What a wonderful time we had at the Midland Hotel in Morecambe for a thirties weekend, hosted by Mark and Hoc Ewing which finally leaves us able to upload the obligatory photo on the stairs in this iconic Art Deco building.
We decided to go up the day before to visit Carnforth railway station, the location used in the 1945 film Brief Encounter and to get a photograph under the famous clock on the station platform, only to find the clock was missing and had apparently been taken away by the people who own it for repairs never to return. One hopes it will come back at some time in the future and be reinstated on the platform or at least in the station Heritage Centre.
Not to be disheartened we decided to make use of the café on the station which appears not to have changed very much since 1945, one was almost ready for Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson to appear at any moment, although I would doubt whether it originally had a cappuccino machine, I can’t see Trevor Howard as a skinny latte sort of chap.
This next photo was as close as we could get to the shot of standing under the clock at Carnforth station and we decided not to re-enact the scene where Trevor Howard removes a piece of grit from Celia Johnsons eye as the staff in the café must have seen it done a million times.
Finally, on to the weekend at the Midland with everyone dressed appropriately it was like being back in the thirties with music, a great band, the usual wonderful dance lessons from Mark and Hock and a fabulous bunch of people with which to enjoy it all.
And finally, as they used to say on the news a quick shot of the sunset which Morecambe is apparently quite famous for.
A big thank you to Mark and Hoc for hosting such a wonderful event and I have to say both Angella and I are looking forward to doing it again next year.
I am a retired actor, although to be honest I only retired because I wasn't getting any work and the option of becoming an unemployed actor/waiter at my age was ludicrous, especially as my waiting skills are non-existent.
Having said I’m retired, I don’t think there really is such a thing as a retired actor for I am still available for work, I just don’t have an agent or any connections with regards to obtaining any worthwhile work.
I have over the years done student films when there is nothing else available, always low paid (if at all) the only incentive was always the promised copy of the finished film for your show reel which nine times out of ten always failed to materialise.
I spent many years looking after my aged mother who had dementia, hence the lack of acting work but shortly after her death I was lucky enough to run into an ex-girlfriend of many years ago and our romance blossomed once again, resulting in us getting married in 2013.
My move to the countryside inspired me to write The Diary of a Country Bumpkin which tells of my continuing dilemmas in dealing with the rigors of the countryside from the unexpectedly large number of pollens, fungal moulds and hay products waiting to attack the unsuspecting townie.
I enjoy writing, see my play Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori on The Wireless Theatre Company, The Plays Wot I Wrote and The Battle of Barking Creek both available on Amazon.co.uk and am very fond of classic cars so my ideal occupation would be acting in a film I had written set in the 1930s/40s, we live in hopes.
I am delighted to say that since venturing to the countryside where space is not quite the premium it is in town, I have due to the availability of two double garages acquired more classic cars to form a small collection the pride of which are a 1947 Bentley Mk VI and a 2000 Bentley Arnage.
My various blogs and websites are continually evolving and I’m sure that by following the appropriate links you will find something which will edify or amuse.
The Diary of a Country Bumpkin 
Fun! That looks to have been a wonderful event.
It certainly was.
Great photos Joe, especially the header photo on the stairs. So glad it was a successful weekend.
Thank you, it was a fabulous weekend.
Such a pity about the missing clock.
Let’s hope it doesn’t suddenly appear at a auction and get bought by the Americans or some other foreign buyer.
What a stunning photo of you and your wife! You make a very elegant couple!
Thank you.