Chris Ponting
@chrisponting.bsky.social
Formerly known as Sporting_chin.
Cheese, beer, tripe.
Sharing Arthur Hirst’s 1947 diary.
If you’re looking for Professor Chris Ponting of the University of Edinburgh, you’ll find him at @cgatist.bsky.social
Cheese, beer, tripe.
Sharing Arthur Hirst’s 1947 diary.
If you’re looking for Professor Chris Ponting of the University of Edinburgh, you’ll find him at @cgatist.bsky.social
Barry’s being s bit of a poser this evening. The things you’ll do for food.
December 6, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Barry’s being s bit of a poser this evening. The things you’ll do for food.
When you’ve got a hit charity record to record at 7, and a herd of Frisians to milk at 8. #totp #DoTheyKnowItsChristmas
December 5, 2025 at 11:56 PM
When you’ve got a hit charity record to record at 7, and a herd of Frisians to milk at 8. #totp #DoTheyKnowItsChristmas
Watching #totp and realising how lucky I was to be 13 in 1984. While trying forget the threat of nuclear destruction that seemed to hang over everything at the time.
December 5, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Watching #totp and realising how lucky I was to be 13 in 1984. While trying forget the threat of nuclear destruction that seemed to hang over everything at the time.
Friday 5th December 1947
Dark but not bad.
I to Whiteley’s after leaving suit SALTER’S to be cleaned and pressed.
Lunch Notting Hill Gate. Hospital 2 til 3 for treatment.
#1947Diary
Dark but not bad.
I to Whiteley’s after leaving suit SALTER’S to be cleaned and pressed.
Lunch Notting Hill Gate. Hospital 2 til 3 for treatment.
#1947Diary
December 5, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Friday 5th December 1947
Dark but not bad.
I to Whiteley’s after leaving suit SALTER’S to be cleaned and pressed.
Lunch Notting Hill Gate. Hospital 2 til 3 for treatment.
#1947Diary
Dark but not bad.
I to Whiteley’s after leaving suit SALTER’S to be cleaned and pressed.
Lunch Notting Hill Gate. Hospital 2 til 3 for treatment.
#1947Diary
Reposted by Chris Ponting
This short film about Yello's "Oh Yeah" is a delight: two old Swiss friends with no agenda except to immerse themselves in weirdness and have a gas.
Rolling Stone Shorts: 'OH YEAH'
YouTube video by Rolling Stone
www.youtube.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This short film about Yello's "Oh Yeah" is a delight: two old Swiss friends with no agenda except to immerse themselves in weirdness and have a gas.
I had to pop out for a pint, so I’ve popped in for a pint.
December 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I had to pop out for a pint, so I’ve popped in for a pint.
The perfect storm of a new air fryer and 3 for 2 on party food at Tesco means it’s a picky tea this Fun Food Friday.
December 5, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The perfect storm of a new air fryer and 3 for 2 on party food at Tesco means it’s a picky tea this Fun Food Friday.
A bit of admin for Arthur, then off to St Stephen’s for more physio before tea.
Thursday 4th December 1947
Drizzly and mild.
Posted 2/6 to Wandsworth B.C. for garage licence
also photo (surface mail) to Albert Scherer.
To St Stephen’s Hospital for treatment and home to tea.
#1947Diary
Thursday 4th December 1947
Drizzly and mild.
Posted 2/6 to Wandsworth B.C. for garage licence
also photo (surface mail) to Albert Scherer.
To St Stephen’s Hospital for treatment and home to tea.
#1947Diary
December 4, 2025 at 11:04 PM
A bit of admin for Arthur, then off to St Stephen’s for more physio before tea.
Thursday 4th December 1947
Drizzly and mild.
Posted 2/6 to Wandsworth B.C. for garage licence
also photo (surface mail) to Albert Scherer.
To St Stephen’s Hospital for treatment and home to tea.
#1947Diary
Thursday 4th December 1947
Drizzly and mild.
Posted 2/6 to Wandsworth B.C. for garage licence
also photo (surface mail) to Albert Scherer.
To St Stephen’s Hospital for treatment and home to tea.
#1947Diary
Reposted by Chris Ponting
New post (and shameless book plug) on my blog:
gloscrimehistory.wordpress.com/2025/12/04/d...
gloscrimehistory.wordpress.com/2025/12/04/d...
Dying at the ‘Tree’: Gloucester’s County Gallows in the 18th century
Between 1722 and 1790, 203 prisoners were executed in Gloucestershire, most of them at the county gallows, just outside Gloucester. In its execution reports, the Gloucester Journal, which was publi…
gloscrimehistory.wordpress.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New post (and shameless book plug) on my blog:
gloscrimehistory.wordpress.com/2025/12/04/d...
gloscrimehistory.wordpress.com/2025/12/04/d...
Wednesday 3rd December 1947
Arthur’s day starts with a broken barometer.
Then a trip into town to see Alec Robertson about work, but it doesn’t work out.
Home to lunch to find Mona Cannell waiting at 48, nice girl - she left 2:30.
Line to Donald saying he may stay on until March.
#1947Diary
Arthur’s day starts with a broken barometer.
Then a trip into town to see Alec Robertson about work, but it doesn’t work out.
Home to lunch to find Mona Cannell waiting at 48, nice girl - she left 2:30.
Line to Donald saying he may stay on until March.
#1947Diary
December 3, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Wednesday 3rd December 1947
Arthur’s day starts with a broken barometer.
Then a trip into town to see Alec Robertson about work, but it doesn’t work out.
Home to lunch to find Mona Cannell waiting at 48, nice girl - she left 2:30.
Line to Donald saying he may stay on until March.
#1947Diary
Arthur’s day starts with a broken barometer.
Then a trip into town to see Alec Robertson about work, but it doesn’t work out.
Home to lunch to find Mona Cannell waiting at 48, nice girl - she left 2:30.
Line to Donald saying he may stay on until March.
#1947Diary
More treatment at St Stephen’s and a bit of letter writing on a quiet day for Arthur.
Tuesday 2nd December 1947
24 degrees.
Fog cleared and slightly less icy - In fact a nice day.
Quiet morning.
St Stephen’s 2:20 and Miss Smith gave me massage.
Wrote Francis and Pov.
#1947Diary
Tuesday 2nd December 1947
24 degrees.
Fog cleared and slightly less icy - In fact a nice day.
Quiet morning.
St Stephen’s 2:20 and Miss Smith gave me massage.
Wrote Francis and Pov.
#1947Diary
December 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
More treatment at St Stephen’s and a bit of letter writing on a quiet day for Arthur.
Tuesday 2nd December 1947
24 degrees.
Fog cleared and slightly less icy - In fact a nice day.
Quiet morning.
St Stephen’s 2:20 and Miss Smith gave me massage.
Wrote Francis and Pov.
#1947Diary
Tuesday 2nd December 1947
24 degrees.
Fog cleared and slightly less icy - In fact a nice day.
Quiet morning.
St Stephen’s 2:20 and Miss Smith gave me massage.
Wrote Francis and Pov.
#1947Diary
The fact there’s still Black Friday adverts on the telly underlines the fact that no one this side of the Atlantic really know what or when Black Friday is.
December 2, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The fact there’s still Black Friday adverts on the telly underlines the fact that no one this side of the Atlantic really know what or when Black Friday is.
How many wives do you think I’ve got, Tesco?
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 PM
How many wives do you think I’ve got, Tesco?
Sad news from daughter that Eddie, the cat who lived with us then her and her mother after we got divorced, has breathed her last. A vocal little tabby who lived a long and happy life. Sleep well Eddie cat.
December 2, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Sad news from daughter that Eddie, the cat who lived with us then her and her mother after we got divorced, has breathed her last. A vocal little tabby who lived a long and happy life. Sleep well Eddie cat.
Monday 1st December 1947
Cold and foggy day.
Arthur to chemist and grocers.
Then to St Stephen’s in afternoon - tea with Miss Carter afterwards.
Letter from W.R. Tucker to say that Dan will be buried 2:30 tomorrow.
Annie paid £5 up to her date (i.e. 2nd)
#1947Diary
Cold and foggy day.
Arthur to chemist and grocers.
Then to St Stephen’s in afternoon - tea with Miss Carter afterwards.
Letter from W.R. Tucker to say that Dan will be buried 2:30 tomorrow.
Annie paid £5 up to her date (i.e. 2nd)
#1947Diary
December 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Monday 1st December 1947
Cold and foggy day.
Arthur to chemist and grocers.
Then to St Stephen’s in afternoon - tea with Miss Carter afterwards.
Letter from W.R. Tucker to say that Dan will be buried 2:30 tomorrow.
Annie paid £5 up to her date (i.e. 2nd)
#1947Diary
Cold and foggy day.
Arthur to chemist and grocers.
Then to St Stephen’s in afternoon - tea with Miss Carter afterwards.
Letter from W.R. Tucker to say that Dan will be buried 2:30 tomorrow.
Annie paid £5 up to her date (i.e. 2nd)
#1947Diary
Newton St Cyres. A tiny station with a big Double Arrow. @doublearrow64.bsky.social
November 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Newton St Cyres. A tiny station with a big Double Arrow. @doublearrow64.bsky.social
Sunday 30th November 1947
32 degrees, icy cold all day.
To tea with Grace & Dorothea and met their friend Miss S from Scotland who knew the Nedreddies and of course O & Carrie Blyth.
Quiet evening - Donald returned from his home 11:30 p.m. I left letter in his room for him to ponder.
#1947Diary
32 degrees, icy cold all day.
To tea with Grace & Dorothea and met their friend Miss S from Scotland who knew the Nedreddies and of course O & Carrie Blyth.
Quiet evening - Donald returned from his home 11:30 p.m. I left letter in his room for him to ponder.
#1947Diary
November 30, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Sunday 30th November 1947
32 degrees, icy cold all day.
To tea with Grace & Dorothea and met their friend Miss S from Scotland who knew the Nedreddies and of course O & Carrie Blyth.
Quiet evening - Donald returned from his home 11:30 p.m. I left letter in his room for him to ponder.
#1947Diary
32 degrees, icy cold all day.
To tea with Grace & Dorothea and met their friend Miss S from Scotland who knew the Nedreddies and of course O & Carrie Blyth.
Quiet evening - Donald returned from his home 11:30 p.m. I left letter in his room for him to ponder.
#1947Diary
We’ve caught up with the rest of the modern world and bought an air fryer.
November 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
We’ve caught up with the rest of the modern world and bought an air fryer.
How many books was it for you to get a child?
November 30, 2025 at 10:24 AM
How many books was it for you to get a child?
This What’s On sign in The Hour Glass in Exeter is probably the finest looking pub blackboard I’ve seen.
November 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This What’s On sign in The Hour Glass in Exeter is probably the finest looking pub blackboard I’ve seen.
Saturday 29th November 1947
Arthur’s up early - to BNZ.
Quiet afternoon & tea 4:30. Then to Albert Hall for Beniamino Gigli concert. Packed with Italians & terrific enthusiasm!
He sings exquisitely, but the big things show advancing years. But all the tricks are there & lovely quality.
#1947Diary
Arthur’s up early - to BNZ.
Quiet afternoon & tea 4:30. Then to Albert Hall for Beniamino Gigli concert. Packed with Italians & terrific enthusiasm!
He sings exquisitely, but the big things show advancing years. But all the tricks are there & lovely quality.
#1947Diary
November 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Saturday 29th November 1947
Arthur’s up early - to BNZ.
Quiet afternoon & tea 4:30. Then to Albert Hall for Beniamino Gigli concert. Packed with Italians & terrific enthusiasm!
He sings exquisitely, but the big things show advancing years. But all the tricks are there & lovely quality.
#1947Diary
Arthur’s up early - to BNZ.
Quiet afternoon & tea 4:30. Then to Albert Hall for Beniamino Gigli concert. Packed with Italians & terrific enthusiasm!
He sings exquisitely, but the big things show advancing years. But all the tricks are there & lovely quality.
#1947Diary
A great afternoon with two old mates who should know better.
When we were in the ‘Spoons earlier a woman asked to have her picture taken with me because without her glasses she thought I locked like Antiques Roadtrip stalwart Phil Serrell. I was happy to oblige.
When we were in the ‘Spoons earlier a woman asked to have her picture taken with me because without her glasses she thought I locked like Antiques Roadtrip stalwart Phil Serrell. I was happy to oblige.
November 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
A great afternoon with two old mates who should know better.
When we were in the ‘Spoons earlier a woman asked to have her picture taken with me because without her glasses she thought I locked like Antiques Roadtrip stalwart Phil Serrell. I was happy to oblige.
When we were in the ‘Spoons earlier a woman asked to have her picture taken with me because without her glasses she thought I locked like Antiques Roadtrip stalwart Phil Serrell. I was happy to oblige.
On our way back to Exeter. Just got to flag the train down.
November 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
On our way back to Exeter. Just got to flag the train down.