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Chris Ponting

@chrisponting.bsky.social

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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

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 16m

Strong words indeed. What an amazing piece of family history your grandmother’s diary is.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 11h

Call the POOS MEN.

A Drain Doctor van with the registration PO05 MEN

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 11h

The often renewed gravestone of Thomas Thetcher in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. Beware the small beer.

In Memory of
THOMAS THETCHER
a Grenadier in the North Reg of Hants Militia, who died of a violent Fever contracted by drinking Small Beer when hot the 12" of May
1764. Aged 26 Years.
In grateful remembrance of whofe univerfal good will towards his Comrades. this Stone is placed here at their expence, as a fmall teftimony of their regard and concern.
Here fleeps in peace a Hampfhire Grenadier.
Who caught his death by drinking cold fmall Beer.
Soldiers be wise from his untimely fall
And when yere hot drink Strong or none at all This memorial being decay'd was reftord by the Officers of the Carrifon J.D. 1781.
An honeft Soldier never is forgot
Whether he die by Mufket or by Pot.
The Stone was replaced by the North Hants Militia when difembodied ar Winchefter. on 26°April 1802. in confequence of the original Stone being deftroyed.
And again replaced by
The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1966;

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Reposted by Chris Ponting

Darren Rigby-O'Neill @mrdazbear.bsky.social · 21h

This made me laugh more than I expected. Sweep does Tales of the Unexpected.

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 21h

Arthur’s mood improves with a fancy dress ball and a first rate supper.

Wednesday 15th October 1947
Still hot though some say it is cooler.
Fancy dress ball in evening with excellent costumes and much gaiety and first rate supper.

337 [miles] #1947Diary

Wednesday 15th October 1947
Still hot though some say it is cooler.
Fancy dress ball in evening with excellent costumes and much gaiety and first rate supper.

337

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 1d

“HOW VERY DARE YOU!”

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 1d

The heat is getting Arthur down, and he’s at a low ebb.

Tuesday 14th October 1947
Still very hot and I feel limp and depressed.

340 [miles]

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 1d

Nantucket Sleighride? Always reminds me of the smell of Sunday Lunch. Of the two theme tunes, I think I found World in Action slightly scarier.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 1d

Richard Osman’s House of Games is probably the only thing near that nowadays. Celebs quizzing for nothing more than some low quality prizes. You get the occasional show off, but Osman usually sorts them out pretty quickly.

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 1d

He’s still ignoring the cat bed we bought over a year ago.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 2d

We bought this scratching post seat combo last Christmas, and FINALLY 10 months later, Barry actually uses it.

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 2d

Shoulf be worth a 10 min listen on the bus to work.
My dad asked his mate who ran Cotswold Video which format to go for, and he said ‘Betamax’. So we got a Sony C6 UB MkIi. Then a couple of years later it became a Toshiba. Think they still have the C6, I must investigate.

Witness History - The home video war. Available on BBC Sounds.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 2d

I dread to think!

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 2d

More on The Brains Trust:

The Brains Trust was an informational BBC radio and later television programme popular in the United Kingdom in the 1940s and 1950s, on which a panel of experts tried to answer questions sent in by the audience.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 2d

It’s hot and Arthur’s still feeling queer.

Monday 13th October 1947
Very hot I felt very queer all day.
Doctor gaves a sleeping powder.
At 8:15 I ran a Brains Trust in Lounge with Mrs Dawes, Mrs McNeil, Wells, Graby, Marsden & Fr Weaver.
I took sleeping draught & slept fairly well.

339 #1947Diary

Monday 13th October 1947
Very hot I felt very queer all day.
Doctor gave me a sleeping powder.
At 8:15 I ran a Brains Trust in Lounge with Mrs Dawes, Mrs Hector McNeil, Wells, Graby, Marsden and Father Weaver all very nice and everybody enjoyed the show.
I took sleeping draught and slept fairly well with interval 2-4.

339 [miles]

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 3d

I’ve had my jabs, and my reward for being a brave little soldier is mixed wrap with chip shop chips and curry sauce. Oh yes.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 3d

It does look quite samosaish.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 3d

A hash brown. And very tasty they were too.

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 3d

I didn’t until a few weeks ago, when there was an Archers themed Countryfile on BBC One and she turned up on it!

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 3d

The heat still getting to Arthur.

Sunday 12th October 1947
Very hot and I felt bad but played for service in saloon at 11 a.m.
Quiet day - Bridge in evening.

325 [miles] #1947Diary

Sunday 12th October 1947
Very hot and I felt bad but played for service in saloon at 11 a.m.
Quiet day - Bridge in evening.

325

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 3d

It’s 1966, and electric trains are running from Euston. And it’s all done with explosives, a scant regard for health and safety, and absolutely no high viz.
Another fine creation from British Transport Films.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=BRJb...

Vintage railway film - Under the wires - 1965

YouTube video by Bennett Brook Railway

m.youtube.com

Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 4d

Enjoying lunch at Boston Tea Party in Cheltenham. Their Boss muffin is the absolute business.

A muffin containing sausage, bacon, egg, cheese, mustard and hash brown. And a latte.

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 4d

The heat is taking its toll on Arthur.

Saturday 11th October 1947
Very hot and I felt queer all day and took things very easy.

339 [miles] #1947Diary

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks! She’s doing really well, should be out in the next few days. She’s going stir crazy after a week and can’t wait to be free!

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Chris Ponting @chrisponting.bsky.social · 5d

It’s been most enjoyable. Mum
Is doing well, and should hopefully be out in the next few days.