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I hope!!

Sorry for not being around much at the moment but blame the cat!!!! We have a 10 week old little fella called Bluey, and i love him to bits, but he's a handful and all my time is spent keeping an eye on him so he doesn't get into what he shouldn't, (i'm sure he wants to be an electrician as he's forever chewing the cables), ha-ha, but he is good most of the time, (says i with fingers crossed)!!

This means that i don't have anytime for myself to do anything else, haven't had chance to work on my top ten for next month yet, mind haven't been on the pc much either, as i'm far too tired, but i hope to be back and posting when he gets a bit more calmer and not into stuff to much.

So everyone please bare with me, i will be back with you all as soon as i can, even if i only have a few moments of an evening while my sister is looking after him, as long as i don't fall asleep at the pc, ha-ha!!

Review: Colin Dexter at Ramada Hotel

ALMOST completely deaf, with deteriorating eyesight, on paper Colin Dexter may not sound like a particularly promising public speaker.

The author of Inspector Morse, however, is a witty raconteur with a fine line in self-deprecation.

Dexter, 78, related fascinating tales of working with John Morse and Kevin Whately and explained the inspiration behind the famous character.

The biggest laughs and applause were saved for an anecdote about his first attempt at completing a walk-on part in the show, hampered by his inability to hear the director’s call of “take one”.

Other highlights included a reading from one of his Morse novels, to prove that Morse did indeed “get some action with the ladies”, and a story about his attempts to watch Billie Piper’s raunchy Secret Diary of a Call Girl TV show behind his wife’s back.

The sell-out audience at The Ramada was transfixed by Dexter and the drop of a pin could be heard when he was working his way toward his many punchlines.

After the interval, he answered any questions and could have gone on all night. Judging by the audience’s reaction, nobody would have minded.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 1 Blood Money

Blood Money… (First screened in the UK television on 10th March 1997, writer Matthew Hall.) When surgeon Hilary Jameson successfully operates on a computer tycoon involved in a car accident, she has every reason to suppose he'll survive.

Within a matter of minutes, however, the patient's wife learns that he is dead. What happened in that brief period? This is the problem Kavanagh must solve when he prosecutes on behalf of the widow.

As I said with the previous one I could easy have swapped them around, and maybe next time I’m asked they will be. But for now this is my number 1 choose, it’s no better than the previous one or worse, they are both for me the best, but you have to put them in some kind of order so here they are.

This again is a very emotional episode, and often has me in tears, as it makes me think of my mum who I lost through cancer, and of course John.

For me the opening scenes of the operation are a little un-nerving as I hate the sight of blood, but it’s also appropriate for the telling of the story.

The best performance in this story goes to Josette Simon who plays Hilary Jamerson, she is remarkable. I was really pleased that her character was cleared of all blame.

I thought the kiss between Sheila and John was beatifully done and very tender, nice moment.

The funniest part was the guys at the end in Peter’s room having tea, and then Helen comes in and Peter wants to tell her what everyone thinks of her. But because she’s just given Jeremy a plum job he tries to tell him that everything is fine, very funny.

I thought Sheila was fantastic as the grieving widow, the scene where she plays Sarah at home after hearing the news and breakdown, is really powerful and very emotional.

I also love where she’s in court giving evidence, and dear old Jeremy is getting several over on Kavanagh, by getting her to tell what Kavanagh doesn’t know, very good.

But then as always Kavanagh comes back trumps with Hilary and gets down to what really happened to Sarah’s husband, much to Jeremy’s amazement.

Good to see the hospital not getting away with what they thought they would, just for the sake of funds for their centre.

Ashmolean prepares for £61m revamp

Photographer Theo Chalmers and graphic designer Greg Jones in front of the giant poster of Laurence Fox and Colin Dexter

Oxford Mail
By Andrew Ffrench
Giant posters of Morse author Colin Dexter and Lewis actors Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox are urging passers-by to visit Oxford's Ashmolean Museum before it closes for a major revamp.

The dramatic photographs celebrate the museum's famous collections in the run-up to the launch of the revamped building in a year's time. The images are designed to get people visiting the museum before it closes on January 1 for major building work.

There will be no public access to the Beaumont Street museum or café until autumn 2009, but the shop will remain open for business. The large-scale graphics are on show for four weeks.

Museum director Dr Christopher Brown said: "We are extremely grateful to the individuals who have generously given their time and support to this campaign.

"Photographer Theo Chalmers has created a magnificent series of portraits with which the public can identify. Our thanks also goes to Oxford Bus Company, which has been working with us on an innovative project to keep the Ashmolean in the public eye during the final phase of the museum’s exciting developments."

Other well-known faces will also be appearing on OBC buses in the near future. The portraits illustrate Oxford's history of crime and punishment, and the subjects are pictured holding items related to the imprisonment of the Oxford Martyrs in the Saxon tower of St Michael at the Northgate Church, in Cornmarket Street.

Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer were imprisoned for their Protestant faith under the Roman Catholic rule of Queen Mary, before being burned at the stake in Broad Street in 1555 and 1556.

An online exhibition is being developed for people to upload their favourite stories about the Ashmolean collections, or to share experiences which they have enjoyed at the museum.

Founded in 1683, the museum is the most important museum of art and archaeology outside London.

The £61m refurbishment, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will include 39 new galleries.

Designed by renowned architect Rick Mather, the development will also feature a new education centre, conservation studios, a walk-through between the museum and the Cast Gallery, and Oxford’s first rooftop café.

To find out more about the online exhibition, visit http://www.ashmolean.org/

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 2 Ancient History

Ancient History… (First screened in the UK television on 17th March 1997, writer Nigel Kneale.) Kavanagh prosecutes an apparently blameless family doctor in an unprecedented war crime trial. The court hears devastating testimony as victims of Nazi atrocities re-live their experiences in concentration camps, but it's left to a witness for the defence to reveal the final truth.

I think my NO 1 and 2 were the very best of Kavanagh, and sadly something has to be at 2, and this is the one I've chosen, though ask me another day and it would have been no 1, because I love both stories equally, neither of them to me are better than the other.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m mad interested on the Second World War, and for this reason alone I had to pick this story, it is very harrowing to listen to those who were victims of what happened during their time in concentration camps.

Credit where credit is due, Warren Mitchell as Rypin, Frederick Treves as Beck and Sara Kestelman as Halina are outstanding, and bring this story to life, they should have got awards for their performances in this.

The scene where James is questioning her in court, and then turns and says softly to himself, “Why didn’t he shoot her”, only John could have given this story the grace and dignity it deserved.

Even watching Matt, searching the internet, and James still finding him doing it the following day, and the scene with Lizzie’s father, I just love this story so much, it sure is one of the best Kavanagh dramas, and dam hard to put at no 2.

John is at his pure best in this story, and it shows in the courtroom scenes, especially questioning Halina but also the others who were also convicts of the concentration camps.

Colin Dexter to appear at Library Theatre, Manchester

Colin Dexter, the man behind the phenomenally successful series of Inspector Morse novels, presents From Books to Box, an entertaining one-man show in which he explains the trials and tribulations involved in transforming full-length novels into 90-minute screen dramas, many of which starred the much-loved Manchester actor John Thaw.

His first Inspector Morse novel, Last Bus to Woodstock, was published in 1975. He started work on it during a windswept family holiday in a cottage in North Wales, and, 13 novels later, the final instalment, The Remorseful Day, was published in 1999.

In the manner of Alfred Hitchcock appearing in minor roles in many of his films, Colin, a graduate of Cambridge University and a former teacher, made a brief appearance in a few of the 33 episodes of the BAFTA-award winning Morse made between 1987-2001 - although he was not given a speaking role until 1993!

Dexter appears at the Library Theatre for one night only on Sunday, 16th November at 7.3pm. For more information, please click here.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 3 In God We Trust

Oh, bless...

In God We Trust… (First screened in the UK television on 14th April 1997, writer Russell Lewis.) Driven by a desire for justice, and to help his former colleague Julia Piper, now married to an American lawyer, Kavanagh flies to the US to assist with the appeal of a convicted murderer on Florida's death row. While he's away his wife, Lizzie learns that she has Cancer.

From the very beginning you can tell this is going to be a very emotional and powerful story, starting with the murder shots being shown in black and white.

But there is also humour within the story the scene in the underground car park with the gunman is rather funny until Julia’s waters brake, and James has to rush her to the hospital then you know it’s serious.

James fighting a lost cause trying to get William Dupree clemency when the governor Cotton is against him because of his grandson, who he knows did the killings.

The brutal truth of the execution of Dupree and the grandmother screaming but you don’t hear her, and then after it’s over you see her drained, she wasn’t the only one by the end of this story.

The scenes at home with Lizzie and James are delightful and charming, James and the viewers still not knowing what’s coming.

The Boat scene is one of the most emotional scenes I've seen on television and it was beautifully acted by John and Lisa, I just loved it. When James says “I don’t know what to do” Lizzie says: “All you have to do is love me”, and James replies “Always”, tears me apart, it so reminds me of my mum dying of cancer, and I never got to tell her how much I loved her!!

COLIN DEXTER WINS!!!

Last night saw the Crime Thriller Awards on ITV3, where at this event the viewers who had been voting for the six selected authors was to be announced, and win the inaugural ITV3 Writer's Award for Classic TV Drama.

...And the winner was Colin Dexter, he was so humble about it, thanking Ted Childs, Chris Burt, then Kevin Whatley finally saying John Thaw who he missed terribly, he's not the only one said i.

I'm so pleased that Colin won as it shows everyone that Inspector Morse hasn't been forgotten, and he's still as popular now as he was 33 years ago when Colin first wrote about him, and i'm sure he will continue to be one of the favourite detectives because his character was so well written.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 4 A Family Affair

The Look...

A Family Affair… (First screened in the UK television on 17th January 1995, writer Adrian Hodges.) When a father takes the law into his own hands and snatches his young son, it leads to a custody battle another case for Kavanagh. Allegations of child abuse and professional misjudgements create further complications.

George Costigan is a marvellous actor (anyone seen him in Sherlock Holmes with Jeremy Brett, he was incredible in his role, one of his best accomplishments) and has appeared several times with John over the years, I thought his performance in Kavanagh was pure class, and this is one very complicated case.

The scene where Lizzie sets the clock early so she and James can have some love before he goes to work, is beautifully done, and his James's face in the morning when his daughter comments to him is wonderful.

The scene between Michael and Peter, and the teacher are very disturbing, the way the father hits the teacher with a baseball bat, ouch!!

Then we have James, Jeremy, Peter, and Tom watching the sex video in James’s office, but trying not to look as if they are paying attention, very funny.

Lovely to see the singer Toyah making her drama appearance in Kavanagh (though she might have done stuff that I don’t know about), thought she was rather first-rate and had me in stitches.

John Shrapnel who played the judge I thought was exceptional, granted he came to the wrong decision in the end, mind couldn’t blame him the way the father managed to persuade everyone.

Finally the last scene with Peter (played by Peter England) the young lad, I thought was outstanding, and watching him finally breakdown because his father didn’t want anyone to know what he had secretly planned with his son, pure class!!

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 5 End of Law

Are you sure?

End of Law… (First screened in the UK television on 25th April 2001, writer Stephen Churchett.) (2-Hour Special) The body of a beautiful young Hungarian computer science graduate is discovered and a middle-aged businessman denies her murder although her body was found in his hotel room.

When he is found guilty, an appeal is prepared and questions emerge about the dead woman, was she working as a prostitute or plying a more secretive international trade? Meanwhile approaches are being made to Kavanagh to become a judge, so how much support will Sarah be able to rely on from one of London's most highly respected criminal advocates?

As we see here things were changing for Kavanagh, and the possibility of him becoming a judge. Though several people had other ideas if he carried on with the case, not that, that prevented him from doing his job.

I think the lovely Samantha Bond was excellent as Sarah Swithins and I’m sure she would have been a good character to have had in the series had it continued.

James and Peter talking about him becoming a judge, and peter thinking of reasons why he shouldn’t, those reasons being the same ones why Peter himself didn’t take up the position when it was offered to him in the past.

Loved the scene with James and Kate by the river, all those lovely boats, and also the guy who was working on his boat.

When James is walking and thinking as to whether to take the position of judge, or to carry on with the case and never be asked again, possibly a hard decision for some but not for James who makes the right one.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 6 Memento Mori

Don't believe everything that he says...

Memento Mori… (First screened in the UK television on 17th March 1998, writer Russell Lewis.) Kavanagh is back in chambers after the death of his wife. In this case, Kavanagh is defending a mild-mannered doctor (Tom Courtenay) accused of murdering his wife.

Although the prosecution has several witnesses who provide evidence, the accused maintains his innocence, claiming that the drug he described was simply to treat her manic depression. After the verdict, however, Kavanagh learns of an ironic twist.

It’s great to see John’s very dear friend Tom making a breathtaking appearance in this story, and he’s terrific. Tom as Dr. Felix Crawley is amazing, his court room scenes are electrifying and he sure is one of the best guest stars the series ever had.

The funeral of Lizzie was very moving, loved how Peter laid his hand on James’s shoulder to let him know he was there for him, and then seeing James doing the housework and being so bored at home, I really felt for him, knowing he should be at work where he’d be happier.

Finding Emma in his office, James was rather astounded can’t say I blame him, loved the scene when Emma give her concert recital and James and his kids were there, loved the song!

Kate with her father on the stairs because of missing her mum, and then at breakfast saying she was supposed to be there for him, I thought was rather touching.

Usually Jeremy is a clown most of the time in this series, but not this time, he’s very serious in court and skilful at questioning Dr. Felix Crawley getting him angry enough to convict himself.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 7 Mute of Malice

Make me one, please! No tomato though...

Mute of Malice… (First screened in the UK television on 3rd March 1997, writer Charles Wood.) Kavanagh defends a client who has become mute after announcing he has killed his brother. The suspect is an ex-soldier who served with UN forces in Bosnia; could the trauma of his time spent there in some way be connected?

How do you communicate with someone who either can’t speak or won’t, not to mention bring it over on screen and keep everyone interested? This would have been hard thing to do with anyone else, but in the hands of James and Alex it comes off with compassion for their client.

The opening scene in Bosnia with the dead bodies is very disturbing, and you can appreciate from the start that the priest Edgar is going to have problems.

Loved the scene with the judge and Jeremy’s wig business, had me in fits of laughter, and then buying himself a new one, and the judge still being strange with him.

Nice of James to make lunch, though he didn’t make me one, mind I don’t like tomatoes so that’s most likely why, ha-ha!!

Richard Pasco was inspiring as the vicar and so different from his role in Dead on Time, lovely to see him again.

Also the scene with Lizzie at home alone, having all the lights on and stereo and TV to make it seem as if the house was full, felt sad for her, as I know how that feels being isolated.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 8 Men of Substance

The reason i picked this photo is i just love the colour of his braces, with a crisp white shirt he looks so smart, and it's nice to see him in 'office' but without his jacket on.

Men of Substance… (First screened in the UK television on 4th March 1995, writer Matthew Hall.) Kavanagh is forced to replace the prosecutor who suffers a heart attack while on a Customs case involving the importation of drugs from Holland.

A lorry from Holland is found to be smuggling 15 kilos of heroin into the country and everyone involved in the shipment denies all knowledge of the haul. When their heavies threaten Kavanagh's wife, he becomes more determined than ever to put them behind bars.

The scene where Lizzie and James are arguing is very well done, I know how it feels when parents are at each others throats, and Lizzie is very good at giving him that ‘look’ when James isn’t home when he should have been.

When Matt punches his so called best mate in the club at his birthday party after he sees him and her dancing together, is very well choreographed. Then poor Lizzie being besieged by the heavies sent by Gregson in the hope that Kavanagh won’t do his job in court, but it only makes him more determined to get him put in prison.

The lovely scene where James holds Lizzie after the assault at home, I thought was beautifully and tenderly done, these two worked well together, a shame Lisa was taken out of the series as I rather liked her. As for Tom in the garden party, he was suffering in this story, and nice to see him also getting a large part of the story.

What a lovely scene of James and Lizzie in the park and as they are about to kiss, the entire pigeons fly up in the air, thought that rather funny. Finally the lovely scene between father and son at the end having a drink together, I loved seeing so much of the family, and they are a typical family with all their problems etc.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 9 The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind… (First screened in the UK television on 7th April 1997, writer Edward Canfor-Dumas.) Kavanagh fights for justice on behalf of a young man brutally killed, in a rare private prosecution for murder. The odds, however, are against him, since there are powerful reasons for the truth to be kept hidden.

I thought the actress who played Hazel was very good, and there were some very apprehensive scenes in the court that came over very well.

On a comical note Jeremy awaiting to join ‘the club’ at breakfast time when the ‘letter’ arrived and he’s trying to not seem interested making himself a cup of tea, but his enthusiasm takes over him and he can’t wait to tear the letter open. But sadly he finds he’s not been accepted, this is a lovely little scene, and Nicholas is exceptional in this role, you really feel for him.

This is what made Kavanagh work so well that there were three accomplished actors who kept the stories going equally on their own when they were on screen, the things poor Jeremy often does have my in stitches laughing at him.

Then there is Oliver Ford Davies who plays Peter Foxcott, he spends most of the time in the background, but when he’s needed he’s right there and he also keeps the peace when needed, I like the character of peter a lot.

My Top Ten Kavanagh QC Stories: No 10 Bearing Witness

Hello Everyone

Hope you all enjoyed seeing my top ten Morse stories last month and enjoyed watching them yourselves, so I decided to carry on and this month after the voting is my top ten Kavanagh QC stories. Like last month they will be counted down over the next ten days, feel free to join in watching them, and also let me know what you think of my choices or views on the episodes.

Bearing Witness… (First screened in the UK television on 7th April 1998, writer Edward Canfor-Dumas.) Kavanagh represents a Jehovah's Witness mother when a hospital wants her 13-year-old son to have a blood transfusion that will save his life.

When the mother refuses, Luke is made a ward of court and the hospital seeks judicial permission to go ahead with the transfusion. The hospital wins its action, and Luke is given a transfusion. Escaping from hospital with the help of his mother, Luke dies shortly afterward.

Then his father, prompted by a national newspaper, brings an action for manslaughter against his estranged wife, Kavanagh is called as a reluctant witness.

This is a very difficult story to pull off, and show you aren't with or against what Jehovah's people believe in, but in the hands of the cast and crew of Kavanagh there is no need to worry, this was done with both tenderness and compassion, a very good story.

The young actor who plays Luke (Joe Roberts) was very good, as was the entire cast, John sure had talent around him when he performed and that made whatever he did worth watching, as you knew you were watching the best.

One of my favourite scenes was where Jeremy was being chased by dogs, and when he headed back to the house and is sitting around the table telling them how he convinced them who he was by showing them his socks, i was in stitches laughing, brilliant scene!!