Thursday 21 June 2012

Pole Dancing

Who'd have thought it? 

My good friend Derek Ripley has uncovered evidence of the first Pole Dancing Club in Failsworth, near Oldham (one of my former haunts - Oldham, that is, not Failsworth).




It just goes to show you what the power of history is. Derek's new book is out in a week or so. I'll doubtless be asked to plug it, so I might as well direct you to his website now.

Thursday 7 June 2012

I was delighted to learn that my good friend, Derek J  Ripley, is about to have a book published.


I first met Derek when he was working as a librarian in Stockport and I was a cub reporter on the Stockport Argus and Mail, and we have kept in touch across the decades. 

I've always had a soft spot for history myself, so when I learned that the old Blunt family archive had been discovered after being lost since the late 1970's, it was natural that I should turn to Derek to help catalogue and compile the index. When he suggested he could put together a book from the material, I was happy to let him get on with it. 

 I wish him every success with his publication - there are more details here.