did some work experience with him in the Castle Hotel, Taunton.

When I used to work at a petrol station in an Oxfordshire village I served quite a few celebs

I worked in a petrol station many moons ago also. Once sold a bag of anthracite to Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Had to load it into his car as he was having trouble with his grip, because he was recovering from frostbitten fingertips.

[JayMac]

Brian May again. 

[bobm]

I want to break free......   

[JayMac]

♪...dandled on his knee.♫

That's one for the more die-hard Queen fans.