Jack Scott's Blog, page 5

End of a Vera

I am bereft. After 14 series over 13 years, we’ve just watched the final two episodes of Vera, featuring the dishevelled and irascible detective from the fictitious Northumberland and City Police Force, played with great panache by the wonderful Brenda Blethyn. Based in and around England’s most northerly county, Vera blends the gritty streets of … Continue reading End of a Vera →

Wherever I May Roam

The last time I received a sexual health sales pitch from Britain’s favourite high street pharmacy, it was about erectile dysfunction. Bloody cheek, I thought. No floppy problem here at Pansy HQ, no siree. Not yet, anyway. The penny must’ve dropped with the caring people at Boots the Chemist because now they recommend ‘Roam’, a … Continue reading Wherever I May Roam →

Top of the Pansy Pops 2024

The 2024 top of the crop had a distinctly thespian theme – gays and the arts. Could it be any more of a cliché? Or maybe it just reflects a need for a distraction in worrying times. Who knows? Also thrown into the mix were celebrating the life of a dearly departed, a fond memory … Continue reading Top of the Pansy Pops 2024 →

Pruning the Pansies

You know you’re getting long in the tooth when Santa brings you a shiny new pair of secateurs for Christmas. It simply confirms my suspicion that old fairies don’t go disco dancing, they just end their days pruning the pansies at the bottom of the garden. That’ll be me, then. Actually, it just so happens … Continue reading Pruning the Pansies →

Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime?

Homelessness is a complex issue, and there are so many reasons why someone might find themselves without anywhere to live. But we live in a rich country and I can’t help thinking that the scourge of homelessness is worse than it needs to be. I’m not given to petty envy. I’ve nothing against the wealthy … Continue reading Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime? →

Pantos and Parties

Storm Darragh barrelling across angry skies couldn’t keep us from our annual panto and party pre-Christmas pilgrimage to The Smoke. The London Palladium pantomime this year is Robin Hood, starring the outrageous queen of high and low camp, Julian Clary, and his usual cast of merrie men and women. The vocal act is Jane McDonald … Continue reading Pantos and Parties →

Flight, Fight or Fancy

A couple of likely lads in football kit were sitting at the bar. They kept looking across. We couldn't think why at first. Usually this means one of two things – fight or fancy. Had we pulled? Fat chance at our age.

Getting the Abbey Habit

We interrupted our recent theatrical pilgrimage to old London Town to have a gander around Westminster Abbey. Regular viewers will know I’m a sucker for an old ecclesiastical pile and King (and Saint) Edward the Confessor’s ‘West Minster’ is arguably the most famous ecclesiastical pile in the realm.

Beer is All Around

Boisterous but good-humoured, it turns out the hairy merry men had parachuted in from the North Sea gas rigs. And the hard-drinking riggers were hell-bent on spreading the love by offering Sambuca shots to everyone from a loaded tray. How could we refuse?

Ghost Post

Apologies for the ghost post, folks. A slip of the wrist. Normal services will resume soon! 🙂