Walter and Connie perfect Doctor Who assistants, helping him to communicate as Typhoid threatens to engulf *Scotland… *Storyline number one of the new Scotland Doctor Who venture.

Eric Morley, Walter and Connie, Typhoid…what an episode of Doctor Who that would be 🙂

Lydia’s reality. The name Le Beau appeared in parts of Britain and Wales during the late 1600s and 1700s as a result of French Huguenot refugees fleeing religious persecution after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685). Subsequent generations of Le Beaus also arrived in Glamorgan from London.

This story was popularised in 1561 by my ancestor, the antiquarian Sir Edward Stradling. Although modern historians now regard this story as a myth. many of the twelve knights were real historical figures who acquired lands in the region during or shortly after the Norman advance into Glamorgan.

Lydia’s mother, Jane, a bit of a social climber, perpetuated the myth that the Le Beaus were among the Twelve Knights of Glamorgan who accompanied the Norman baron Robert Fitzhamon during the conquest of Glamorgan, c1093–1107.

What’s in a name? How did a family called Le Beau end up living in Glamorgan in the 1770s?

I believe he was sincere in that comment. Though I suspect Miss 1966 said something similar too 🙂

Meanwhile, the village is coming to terms with a scandal involving their recently defrocked vicar, blaming a young deaf woman for the vicar's sins. The strands of the story combine to reveal the perpetrators, and to open Lydia's eyes to the possibility of romance.

While Lydia's mother busies herself, trying to find a suitable, wealthy, suitor for Lydia, Tom Morgan is on the trail of local smugglers. Lydia and Tom's paths cross when Lydia's mother inadvertently buys smuggled goods - a consignment of tea.

Storm in a Teacup is the first story in a new series, Lydia LeBeau Mysteries. The mysteries, set in the 1770s, are investigated by Lydia LeBeau, a young woman of comfortable means, and Tom Morgan, a widower and thief-taker.

I’m thinking of starting a thread on Bluesky, posting background details of Storm in a Teacup, and the history behind the story.

I would also include Charlie Parry, Ashley Williams, Mark Pembridge, Gary Speed (😔), Mark Hughes, Barry Horne and Roy Vernon. You might notice that this list contains a strong Welsh bias…

This during the glorious era of Neville Southall and Kevin Ratcliffe? Two players who must surely feature in the Greatest Everton XI of all time.

Latest episode of The Vanishing Village. The background tones remind me of scenes in The Avengers episode broadcast this week in 1968.

What is Everton’s longest ever undefeated run? I can’t find a reference to it 🤷‍♀️

Seems there was a lot going on in Dawn Fraser’s life…

A “controversial” issue this week. Not happy with what happened to the “monster”. Feel this could have done with a re-write. Take a look. See what you think. As ever, lots to enjoy.

I think the voters got it wrong in the Peggy Lee match-up. Aretha Franklin looks favourite to be the number one seed in the Third Round. Surprisingly, Debbie Harry is the lowest ranked Third Round qualifier, so far. I’m cheering for Dusty Springfield, third in the seedings to date.

Our Mastodon Fantasy Band Poll Singers: Second Round Results: Peggy Lee 42% v 58% Tom Petty Sinéad O’Connor 45% v 55% Debbie Harry Dusty Springfield 76% v 24% Ray Davies Aretha Franklin 91% v 9% Art Garfunkel