Britain is no country for old men: Britain, no country for an old farmer and an old actor, is still one for an old band leader called Dave Clark and three of his Five

Wednesday, 15 December 2010

Britain, no country for an old farmer and an old actor, is still one for an old band leader called Dave Clark and three of his Five

A trawl through the Guardian newspaper revealed 4 items involving old men : three were bad news involving the general threat of swine flu to old men, a 75 year old farmer fatally injured by his spooked herd of cattle and a misleading obituary which indicated the death of a, still living, 79 year old actor and one was good - the 68th birthday of an old band leader.

1. Swine flu caused 10 recent UK deaths
Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said:
"For most people flu is not life-threatening and usually lasts seven to 10 days. However, it can be far more dangerous for those in at-risk groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women and patients with heart problems, diabetes or lung, liver or renal diseases, or those who have weak immune systems, who are at risk of developing complications."

2. Birthdays :

Dave Clark drummer and pop businessman is 68 today.

3. A story involving the death of a 75 year old farmer.
Apparently, he had suffered head and chest injuries and died in hospital after being trampled by a herd of cows stampeded by a firefighter, who on his way to the scene of a traffic accident had turned on his siren on a country road and spooked the herd.

4. A story involving Tony Blair's wife, Cherie's 79 year old father, the actor Tony Booth.

Apparently :
' Monday's obituary of the respected Guardian theatre critic Robin Thornber showed him in a photograph in conversation with Tony and it was not immediately clear which of the men pictured has passed away.
His wife said : "Tony turned to the obituaries – he's at that age when any of his contemporaries outlived is a minor triumph – to find himself featured in a photograph. The colour drained from the poor fellow's face, and I momentarily pondered the whereabouts of the life policies."

The newspaper said : 'Tony would have had an inkling that he was breathing, and not suitable material for a Guardian obit just yet. But we accept that he saw the photo first thing in the morning, when one's grasp of mortality feels quite tenuous. So: we're glad you are still with us, Tony. No damages. But we're very sorry.'

I think I'll stick with the Old Birthday Boy Dave Clark, since he allows me to indulge in a bit of nostalgia.