A New Broom
I was all for packing my bags and hitching out of town when the final missive from the previous premises was delivered. I anticipated a few fond farewells, but I always imagined my predecessor had a monopoly on popularity and I was just the substitute, coming off the bench to polite applause as she left the field to a standing ovation. The sense of obligation to someone I looked upon as a mentor ensured the daily entrance through your letterbox was adhered to; there was a lot of midnight oil burning to guarantee the 9.00am deadline was never missed, and I have to admit it often came at the expense of other projects that didn’t possess the same urgency. That said, I thrived on the pressure and enjoyed it.
And now it appears my mind has been made up by you. Quite frankly, I was overwhelmed by the response to ‘The Last Post’ and realised (belatedly) there were a lot of people out there who liked my musings. When still undecided, I toyed with a replacement header for the old Raccoon Arms sign that the previous resident was eager to be removed as soon as possible; keen to keep the concept of a pub snug as a metaphor for lively debate, I conceived the ‘Tap Room’ idea and had no idea it had been publicly unveiled after I tried it out as a test. Once the world had laid eyes upon it, I guess I had no option but to begin rebuilding.
The Tap Room will (hopefully) carry on the good work of the last eight years, but there will be inevitable differences. Firstly, I won’t be delivering every single day without fail; if a lot is going on, the instinct to comment will take over and there will be a daily delivery; but I won’t feel obliged to put something up simply for the sake of it. Secondly, I will generally try to avoid a subject that has provoked more heated emotions than any other since 2012; the repercussions for my predecessor were not ones I wish to experience myself. If an important development occurs, I’ll find it hard to resist; but there are other sites dedicated to the topic that are penned by people far more knowledgeable of it than me, people who have the time and energy to exhaustively research every angle of it.
I always did my best to dispel the myth that the Raccoon Arms was a one-trick pony, despite posts on that particular subject drawing the biggest viewing figures more or less every time – something that gave further ammunition to the nasty bastards. And this is something I shall continue to do. Savile and all its related offshoots are but one aspect of the myriad of issues that are dragging the country down the plughole, so it will have no priority over any other here.
So, we shall see what happens. If the reaction to whatever comes next is as enthusiastic as the comments that pleaded with me to continue, it will be worth it. If I fall flat on my arse, my sword will not be far behind. I have a lot of other work to which I have to devote a good deal of my time at the moment, not least (shameless plug approaching) promoting a book I spent over a year delicately putting together, now that it is finally on sale. But, I shall endeavour to provide an oasis for common sense whilst common sense remains on the list of endangered species – as long as everybody wants one.
Petunia Winegum
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November 28, 2015 at 1:37 pm -
Links updated Pet.
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November 28, 2015 at 1:37 pm -
Thank you. This is good news. I have enjoyed your pieces for the quality of the writing as well as the subject matters. I very much admire that fluency.
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November 28, 2015 at 1:46 pm -
A most welcome U Turn. Noted opening hours may sometimes be erratic and if so we will knock loudly on the door until served. Bon chance.
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November 28, 2015 at 1:57 pm -
Great news. And good luck. You mentioned “other sites”. It might help relieve the strain on resources if you refer to them in some kind of standing sidebar. Thos whoi want to pursue that passion can then pass on. Sort of like the door steward kindly informing the “unsuitable” gust that “You might be better suited elsewhere “.
Once again, good luck.
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November 28, 2015 at 1:58 pm -
Excellent.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:03 pm -
Very relieved. I can appreciate the stress of keeping to a deadline regardless and would prefer you wrote just as much as you feel is right for you rather than decide to give up entirely. I doubt I’m alone in thinking that.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:05 pm -
Pet, I don’t know how either yourself or Anna managed to keep up the daily-output, so not being slave to any sense of obligation seems like a very sensible idea.
(I’m not sure if it would entail much effort or not, but IF not can I suggest a ‘Subscribe’ function might be useful? I know that it is available already for those brave enough to comment at least once, but I imagine there are many others who miss out on posts through not doing so.)P.S. “Shameless plugging”?!? You’d be booted off of a ‘Marketing for Beginners’-course as beyond help! There’s nothing to feel guilty about in ‘pushing’ something that has been created as a labour of love – likewise your video work. Personally I’d leave a permanent reminder here, and an occasional link to a relevant – or just amusing – video wouldn’t go amiss, either. But that’s just me… Anyway, I wish you the best of luck for the future.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:16 pm -
“If I fall flat on my arse, my sword will not be far behind.”
It’s good to be in the presence of one who is properly and formally dressed.
Excellent news. Thank you very much.
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November 28, 2015 at 4:14 pm -
I have somewhat more confidence in Petunia’s ‘simple sword of truth’ than that wielded by the much-unlamented Mr Aitken – nevertheless, when in proximity of said arse, it would be wise to ensure that ones ‘sword’ is adequately sheathed.
Good decision, Pet – from memory, a Tap Room could become a little more raucous than the Snug, but the sawdust floor-covering will soak up any spilt blood. Your gaff, your rules, your pace.
Onwards and upwards.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:21 pm -
Great news!
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November 28, 2015 at 2:26 pm -
Well thank goodness for that Pet, looking forward to it. Incidentally, will Annas archive be available anywhere?
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November 28, 2015 at 8:03 pm -
A reasonable archive of previous pages of any site can be viewed by entering the site’s address into:
The Wayback Machine has saved “annaraccoon.com” 220 times between February 6, 2009 and October 22, 2015.
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November 28, 2015 at 2:45 pm -
You have made my day, nay month.
Thank you for your past tireless efforts. Very, very much appreciated.
I hope that Gildas will also keep his keyboard active.
You are right about Anna. We do love and appreciate her.
However you are a worthy partner so God speed your pen. -
November 28, 2015 at 4:11 pm -
I’m glad to hear it. I’ve lurked here for years, and still read nearly everything on this blog while the days of my rss reader reaching unread:0 are long gone.
You were a good choice to succeed Ms. Raccoon and i was aghast to think you were hanging up your fingers. -
November 28, 2015 at 4:36 pm -
Pet: you were always a worthy read in your own right (write), and I always enjoyed the contrast in styles between you and Anna. I’m glad you have re-considered, as the space created here is valuable. To all of us.
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November 28, 2015 at 5:04 pm -
Wonderful news, look forward to reading all your posts, I will miss Anna, this was my first read of the day but you have proved a worthy successor .
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November 28, 2015 at 5:29 pm -
Can I add my congratulations to the list please?
I am amazed that this blog ( sorry hostelry) has always managed produce such clear thinking and attention to detail, whilst at the same time managing to be interesting and entertaining. I can only imagine how much of a mammoth undertaking it must be to produce such intelligent content day after day. At the same time I would never have the stamina to spend so much time turning over stones to expose the horrors underneath. Emotional fatigue and sheer depression would have overtaken me years ago.
For that reason I fully understood the reasons behind the former Landlady to take her well earned retirement. Time for us to move on and to be thankful that we were able to fortunate enough to enjoy the good times we had here. I miss Dudley Moore’s piano performances very much but am glad that I was around to hear it when it was happening.Pet, I’m sure you understand that quality always trumps quantity and that at the end of the day, all of this is only so many marks on a video screen. To use another Jazz analogy, Count Basie didn’t play many notes on the piano, but he was a genius at knowing which ones to select. I would venture that you have a similar talent
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November 28, 2015 at 5:37 pm -
*wonders why the header picture is of a 1820’s Coffee House ( “Tom and Jerry at a Coffee Shop near the Olympic”. An illustration by Issac and George Cruikshank).* Is our esteemed Landlord not only a god cursed vegan but a heretic teetotaler to boot, by the Lord Harry!
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November 28, 2015 at 7:33 pm -
One more thing I forgot to mention I would’ve missed had I packed it in – the revolting pedants!!! Actually, I couldn’t find an image of a tap room that seemed suitable, so I opted for Tom & Jerry’s coffee shop. Had I renamed the blog The Coffee Shop, however, I reckoned it would’ve sounded like the website for some trendy Shoreditch gaff run by a couple of hipsters. Therefore, artistic licence = licensed premises!
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November 28, 2015 at 8:01 pm -
Pedant? Precisian or Pettifogger if you please.
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November 29, 2015 at 1:15 pm -
LOL at Dwarf being called a revolting pedant
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November 29, 2015 at 12:18 pm -
It’s a very good drawing, anyway.
And they don’t look as though they are drinking coffee. Perhaps it was enhanced in some way …
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November 28, 2015 at 6:21 pm -
More power to your pen Pet! Glad you’ve decided to carry on delighting us with your prose.
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November 28, 2015 at 6:38 pm -
So glad you’ve had second thoughts. Thank you.
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November 28, 2015 at 6:51 pm -
Excellent news!
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November 28, 2015 at 7:04 pm -
Great to hear this!
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November 28, 2015 at 7:18 pm -
Very good news indeed! Long may your nib scrape.
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November 28, 2015 at 7:58 pm -
He needs to put vaseline on them.
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November 28, 2015 at 7:54 pm -
Despondency lifted, thankyou and good luck behind the new bar, mine’s a generous whisky-mac ta.
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November 28, 2015 at 8:03 pm -
Well Pet – you keep writing – I’ll keep reading.
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November 28, 2015 at 8:09 pm -
This is very good news.
Perhaps one or two of the readers might occasionally contribute an essay ? I am pretty sure there are some clever and well-informed people among the regulars here.
Of course you would have to be able to decline any such essay, or suggest improvements.
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November 28, 2015 at 8:10 pm -
Honestly Uncle Petunia i really didn’t expect a lack of confidence in you …..really really……. coz you are insightfull honest and write damn well. Comparison with others is odious…..There is only one Anna Raccoon ,,,,,,and equally only one Uncle Petunia
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November 28, 2015 at 8:11 pm -
PS I knew you would be back …..but not within the day!!!!
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November 28, 2015 at 8:37 pm -
Hurrah !
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November 28, 2015 at 9:02 pm -
The sun has got it’s hat on Hip Hip Hip Hurray……
Welcome home Pet, mind now to keep us posted on the lovely Anna.
Make mine a pint and a pie, and have one for your good self.
Oh yes, feel better now.
Micky. -
November 28, 2015 at 11:26 pm -
Unexpected good news.
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November 28, 2015 at 11:28 pm -
Good news.
Illegitimi non carborundum.
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November 29, 2015 at 3:54 am -
Off topic in particular, but on topic in general, thanks to who ever it was who mentioned the Wilko Johnson documentary. It is available on BBC Iplayer for a few more days. There is a great deal to do with loss and mortality in the film, and it does get a bit unflinching.
On topic because it features Wilko, a gas fitter’s son from Canvey Island, reciting poetry in Ancient Icelandic from memory.
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November 29, 2015 at 11:57 am -
‘Twas I, and no problem – it’s an incredible film, and the sort of thing everyone should see.
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November 29, 2015 at 4:27 pm -
Thank you Chris, and note that the retardedkingdom blog is your work, which is an excellent thing and thank you for that.
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November 29, 2015 at 5:49 am -
Great to hear!
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November 29, 2015 at 9:23 am -
I’m not a regular follower of this blog, but when ever I have tuned in I have found interesting (& thought provoking). May it continue for as long as you’re happy to do so.
And should you stop being happy . . . well, fair enough and thanks anyway.
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November 29, 2015 at 9:50 am -
Hurrah! Great news. I will continue to walk past every day in the hopes of finding The Tap Room open for business. Thank you.
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November 29, 2015 at 10:15 am -
November 29, 2015 at 11:12 am -
What wonderful news, every article has been brain stimulating in the past, please continue though perhaps to a less demanding personal schedule
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November 29, 2015 at 11:39 am -
Common sense? There’s no room for that; we expect uncommon sense at the very least!
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November 29, 2015 at 11:41 am -
Excellent news. Really.
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November 29, 2015 at 1:10 pm -
Excellent news. Last time the landlady hung up her quill, I sent a message expressing my dismay and suggesting that with her formidable intellect and steadfast sense of justice, she may regret her actions. I am sure that should she be moved in future to sit in a corner and comment then you would welcome her as we all would. Bon chance.
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November 29, 2015 at 1:44 pm -
Splendid news. The idea of aiming to keep quality up is a very good one, and if that means posting less frequently, it’s a perfectly understandable position.
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November 29, 2015 at 4:46 pm -
Great news Petunia. I think that is exactly as it should be. THAT topic became I burden for the Boss, and her compelling desire to sort out fact from fiction. Only know do I appreciate how much it took its toll on her. With recent events (loss of the Old Cat, the Boss’s decision) I feel I have come to the end of one chapter of my life. But the book is far from over yet, and the story not complete. I would like a happy ending, and this is a fitting place to start.
Would you mind if I made occasional contributions, and dropped by for the odd glass of Cloudy Bay Chardonnay and some oysters? I would just like to raise the t
Comments are closed.