Fidler in the Hood: Rumour Has It: I’m a ‘louse’!
With no end in sight to the water crisis, just where are we going with all this?
’ALLO, ’allo! Many thanks to those kind folks who congratulated us on a quarter of a century of ‘married bliss’. Seems you lads and lassies appreciate good news only, which isn’t easy at times, especially after last week’s water supply crisis.
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After our celebrations last weekend, I didn’t expect the CO to accuse me of being a ‘louse’ just three days later. Then I caught on: it was due to me not being able to take a hot shower, so I was kept at arm’s length.
Seriously, it’s gone beyond a joke; one can only make light of our far-too-frequent water crises for so long. Surely there are local, provincial officials who have the backbone to sort out this water-nonsense once and for all?
House rules
It doesn’t help our image here when you invite friends for lunch all the way from Durban and one has to apologise that we have no running water, especially on a cold, wet day.
But that’s what happened when popular trumpet player Cathy Peacock, her mum Jackie and boyfriend Trevor Gray, visited last week.
Instead of ‘blowing my own trumpet’ about the joys of living down here, I found myself explaining the ‘rules of the house’, when there’s an emergency. It’s not too bad for the men – any port in a storm, so to speak, but for damsels in distress it’s another thing.
Cathy Peacock
Local residents will know Cathy Peacock, who regularly appears at the Azalea Hall, Margate Retirement Village, with both the KZN Symphony Orchestra and with her own popular music group ‘Platform Jazz’, which has been playing for over a decade in the KZN region.
Cathy and your scribe go back many decades, when I was enjoying life in Salisbury, Rhodesia.
Cathy’s parents, Don and Jackie, often held court in their lovely home in Borrowdale, taking pity on the ‘homeless’ like myself, serving the best meals in town – at the right price, too.
The Don
Don Peacock played tenor sax in the then-famous Big Band Sound at Meikles Hotel every Tuesday. Our mutual interest in music from the ‘Swing Era’ made us true ‘big band buddies’.
In fact, he came along on my pilgrimage to the annual Glenn Miller Birthplace Festival in Clarinda, Iowa, USA. Durham-born Don and Jackie were professional teachers in Salisbury, later Gwelo – and ‘regulars’ at Salisbury Reps Theatre, especially the bar.
It was, however, Don’s perseverance and patience teaching Cathy the rudiments of playing the trumpet. Looking back over those 40 years, his tutorship paid off: Cathy is, without doubt, an accomplished trumpet player in her own right and in great demand whether with the KZN Symphony orchestra, her own small jazz group, or giving private lessons.
Coming back
A long way from the days when an eight-year-old Cathy would sit on my knee whilst I extolled the virtues of Glenn Miller, Harry James and traditional jazz. (The truth will out when one has a wee drink or or three!) I told Cathy that we met her KZN Philharmonic colleagues Boris Kerimov and Elena Kerimova at the recent ‘Classics at Riverbend’ recital.
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I asked when she would be coming back here, either with the orchestra or her own group and she replied no dates have yet been confirmed. But hopefully, it will be in the not-too-distant future. Are you listening, Liz Currin? By the way, Liz, happy birthday, for June I.
Mission accomplished
Richard Phillips, of the ‘Fallen Friends’ organisation reports that the group raised R104 170 at last Saturday’s event at Buccaneers’ Beach Bar and Grill, St Mike’s – up by R4 000 on last year’s effort. A tremendous achievement in today’s difficult economic times. Well, done, Richard. Unfortunately, Rich, we had a pressing engagement on the same day or we would have been there.
On the mend
Former Mardon Printers compositor and mate Ray Money sent me an update on his recovery from his serious operation. He has now cast himself in the role of ‘Long John Silver’ of ‘Treasure Island’ folklore and is making steady progress, on the mend and in good spirits. I promised ‘LJS’ his very own ‘pieces of eight’ parrot for his shoulder, but sadly, had to give it straight to Ray: he will never take the place of Robert Newton in the original ‘Treasure Island’. Come home, Ray: all is forgiven. See you, Rob.
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