Not all happy memories are in black and white!

At a recent visit to the Upfront Arts Venue in Penrith with Sarah, somebody started to play the piano in the cafe and very confidently began to murder Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer! Famously adapted by Marvin Hamlisch in the film The Sting (RIP Robert Redford). Marvin Hamlisch also composed the music for the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me with the theme song Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon.

Anne, do you remember the holiday we had in St Asaph in Wales? We went to see that Bond film with Mum and Dad in a packed cinema and when James Bond (Roger Moore) skied off the cliff edge and his Union Jack parachute opened with the Bond theme music and then Carly Simon started singing Nobody Does It Better and the whole cinema cheered! Well, as a fifteen year old teenager I fell in love with Carly Simon (I was already in love with James Bond)!! Update: Not in love with either of them now!

Anyway, back to The Entertainer! When Auntie Tilly (Teresa) came to visit one time from Australia we all went for a meal at Thornton Hall (or was it Thornton Manor?) and there was somebody playing the piano. Much to Mum’s horror, Tilly went up to the pianist and asked him to play The Entertainer! Mum was embarrassed I think but I’ve never forgotten that tune!

Tilly is in this photo at a really fun night out at a banquet in Ruthin Castle. I think it could be the same year as the St Asaph holiday? Rob is in the front with me, Sue and Dad next to him and then Tilly opposite Rob and next to Anne and Mum. Was Keith there? Maybe taking the photo? I remember we were all drinking mead which is the same as honey wine I believe. Can’t imagine the food was vegan at a medieval banquet!!

Happy colour times!

Dave.

Ruthin Castle