Casbah provided architect with inspiration for centre – Remember The Tricorn


The Tricorn, in my opinion it was the ugliest building on the planet, although it was only rated third ugliest building in Britain.

From Wikipedia

The Casbah (Arabic: قصبة‎, qaṣba, meaning citadel (fortress)) is specifically the citadel of Algiers in Algeria and the traditional quarter clustered around it. More generally, a kasbah is the walled citadel of many North African cities and towns.

The architect, Owen Luder,  may have had a casbah in mind when he designed the Tricorn but my memories of the reality are very mixed.

I visited the Tricorn Club on numerous occasions, even the Radio 1 club when it was held there. Most Saturdays my wife and I would visit the market. We visited the The Bell, the pub that was hidden deep in the bowels of the warren beneath the car parks. I also remember visiting the Indian restaurant.

But I have to say that the overpowering memory was of a very cold and windy structure and the stench of stale urine. A long way from a casbah.

It didn’t take very long for the structure to degrade and it looked awful especially once the water staining of the side panels took hold. I have heard it called “concrete cancer”.

All in all the Tricorn was a total disaster

Portsmouth does not have a very good record for presenting itself to visitors. There is the Centaur Street “Prison Wall” on the left as you come down the M275 then you are led round to where the Tricorn used to stand. A dismal building replaced by a bland car park. And lets not forget about Portsdown Park, the disastrous housing development that cost Portsmouth a fortune to build, maintain and then demolish.

There seems to be a bit of a theme running here.
Casbah provided architect with inspiration for centre – Remember When – Portsmouth News.

Russell Brand: Addiction is an illness not a crime


Addiction should be treated as a health problem rather than a criminal matter, comedian Russell Brand has told a committee of MPs.

The 36-year-old former heroin addict described addiction as an “illness” and said that those suffering from it should be treated with “compassion”.

He advocated an “abstinence-based recovery” approach, telling MPs this was how he overcame his addiction to drugs, which he said was caused by emotional, psychological and spiritual difficulties.

He said he thought the money spent on arresting drug addicts would be better spent on treating them, as he gave evidence to the Home Affairs Committee on 24 April 2012, as part of its inquiry into drugs policy.

Brand may well be right that addicts should receive treatment rather than be arrested and locked up. But that doesn’t address the real problem.

Drugs is big business and all the while it is lucrative to the criminal elements then there will be people willing to supply to the weak-willed who are willing to buy.

We still need a solution to the source and supply of drugs in this country. Only then will the cost of addiction be reduced. Whether it be by reducing the number of addicts arrested for the crimes they commit trying to fund their habit or by reducing the number of addicts that end up in our hospitals as a result of bad drugs, overdoses or drug related illnesses.

BBC – Democracy Live – Russell Brand: Addiction is an illness not a crime.

It’s A Beautiful Day


Radio Paradise just turned a dull afternoon into a beautiful one by playing Don & Dewey by It’s A Beautiful Day.

I know it’s 60’s rock but so, so good. The title refers to Rock & Roll duo Don “Sugarcane” Harris & Dewey Terry

What a blast.

Scaffolding collapses on to six vehicles in Southsea – Local – Portsmouth News


Given the winds that are battering Hampshire at the moment it’s hardly surprising that some folks are experiencing some damage to property. Having jst heard about this I am pleased that nobody was hurt.

RESIDENTS have told of their shock after scaffolding attached to a hotel collapsed and crushed six cars.

High winds tore the structure from the side of the Best Western Royal Beach Hotel, in St Helen’s Parade, Southsea, causing the scaffolding to crash on to vehicles in Alhambra Road.

Part of the hotel’s balcony also came down with the scaffolding.

Luckily no one was hurt in the incident, which happened at about 8am today. The four storey, 120 bed roomed hotel, is fully booked.

Apparently help was on hand.

A group of firefighters from across the country who were staying at the hotel for a training course were immediately on scene to see if they could be of any assistance.

Scaffolding collapses on to six vehicles in Southsea – Local – Portsmouth News.

Flying Burrito Brothers Bassist Dies


Yet another artist from the late  60’s has passed away.

Chris Ethridge, bass guitarist with The Flying Burrito Brothers, died following complications from pancreatic cancer at the age of 65.

During a long career Ethridge, in addition to playing with the Flying Burrito Brothers, worked as a session musician. During those stints he worked with such names as Judy Collins, Leon Russell, Johnny Winter, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt, The Byrds, Jackson Browne and Willie Nelson with whom he toured for many years.

It seems appropriate to play this at this time

And take a look at the full band here

Chris Ethridge obituary: Bassist in Flying Burrito Brothers dies – latimes.com.

Mill is set to get new lease of life – What A Bargain


The mill is believed to date back to 1728, and there were originally two tidal mills battling to grind wheat and oats on the peninsula.

It was previously used as a tidal mill until 1935, making it the last working tidal mill in Sussex before it was pressed into service to build and repair naval boats during the Second World War.

There is something really strange that such a property, in such an attractive location, should be sold for such an amazingly small sum !!!

In an unusual move, no reserve price was put on the Grade II-listed brick-and-timber property at Birdham Pool Marina, Chichester Harbour when it went for auction.

With a zero reserve, bidding was fast and furious, and the gavel came down on a final bid of £62,000.

The potential for this property is out of this world even with the peculiarities of the British planning laws.

I am mystified.

Mill is set to get new lease of life – Local Business – Portsmouth News.

It’s St. Georges Day – Why Isn’t This A National Holiday For England ?



He is the Patron Saint Of England. His cross has been adopted as the flag of England and is the core of the Union Flag. Yet few celebrate St. Georges day. There are parades held around the country but the most people are at work.

The shameful fact is that more people will take the time to celebrate St Patrick’s day than will bother with St Georges day.

St Georges day should be the day that we celebrate the actions of members of UK forces and other extraordinary ordinary folks around the UK. It’s time our government helped generate some patriotism.

England’s saint is brought to life at events – Lifestyle – Portsmouth News.

Keith Moon To Play Olympics ???


According to this Planet Rock article, the organisers of this summers olympics approached Who manager Bill Curbishley to see if drummer Keith Moon would like to play at one of the musical events.
Keith Moon Asked To Play Olympics | Rock News | News | Planet Rock.

I emailed back saying Keith now resides in Golders Green crematorium, having lived up to the Who’s anthemic line “I hope I die before I get old”,

said Curbishley

If they have a round table, some glasses and candles, we might contact him