I suspect I wasn’t the only thirty-something to ‘get a bit of grit in my eye’ upon hearing that Oliver Postgate — the creator and narrator of Bagpuss, The Clangers and Ivor the Engine, among others — had died at the age of 83.
Let’s not dwell on the Scientology aspect. He made some fantastic music, worked to improve literacy, and brought us Chef’s Chocolate Salty Balls. RIP Isaac. It just doesn’t get much cooler than this:
I was sorry to hear that Beryl Cook had passed away today, at the age of 81. I really do think people will look back and recognise her as one of the great British artists of the 20th century. I loved her affection for her subjects, her mischievousness and the joie de vivre that was [...]
RIP James Brown, the Godfather of Soul.
(posted as I have my pre-pressie-opening coffee - Happy Christmas.)
And it’s good night from him…
Sadly comedy legend Ronnie Barker has died at the age of 76.
Very sorry to hear that Mo Mowlam has died at the age of 55. She’s one of the few politicians I had any time or respect for - anyone that tells Ian Paisley to “fuck off” can’t be bad. Hardworking, intelligent, honest and funny. A real loss. RIP Mo.
Sad news: Hunter S Thompson has died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
I was actually planning to resume posting here this week anyway, but John Peel’s passing has forced my hand rather; I certainly can’t let it his death go unmentioned.
I started listening to John Peel in about 1987, sometimes as I did my school homework, or more usually lying in bed in the dark late at [...]
Last Monday night I got a call to say my 90-year old grandmother had been taken into hospital with an aortic aneurysm, and wasn’t expected to last the night. I drove back to Wales the next morning to find that she was still hanging-on, despite the doctors having given her only an hour or two [...]
According to reports, it seems that Daniel Pearl, the poor WSJ journalist kidnapped in Pakistan a month ago, has been executed. His wife is 6 months pregnant. Utterly senseless.
In addition, sadly actor John Thaw has died at the age of 60. He was the star of many great TV series, but I’ll best remember him [...]
Feed the Badger: 
(Entries) (Comments).
