Farewell, Dinah

I was sad to hear yesterday, of the death of that splendid actress Dinah Sheridan, aged 92. Two of here best remembered films are amongst my favourites, too. First is the 1953 London to Brighton Veteran car run comedy, Genevieve, in which she co-starred with John Gregson, Kenneth More and Kay Kendall, whist in 1970 came The Railway Children, in which she played mother to Gary Warren, Sally Thomsett and Jenny Agutter. Who doesn't love that film?? I was sure that I had seen her in something recently on DVD; turns out that Dinah had appeared in a 1999 episode of Jonathan Creek.

With John Gregson in Genevieve

With Sally Thomsett in The Railway Children

Also from The Railway Children

Heath Robinson Absurdities

This collection of William Heath Robinson's illustrations originally appeared in 1934, this copy being a 1975 re-issue, bought recently in a charity shop in Egham. Absurdities features more of his well-known contraptions as well as more general humorous work, such as Christmas Eve and the Toy Railway. Both are equally delightful and still very funny. Heath Robinson's world looked a fine place to live.

Coaching with Midland Red

An Advert for Midland Red coach tours and cruises, at it appeared in the summer 1952 edition of the ABC Coach Guide. The vehicle illustrated is C1 class coach 3302, the chassis being built by the company (BMMO) and bodied by Duple.

Moving forward some thirteen years, here is an advert for Midland Red's Birmingham to London express service via the M1 motorway, introduced in 1959. The coach here is an all-BMMO product, the CM5 class. This appeared on the rear of Ian Allan's British Bus Fleets - 15: Midland Red, tenth edition, 1965.