Emailing the Gazette …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’m listening to a song.

Well …

You’d probably guessed I’d be listening to something, hadn’t you … ?

But I just literally had a browse through my iTunes library, to find that I still had a copy of Elegia, by New Order: originally written to commemorate the late Ian Curtis, the band’s lead singer, back when they were still called Joy Division.

It is — along with Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, Killing Joke’s Love Like Blood, White Noise’s Black Mass: An Electric Storm In Hell, Spellbound by Siouxsie and the Banshees, Soft Cell’s version of Say Hello Wave Goodbye, The Psychedelic Furs Pretty in Pink and Ghosts by Japanº — possibly one of the most beautiful pieces of music I think I’ve heard.

Go google for them.

I hope you enjoy them …

»»•««

At any rate, I thought I’d tell about emails, tonight.

Well …

One I’ve sent …

And — bless — one I’ve had, from one of my Teaser regulars, Debbi.

Let’s get Debbi’s out of the way, shall we … ?

She’s been reading up about the various bits and bobs going on with Brentwood’s library.

And sent this to me, earlier.

Hi Paul,

I hope you don't mind my emailing you directly with this idea. It’s occurred to me that your libraries have been suffering budget problems. This may be affecting their ability to acquire new fiction. I have many copies of my first novel that I’ve been keeping on inventory for direct sales or giveaways. I’d be more than willing to donate copies to your libraries. Do you think this would interest them?

I’m asking you since you seem to be so involved in the issue and in keeping your library going.

If there’s a central point of contact for libraries in the UK, I could let them know I'm willing to provide for any and all takers.

I could also contact various authors I know here in the U.S. who might be interested in donating their books, too. I'm just brainstorming at this point, but it seemed like an opportunity for a win-win, you know?

Best,

Debbi

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m not sure quite how Essex Library service will deal with that!

Neither, bless her, did Councillor Chilvers, when I let her know.

However, I did let Debbi know that the best person to get in touch with is — of course — ECC’s Libraries and Culture Director, Susan Carragher.

Actually, now I’ve mention the good director … ?

She’s got back to me, earlier, after I’d sent my email about the opening hours.

Seemingly, she

“ … will feed your comments into the ongoing consultation and would like to assure you that we will consider all feedback carefully before reaching a conclusion.

Thank you for taking the time to respond.”

Ahem!

»»•««

Right …

NEXT!!

Next of course, is the reason I started this post in the first place.

I’ve emailed the Gazette, again, after seeing this little article …

Living on a street named after an sports journalist …

Well …

Here …

Dear Sir,

Hold on, wait a minute …

Brentwood is “yet to have a street named after on of its high profile contemporary residents” … ?

Hold on.

How about one of its dead ones … ?

Now I couldn’t swear to this, but I’m sure one of the block of flats on my street is named after Frank Bruno: I could be wrong, there, but I sure one of my neighbours could tell you otherwise.

But each of them is named after a contemporary sports-person: I’m in a block named after a racing driver, to give you an example.

There’s a reason for that.

I live on Rollason Way: named after the late sports reporter — and Brentwood resident — Helen Rollason.

OK, granted, she’s not that well remembered by younger residents, but I’m sure someone must have noticed the name on a map of Brentwood, and maybe made the connection … ?

As for prospective celebrity road names … ?

I hate to sound picky, here.

But isn’t there a tradition that roads and streets are named after dead people associated with an area … ?

I’m sure that’s the case.

As such … ?

Why on earth haven’t we named a street after the late, great, Douglas Adams … ?

He was educated in Brentwood, after all.

Yours,

Here’s hoping THAT get’s published: I’m getting groupies* accosting me in the street.

To complain …

* Blokes, mostly: I’d commit metaphorical murder for a Plaster-Caster … !

º That little list should give people a lot to argue, debate and discuss. Hopefully …