There's a man I know.........

On the 10th December three middleaged men from Stratton relived their youth in a dodgy venue in Birmingham!

This years blog is ending as I begun, feeling a little older by the day. But what a way to be reminded that the band that once seemed so new and produced a soundtrack for many a blokey dance have been around for thirty years. I last saw Madness in 1985 (when they had already been around for five years or so). And when they bounded onto stage and Chaz Smash started "Don't watch that watch this!" it was as if the years fell away.... a room packed with aging blokes (and a few reluctant women), many wearing a trilby or fez, began to sing/shout every word of 'One step Beyond', 'Embarrassment', 'My Girl' and a host of other classics as if they were hits only yesterday.

Seeing lots of meanacing, heaviliy tatooed ex--skinheads singing 'It Must Be Love' and 'For the Wings of a Dove' at the top of their voices was a joy to behold.

This was the most entertaining of gigs!

The Taylors at Christmas.....

As with last year we decided not to do a 'round robin' letter. Anyone who is vaguely interested in our 'funny little family' here in Cirencester will be directed to this blog.

The big event of 2009 was undoubtedly the arrival of little Eliza Thora on 14th May. She has been an absolute little star and has been a constant source of entertainment with a really smiley face and arms and legs that do not stop moving. Bess is the apple of her eye and vice versa. Eliza was christened in September.

The second big event was Lal's 40th birthday. The day itself was an excuse to drive around the Cotswolds in a classic car......then there was a visit to an open air cinema for Lal and her girly friends............and then a garden party at Number 8.

Bess continues to develop into a four year old teenager. She continually surprises, amuses and frustrates us in equal measure. She experienced her first real snow this February and her fourth birthday in October.

Apart from that other exciting events have been the arrival of new windows in our old house....oh the excitement never stops! It is very odd living here without the curtains billowing or the inside temperature dropping below zero every night.

We've been to see some bands this year The Killers, Girls Aloud, Jay-Z and Coldplay , Madness and Aha,

Then there was 'Strictly Come Dancing'........if you're fan then you'll know all about our dopplegangers (the other Ali and Brian) who were cruelly denied a place in the final. Ali had some fun detailing 'Ali and Brian's' progress. Of course if you're more of an X Factor person, this is all pretty irrelevant, but its worth having a look at the photos.......

We've done our usual trips to the coast at Salcombe, Swanage, Isle of Wight and Brighton. Whilst the weather hasn't been great this year we had enough sun to spend some time on the beach.

Scarily, Brian realised that he has been in Cirencester for twenty years this year, which must make him somewhere near a local now. In a failed bid to recapture his youth Brian also grew a moustache....only for 31 days and it was for charity! For the 'Wheatsheaf Hospital C' skittles team it was a year of two halves finishing near the bottom of the division at the end of the 2008/9 season (avoiding relegation only because there was nowhere lower to go), but riding high at the top of the division halfway through the 2009/10 season. Watch out for highlights on BBC3 in the new year.

But enough of our drivel......have a browse around the blog and it will fill you in if you want to know more. Thank you for watching and have a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2010!

The Taylors

Movender

At last the longest month ever is over and I am once again clean shaven. Despite having once sported a dodgy moustache in my youth (and looking at some old photos it clearly did not suit me then) I have never felt so self concious. I found myself holding my hand over my mouth every time someone looked at me...which is a bit difficult sitting through two Planning Committee meetings in front of 15 Councillors and a load of members of the public!

However, all the comparisons to Jason King, Rufus Hound, Inigo Montoya, Mr Rusty off of the Magic Roundabout, D'Artagnan and the lead singer off of Metallica were worth it as I raised over £200 (and rising) for The Prostrate Cancer Charity. Many thanks to those of you that donated on-line and many thanks to those at Monkton park who donated around £40 and two kind ladies today said they weren't going to send Christmas cards at work and would donate £10 each to the fund....thanks everyone.

Going......


...gone! (Hooray!)

Top again!

Well, what can we say?


Here's what Bruno had to say - "Ali must unleash an animal aspect to her personality to be able to win the show"


Ali's reply was - "Woof woof!"