SPCK Bookshops and The Dark Knight

This is astonishing http://elizaphanian.blogspot.com/2008/07/my-correspondence-with-j-mark-brewer.html

I am beyond comment on this matter, other bloggers are doing a stirling job at exposing the goings on of my ex-employers.

I will though comment on The Dark Knight, the new Batman film from Christopher Nolan. Although not as great as Batman Begins this is a truly great film, and although not a comic geek I was totally drawn into the the world created by this film. The only off putting parts for me was the sonic viewing machine, which just resulted in a few confusing scenes, and the annoying thing Heath Ledger was doing with his tongue.

Former SPCK Bookshops and Blogging

It seems that the saga deepens, my friend Dave has been told by Mark Brewer (current owner of the SPCK bookshops chain, and my former employer) to take down all the posts relating to the former SPCK bookshops on his blog (http://cartoonchurch.com/blog/) or legal action will ensue. The SSG/SPCK blog that I referred to a few weeks ago has also been put into "Red Alert" mode by its caretaker owner. (http://spckssg.wordpress.com/).

This is a sorry state of affairs for all involved, and I feel for Dave who has done a great journalistic job keeping people up to date with the fate of the bookshops (both good and bad developments) to have this added pressure on him at an already busy time at the Lambeth conference (see http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/blog).

It also makes me fearful for the freedom of bloggers who are powerless against the bullying of large companies, or as in this case just someone with more money than them.

For further discussion and opinion see these links:-

The Wardman Wire http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/07/23/my-name-is-dave-walker-people-posting-about-mark-brewers-cease-and-desist-notice/

MadPriest http://revjph.blogspot.com/2008/07/dave-walker-cartoonist-and-martyr.html

Ship of Fools discussion http://forum.ship-of-fools.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=010601;p=5

Ants, Cars and Shoes

It is flying ant day today, the signal that we are in the midst of summer – not that it has felt like it the last few weeks. This is the day that the ants emerge from the ground to get swiftly eaten by flocks of seagulls. Actually they do it for a good reason, and there is in fact a Wikipedia page all about it! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_ant_day).



There are a few cars around Exeter that I always think are cool (certainly not the noisy Saab that I had to help push start on the Iron bridge last night), I do love this Beetle that is always parked on Exe street.



Just up from it is a Matiz (same model as mine) with some rather hippyish stickers on it. Perhaps I could get some big enough to cover the dents in mine?

Finally I forgot to mention the shoes.



This was sight that greeted us in the function room in the City Gate last night as we started our game of poker. Looks like Clarks were having a training session in the day, as there was a manual called “How to Fit shoes”. I flicked to the first page and it said “Before you can learn how to fit shoes you must learn how to put them on”. Real back to basics stuff!

Bonhay Road Closed

Bonhay Road is closed this week after 7pm, this means that we are expecting to hear lots of noise all night as a result of the roadworks that are closing the route. The Mill on the Exe has decided to close up for a few days as all access is lost to it (I was told they asked for “Business as usual” signs from the council, but these could not be provided as Council staff were on strike), and I imagine the gym has had a quiet night due to the rather long route that will have been needed to get to it (all around the Exe Bridges and up Frog Street, I know how lazy these fitness freaks really are).



Anyway, if I was wanting to win awards for dull photos then these of Bonhay road would be ones ones I would submit to the competition.




On the plus side I won £10 playing poker at the City Gate tonight.

Cricklepit Mill

This morning we took the short stroll to Cricklepit Mill near Exeter's Quay. It has recently been restored by the Devon Wildlife Trust to house their offices, and the 2 water wheels restored, one of them a fully operational grinder. Today they had an open day, and running the mill for one of the first times for over 50 years. I have watched the building disintegrate over many years, a fire a few years back pretty much finishing it off, so I was interested to see it in its restored state.


(I have later realised that this image is the wrong way, but I will leave it as I am sure no one noticed!)

A handful of early risers (well early for a Sunday) witnessed the massive iron cogs grinding into action, the wooden teeth perfectly locking together to make wheels turn, and grain to be smashed into grainy flour (which tasted, well, like grainy flour), and then went upstairs to see the grain falling into the mill stones (sadly hidden in a wooden surround).



Outside the small piece of land that runs alongside the leat (a westcountry name for a little manmade stream) had been turned into a wild flower garden. It really shows the potential of even a small piece of what was previously wasteland.



A quick wander around an exhibition of Devon Archaeology at the XCentre and the Customs House (also open to the public for one day, but rather disappointingly just boring offices now, albeit with rather pretty ceilings) a quick coffee and it was time to head off home to watch the Grand Prix.

New Five Pence

I am sorry I have not posted a pub review this week, I have actually been to the City Gate several times since the last post, but forgot my camera each time!

Plenty happening at work to keep me entertained though, we have gone from being a troubled bank, to a beleaguered lender (what a lovely word!) back to troubled again. Next week is the Extraordinary General Meeting (I picture extraordinary as there being jugglers, dancing badgers, trapeze artists and perhaps a guest visit from Elvis) so we will be in the news all over again.

More excitingly we found one of the new design coins at work this week, if you did not know about the new designs then see the Royal Mint site (http://www.royalmint.com/newdesigns/designsRevealed.aspx). My plan is to collect all of them and mount them on a card or perhaps in a frame. Here is the first specimen.

SPCK Exeter and the rain

Well what a rainy week it has been here in Exeter, bout 1pm on Wednesday there was a downpour that had the drains in the High Street backing up within about 5 minutes. The rain also timed itself perfectly for me going home early on my afternoon off!

I have not been out and about too much this week due to having to save money (a trip to Rome is booked for later in the year and I must ensure I can pay for that, and buy nice food and wine while I am there!), so mostly I have been staying in watching the tennis and motor racing and reading. This does not make for many Exeter things to talk about.

Last Saturday though I did meet up with some of the guys who I used to work with at the former SPCK bookshop in Exeter, 3 previous managers came along as well and we had a nice time catching up with the SPCK news (the Exeter shop is as good as closed now) and what we have been doing since we left. For those interested in what became of the shop there is a blog (http://spckssg.wordpress.com/) that gives up to date news, but warning, some of the commenters are very bitter and it does not make very happy reading!



The next Pub Guide will follow this week, I just need to get some pictures before poker tomorrow night.