Katherine Johnson has died, aged 101. She was one of the human computers who did the calculations for the space program, as seen in the film Hidden Figures.
I have just heard that Sir Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, known as 'Ming' has died. He was 84. This will not mean much to shipmates outside the UK but he was at one time the leader of the Liberal Democrats (LibDems).
Katherine Johnson has died, aged 101. She was one of the human computers who did the calculations for the space program, as seen in the film Hidden Figures.
Er, apparently she died 5 years ago. It's probably me who's lost the plot, as usual. 😄
I have just heard that Sir Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, known as 'Ming' has died. He was 84. This will not mean much to shipmates outside the UK but he was at one time the leader of the Liberal Democrats (LibDems).
I have just heard that Sir Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, known as 'Ming' has died. He was 84. This will not mean much to shipmates outside the UK but he was at one time the leader of the Liberal Democrats (LibDems).
He seemed like a good man
Weren't there fan t-shirts at that time, saying 'I am a Minger'? Or was that just Jeremy Hardy's suggestion on the News Quiz, Radio 4?
I have just heard that Sir Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, known as 'Ming' has died. He was 84. This will not mean much to shipmates outside the UK but he was at one time the leader of the Liberal Democrats (LibDems).
(Sir) Robert Menzies, long the Prime Minister here, was known as Ming the Merciless.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life with the souls of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, and with the other righteous men and women who are in Gan Eden; and say Amen.
Ron Shoesmith has just died - he was the Cathedral archaeologist for Hereford for 14 years, and even has a gargoyle in his image, which was put up at the Cathedral in 2009.
He was also a well-known local author on history, archaeology, and local pubs (one of the tributes to him in the Hereford Times is from the head of the local CAMRA branch, praising his work on historic pubs!). He was 89.
Patricia Routledge has died https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdjegvjz3do
While she is probably most known for being Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) in Keeping Up Appearances, my favourite was her monologue of Alan Bennett’s A Lady of Letters.
I never especially liked Keeping Up Appearances, though Ms Routledge and the rest of the cast did a superb job, but I remember her as a totally wacko medium in an episode of Steptoe and Son.
Patricia Routledge has died https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czdjegvjz3do
While she is probably most known for being Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) in Keeping Up Appearances, my favourite was her monologue of Alan Bennett’s A Lady of Letters.
How wonderful to have a Gargoyle in your own image! No doubt Mr Shoesmith was duly amused...
It was once asked 'Why do all church gargoyles look like Bob Todd?' (a UK character actor, familiar to many in the 60s and 70s).
It's a song by Half Man Half Biscuit - note that it begins blasphemously, and contains a slur that the singer himself now regrets writing and doesn't sing anymore. https://youtu.be/E9HhlgSuWD4?si=P5tlRi1TPD2Td83s
Patricia Routledge shared with HMHB being born in Birkenhead.
Author Jilly Cooper has left us. The last question on last night’s University Challenge asked the name of the fictional county she created for her novels; a weird coincidence.
They were my guilty pleasure; I may have to start reading the whole set again.
RIP Jilly.
I never read those but I did read the shorter books with girls' names as the title. One of them (Imogen I think) was a vicar's daughter. At one point she is waiting for church to finish so she can rush home and see her hot new boyfriend - but her father unexpectedly adds the litany to the service at the last minute. I can't say I ever had a hot boyfriend but I did empathise with her at that moment!
Glad to see you've already noted Diane Keaton's passing @A Feminine Force. I'm very sad to read this. I've not watched any of her early work, but for my family she'll always be Mother of the Bride. In our house we call her Mrs Naughty George, because our son always called Steve Martin (in Father of the Bride), Naughty George. Comfort to her family and friends ...
Comments
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=qBTVehKssvY
Great to see you posting again, @Telford !
end tangent//
Yes indeed - I've been wondering about you.
Er, apparently she died 5 years ago. It's probably me who's lost the plot, as usual. 😄
He seemed like a good man
Weren't there fan t-shirts at that time, saying 'I am a Minger'? Or was that just Jeremy Hardy's suggestion on the News Quiz, Radio 4?
The "z" in Menzies was originally a yogh
See also - capercailzie.
Is the name Dalziel in a similar category?
Thanks
I haven't been very well and I am still not better. Stomach and bowel problems which are baffling the doctors
🕯
I am sorry to hear that; I hope you get some answers and relief soon.
I hope the doctors get you sorted out soon.
🕯
(Sir) Robert Menzies, long the Prime Minister here, was known as Ming the Merciless.
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/supertramp-rick-davies-bloody-well-right-dead-1236511107/
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/03/manchester-synagogue-attack-police-name-two-victims-killed
Adrian Daulby
Melvin Cravitz
May their memory be a blessing.
He was also a well-known local author on history, archaeology, and local pubs (one of the tributes to him in the Hereford Times is from the head of the local CAMRA branch, praising his work on historic pubs!). He was 89.
It was once asked 'Why do all church gargoyles look like Bob Todd?' (a UK character actor, familiar to many in the 60s and 70s).
While she is probably most known for being Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) in Keeping Up Appearances, my favourite was her monologue of Alan Bennett’s A Lady of Letters.
I loved her work with Victoria Wood.
It's a song by Half Man Half Biscuit - note that it begins blasphemously, and contains a slur that the singer himself now regrets writing and doesn't sing anymore.
https://youtu.be/E9HhlgSuWD4?si=P5tlRi1TPD2Td83s
Patricia Routledge shared with HMHB being born in Birkenhead.
They were my guilty pleasure; I may have to start reading the whole set again.
RIP Jilly.
RIP funny lady. Love to your family.
AFF
I never read those but I did read the shorter books with girls' names as the title. One of them (Imogen I think) was a vicar's daughter. At one point she is waiting for church to finish so she can rush home and see her hot new boyfriend - but her father unexpectedly adds the litany to the service at the last minute. I can't say I ever had a hot boyfriend but I did empathise with her at that moment!