Nuneaton, Warwickshire (birthplace of Larry Grayson)
Also the birthplace of writer George Eliot, the friendly town of Nuneaton in Warwickshire, is best-known for being the birthplace of Larry Grayson, one of England’s most beloved entertainers, who despite his success, loved it here so much that he never left.
Nuneaton (the name is from a 12th century Benedictine nunnery) has a market that has been there since 1247. Local residents are concerned that a new housing development could impact the water quality at a local stream from run-off, as it recently found endangered water voles nearby.
Labour government plans are to rip up local planning laws, to build more homes (although it’s perfectly possible to do this, without affecting wildlife if they consult with ecological planning experts).
Larry Grayson was born to a single mother, who handed him in a blanket to a local family (they all remained close friends, he lived with his sister until his death). His phrase ‘shut that door’ arose from when he first did stand-up, and a stage door kept flying open!
It is important to be happy and enjoy what you are doing, without the sole aim of becoming a star. Setting out only to be a star, can lead to misery. If someone is meant to become a star, it will happen naturally. Larry
Isla St Clair (not impressed by reality TV)
Many people loved The Generation Game TV series a few decades ago, presented by Larry and his beautiful co-star Isla St Clair. She was a Scottish folk singer (she still is! – listen to beautiful songs at her site for free).
However like many, she is not impressed with modern reality TV (from bullying TV shows to ones that millions inexplicably seem to find entertaining). She writes that people long for a light entertainment show that ‘doesn’t involve eating worms or awful revelations that should be kept indoors’.
A view shared by TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham. He recently wrote an open letter to Ant and Dec, asking them to not promote a show where native creatures are scared (or eaten) for ‘entertainment’.
Each year, Ofcom receives thousands of complaints about the ‘I’m a Celebrity’ show, which also disrupts local ecosystems (these are creature that in nature, would be food for other creatures).
The programs also sends the message that insects are of no value. In fact, insects vital to ecosystems (and likely a more important range of species than humans!)
