Let’s not forget that #AndyBurnham has failed TWICE before to become Labour leader. He came FOURTH out of five candidates in the 2010 contest, won by Ed Miliband. Then in 2015 he finished a distant second behind Jeremy Corbyn. Not exactly a great track record.

How appropriate here on #Bluesky to observe that Jeff Lynne, Mr Blue Sky himself - seen here fronting #ELO performing Evil Woman on #TOTP in 1976 - has had the same hairstyle for 50 years.

I am at an age where most of what I read, watch or listen to has a strong whiff of nostalgia. I re-discovered this early-1970s book, “a critical history of pop”, by #NikCohn, during a recent loft clearout. The title is taken from the lyrics of Little Richard’s ‘Tutti Fruitti’.

I was transported back half a century today when a shop I visited played #GaryShearston’s quirky 1974 version of #IGetAKickOutOfYou. Well it made a welcome change from #Slade’s #MerryChristmasEverybody.

Local charity shop invited customers to help themselves to FREE DVDs, so I picked up this one. FOUR hours of vintage #MOTD footy highlights from the 60s, 70s and 80s - including ⁦‪@SunderlandAFC’s‬⁩ memorable 1973 FA Cup Final victory over Leeds.

Had to smile at the ‘no-advertising’ #BBC’s news item about Christmas TV ads - effectively giving free plugs to various retailers. Perhaps the Beeb should embrace advertising as a regular revenue stream - as in their overseas service - instead of relying on the TV licence fee.

Watercolour by #SouthShields artist #GeorgeHorton valued at £400-£600 on tonight’s #AntiquesRoadshow.

Remembering my uncle Richard Young, who died in the fall of Singapore 83 years ago, aged 27. He lies with many of his fallen comrades at #KranjiWarCemetery. #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget

Today I have quit #O2 in protest over its unreasonable price hike from next April. I’ve switched to Lebara on a #MSE Exclusive Monthly Plan, saving me around £8 a month. Big thanks to @martinlewis.moneysavingexpert.com for calling out O2 for ripping off customers and raising issue with government.

Ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with Arsenal, @SAFC.com feature on the front cover of latest issue of @wsc.co.uk: “We’re nearly safe.”

Headline of the day: brilliant wordplay from #TheSun.

Changing scene: viewed from #SouthShields Market Place, the new college takes shape with the Grade II listed St Hilda’s Church (1811) in the foreground.

Spot the typo…@bbcnews.bsky.social

“Don’t know about you, Engelbert, but I’m sick of standing here waiting for that bloody ark.”

Cut above: Delighted to see another barber shop has opened at The Nook shopping centre, #SouthShields. It’s just a short walk from the nearby tattooist and nail bar.

Who cares? www.bbc.com/news/article...

The skyline looking north towards #SouthShields Market Place has changed dramatically in the five weeks between these shots as the new college rapidly takes shape.

@southshieldsfc.bsky.social 👍👏⚽️

Headline of the day: #TheSun and #DailyStar are on the same page with their nursery rhyme-inspired splash about #PrinceAndrew giving up his royal titles.

#Labour members of #SouthTynesideCouncil - including veteran leader #TraceyDixon - spent £7,526 on first-class train tickets in 2024 and almost as much - £7,294 - in the first half of 2025.

Roy Dwight scored one of Nottingham Forest’s goals in their 2-1 victory over Luton Town in the 1959 FA Cup Final. He was later carried off with a broken leg. Roy was Sir Elton John’s (aka Reg Dwight) COUSIN, not his uncle, as stated in Harry Pearson’s book The Farther Corner.

Does anybody else wonder where all the money comes from for some of the housing renovations on #HomesUnderTheHammer? Just saying…🏚️🏠💷

Couldn’t help noticing that the guy interviewed by #BBCNews about people running up debt with energy companies had FOUR Fender/Squier electric guitars on the wall and also a motor scooter. Did I miss something about how he might be able to pay off his debt?

Fascinating to see Cliff and the original line-up of The Shads in the 1959 #AlmaCogan live variety show on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social

The #TVlicence dates from 1946. “The #BBC must be funded by a model that is sustainable and fair to all those that are paying it. The forthcoming Charter Review…will consider a range of options for funding the BBC. We are thinking creatively about options for the future.” - DCMS (15/9/25)

Really looking forward to this. @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social #Cream

FLASHBACK: Roof tiles and exterior paint for major public buildings such as hospital and university projects were the speciality of #UnitcoAlBahrain, which appeared in the #GulfDailyNews Made In Bahrain feature in March 1988. #Bahrain

FLASHBACK: #BahrainBeddingFactory aims to open new king-sized premises. Another in the #GulfDailyNews #MadeInBahrain series (February 29, 1988). #Bahrain

Time to set the TV box to ‘record’ (if it still lets you do this) for this great bit of music nostalgia on ⁦‪@talkingpicturestv.bsky.social next Sunday (September 14). #Cream

FLASHBACK: Serviettes for #GulfAir and major #Bahrain hotels were among the paper tissue products manufactured by #MaskatiBrothers back in 1988. The company came under the spotlight in the #GulfDailyNews #MadeInBahrain feature.

FLASHBACK: #AwalPlastics, producer of #Bahrain road signs and car number plates, announces major expansion plans. The company was featured in the #GulfDailyNews #MadeInBahrain series back in 1988.

FLASHBACK: Continuing the look back at the #GulfDailyNews #MadeInBahrain series from 1988. #Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (#Balexco).

FLASHBACK: Another in the #GDNonline #MadeInBahrain series from 1988. #AluminiumBahrain #Alba

FLASHBACK: Almost 40.years ago the ⁦‪#GulfDailyNews ran a series of articles - #MadeInBahrain - focusing on key industries in #Bahrain. Here is the first: Gulf Petroleum Industries Company (GPIC). ⁦

In the 1980s whether it was on Tyneside or in the Gulf, those who built ships - or in this case traditional timber boats (dhows) - were determined to keep their skills alive. #GulfDailyNews #Bahrain

The sky seems ablaze as the sun sinks through the clouds. #SouthShieldsSunset

Hands up everyone who thinks this is an acceptable way for a responsible retailer to use a public footpath, intended to be used by people with buggies, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, etc. #Tesco #PrinceEdwardRoad #SouthShields.

Remembering my uncle Richard Young, who died in the fall of Singapore 83 years ago, aged 27. Although I never knew him, I was very proud to visit his grave in the immaculately-kept #KranjiWarCemetery, where he lies with so many of his fallen comrades. #VJDay.

Spotted a removals van bearing the words ‘Piano specialist’. Intrigued to know how such status is achieved. The famous Laurel & Hardy training film must be essential viewing. Or maybe the ‘Morecambe method’: shifting all the right pianos, but not necessarily in the right order.

Where those nice chaps at @wsc.co.uk think @safc.com will finish in the PL next season.

Latest weather forecast from #Chanel9: SCORCHIO!

Definitely a day for soaking up the sun. 🐞

Didn’t think bus stops were going to be high on the agenda of the powerful elected North East mayor. Meanwhile bus services are being scrapped. No good having swanky bus stops if there aren’t the services available for passengers.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant seems no bigger than a Lego model when viewed from #PenshawMonument.

It was the third of June another sleepy, dusty delta day…#BobbieGentry

I have been watching TV reruns of #DoctorWho featuring #JonPertwee as the third incarnation of the Time Lord. Despite the dodgy special effects, etc I must admit I find these old episodes much more enjoyable than the 2025 version.

Ha’way the Lads! 🐈‍⬛⚽️

Headline of the day: #DailyStar sums up the crisis at #ManchesterUnited in two words.

Gobsmacking to see #SouthShields mentioned in the very first line of #EltonJohn’s autobiography. This #Bluesology gig at the #Latino in 1967 obviously left a lasting impression on young #RegDwight.

When @SunderlandAFC and #SheffieldUnited meet at Wembley in the #EFLChampionship play-off, which team will get to wear their famous red and white stripes? Or will they both play in ‘away’ kit?