Roy Stannard's Blog

When you think you know it all, ask the next question

History

  • The Whole Nine Yards Ep 216 16.3.25 Notes on History with Roy Stannard on Mid Sussex Radio 103.8FM

    The Whole Nine Yards Episode 216                                                                                               With Roy Stannard On Mid Sussex Radio 103.8FM Sunday 16th March 2025 3-5pm http://www.midsussexradio.co.uk/listen Notes on History Every song tells a story. This week we looking at the historical contexts and inspiration for some well known songs. Tracks where music met the moments that shaped our world. Every song Read more

  • Always, my Friend

    A friendship that is never tested Because there is no cross examination. Where the beginning Is also the end. Always, my friend. Read more

  • April Showers – Abandon Ship (Chrysalis ‎– chs 2787 12″ 1984)

    ‘Abandon Ship’ emerged from all the stars colliding in 1984. Jonathan and Beatrice writing a romantic, panoramically lush pop song and asking Anne Dudley before she was famous to score and orchestrate it. Chrysalis records put it out on its Big Star offshoot as a 12″ with the vocal A side, instrumental B side and… Read more

  • Farewell, Old Long Since

    It was a year that didn’t stop for anyone but there will be another one along in a minute. Read more

  • The Poppies

    We were at peace with the poppies, whispering like moths wings on a perfect Sussex hillside Feeling the fairy stems caress our legs like a repeated yes, yes. Read more

  • It Was Darker Then

    A poem about revolution inside and outside the heart. Read more

  • Moment

    Moment   There was a New York moment An ice-splinter in a sheet of sunlight When without the aid of smart devices Using dumb mind trails and heartstrings We managed to connect Like two sparrowhawks circling the Downs Two wayfaring strangers caught in eye contact A brother and a sister separated at the orphanage The Read more

  • 2012 in review

    The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: 600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 12,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 20 years to get Read more

  • God Speed

    A poem in tribute to Gary Speed who died on the 27th November 2011. Read more

  • Southend Pier – still standing, but not standing still.

    When I was a boy I spent hours upon hours on Southend Pier, walking its length, feeling its girth, teasing its claim to be the longest in the world at 1.25 miles.  Its slot machine alleys whispered to me alluringly. Cheap, trashy items like tin rings and shoddy pen knives (that I would have left Read more