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Thank you Vic! The interview went very well, and I now have a couple of further assignments. The magazine will be launching before the next Grand Prix in Belgium, and the first edition will feature some interesting stuff. I shall keep you posted!

Keith; a friend of mine claims another story about the Monkey. He reckons - and he says he's researched this - the bell that signalled the end of shift at the nearby pit was known, for reasons yet to be fathomed, as 'The Monkey bell'; the Barrington was the place they would all head to for a pint, so it became known as 'The Monkey'. I'll ask him for his sources for you.

To the small percentage of you who enjoy Formula One and motor sport in general, it may interest you that I have been asked to contribute to a new website, due to launch in a couple of weeks time. http://www.pitlanemagazine.com is not going to be a news-based site, but one that is feature-led. We will be running interviews with figures from the sport, past and present, as well as opinion based articles, insight pieces, behind the scenes stuff and general historical features (for which yours truly will be responsible). It is a brave new venture that looks extremely promising, and I am honoured to have been asked to contribute, the Editor having cited my work elsewhere as being inspirational in his quest to get the site up and running. I am aware it has limited appeal, although there are millions of fans out there, but for the record, my first assignment is to interview none other than Sir Jackie Stewart, an arrangement I believe shows the commitment and potential the editorial team have for the future. I shall let you know when things are up and running!

Interesting; a quick google returns this entry.... Haunted Hotels in North West England www.nightsinthepast.com/haunted_hotels_north_west.htmlShare Originally a manor house and nunnery, Hartford Hall is situated in the village of the ... Otherworldly residents include a grey lady known affectionately as "Lady ... However, that Hartford Hall is not our Hartford Hall! I must say I have an interest in such things, and have read many books on the subject, and have never come across a mention of Hartford Hall. (BTW, how are you these days? We used to be acquainted some years ago, Northumberland Arms, I am the legendary Deaf Steve....)

Hartford Hall Grey Lady Ghost? You sure you're not getting mixed up with Delaval Hall, Keith?

The very poor fitting suits.

But just on Canny Lass's post, though; I can't see it on mine, and I assume I too have 0 warning posts!

Thursday is always a bit of a blow out for me, Malcolm!

Malcolm, I have little idea but would guess it started out as something like a Model K

Keith, I know the area well! My brother still resides close to that very location.

All good points, keith. By the way, where in Cheshire were you at boarding school? I ask as I grew up in Cheshire.

Ford of some sort......

I'd like to chuck a little something in here, and I may be at odds with some of what has already been said, or may be repeating bits. The thing is, most of the youngsters I meet these days are great. Those that set fire to things for a laugh are very much in the minority. There has always been a small proportion of people who do this sort of thing. There always will be. They are the idiots who spoil things for everyone else. I agree with Malcolm that they will, if caught, be given little more than a slap on the wrist, and therein lies the problem.

I have the misfortune of my main client banking with RBS. An invoice paid last Thursday has still not made it into my account.

Motor Cycle racing related so on topic: when I was a kid I got up one morning and found Phil Read (multiple world champion) and another - have forgotten who it was - playing with my train set and eating marmalade on toast. My father had taken them out to the pub the night before and brought them back. This was in the days when the Transatlantic series ran at Oulton Park, at Easter I think. Dad was a motor sports journo for the Telegraph, among others.

Met him a few times myself Foxy, and he is a lovely bloke.

I think where art is concerned there is a wide gulf in personal tastes, but where Emin is concerned I have yet to hear of anyone other than a so called 'expert' who actually rates her work. I don't subscribe to the 'art must challenge' view of things but to the 'art must appeal' side of it. I think her work half baked and very boring.

Finally, we're good at something......

Good luck John! Give Craig a good kicking for me while you're at it mate!

World of Sport, Saturday afternoon, those were the days......

For the younger members, he was a masked wrestler who was famously 'unmasked' in one legendary bout, just as I was last night! Yes, some intrepid detective work by none other than Foxy and Malcolm resulted in these two esteemed gents correctly identifying me in the Red Lion! I think the grey hair, glasses and attendant laptop did it for me! The subsequent few beers and genial chat were much enjoyed - it was well past my bed time when I got home! Nice to meet you chaps, here's to doing so again. ps.. we should make this is a sport - 'identify the forum member'......

Is there demand for another one?

I think Paul should make sure this little snippet of information goes viral. Seriously, this is the sort of news item that gets a place on breakfast news programmes. The effect could be a major increase in sales thanks to the 'bad' publicity. Anyone else up for putting a 'Great Book Banned by Local Radio' item to saturate facebook and such?

Welcome Hardy. As a classic car enthusiast I am also a Mini fan (owned 7,but never a Cooper) and in my contributions to a supercar and classic website included the Cooper in an 'Affordable Classic Car' wanted list... here http://www.thecarlabs.com/most-wanted-classic-cars-part-1/

And I always thought he was a Yank!