From wine to Top of the Pops in blackpropaganda

We were out last night at the special dinner for the wine tasting group. A member had arranged a three course gourmet meal, and we had a wine appropriate to the choice of dish we had chosen in each course, Prosecco to get us started - and then on with different wines. The problem was that the chef produced great food - but it was slow in coming (!) - and some people who had ordered fish had finished before the beef was produced. Some glitches - but enough wine to keep people happy - and those who chose the cheese board had a very large glass of port - and those of us who chose a tart (!) had a dessert wine at 18%.

Needless to say the conversation flowed - and yes, I fear the combination of wine and rich food produced some excellent farts on the way home!!! Luckily we were walking.

A 90 minute walk on forest roads this morning and slow waltz and rumba ballroom dancing this afternoon has got rid of any ill effects.

And the report of Jimmy Saville’s activities in the BBC from the 1960s to the 1990s makes sad reading - he sexually assaulted, sometimes raped, young women and boys while in the TV Centre - and apparently the senior managers in the BBC at the time had no knowledge of his activities - and if they heard rumours ignored them because he was just too big a star. In fact, the BBC was not alone as an institution which tolerated a range of sexual behaviour - it is difficult to put yourself back into the mindset of the time. Young girls in miniskirts showing their knickers seemed fair game, especially when dancing to the bands on Top of the Pops- and some encouraged attention.

Just worth saying it has not gone away - there is a trial on at the moment of a professional footballer who has played with England, who, it is alleged, had sexual activity ( a blow job) with a 15 year old girl who was besotted with him, He has admitted grooming her - and kissing her - but nothing more - the trial proceeds.