International Gin and Tonic Day - October 19th

International Gin and Tonic Day is celebrated on October 19th each year! 

A gin and tonic is a highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over a large amount of ice. The ratio of gin to tonic varies according to taste, strength of the gin, other drink mixers being added, etc., with most recipes calling for a ratio between 1:1 and 1:3.

International Gin and Tonic day is a day dedicated to enjoying this classic cocktail, which is known for its refreshing taste and versatility. Do you prefer it with a twist of lime, a splash of tonic, or a garnish of herbs and spices? 

It's a great opportunity to explore different variations. Are you planning to celebrate?

The Battle of Assundun - October 18th, 1016

The Battle of Assundun (sometimes spelt Assandune) 1016, was a significant conflict during the struggle for power following the death of King Æthelred the Unready and the subsequent Viking invasions of England. 

Ashingdon hilltop
(possible location of the battle)

There are differences in opinion as to the location of the battle. Assundun is thought to be either close to Saffron Walden in northern Essex or at Ashingdon near Rochford, further south-east of the county.

The battle occurred between the forces of King Edmund Ironside, the son of Æthelred, and the Danish king Cnut (or Canute), who was vying for control of England.

After Æthelred died, Cnut invaded England with the intention of taking the throne, but Edmund Ironside emerged as the leader of a resistance with the battle of Assundun becoming crucial in the conflict.

It was a fierce conflict with the better trained and organised Danish army being triumphant. The struggle for power continued however Edmund was eventually killed in late 1016 allowing Cnut to become ruler for the best part of 20 years, uniting the kingdom into stable rule and concluding the Viking invasion.

Johnny Haynes - The Maestro of Craven Cottage

October 17th, 1934 is the anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest footballers England has ever produced.

Nicknamed the Maestro, Johnny Haynes was a celebrated English footballer, known for his exceptional skills as a midfielder and his time at Fulham FC, where he became a club legend. 

He was born in North-West London’s Kentish Town, his father was a post office engineer and he was a supporter of his local side Arsenal as a boy.

He played for Fulham from 1952 to 1965 and earned 56 caps for the England national team. Johnny was renowned for his vision, passing ability, and leadership on the pitch, often being regarded as one of the best players of his era. 

My own father was a passionate Fulham supporter and even living through the likes of seeing Bobby Moore and George Best putting on the white shirt of the “Cottagers”, he maintained the opinion that Haynes was the greatest player to ever grace the Craven Cottage turf.

After retiring from professional football, Johnny remained involved in the sport in various capacities, but moved to Scotland (the home of his future wife Avril) where they ran a laundry business. He loved a round of golf and watching Heart of Midlothian playing at Tynecastle.

He died the day after his 71st birthday suffering a brain haemorrhage whilst driving and swerving across the road directly crashing into a van. After being kept on a ventilator for 30 hours, it was decided to turn it off on the evening of 18th October 2005.

Balloon Boy Hoax - 15th October 2009

15 years ago, what became known in the US and beyond as the Balloon Boy Hoax took place in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

Richard and Mayumi Heene released a large helium-filled balloon into the air, and then claimed their six-year-old son Falcon was trapped inside it. 

Richard and Mayumi Heene, wirh Falcon pictured front centre.

The balloon rose to 7,000 feet and remained in the air for 90 minutes while it was tracked by National Guard helicopters. The incident attracted worldwide media attention. 

When the balloon finally landed, approx. 12 miles north-east of Denver International airport, no one was found inside, but it had been reported that an object was seen falling from the balloon during the flight.

After a search was launched the boy was found hiding above the couple’s garage where he had been the whole time. 

The couple claimed it was an innocent mistake, but Falcon gave them away during an interview, saying it was a publicity stunt.

They were fined and given jail sentences, but were later pardoned by the Governor of Colorado.

Gone to the Dogs!

In my younger days living in the Guildford area, back in the 1980s and early 90s, one of my favourite haunts most weeks was the Aldershot Greyhound track.

Aldershot Greyhounds was a racing track located in Tongham, which was a mile or so east of Aldershot town centre. 

Aldershot was known for its lively atmosphere and was a popular venue for dog racing enthusiasts. The facility hosted various events and attracted significant crowds over the years.

The track itself was 400 yards in circumference with grass straights and sanded bends. It was not affiliated to the sports governing body, being considered as a “flapping track” i.e. an independent track.

The stadium was also used as a speedway track between 1950 and 60 (hosting the Aldershot Shots who later became the Aldershot Poppies). In 1973 the stadium was taken over by Spedeworth International Ltd who staged stock car racing.

Aldershot Greyhounds opened in the early 1930s and operated up until 30th October 2016 when it was closed to make way for the new A331 road. 

I witnessed numerous unusual scenes at the track. I remember one race where the owner was not happy with the short odds being quoted by the bookmakers about his dog and consequently ran down the length of the track to stop the race. 

However the dogs had been loaded, the hare was running and the race started. How he got out of the way of 5 greyhounds charging down the track towards him at full speed was a feat of great dexterity to say the least.

There were often accusations of ringer dogs running in races, but the bookmakers and track management were generally pretty good at “smelling a rat” as it were and putting a stop to any dishonesty. 

Scuffles amongst punters would often break out, often fuelled by excessive alcohol being consumed.

A night out at Aldershot dogs was always an entertaining evening, one way or another!

Birth of Kirsty MacColl - 10th October 1959

British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, best known for the songs “There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis”, “A New England”,  “Days”, “They Don’t Know”, and “Fairytale of New York” (with The Pogues) was born on this day 65 years ago.

Kirsty MacColl was a talented British singer-songwriter known for her distinctive voice and sharp lyrical wit. Born on October 8, 1961, in Croydon, London, she was the daughter of the famous folk musician Ewan MacColl and the textile designer Jean Newlove. 

MacColl began her career in the late 1970s and gained prominence in the 1980s. Her cover of “They Don’t Know” in 1983 became a major hit in the UK, reaching the top of the charts. 

Kirsty MacColl is perhaps best remembered for her collaboration with The Pogues on the 1987 hit “Fairytale of New York.” The song has since become a Christmas classic, and MacColl's duet with Shane MacGowan remains iconic. 

Throughout her career, she released several albums, including “Kite” (1989), “Electric Landlady” (1991), and the stunning “Tropical Brainstorm” (2000), which featured her unique blend of pop and world music influences.

Known for her strong and independent spirit, she was married to producer and musician Steve Lillywhite and had two children, but they divorced in 1995. She later had a long-term partner, journalist and broadcaster, Nick Jones.

Sadly, Kirsty MacColl’s life was cut short on December 18, 2000, when she was killed in a boating accident in Cozumel, Mexico. She was 41 years old. 

Despite her untimely death, Kirsty MacColl's influence endures. She is remembered not only for her distinctive voice and clever songwriting, but also for her contributions to music as a whole.

Che Guevara - Died 9th October 1967

Ernesto Guevara, born 14th June 1928 was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary and key figure in the Cuban Revolution. He was captured and executed in Bolivia on 9th October 1967. He was 39 years of age.

After leaving Cuba in 1965 to promote guerrilla warfare and revolutionary movements in other countries, Guevara attempted to incite a revolution in Bolivia. However, his efforts were met with resistance from the Bolivian military and a lack of support from local peasants.

On 8th October 1967, Guevara and a small group of fighters were ambushed and captured by the Bolivian army, aided by U.S. intelligence. The following day, he was executed (or it could be argued murdered) in a schoolhouse in La Higuera. His death marked a significant moment in the history of revolutionary movements in Latin America and has left a complex legacy.

Upon his death, he was buried in an unmarked grave, but in 1995 his remains were found in southern Bolivia and returned to Cuba where he was buried in a mausoleum underneath an imposing statue.

Guevara has elicited controversy and wildly divergent opinions on his personal character and actions. He has been both revered and reviled, being characterised as everything from a heroic defender of the poor, to a cold-hearted executioner.