Nedemus Grandage

Historian in search of the ultimate source; sometime political pundit/DJ/tune-sweep; sound- landscape designer; non-devout sceptic; occasionally opinionated

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@elladorn_ Particular fun if you were Woodrow Wyatt MP. This, on 7 May 1947:

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@allanholloway @RichardToye Thanks. Indeed, a future Labour Cabinet minister, on Left-, anti-EEC wing, Peter Shore

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@allanholloway @RichardToye 1948-49. Symbolic but quite sweeping ending of many restrictive wartime economic -- mainly trade, licensing, commodity -- measures. The Tories joked that Wilson had adopted their own, more free market, policy.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@RichardToye Wasn't "the bonfire of controls" a later slogan, when Wilson was at Board of Trade & Tories managing to capitalise on unpopularity of controls, rationing, etc? The Labour 'order' theme, effective in 1945, was becoming a negative straitjacket, leading to election defeat, 1951.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@RichardToye Stability theme. In 1945, risk of allowing profiteers. 'The Labour Party stands for order as against the chaos which would follow the end of all public control. We stand for order, for positive constructive progress as against the chaos of economic do-as-they-please anarchy.'

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@redhistorian True educational idealism. Also in BBC DG, William Haley's words on start of Third Prog, 1946: 'Its whole content will be directed to an audience that is not of one class but that is perceptive & intelligent. In declaring these standards the BBC realises that it is aiming high.'

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@RichardToye Butler, featured candidate for Saffron Walden in his 20s, was helped by his uncle, Geoffrey Butler, MP for Cambridge University, & financially by Courtauld in-laws, who also bought house for him in constituency, aware of prejudice against carpet-baggers. Rab held seat until 1965.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@petepaphides Stuart Colman, Shaky's producer, had organised demo to BBC, calling for more R'n'R music to be played. Then given his own R1 show. Later, presented Echoes, great muso forum, on BBC Radio London. After late-period Billy Fury & Shaky, went to Nashville, producing Nanci Griffith.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@FXMC1957 Hitchcock film based on Patrick Hamilton (creator of Gaslight) play, first staged in London, 1929, just 5 years after the real-life event. Play set in Mayfair, film in NYC. In 1939, it was televised 'live' on BBC TV. Jimmy Stewart figure was, in play, world-weary WW1 survivor.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@rcscribbler The feminised version of Wayward Wind, as sung by Patsy Cline (with distant backing from The Jordanaires, Elvis' celestial echoes) gives the song a much slower & more melancholy resonance. Very different emotions. https://t.co/7iYPbJrKaG

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@LazardQueen https://t.co/pus4rJyBgp

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@richardmarcj Undoubtedly true. But didn't he go far in tempering his own Bevanite Leftist firebrand stance by joining Wilson Gov in 1974, toeing pragmatist line over next 5 years & serving as bridge with trade union movement, trying to enforce moderation & 'social contract'-style inclusivism?

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@PPFIdeas @glgerstle V. thoughtful series. But glaring omission in discussing landmark US elections? Saliently, 2000, Bush v Gore. Not just v. contentious & only resolved weeks later by Supreme Court. Also, ideological showdown & policy implications in early millennium. Any chance of extra edition?

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@daisyldixon It's almost the final paragraph (on penultimate page), but does feel like a fitting end framing after brilliant first para: Dodie Smith's 'I Capture the Castle'. Gloriously explodes any pretence to auteur theory in its honest, playful self-effacement. No trace of self-hating.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@PennieAlan82546 @sundersays True. He wished to assume & respect Profumo's honour as a sometime officer & lambasted Hailsham's moralistic onslaught. Paget's idiosyncrasies as parliamentarian were highlighted in Guardian obit, 'The People's Squire', January 1990.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@PennieAlan82546 @sundersays More a hardened maverick, particularly as Lab shire huntsman. Stridently abolitionist on capital punishment. Yet opposed Wilson Gov & aligned with Tories on Rhodesia, against UN call for sanctions post-UDI. Survived deselection various times, overcoming local critics with charm.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@TheRegencyCook If TARDIS were to linger in thrall at Angel Inn, after wholesale demolition, but pre-construction of India/Bush House: on this site were Eagle Hut units, hospitality meals,temp housing for US servicemen,1917-19. Great aerial view. Thanks to Flickr posters: https://t.co/RfXwEE8XDs

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@rcscribbler 1970 R1 in very weird phase. JW, soon after end of postwar 9am Housewives/Family Choice Gramophone Dept mainstay of show tunes/crooners, played great slow album tracks by Neil Young & Tim Rose. But also featuring throwback 'Housewife of the Day'. Schizoid music radio at its best.

[Nedemus Grandage @Retrograder25]

@allanholloway @RichardToye @UniofExeter @BristolUni WSC attacked C's 'political honesty' at devaluation:'Ordinary people find it difficult to understand how a Minister, with all his knowledge&reputation for integrity, should have felt it right to turn completely round, like a squirrel in its cage, abandon his former convictions..'