The Watcher

Apart from Welby's shocking lack of action over a paedophile QC (establishment cover-up possibly?), it should also be remembered that he personally supported Paula Vennells when she was amazingly on a shortlist of three to be Bishop of London!! This is despite her neglible previous priestly experience. Bishop Ball (whose twin brother was also Bishop Ball) was a convicted abuser who seemed to be a personal confidant of the former Prince of Wales who seems a very poor judge of character. A final point - it seems a surprise that abuser John Smyth QC was married with a family - did none of them ever realise what was happening as the abuse not only occurred on church camps but also in his house. He moved country twice as concerns were being raised - how did he explain these moves to his wife?

Natural history presenters seem to live long lives. Desmond Morris is 96 and David Attenborough is 98.

His mother outlives him aged 94.

Yesterday at Bletchley Park there was a reunion of 18 veterans. Their ages ranged from 97 to 'almost' 102.

Apparently the 'record' is 97 for someone to have a parent alive - quite incredible. The parent was 117.

Stories are usually (1) Pregnancy, (2) Bankruptcy, (3) New partner, (4) Break-up with partner, (5) Partner being unfaithful, (6) At nightclub with potential new boyfriend, (7) Drunk, (8) Promoting new book, clothing line, health product, online product, (9)Mucky mansion, (10) Harvey, (11) Her other children in glamorous photoshoots, (12) Mentioning former partners such as Peter Andre.

Barry Reed (Hampshire 1958-72) has died aged 86. 1937-2024. He used to open the batting with the exciting Roy Marshall & then briefly with the world class Barry Richards.

It is surprising to see how many female actors (aka actresses) who appeared in Alfred Hitchcock films are still alive. Here are some of the best known with their current ages: Eva Marie Saint (100) Tippi Hendren (94) Vera Miles (94) Kim Novak (91) Shirley MacLaine (90) Julie Andrews (88) Barbara Leigh Hunt (88)

Janis Paige has died aged 101. She performed for decades on Broadway & in Hollywood where she acted with Fred Astaire & Bob Hope. Obituaries state she was one of the "last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood."

Sir Oliver Popplewell has died aged 96. He played cricket for Cambridge University and was President of the MCC from 1994-96. His son, Nigel, played for Somerset for many seasons.

Thanks - I looked for Dr Who threads, Coronation Street, etc etc. I missed the news a few days ago - Election & D Day have dominated & now the search for Dr Moseley.

William Russell (one of many to marry Rita Fairclough in Coronation Street) has died aged 99 - 6 months short of his century. He was a dashing Sir Lancelot in the 50's & an original companion of Dr Who in 1963. When he had a cameo in Dr Who in 2022, it was the longest period between appearances for an actor playing the same role. It was 57 years between his last appearance in 1965 & his next one.

Online stats about WW2 veterans appear somewhat strange. Whereas there are a few links that state that the UK has less than 100 D -Day veterans still alive, there are more than one sites that state that the US still has about 119500 (!) WW2 veterans still alive. The oldest WW2 veteran still alive is a Romanian, Ilie Ciocan who is 111. (b 28/05/1913)

The BBC Radio series of The Lord of the Rings (1981) was a 26 part production which included some very well known actors of whom the following have died: Gerald Murphy Narrator (1948-2013) Sir Ian Holm Frodo (1931-2020) Sir Michael Hordern Gandalf (1911-1995) Sir Robert Stephens Aragorn (1931-1995) John le Mesurier Bilbo (1912-1983) Peter Woodthorpe Gollum (1931-2004) Jack May Theoden (1922-1997) Simon Cadell Celeborn (1950-1996) Peter Howell Saruman (1919-2015) Leonard Fenton Daddy Twofoot (1926-2022) Sean Arnold Proudfoot (1941-2020) James Grout Barliman Butterbur (1927-2012)

Ah but the film was on today in which she appeared - on Legend formerly known as Horror Channel. Not sure why it was mentioned a month ago although I know she has appeared in a French thread but many will not know she did not appear exclusively in French films. Also her birthday is next week.