cabw News

Spring Bank Holiday

Ian Bourne — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 12:11:15 GMT

So the season ended for Villa with a satisfying sixth place, and a spot in the Intertoto Cup. Another year of improvement, after an eleventh place the season before. A run in one of the Cups would have been nice, but never mind. We've now lost a few squad players, and new signings seem imminent, with the likes of Steve Sidwell, Brad Guzan, David Bentley etc all expected to sign for us. Here's hoping...

On to us! We had a great morning at the Villa back at the beginning of May, for Football Aid. Our Craig played at central midfield, along with site host and friend Lee at, initially, left back before he moved to right back. That sort of versatility could get him noticed! The lads both played well in searing heat, and special mentions must go to the two Managers - Chris Nicholl and Charlie Aitken, along with legend Pat Heard who played a blinder. Sadly they narrowly lost but it didn't dampen an unforgettable event for them. Better luck next time! Here's a few shots of the match:

At the end of May, my gorgeous wife Kelly and I took a very much needed and well deserved break - this time, as ever, we went via the Eurostar and TGV, down to the South of France. This time we went from the rebuilt St. Pancras station - which was very nice if you like glass and shops. Not a lot of heritage left there, sadly, of the old interior, although the building itself remains iconic. We arrived in Aix En Provence on the Friday afternoon, after whizzing down through France at 200mph+ for three and a half hours. We picked up our hire car, and tootled off to our hotel, the Aquabella in Aix. We had three lovely nights here, with the weather being nice until we left on the Monday morning, by which time it had turned rather ugly. Here's my beautiful girl in the old town of Aix, chilling out, along with one or two shots of Aix and ugly me by the Rotonde!

Then we drove on to Cannes, home, of course, to the world famous Cannes International Film Festival, which has closed the day before we arrived, so we didn't get to see any stars. We did see the hotels bedecked in Hollywood paraphinalia for each film that sponsored the hotel, and the red carpet was still there, albeit somewhat soggy. We stayed at the Sofitel Mediterrane,which has a charm to it, but is a little dated in places. We didn't get to sample the outside pool, as it constantly poured with rain. Whilst in Cannes, we drove over to Grasse to visit the Fragronard perfume factory, and get a few gifts for the family, and then plonked ourselves in a local bar, the Equator, where we met some lovely people, Tim, who's a big Villa fan (this nutter and his Dad fly back for every home match and almost all away games!) and his lovely Mom and Dad, Rog. They are all lucky enough to have moved to the sunshine, with Roger & Cynthia recently completing to move up the road from Tim and his lovely wife Sandra - good luck on your new home folks, great to meet you! As it would be rude not to, we went out for a meal and several drinks with Tim & Sandra, and as I said to Tim the other day, me and him would still be sat there now, drinking, if it wasn't for our trusty wives! Anyway, great to see you both, hope to see you soon.

Of course, it was our First Wedding Anniversary on the 26th, and a year that has flew past. Kell and I had bought each other some little mementoes for our Anniversary, and we had a lovely night out too - thank you for a wonderful year babe, you are the best wife anyone could ever wish for xxxx I love you more with every passing day, if that's possible, and life wouldn't be complete without you xxx Thank you for making me so happy darling xxxx

We ended our little break with a couple of nights back at our Honeymoon hotel - Kell couldn't resist seeing as we were so close to the area! So we checked into the Le Meridien Juan les Pins for the last couple of nights, and had a wonderful time, despite the weather still not having improved. It was lovely to see the place again, and lie in bed and see the sea! We had a great time, if only the weather had brightened up it would have been perfect. Anyway, we then went back to Aix for a night, before we got the TGV back to Lille on the Sunday, and the Eurostar back to London, before sitting in traffic for an hour and a half trying to get out of the place. Next time I think we'll go from Ebbsfleet International, give that a try. Just means going over that dreaded Jubilee Bridge!

Finally, for this update, we were lucky enough to go to the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert at Hyde Park last week, and without any doubt the highlight was when the great man came on stage and spoke. I had a lump in my throat and a bit of grit in my eye, I think! More on that lovely night soon. Thanks for sticking with us, the hits on the site are as ridiculously high as ever! My next Q&A is coming up, this time with a Villa man, and a good friend of mine...

Cheers!

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Baby

Kelly — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:47:23 GMT

Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary Baby! Thank you for a wonderful, memorable 1st year as husband and wife darling xxxx Thank you for my card and my lovely gifts gorgeous, they are beautiful baby, thank you so much xxx I love you xxxxx

Thank you for a lovely holiday too darling, if only the weather could be a bit kinder to us, but just to be here the two of us on our own spending some quality loving time together day and night is all it's about for me baby xxxx

I didn't make a speech on our wedding day but I'll say a few special words now about my special husband from what is a day to celebrate our special day a year ago yesterday, and Villa's European Win!!!

Baby, thank you for making me the happiest proudest girl alive and for being the best husband anyone could ever wish for, you are everything to me xx I'm the luckiest girl alive xxx Thank you for everything you do for me and for always being there for me xxx My heart aches when we're apart and bounces when we're together xxx Thank you for giving me the best day of my life on our special magical wedding day, I know it was the best day of your life from the beaming smile on your face, I'll never forget that beaming picture on your face baby when I walked down the aisle to you and looked into your eyes as I arrived and stood next to you xx I love you so much darling xxx Your my best friend, my lover, my soul mate, my husband and everything I could have ever wished for xxxx

Here's to the start of another year with many more special, joyful, precious memories to treasure forever xxxxx Happy 1st Anniversary Darling, I love you more than ever, you're so special to me baby xxxx I love you with all my heart and soul always and forever xxxxxxxxx

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY DARLING!

Ian Bourne — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:52:05 GMT

Happy Anniversary darling, one year today! I love you more with each passing day, you are the sunshine in my sky xxxx I'm having a wonderful holiday, even though we've had funny weather! Thank you for my card and gifts, you are my everything xxxx

I love you so much, all my heart, body and soul Babe xxxxx

From my speech a year ago:

But I think our song sums up how I feel about you. I really “can’t take my eyes of you”, and I wouldn’t want to. You and my beautiful daughter, Leanne, are quite simply the best thing that’s ever happened to me - well, the European Cup win runs it close, I suppose! - And I love you more than I can ever, ever say. Thank you so much for being a part of my life, thanks for being my bride, and thanks for being so great with Leanne, and all of the kind things you do for me. She never misses an opportunity to tell me how much she loves me – so here’s the biggest stage I’ll get to say it: I love you darling xxxx

At last! A new Q&A, this time with the infamous Martin!

Ian Bourne — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:48:16 GMT

So, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Martin to you, aka Angela's chap. Martin is a very important person as he arranges our not-often-enough curries at the Ranga Matti (excuse the spelling, I'm not a Wednesfield walla!), giving him a unique social standing, as Chief Curry Organiser. Not only that, but he's a very nice bloke, who, like all, welcomed me into the family with open arms. Only trouble is, he kissed me aswell! Martin runs a couple of websites, that are excellent genealogy reference points. No babe, that's got nothing to do with jeans! You can see them here: http://www.rushtonspencer.info/ & http://rushtonspencer.wordpress.com/

Here he is, on his snowboard in The Alps.

So, on with the Questions and Answers, I think you'll agree he has some very interesting replies:

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE THAT YOU HAVE VISITED?

I’ve seen many places usually from a coach at night, but I don’t think you can beat climbing Haystacks in the Lake District (the mountain not the bales of hay found on farms Ian) (IAN: I knew that, honest) and watching the sun set, although it does mean you have to "walk out" in the dark.

NAME SOMETHING THAT YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?

Well as the deadly sins now seem to be virtues I could say my arrogance my ego or my boyish good looks (Ian falls over laughing at this point), but at the end of the day, I am what I am and I’m comfortable with that.

WHO WOULD PLAY ME IN A FILM?

That’s an ambiguous question, if you mean who would play you then it would have to be John Candy as he was always good for a laugh, but having heard your cd then possibly Meat Loaf.

On the other hand if you mean me then, Brad Pitt as people say that he looks like me, though I don’t see it myself – well may be a little. Unfortunately the only people to tell me I look like Mr Pitt are pensioners and men and that includes some lad who stared at me while I was making use of a urinal then looking rather awe struck said "you look like Brad Pitt" not the most comfortable of experiences, but better than the time an old man kept trying to stroke my inner thigh on the bus.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM CAR, AND WHY?

Horses for courses I’m afraid, in an ideal world I’d have three. A Honda Accord, the 2.4 litre sporty version with the 18" alloys and sports suspension for day to day use. For rufty tufty countryside stuff then it would have to be a tossup between the Toyota Landcrusier Amazon and the Hilux Crewcab, I think the Landcrusier would win for comfort but I’d lose out on the load space of the Hilux. That just leaves the car for the weekend, long drives etc, and I suppose the dream car, it would be an Aston Martin DB9 but with the body work of the N24 as I like the silhouette of the N24 but the lack of aircon, radio, windows that open etc is a little off putting to say the least – remember James May driving naked in the Alps? That was an N24, so for me it would be the DB9 sent to prodrive for a bit of work on the handling, engine and that GT look.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST GO TO A VILLA GAME?

I’ve been to a few villas and played a few games, some of them at villas, but if you are referring to Aston Villa I have to admit that I dislike football and so haven’t been to one, and have no plans to do so. Sorry.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF OUR WEDDING?

It’s difficult to highlight a single part as a favourite, the ceremony itself was moving, the meal was excellent and the magician was a nice touch, perhaps Craig making an ass of himself on the stage at the end of the night stands out in my mind, but then again. (Ian: this was proper wedding do hilarity as it should be!)

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING, AND IF SO WHAT?

What a question this will make me look rather sad! Useless information is the main thing that I collect; the "did you know …" sort of thing is my speciality. Other things, and for the life of me I don’t know why, included corks from wine bottles & tops from beer bottles, but for God’s sake don’t send me any. I seem to have a lot of music, books & magazines lying about as well, as far as proper collecting goes I was into numismatics for a time and have an album of uncirculated South American currency. Perhaps I need to start collecting anoraks!

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ALL-TIME FAVOURITE MUSICAL ARTISTS?

Wagner, as I just love heavy opera.

Justin Sullivan/New Model Army, I think that songs should have some sort of message and their songs do, although I feel that some of our views would be diametrically opposed when it came to hunting and the countryside. Chumbawamba used to have a good political edge to their music, but I feel that they sold out not long after releasing "Slap!"

A third how can anyone make such a choice? Nirvana, Beethoven, Mother Love Bone, Carl Orff, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, I can’t make such a choice two was hard enough.

WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE SONG?

I Wanna Be Your Dog, by the Stooges, it’s the sexiest song in the world! (Martin! I can never look at Angela in the same way again)

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?

I’d like to say my mother’s home cooking but it’s not, mine’s better, but seriously although I like Asian and fusion cooking my favourite would always have to be modern French/European.

WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST EVER MEMORY?

To personal to put online I’m afraid, you’ll just have to guess. (Ian: er, in that case no thankyou! :) )

IF YOU COULD MEET A FAMOUS PERSON WHO WOULD IT BE?

As they say worship your hero’s from afar in case they turn out to be complete and utter w****rs that rules out most people. Having said that Marx & Engels would have been good for discussing social reform and philosophy – I totally agree with the first half of the Communist Manifesto just swop the ruling classes or corporations and it’s as relevant now as when it was written. Norm Chomsky would be good as well, his books are hard going but Listen to him on an audio book or at a lecture and he is very enlightening. The Duke of Edinburgh, to talk about conservation, the countryside, hunting and shooting, as I bet we share many of the same views on such issues.

AS SOME MAY KNOW, YOU MAINTAIN AN EXCELLENT GENEALOGY WEBSITE, WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO START IT?

Rebecca! She came home one day saying that Julie (step mom or dance tutor I’m not to sure which) was researching her family tree and she wanted to have a go, so while helping with that I thought that I would start tracing my family history, which is how I got started.

The motivation behind the website is partially financial! Not to make money for myself though some funding would be useful, but to save people money. I’m lucky in that I live both close to Stafford Archives and within easy reach (about 1 hours drive) of the parish where my maternal Grandmother’s ancestors lived from the late 1500s, that is as far back as I’ve traced them so far, until the early 1900s. If I had to pay someone to carry out research for me it would be upwards of £20 per hour, and all the major websites require subscriptions to access their data. So being the rebel that I am I have taken the step of making as much historical information as possibly for the parish of St. Lawrence, Rushton Spencer freely available online. Partly as a thank you to the people who helped me with my research, to help others with their research and to continue my research.

Well as I said, that was very interesting, thankyou Martin. Feel free to add comments, all good, of course. Good luck with your research and we'll see you after the holidays, thanks again.

Sing When You're Winning!

Ian Bourne — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:15:43 GMT

Hello again! Nice to have had a bit of sunshine the last ten days or so, eh? Good end to the season for the Villa, I think we'd have all settled for a final place of 6th, after being 11th last season. Onwards and upwards, Martin O'Neill really is the Messiah! I wouldn't swap him for any other Manager in the world. We had a great trip to West Ham on Sunday for the last game of the season, and were delighted to each receive a 'Mellberg 4' shirt, with the compliments of King Olof the Great - Olof Mellberg, who's leaving us after seven years to go and play for Juventus. He leaves with every Villa fans best wishes, and thanks. A truly magmanamous gesture by him to give the 3,000 shirts out. The final game is always one for daft dressing up etc, and this one was no exception - we saw Cockney Barrow Boys, the Pearly King, Scooby Doo, a Convict, lots and lots of Vikings, a monkey, and a rubber doll! On the subject of Villa, two people had their dreams come true on Saturday by playing on the hallowed Villa Park pitch: Our Craig and Lee, our webmaster. On a baking hot day they both gave their all and took home many happy memories. More on this in my next update, with pictures.

So, last post I touched on a recording session I had been treated to. Well, here I shall tell you all about one of the best day's of my life. My wonderful gorgeous wife Kell had very kindly bought me a recording session as a Wedding gift (I did get her something, before you ask!), which we booked for the weekend of my birthday. It was at The Beehouse recording studio in Wales, just over the border. The studio is run by exiled brummie Phil, and his wife, set in the rolling hills and beautiful countryside. We elected to stay over the night before, at the Pen-Y-Dyffryn hotel just outside Oswestry. This place I can highly recommend, it's absolutely superb, a real testament to it's owners. It is spotlessly clean, and the Coach House, where we stayed, are smashing rooms with their own terrace with killer views.

The hotel, and it's surroundings. One of The Coach House rooms and it's terrace.

We enjoyed a great meal and then spent an hour on the terrace, before retiring early to bed for an early start the next morning. We tried to put the studio address into the SatNav, to no avail - all that was listed was the village, unfortunately. Now, I'd say I'm pretty good with my sense of direction, but it took us two hours to travel the sixteen miles and locate the studio! :) We got there in the end, thankfully. Having had a cuppa (have to warm the throat up you know) it was straight into the studio. First up was 'Could It Be Magic' - boy, why did I choose this, there are too many high notes in this song! Being the brave soldier that I am, I carried on stoically! Next up for butchering was 'Easy' by the Commodores, which I felt didn't go too badly, I particularly enjoyed the "uuuuuuuuuuurgh" bit before the break! Then it was the turn of 'She's Like The Wind' to be murdered by me, Patrick Swayze would've been proud because he's no singer either! 'Angels' got the treatment next, a song that has always been associated for me with my dear Mom, who I hope would have been proud. Of course she would have been, she'd have been proud if I'd spoken it, she was like that, my God I miss her. Ten years on April 18th, and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Finally I sang 'Let It Be' - at the request of Phil the Producer, as he's a huge Beatles fan. My brilliant wife sat and listened all day and didn't cover her ears once! She's wonderful, I'm so lucky to have her, I could never have dreamt that I would be blessed with someone so special, so kind and caring, so loving and with such a warm heart, let alone gorgeous, as my Wife. xxxxx

The CD followed in the post, and on first play, Kell started crying! What does that say about my singing? Dear me! Then Angela, Martin, Bec and Vikki got the "pleasure" of listening to it, and a copy to take home. Bec texted to say she'd got 'Easy' on replay, the poor girl! Thanks Bec x

An aerial shot of The Beehouse studio, great spot.

Thank you so much babe for such a memorable and special day, I had the time of my life, and you're my Angel, you make life Easy, and I have to ask Could It Be Magic, that you're like the wind, so with that I'll Let It Be. I love you so much, you are my world, my heart aches when we're apart, all my love, heart and soul Babe xxxxxx

That's all folks, more soon!

Here's a link to The Beehouse: http://www.thebeehouse.com/ and here's one for Pen-Y-Dyffryn: http://www.peny.co.uk/

I'll add a copy of the cover of the CD just as soon as I scan it, by the way!

Euro Disney trip

Ian Bourne — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:34:21 GMT

Hello again folks! As I said, back in March we had a short weekend at Euro Disney. It was a treat that we'd promised Leanne some time ago, so I was so pleased to finally get there. Many thanks to my lovely wifey for booking it all - thanks baby, I love you so much xxxx We decided to keep it a secret/surprise for Leanne, which we managed to do all the way until we were almost at Davey Crockett's Ranch, just outside Disney. Rebecca came with us too, and she was great company for the weekend - Hi Team Member A! :) The ranch is basically static caravans, with little in the way of creature comforts, but good enough. There was a Saloon Bar and a pathetic excuse for a restaurant on site, aswell as a rip-off shop. In fact, the whole experience was about getting people to part with as much money as is possible. Still, Leanne loved it and that was the whole point of the trip, she absolutely loved it, the joy in her eyes was a sight to behold. We made good time from Calais, reaching Paris' outskirts in just over two hours, and the Park was a junction up the motorway from the Ranch. The weather could've been kinder - it was freezing cold and wet to boot, we all ended up buying coats and scarves at the Park! Anyway, here's some pics, as mentioned before we shan't be posting any pictures of the babbees, just 16 and older.

Villa are doing alright just lately, we've watched them score 15 goals in the last three games, which is nice! Many thanks for all the birthday wishes and cards and gifts, all very much appreciated xx

See you soon, with details of a fantastic day I had in a recording studio, and a lovely hotel just outside Oswestry...

Me looking daft - nothing new there then! Me and my lovely wife xx

Two beauties!! the castle.

Happy Birthday Darling....

Kelly — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:44:46 GMT

Happy 37th Birthday Baby!

Hope you have a wonderful day and an amazing weekend to remember and treasure forever xxxxx

Thank you baby for all your support, love and always being there for me, you are my best friend and my soul mate xxxx

You are everything to me gorgeous, thank you for making me the happiest girl alive, I'm so looking forward to our special, magical, memorable future together xxxx

I'm always here for you baby, I love you more than these words can say, you are my world xxxxx

All my love, heart and soul, now always and forever xxxxx

Your Wife, Kelly xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Happy Birthday & I love you xxxxx

Update! Reading away, a trip to see the Shrews, and a Wedding

Ian Bourne — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:30:33 GMT

Back in February we had a superb weekend in Reading. No, you haven't misread that, I did indeed say Reading. We stayed at the Madejski Stadium Millenium Hotel, and very nice it was too. We were there to watch the Villa, but also nipped into the Smoke for a touch of retail therapy. The restaurant at the hotel offered a Gourmet Evening on the Saturday, when we filled our faces with a lovely seven courses of food and wine. Obviously, seven courses is a lot, but there were some very small servings in there, and a course of wine for each to compliment.

A very strange glass!

My beautiful Bride & ugly me!

I must say that the staff at both the hotel and the stadium were very friendly and couldn't do enough to help us - thanks to them all. A special mention must go to the Club Secretary, Sue Hewett and her very friendly parents, whom we enjoyed the pre-match fayre with, a lovely couple. We came away delighted with the result, but also wanting Reading to stay up (pleased to say that their results have picked up since then, although ours seem to be on a downward spiral, having just watched us get thrashed, as ever, at Manchester United). I also had a hair cut - eleven quid!! Can you belive that - eleven stinking quid for a hair cut! Oh, and we had a superb lunch on the Saturday at the Black Lion, on the Thames - recommended folks, you see it advertised on the side of the road as you come out of London, the food is great. Lot of food on this update - I am hungry right now though!

The players take to the field

Villa players warming up

Anyway, more football news now - my friend Ian Styles, of Solva-IT fame, very kindly invited us to join him and his lad Chris at the Shrewsbury vs Darlington match. It was a horrible night to watch football - torrential rain, swirling wind, and bitter cold, but we still had a fun night. Julian Joachin - remember him? - starred on the right wing for Darlo, and a sub by the name of Chris Humphrey (ex boggies) came on for the Shrews and looked pretty good. The New Stadium, or New Meadow as some media and fans are labelling it, is a decent out-of-town new-build ground, better than most of that ilk - it has a character and Shrewsbury's fans make enough noise, and still turn up in their thousands despite a less than brilliant season. Any road, thanks Ian, and good luck to The Shrews and their new manager, Paul Simpson (yes, that one, the ex-Carlisle and Preston gaffer) - cheers Ian!

So, moving on to another Villain getting married...My dear Cousin Dave, or Donald as he is to me, and his good lady Darrielle, or Della, were wed on Saturday 15th March, at Shenstone Church, and I was very proud and honoured to be asked to be an Usher for them. The day went very well, we all enjoyed the service, and wedding breakfast afterwards at the Old School House in Weeford, followed by a great live band and lots of beer on the evening - Dave and Della went off to Bruges for a short honeymoon (they're having a longer, 'proper' one in May) and stayed at our favourite place, De Tuilerieen. Good luck to them both, enjoy every day of your marriage and bring forth little Ginger babies! Love you both xxx

So I didn't get around to Disney this time - promise I will soon! Please don't get going berserk for my birthday in 2 weeks time folks, please restrict your expenditure on me to £500 each.