From the dew-soaked hedge creeps a crawly caterpillar, When the dawn begins to crack, It’s all part of my autumn almanac. Breeze blows leaves of a musty-coloured yellow, So I sweep them in my sack. Yes, yes, yes, it’s my autumn almanac. Possibly the finest Autumn song ever written, Autumn Almanac, a 1967 hit single for the Kinks, the original warring brothers and a reunion that really would be worth seeing. and a taste of what was to come with one of the best albums ever made, The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, “a finely observed slice of English custom”. These days it’s almost uncanny if you interpret ‘Village Green’ applied to modern issues. Relevant themes include disparaging the increasing modernisation of cities and destruction of “little shops”, satirising those who photograph mundane moments, exploring the emptiness of celebrity culture and being suggestive of environmentalism. And this was written kicking on 60 years ago. Nothing to do with anything in this issue, I just thought I’d mention it.

From the park you hear the happy sound of the carousel. You can almost taste the hot dogs and French fries they sell, yes you can. Under the boardwalk, down by the sea, yeah. On a blanket with my baby is where I’ll be
The Drifters describing a typical summer day way back in 1964. For the younger generation who might not have any experience of this, a typical summer day usually meant a bit of sun, some blue sky and no rain. Yes no rain for maybe three or even four days, it sounds inconceivable in this day and age.

Alan C certainly doesn’t have such worries over in that there Spain as he celebrates Fiesta time with a nostalgic glow. And for those of us in the mood for a bit of nostalgia we’ve a competition on page 20 to win 2 tickets for former Drifters singer Roy Hemmings’ Sounds Of Philadelphia & Motown show at Leeds City Varieties.

I took the time to take a look at Mrs. Williams’ rose this morning, in her garden sitting staring from the ground. The early light, the early sounds of the early sun dawning and the whisper of the wind the only sound. I took the time & saw the rhyme I wasn’t seeing I was much too busy being busy, Wasn’t I. Mrs. Williams’ Roses, a fine B side to the Sign of the Queen single from Noel Harrison in 1967. A song about taking time out and how so often we pass things without a second thought. A few years ago Halton in Bloom had similar thoughts, they made the decision to brighten Halton up and as Bruce Forsyth would have said ‘Didn’t they do well!”. It’s easy to pass the Red Bus cafe on the road to York or the East Coast but like Mrs Williams garden, it’s well worth to take the time to visit as Warren explains.