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Birds of Snowdonia

Illustrations Edwyn Collins Words Lee Gale

In 2005, Edwyn Collins suffered two strokes, the result of brain haemorrhages caused by high blood pressure. To begin his rebuilding process, Edwyn picked up a pencil and pad and began drawing birds.

As a child, Edwyn was a keen twitcher and even reared an abandoned fledgling greenfinch in his Dundee bedroom, feeding it a watery mix of wild-bird food Swoop. The female greenfinch, named Tweety Pie, would start its sweet song at 5am, waking the household up in the process. Tweety Pie later made a nest in the garden and, if Edwyn left his bedroom window open, would call in.

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Is there a Mr Hodges in the house? [2000 interview with Mike Hodges, film director]

The man who made Get Carter in 1971 is not in the best of moods. Mike Hodges’ journey from Dorset to London has been dogged by train-company failures. Spur-of-the-moment timetable changes mean that Hodges’ nerves are rattled and as it’s 10.30am, it’s too early to go to the pub. If the man who brought Jack Carter to life is hacked off, we’d better be careful. We don’t want to be thrown out of the window of this Leicester Square hotel like Alf Roberts was at that Gateshead car park.

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John Bull on the Moon!

By Paul Fairclough

It’s time to splash down in the shallow sea of films that planted a Union Jack on the moon and Plucky Little England at the heart of the space race. Come with us as we take one small step for a gentleman, one giant leap for gentlemankind… Continue reading “John Bull on the Moon!”

Far from the Manning crowd [2002 interview with Bernard Manning]

Bernard Manning’s as big as they come. This is apparent as we set foot in the Mancunian comic’s living room. He’s wearing a T-shirt and massive, old-man’s underpants. He’s getting on a bit is Bernard. Just past 70, but he still looks unusually sprightly for a man who smoked 40 a day throughout his life. That’s stopped now, of course. Diabetes has an amazing knack of bringing on a fitness routine. Manning’s regime consists of a needle and 16 tablets a day. It seems to be working because Bernard’s on form. We’re sat in the comedian’s living room in Alkrington, Manchester. It’s a big place and the cleaner has to be credited on her dusting abilities. Every room is spotless. It’s been decided between me, the photographer and the photographer’s assistant, that it’s every man for themselves once we’ve crossed the Manning threshold. Continue reading “Far from the Manning crowd [2002 interview with Bernard Manning]”

There is a light that never goes out

With LED technology, the UK is witnessing a streetlighting revolution but for some, progress comes with a price. British Ideas Corporation documents the demise of the concrete lamppost and asks if our roads will ever see such decorative style again. Continue reading “There is a light that never goes out”

The Bunnymonster! [2002 interview with Ian McCulloch]

It’s 5pm and Ian McCulloch, the Echo & The Bunnymen singer, is sitting in the bar of a hotel in Kensington, wearing shades. He’s been on Bloody Marys since 12 noon to counteract the previous evening’s punishment. To say he’s had one hour’s sleep, Mac is amazingly lucid. He’s switched to Guinness for the interview. [2002 interview] Continue reading “The Bunnymonster! [2002 interview with Ian McCulloch]”