Graham was the first person I knew who had a computer – a ZX Spectrum (I think it was that rather the ZX81). We played a game called Time Gate on it and it seemed amazing. The games were loaded from audio cassette. Our family’s first computer was a VIC 20. Neil had one andContinue reading “Computer Love”
Tag Archives: Neil Wigley
We’re Living in a Powder Keg
Brightlingsea’s pubs had a famously relaxed attitude to underage drinking. The police had a minimal presence and as long as there was no trouble in the village they pretty much ignored us. It used to have 13 pubs, plus the Sailing Club, Yacht Club, British Legion, Community Centre and the Football Club – 18 placesContinue reading “We’re Living in a Powder Keg”
With Total Dedication
A lot of my friends will get a dedicated entry about things we have done together and what they have meant to me in life. It is kind of embarrassing, but it is the truth. When we went on holiday in 1991 Dave Francis led the way. He had been abroad more than the restContinue reading “With Total Dedication”
I’m Adaptable and I Like My New Role
Groups bind over time. Our sixth form was split between arts and science (I had wanted to do double maths, physics and history, one extra A level, but I was told the timetabling was impossible – at Monoux we run over 25 A levels and almost any combination is possible). On the science side thereContinue reading “I’m Adaptable and I Like My New Role”
For Your Eyes Only
In the early days in the sixth form we had plenty of time on our hands. Obviously, there is “No such thing as a free period. It is a self-study period” – copyright just about every teacher ever was repeated to us a lot. Of course we ignored it. We spent one entire morning withContinue reading “For Your Eyes Only”
But you know that there’s a fever
There was a show in the early 80s called Entertainment USA. It was fronted by Jonathan King, who was Radio One’s man in America and had been reporting on Top of the Pops. Neil and I both watched it and it was a good way of being ahead of the trend. In those days, ifContinue reading “But you know that there’s a fever”
In the State of Ecstasy
This song is odd. It was a hit years after it was made and if you listen carefully you can tell. One minute and four seconds in there is an instrumental break that is so 1991 that it might as well be flashing up a neon sign flashing – “We are ripping off the Prodigy’sContinue reading “In the State of Ecstasy”
The Alcohol Loves You While Turning You Blue
There’s no place like home, but where is home for someone who moves around? I didn’t want to move to Brightlingsea. I had finally got a group of friends in Royston who shared my interests in books, music and RPGs. Also I was at a school that really suited me (very disciplined, low disruption andContinue reading “The Alcohol Loves You While Turning You Blue”
In the Cruel Garden of Delights
They say that if you tell someone your favourite music they should be able to estimate your age, in most cases. This is the kind of track that marks me out as a teenager in the early 1980s. Bauhaus have not had one of those groups careers that has been marked out by endless reunionContinue reading “In the Cruel Garden of Delights”
Five Miles Out 