PHILINFRANCE

I had to check, and I see this was released in 1975. I must say, I really can't remember it - luckily, it would seem.

Wow, she sounds just as bad as Kyrgios, that aggressive Australian chap. Better than spitting, though, I suppose.

I got the connection between Wigan and Northern Soul (Chosen Few), but am stumped on 'standing ovation'.

Not only Germany, but France also, both of whom run National rail services that are clean, comfortable, efficient and extremely good value for money - State subsidised, it has to be said, in so far as it concerns France. Mind you, they can afford it as they make healthy profits from their investments in British rail services, amongst other UK investments such as electricity and nuclear power, not to mention construction of rolling stock, awarded contracts at the expense of existing British contractors, resulting in large UK redundancies - think Bombardier in Derby.

And a pier ?.

In fact, I have just checked, and the ticket I mentioned is 9€ per month, and includes all public transportation, including buses, trams, underground etc. Incredible value.

Germany have recently (1 May) introduced a 9€ rail ticket for travel throughout Germany (high speed {TGV type} trains excluded). Imagine that, Munich to Hamburg for 9€.

I know it was discussed at the time, but does anybody know whether Cardiff were actually invoiced for repairs to the damaged toilets and, if so, whether they settled the invoice?

He certainly seems to have had an interesting life and, similar to Curtis Fleming, battled through adversity and a less than privileged childhood, presumably forging a strong character; both played with or were managed by Nigel Pearson, so he (NP) and CF will be aware of his character and how he is likely to fit in with the coaching team and the players. On a slight tangent, I found it quite amusing how, just as NP's encounter with some wild dogs in the Carpathian mountains metamorphosed in to him being attacked by a pack of wolves and only escaping with his life by gouging out the eye of one wolf whist breaking the jaw of another, the background to Jason Euell's fight with a colleague whilst perched on a branch over a river/stream on Wimbledon Common changes dependent upon which version you read. So he challenges them, making sure there is no slacking, and drawing on his Crazy Gang days. Euell and another apprentice, Shaun Fleming, once failed to clean the dressing room properly, blamed the other, so the first team decided to establish the guilty party with a duel. “On Wimbledon Common there’s a little river and there’s a branch across the stream, and we are both sitting on this and we have to try and slap each other off. It’s like Gladiators. Whoever falls in loses.” It was some environment. He recalls the time he was upbraided by the senior players after he and another youngster had made a mistake in training that led to a goal being conceded. The pair were told they had to acknowledge which one of them was at fault. When they kept schtum in solidarity, they were ordered to go out on to Wimbledon Common, where there was a stream with a branch across it. This they were obliged to straddle and, egged on by the entire first team, take turns slapping each other until one of them fell into the water.

I was too slow to edit, but this will no doubt cheer you (@TomF) up: Simon Harmer claimed Championship-best figures of 15 for 207 as Essex clinched a thoroughly enjoyable match by 12 runs, but Hampshire have reason for considerable pride. Everything was tilted against them, not just Harmer, in his element on a turning pitch, but some borderline umpiring decisions and unfortunate ball changes. https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/county-championship-division-one-2022-1297650/essex-vs-hampshire-36th-match-1297735/match-report-3

Eric Dehn was, indeed, a lovely man. In addition to being my form Master, he also taught me French, and I recall that prior to both 'O' and 'A' level exams, he invited me to his flat in Clifton to practise my oral presentations - this was, of course, during the Summer holidays, so he was giving up his free time. I met his wife at their flat, and I just recall her bringing us soft drinks to sustain us.

Yep, won by 12 runs. Harmer seems to take a lot of wickets at Chelmsford, yet, as far as I am aware, their pitch is not criticised. Taunton, however....

I have been watching the Essex/Hants game on and off, and I see that our (@TomF's) friend Harmer has now taken his sixth wicket! - at a rate of almost six an over - I reckon that I could still bowl 20 or so overs of filth, and still pick up a few boundary catches, but that would surely not make me a good bowler. It now seems likely that Essex will win this match, but there just seems something wrong with a Championship pitch being prepared to result in a three day finish, even it is relatively high scoring.

I assumed it was a play on words - Daktari.

If that was their route, I hope they found some time to have a quick trip arouund the town - it's a beautiful place.

From the Derby forum ?. Typical, isn't it? All these agents sapping the game dry, and the one time an agent puts money into a club he gets punished for it. I wonder if Quantuma were aware of this breach of the Agents' Code of Practice.

Personally, I have never heard of her, so have no idea whether she is any good or not. If I may say so, however, your comment is crass.

I think I must have got confused - RP? was, of course, Tony Warren (don't ask me to explain the connection between TW and RP!), although TW was certainly a keen bird watcher, as was another Housemaster of the time, Derek Lucas. JE was Jonathan Edwards. My first visit to Film Club was to see Roman Polanski's Rosemary's Baby, and I must say it went right over my head.

When you said he was a biology teacher, I thought it must have been RC. He was, as you say, a very nice man; he taught me biology in my first and second years, but never coached me rugby - I was in Metcalfe's House. I knew it wouldn't have been Eric the Dane or Aubrey Harris - did the latter ever teach you? - but thought it might have been JE, who was a geography Master and also a Housemaster, and was also involved in an unfortunate incident during an end of term pupils/masters football match that I organised. A propos Eric Dehn and Aubrey Harris, I was fortunate enough to have them both as Housemasters, and I must say that both were fantastic teachers and mentors. Finally, and so as to not digress from the original thread, I actually watched this film in school, although I can't remember whether it was in an English class or in Film Club, run by yet another Housemaster, RP, who now organises birdwatching trips I believe.

Wait just a few minutes, I want to try and guess. Was he also a housemaster?

Wow, that is quite a statement. I have never met you or Divvy, but, like many on here I am sure, know that you are a staunch Rovers supporter and that the late Divvy was a similarly staunch City supporter, with a somewhat colourful past if the various stories are believed. It is quite revealing and uplifting to read that team rivalries can be overcome in such good spirit, and this was, of course, more than twenty years ago, when rivalries were still quite intense.

What a horrible school you both attended! I am intrigued as to the identity of the sports master, I can only think of one who might fit the bill - a geography master, although he was actually a very nice man.

And a very clever response from LW-M.

Hmmm. Not exactly. @pongo88 was like your 'funny guy' ?. I am sure you would enjoy this why not see if the club can offer you an hospitality package, eg a pint in the Merchants Arms followed by a pie from the Clarks Pie van? but you should not consider it as VIP Hospitality ?. Best to check on the Club site. Good Luck with your trip.