Qi D(idcot)
The first question on Qi tonight (the game show hosted by Stephen Fry) was what the volume The Long Years of Obscurity was about. I knew it was familiar, and assumed it was the memoirs of some Labour politician from the seventies.
In fact, Rory Bremner got the answer - it is of course, the first volume of B F Lingham’s magisterial three volume history of Didcot, covering the years to 1841. Bremner is a constituent, and Didcot is his local station. He also pointed out that Didcot got the station because Abingdon didn’t want it, which I knew, and that Didcot has the second-oldest yew tree in the world, which I didn’t, but should have.
If you’re wondering why the work reached the heady heights of a mention on Qi, I suspect it is because the producer lives just outside Didcot. In fact, I think I just got an e-mail from his wife offering me a Stephen Fry alarm clock.
Sue said on October 22nd, 2006 at 8:46 pm:
I thought Rory Bremner lived in Faringdon. If so, how can Didcot be his “local” station? - it’s miles away from Faringdon. I live in Grove, and Didcot is my “local” station - if Grove station was reopened, Mr Bremner wouldn’t have so far to travel to catch the train. But, then, he’s probably got a chauffeur to take the strain!
Clay Moore said on October 28th, 2006 at 12:28 am:
No sensible TV Producer would want to live anywhere near Didcot, surely? It is hole. A hole that should have been filled in many years ago. I cannot think of one redeeming feature nor a single architectural gem. It is a blot, an absolute blot and I sympathise with you having to respresent such a terrible place. At least Wantage has some beauty but it is one of the dullest places on earth, especially for the young, I know, I went to school there. The schools, when I was there, apart from the privelidged King Alfred’s, of course, should have been subject to a government enquiry. All the useful things I have learnt in my life came after leaving that place and those schools. Blending them into King Alfred’s was probably a good idea. Good luck in your career and I hope you find a better places to represent soon. It can’t be easy being you? It’s probably easier being you, than it is being black, asian or gay, in those incredibly narrow minded towns.
Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Didcot and Wantage Town
They are not fit for humans now those towns that brought you down
There isn’t grass to graze a cow
Swarm over, death!
The old boy made a perfectly adaptable poem.
Clay
Clay Moore said on October 28th, 2006 at 12:30 am:
Of course, I expected to be moderated. Freedom of speech. A nice idea but not workable.