The charity shop confessional

In which G.M. Norton bags a pair of brogues and two ties for less than five English pounds.

If you have followed this periodical of mine with proper care, you will be aware that I am a regular frequenter of the great British charity shop. So when I chanced upon a bargain or three, I naturally wanted to share it with you, dear reader.

Take last Sunday during a quick inspection of the local YMCA shop. This particular beneficiary boutique is fast becoming one of my favourites. It's an extremely large retail space, across one sweeping level. Largely furniture, is also comprises a good selection of books, an assortment of homeware items, and just a rail or two of clothes. Despite the small space dedicated to clothing, over the last few months, I've picked up a couple of super blazers. One of which fits me like the proverbial glove. Indeed, when wearing it for the first time to the office, a lady caught sight of it and remarked that "It's too good for here."

The Gentlemen of Christmas Past, Present and Future

In which G.M. Norton raises his beaker in a reverent toast to a fine selection of festive fellows.

With Christmas almost upon us like an eagle hovering over a startled lamb, I’d like us to raise our collective glasses to toast the gentlemen of Christmas past, present and future.

Christmas past - the Christmas Star and the Three Wise Men

As we all know, Bing Crosby was the Star of Christmas, single-handedly revolutionising the bland Christmas Carol and turning it into something quite pleasing to the discerning ear.

Wit and wisdom from Sir Noël Coward

In which G.M. Norton tips his hat to the second wittiest man of all time.

Playwright, composer, director, actor, singer. Sir Noël Coward was all of these things and so much more. As his chum, Lord Mountbatten, remarked in 1969:

"There are probably greater painters than Noël, greater novelists than Noël, greater librettists, greater composers of music, greater singers, greater dancers, greater comedians, greater tragedians, greater stage producers, greater film directors, greater cabaret artists, greater TV stars. If there are, they are fourteen different people. Only one man combined all fourteen different labels – The Master." 

On film: The Ladykillers

In which G.M. Norton comes over all Barry Norman and waxes lyrical about one of his favourite films.

When I look back at my childhood, some of my happiest memories are curling up on a rainy day, staring up at the idiot’s lantern and watching a film.

Laurel and Hardy featured quite prominently and in later years, I was introduced to the Carry Ons, Alfred Hitchcock masterpieces and James Bond. Ealing comedies were also a favourite of the Norton household, especially The Ladykillers.