Not Gothic, but - my gravestones from Bucks, yesterday. One a little close to home...

Home now, and heartily recommend this as a place to stay in central Stockport, close to the trendy Old Town, that has heart, soul and history for the price of the budget hotels. Husb not included (and you can have the lights on).

Christmas 2025

From Wayne Hussey: I am saddened beyond words to hear of the passing of Perry Bamonte. Perry was one of the sweetest, kindest, gentlest people I have met in this business of music. He will be missed terribly.

In the nicely refurbished Red Bull, close to Strawberry Studios, wondering whether Wayne and Craig lured Von out from under the table for a pint in here back in '84. And if Ian, Barney, Stephen or Hooky won at the darts.

In which the gang display super-human survival skills: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002p1zl

By Doulton of Lambeth, though that's difficult to make out, but such an evocative address and typeface. Still contains (solidified) ink.

Fake rabbit, real snake - Young Knives (who came to Bluesky and *have left*!) genuinely epitomising punk rock at the Scala last night.

New goths on the block alert! Love it.

New claymation video, though I found myself with my eyes closed: youtu.be/P0d_P11B6Tg

From @prospectunion.bsky.social, a summary of the new Employment Rights Act, passed yesterday:

If you follow me, and it's not for the C19th-fancying stuff, you're already a subscriber to @thequietus.com, yes? YESSS..?? Because what on earth are you thinking if you're not?

I don't seem to see much news on here and have only just heard about Rob Reiner and his wife's murder - incomprehensible. May they rest in peace. It goes without saying that the guy made some absolutely classic films, which have become cultural reference points for multiple generations.

Enjoyed this like it was our last gig before Christmas, which it turns out it wasn't, but the Charlies will do that to you anyway. And they somehow achieved fantastic sound at the Roundhouse - even from side-on.

My favourite solo Lennon song since I was a kid. Rest in peace, as ever.

This is the unforgettable one, for me - I bought the book, and took myself there. RIP.

@andrewfurlow.bsky.social @drkerryandrew.bsky.social Hello both, hope you're well, thought I'd wish you a happy festive season from these two. They'll be 3, early next year! We adore them.

Is this how we measure people, anyway? High-earners are not better citizens than low-earners, and entrepreneurs are often considerably worse.

I don't understand this year's Aldi advert.

@teatles.bsky.social Has there been any discussion about the spongeware mugs the boys are using at George's house in episode 9? Can report that they were big in the very late 80s and, aged 16, I bought myself this one from BHS which I've never stopped using. They're by Winton and decorated by hand.

Hope I never get used to the fact that my life includes this:

From @teenagecancertrust.bsky.social : Get ready... Monday 8th December 👀 #TeenageCancerGigs at the @RoyalAlbertHall are back with a new line-up, handpicked by our legendary 2026 cure-ator @robert.thecure.com – in association with @aldiuk⚡️

#Ceramics post, as I'm in Stoke again and have been raiding the amazing fundraising shop at Spode. It's like being in a museum where you can handle and buy the objects: all potteries, many eras but LOADS that's 200 years old @ £5-£35. spodemuseumtrust.org/visit/gift-s... Far more than the eBay shop.

We couldn't think why we'd booked the dreaded journey to Hackney for a Monday night in December, but then we'd gnot seen Gnod for a long time and all soon became clear. What a great show - if only it'd been twice the length.

After the sudden death of Jonathan Main at @booksellercrow.bsky.social, some local authors decided to organise a Christmas signing to help the bookshop make some much-needed ££. If you'd like to help, come on down! And preorder books! booksellercrow.co.uk/shop-tag/lou... I'm on at 2pm!

(Badly-photographed) window displays after my own heart, at the Tom Paine Printing Press in Lewes on Monday. Revival lustreware and letterpress prints, punctuated with probably-Victorian Staffordshire! I have one of Sussex Lustre's mugs featuring a Nightingale, so it was lovely to see their display.

This week's theme was South London. Hope you enjoyed it! Take a look over the timeline for full details of these and the rest of the featured artists.

Wow - I did not know he painted Wandsworth.

Loved watching George particularly on the new Anthology episode, he's so precise and considered in what he says. And has obviously spent very little time listening to the Beatles!

Number 9...Number 9...Number 9 in the #BeatlesAnthology series is a lovely thing to have - kind of the long-awaited DVD extra (if my DVD set wasn't a hooky Chinese knock-off that doesn't play properly).

Nearly.

Come and join us at Dulwich Picture Gallery on 6th & 7th December for So Last Century’s Christmas Vintage Market! 25 vintage traders in two rooms, cloisters & outside - homeware, lighting, interiors, art, fashion, gift ideas & more 10-5pm Dulwich Picture Gallery College Rd, London SE21 7AD

Also a crossover with the world of The Damned/Vanians (#1) - a sad loss.

Photo of the day, by Tony Bock around 50 years ago, on @thegentleauthor.bsky.social: spitalfieldslife.com/2025/11/26/t...

This petition asking for a public inquiry into Russian interference into UK politics already has over half the signatures it needs. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

Good evening! This week's theme is South London. ------ 'Camberwell Flats by Night' (1983) by David Hepher (Guildhall Art Gallery)

The inspiration for this epoch-launching look, among so many other things - RIP.

The Horrors on stage at Chalk, Brighton. No honestly, they were there and they were fantastic; as ever, they just didn't want anyone to see them do it. Realised that almost everyone I've come down to see since we stopped living here has a dark drama to them. The joy of that is what I'll travel for!

Didn't realise that @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social is on here - the only (national?) BBC feed, I think?

Friday:

Really nicely done.

What..?

Next talk on Sunday at Brighton, on seaside architecture and postcard messages. Still a few tickets left I think... catalystclub.co.uk

Lord Gary Numan, and his axe henchmen of the night, at the Hammersmith Apollo. Incredible performance and sound, especially given the loss of his brother only a few days ago - reminded me a bit of the all-encompassing experience of seeing The Cure.

Baroness Anderson of Stoke making a statement in the Lords about china espionage - which I hadn't realised was still a major concern. Oh no, sorry, China espionage! One for the #pottery historians, there.

BREAKING: The former leader of Reform in Wales, Nathan Gill, has been sentenced to ten and half years in prison for taking bribes to pump out Russian propaganda. Gill was paid thousands to make pro-Russia speeches and TV interviews.

Tough and sad news about Mani. Rest in peace.

Can’t wait to be back at Goldsmiths University on Sunday! 1000s of amazing things to find: mid century furniture, homeware, original art from 1950s-80s, prints, maps, decorative objets, gorgeous ceramics and glass, vintage watches, winter fashion (men’s too), & lots more Ticket details to follow..