10.28.04
Huzzah
Well, I’ve retrieved the commenting function. Just in time.
Andy offers Neil Gaiman, the late Brian Johnson and Sir George Martin to the shortlist of decent people (see post below for full criteria). George Martin is a particulary good call, I think.
Any more?
andy said,
October 28, 2004 at 5:03 pm
Oh and possibly Jon Snow, but I’d like to read his book before making further judgement. He can go on the reserves’ bench.
puddenhead said,
October 29, 2004 at 10:56 am
Maybe you don’t get to watch this programme but Matt Baker from Blue Peter seems a thoroughly decent chap.
Perhaps the problem with celebrities is that we usually know too much about them.
andy said,
October 29, 2004 at 4:32 pm
Oh of course - Johnny Ball. (One shouldn’t be spoiled from the ballot solely on the quality of one’s children)
puddenhead said,
October 29, 2004 at 7:30 pm
Roy Castle seems much revered these days - how about him for your list?
puddenhead said,
October 29, 2004 at 9:57 pm
We have been having a family discussion to try and think of a female for the list and only managed Pam Ayres (!) and then after some time, Fee (?) Glover from R4’s Broadcasting House.
Plenty of male candidates. My daughter (10 years old) suggested Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall. Then there’s always Andrew Marr, explorer Benedict Allen, travel writer Colin Thubron.
Why are there so few women for this list? Anyhow, I shall post no more - haven’t done the washing up yet.
andy said,
October 30, 2004 at 2:12 pm
Possibly there are fewer females because the setting is a pub. That’s not to say that women don’t go to pubs - far from it. But somehow it seems socially odd to ponder discussing the world and its ways there with a girl. Like most useless hobbies, it’s a mostly male pursuit.
Palin?
Peter said,
October 31, 2004 at 7:33 pm
Scotland fields few: Gordon Strachan and the Archbishop of Glasgow,not of neccessity in that order, and certainly not at the same time.
Peter said,
November 1, 2004 at 12:22 am
How silly of us all. Germaine Greer. Loose Cannon moments perhaps but a career of unmatchable public goodness, unfashionable truth telling and being herself to an exceptional degree. It would have to be a pint of good wine but worth the expense any day.
Andrew said,
November 1, 2004 at 12:49 pm
That’s all very easy for Peter to say (GG) - as long as there is someone male and young-looking at the table, he can safely enjoy at a distance the entertainment that would ensue. I, on the other hand, might resort to hiding behind Stephen Fry.
On second thoughts, that might not improve things much.