Blogs

I’d read (and reviewed) Billy Moore’s A Prayer Before Dying . He tells the reader how Prisoner ‘Moore A7853AP’ is getting released from Wandsworth Prison. He’s finished his time after getting deported from the Thailand prison system. Free but not really free. Like over 70% of other prisoners he’s soon back to doing what he was doing. The UK prison system is a costly mess. But Moore is one of the lucky few. For starters, he can read. His book, A...

A very Happy New Year to all our wonderful writers and poets - I wish you all a 2025 full of inspiration and the ability to sit down and put it into words! I'd also like to say a very big thank you to all of you who have very generously made donations to ABCTales, whether through our JustGiving account or by a BACS transfer to our bank account. It isn't possible to see individual names of those who donate through JustGiving so we can't thank you...

My expectations of this film were so low I was ready to switch off before I watched the first frame. But they flipped stereotypes by blowing something up, and commenting on expectations. I was sucked right in. An absolute raging ragtag delight. The best film since Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments , which was set on the other side of the Irish border. The music in The Commitments was classified as soul. The kind of music an old guy, like me, would...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002385t/parole-series-2-1-trust-no-one https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002385w/parole-series-2-2-can-leopards-change-their-spots https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002385z/parole-series-2-3-no-smoke-without-fire https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0023860/parole-series-2-4-the-gravest-of-mistakes Jimmy Boyle claimed he’d no special skills other than ‘being good at violence’. I’m friendly...

Sir Alex, BBC 1, BBC iPlayer, Director Jason Ferguson, Narrators, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jason Ferguson. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0026jq0/sir-alex?seriesId=m0026jpz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Ferguson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Alex_Ferguson:_Never_Give_In A hagiography of the longest serving and most successful manager of Manchester United. And the most successful manager of Aberdeen and of British football—by...

Question Eleven – What comments &/ situations with others, in regards to your “single status” impact you the most negatively? Donna That I won’t have any children in old age to look after me. Alyss I am not sure if it is a chauvinist thing, or a single lady thing, but being patronized and treated like I am less capable than others, is not cool. Fortunately, my life experiences and personal achievements are more than ample evidence for my...

Our Story and Poem of the Month for December, very kindly chosen by Ewan Pick of the Month December 2024 The New Year is upon us as you read this: December is often a fecund month for ABCTalers, particularly in the run up to the festive season. This year is no exception. However, despite all choices for accolades from red cherries to Pick of the Month to being entirely subjective, every contributor is valued for their own sake. I admire all of...

From Lizanne: The journey of single-parenting Single parenting entails stepping into a completely new life, embracing the unexpected, overcoming a million hurdles and maintaining one’s sanity, respect and love for God. Through the following words, I hope to give insight to those people who support single parents, and then to single parents themselves who are struggling to identify their emotions. For someone who hasn’t themselves been a single...