Author Archives: odeboyz

An Irish painter by the name of Murphy was a gifted portrait artist

Posted on June 16, 2017 by odeboyz

Murphy’s fame grew rapidly and soon people from all over Ireland to get him to paint their likenesses. One day, a beautiful young English woman arrived at his house in a stretch limo and asked if he would paint her … Continue reading →

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The Sledgehammer and the Scalpel: Hamburg 1943 and Amiens 1944

Posted on June 16, 2017 by odeboyz

Introduction The Germans achieved a stupendous military victory in the summer of 1940 leaving Britain isolated behind the English Channel, which acted as a ‘moat’. It quickly became apparent the Germans couldn’t invade Britain and vice versa. A military impasse … Continue reading →

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Peter Crouch: Stoke City superstar

Posted on June 13, 2017 by odeboyz

“…Peter Crouch is essentially a humorous player, a 6ft 7in (2 metres) centre forward made of elastic bands and old deckchair parts who resembles less a real-life Premier League all-star than a satirical cartoon of an English footballer produced by … Continue reading →

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The honey bee’s demise

Posted on June 13, 2017 by odeboyz

Well I never! Is that a stinger – stuck in my arm, no less? I resent this unjust ingress into my innocent flesh. Did I wrong the creature? “Not guilty, Your Honour! It was not I who breached the rules … Continue reading →

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A Compassionate Irishman

Posted on June 9, 2017 by odeboyz

Paddy phones an ambulance because his mate’s been hit by a car. Paddy: ‘Get an ambulance here quick, he’s bleeding from his nose and I tink both his legs are broken.’ Operator: ‘What is your location sir?’ Paddy: ‘Outside number … Continue reading →

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The tragic death of Martin Walker: a Hackney Dustman

Posted on June 9, 2017 by odeboyz

I first met Martin in 1977 when I was foreman plumber at the Defoe Road depot in Stoke Newington, Hackney. He was a plumbers mate on my team. He wasn’t a skilled man but he was essential to us plumbers … Continue reading →

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Nice people don’t become Nazis: Dorothy Thompson 1941

Posted on June 6, 2017 by odeboyz

Kind, good, happy, gentlemanly, secure people never go Nazi. They may be the gentle philosopher whose name is in the Blue Book, or Bill from City College to whom democracy gave a chance to design airplanes—you’ll never make Nazis out … Continue reading →

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Donald J Trump: The ego has landed

Posted on June 6, 2017 by odeboyz
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EVENTUALLY, IT COMES TO US ALL.

Posted on June 6, 2017 by odeboyz

Rat-A-Tat the door knocker sang The Caretaker, looked concerned Can you come with me I think we have a deaden? Eight thirty, the flats were quiet Where to I asked? – Eighth floor, Was his simple reply -we got to … Continue reading →

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The MCC, social-class and English Cricket in the 1960s

Posted on June 2, 2017 by odeboyz

The MCC* ruled English cricket with an iron fist in the 1960s. County cricket administrators were a version of the MCC, using their social-class and status as Gentlemen to control cricket. Professional cricketers were regarded as social inferiors because they … Continue reading →

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