Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Villa Programme inclusion, and a round-up.

So, as we hinted at last week, we were honoured to be featured in the award-winning Aston Villa News & Record, or as it’s better known – the Villa programme! We were treated to a fantastic day out at Villa Park some weeks ago now, and had lots of pictures taken on the pitch (sorry ground staff!) and took away so many special memories of an unforgettable day. We were in the programme for the Wigan game, sharing a page with the great Brian Little (walks on water) and details of the club’s new Badge (or “Crest” as it’s being called nowadays!). On the page opposite was the great Paul McGrath, the best player I’ve ever seen in Villa colours, so we were really were highly honoured. Attached is a scan of the feature, hope you enjoy it as much as we did.   What other news have we got in the last week? Well, the Monday was a Bank Holiday, so we were, obviously, at the Villa, good game, but Wigan's time-wasting and spoiling tactics did not a pretty sight make. I wasn’t bothered at all about them going down before the game, but I came out of the ground thinking there was no way I could suffer that every week. Kell had another busy week organising wedding stuff, this week we popped over to her Nan’s in Tamworth, where the insuperable Julie had left a wonderful Table Plan for us to proof-read. She really has done us proud with the stationery. Oh, on Easter Sunday afternoon we were over at Shirley & Tony’s (Kell’s other grandparents), to have a bite to eat with a host of family members, including Wolverhampton’s latest superstar DJ “Stu B” or Uncle Stuart as he’s known to Kelly! He’s the newest, hippest, most modern DJ on WCR, Sunday evenings! It was nice to see them all again, and Tony makes excellent wine – more please Master Vintner! The day before we had a lovely lunch at The Swan in Whittington, just off the M5, with my Dad & Carol, and my Nan Maisie, and of course, Leanne, who was delighted when Grandad agreed to push her on the swings!   So, to this weekend – we went to London on Saturday and watched the brilliant show Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales theatre in the West End.   This was a brilliant show; a real uplifting night was had. My personal highlight was ‘Chiquitita’ which reminds me so much of my much missed Mom. “You’ll be dancing once again and the pain will end” – ah, I’ll stop there. Sunday we continued our journey, with a trip along the M3 to Hayling Island for the night. I expected more, to be honest, but never mind, the weather was very kind to us, and we had a lovely evening – thank you darling, and thank you for my birthday presents and for a lovely weekend, I love you so much xxx Sooo, only five more full weeks to go now, and as I speak Kelly is on the ‘phone arranging things again! I wonder what she’ll do when she’s finished all this? She’s been an absolute star, as has Angela and Julie, and everyone else that’s helped us – thanks everyone xxx Permalink:# Posted by Ian Bourne on 17.04.2007; 9:50:10 PM from the dept. Discuss Comment [0] Trackback [2]

More Q&A fun, this time with my mate, Stuart, from Cheltenham

Stu has been kind enought to do a Q&A, although I suspect he was more interested in getting his picture on the Internet!! Hi Stu! I plan to do a comprehensive update this evening covering the programme insert that Rob Bishop very kindly did for us, and also our lovely weekend away that we've just had, firstly in London on Saturday for Mamma Mia! (brilliant) and then on to Hayling Island on Sunday, as I'd got a meeting in Havant on Monday first thing, and also because Monday was my birthday! 36 yesterday - and I don't feel a day over 30! Anyway, back to Stu, or Cheltenhamlion to give him his other monicker - another true Villa fan, and all-round decent bloke. Had a bit of bad luck at the weekend (Man U fans causing grief) but I'm pleased to say he's as fit (ha ha!) and well as ever. Hello to Mrs Stuart too!! *waves* So, here's the man himself, in his own words. Oh, and Stu is the man responsible for young Andy, featured on Q&A a while back, having to eat his hat due to a lost bet, so therefore, top bloke! Oh, one more thing, I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for the good wishes we've had in the last week or so, and also for my birthday wishes and gifts - thanks everyone, all very much appreciated. It's GREAT being a Villa fan! What is your favourite place that you have visited? I have travelled quite a bit so that is a tricky question. Either Italy or Florida would be the choice but it's difficult to pick between them. Name something that you like about yourself: My enormous......!! Only joking, that's hard to answer to be honest. I have never really thought about it. If pushed, I would go with my ability to make people laugh. (Ian: when's this then? :-) ) Who would play you in a film? I'd quite like to play myself. I did a little acting when I was younger. Failing that, anyone that could do my accent. It's sort of a combination between Boris Johnson and Jethro. If you could then get this mix to do their best impression of a Brummie accent and that's kind of how I sound!! What is your dream car, and why? Bugatti Veyron for no other reason than it goes like the proverbial off a stick. When did you first go to a Villa game? Late Eighties was my first game. 3-0 home win over Sunderland. I was in the programme for the next home game celebrating on the Holte after Ian Olney's opener. (Ian: hark at him, in the programme before us!) What are you looking forward to the most at our wedding? Photographic evidence of Andy eating his hat. By the way did he settle on what sort of hat he was going to eat? And is he having it with chips as I suggested? (Ian: no, not yet, marzipan is my suggestion). Do you collect anything, and if so what? Idiotic, childish friends if you were to ask the wife!! I never really grew up so my very boyish sense of humour tends to be reflected in my pals. Who are your top three all-time favourite musical artists? I have a very eclectic taste in music so this one is tricky. Blur would have to be up there, so would Andy Williams and probably Chas & Dave as the third. I bet people will think I am very odd after seeing that list. (Ian: Stu, they don't need that list for that!) What is your favourite food? Italian. I can't watch an episode of The Soprano's without drooling at all those pasta dishes. What is your all-time favourite song? No Pleasing You - Chas & Dave Who is your all-time favourite Villa player? I grew up watching Villa when Paul McGrath was at his best so he has to be the one although I also really liked Ian Taylor and Andy Townsend as well. What is your fondest ever Villa memory? Lot's here. The Tranmere semi final, Phil King's penalty against Inter Milan, league cup wins in 94/96. I think the proudest I have ever been of a Villa team is when we stopped on the way back from the 94 league cup final. 3 coaches from Cheltenham and we had a pub set aside for us in High Wycombe. Total strangers were thanking us in the street as we got off the coaches for stopping Man Utd winning the treble. The inquest as to who was responsible for 3 of us ending up on our backsides during the first goal celebrations still continues today. If you could meet a famous person who would it be? Dead or living is the question. If I could resurrect someone for a chinwag I would love to have spent some time with Julius Caesar. Someone around now? Al Pacino. He has played some of the most iconic figures in films that I love. Getting to ask him about films like The Godfather, Scarface and Carlito's Way would be a great way to spend an evening. Interesting answers - cheers Stu! Permalink:# Posted by Ian Bourne on 17.04.2007; 4:04:49 PM from the Build-up, Villa dept. Discuss Comment [0] Trackback [1]