The Zombies talk about Odessey and Oracle

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The other day I posted a video of the remarkable Zombies concert in which they played the whole of their great LP Odessey and Oracle 40 years after it was released to an unappreciative world.

In 2012 Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone and Chris White recorded a two-part interview with the BBC.

In part 1 they were interviewed by John Wilson.

In part 2 they fielded questions from the audience, which included a Mr Paul Weller from Woking,

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Ambitious Liberal Democrats circle our most promising seats

Back in September I blogged about Liberator's take on the row between Tony Greaves and Liberal Democrat Voice.

Members of the Lib Dem Voice queued up to comment, but it was all a bit gnomic and I am not sure we were much better informed when they had.

The good news is that peace has broken out and Tony Greaves is writing for Lib Dem Voice - on an almost daily basis.

I imagine him and the editorial team running through flower-filled meadows hand in hand.

The best gossip in the new Liberator concerns the people who have their eyes on some of the more promising seats for ambitious Lib Dems:

Richmond may soon be the scene of a by-election if Tory incumbent Zac Goldsmith is either elected mayor of London or sticks to his pledge to resign if a third Heathrow runway is permitted. 

With last May's candidate Robin Meltzer having decided not to stand again, flocks of Lib Dems are circling, some from as far afield as Guildford. 

Next door in Twickenham, which Vince Cable almost held, a similar effect can be seen.

And then there are Yeovil and Sheffield Hallam... But to find out who has their eyes on those you will have to buy the magazine.

You can subscribe to Liberator via its website.

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Lord Bonkers' Diary: How the Lib Dems won Loch Ness

How the Lib Dems won Loch Ness

A rare ray of light in the darkness for us Liberal Democrats was our capture of Loch Ness from the Scottish National Party. It would be remiss of me at this point not to pay tribute to the sterling efforts of my old friend Ruttie, the Rutland Water Monster. Her canvassing of the postal vote, I am told by those on the ground, proved particularly effective.

As far as I can gather, what happened was this. If a local has settled down to cast his or, indeed, her postal vote, Ruttie would crane her long neck in through the window. The voter would hover his biro above the box next to the SNP candidate, at which Ruttle would give a distinct curl of the lip. Alarmed, the voter would next try the box next to our candidate, whereupon Ruttie would nod vigorously. I gather she was also extremely helpful in saving the voter the need to take the completed vote to the nearest pillar box.

I shall do all I can to encourage the old girl to help in future by-elections, but I fear there are few wards where she has such a close family connection.

Lord Bonkers was Liberal MP for Rutland South-West 1906-10.

Previously in Lord Bonkers' Diary

• We are not downhearted

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BMW previews the Concept Compact Sedan - the upcoming BMW 1 Series Sedan ????

This folks, could be the upcoming BMW 1 series sedan. It will be previewed at the Auto Guangzhou 2015, China in concept car format for the moment. Read on for more details in the press release which I have put below. The thing about concept cars is that even though they are nearly production ready, they don't really interest me to the extent that I need to put some extra energy into writing something that the manufacturer has done so nicely. If the car was a production model I'd be interested. As I might get to drive the darn thing. So read on, about what the future 1 Series sedan may look like....

PRESS RELEASE

Munich/Guangzhou. The BMW Group has chosen Auto Guangzhou 2015, one of the largest international motor shows in China, to present a very special new development to the global public: the company’s vision of a four-door sedan for the compact segment. “The BMW Concept Compact Sedan reveals the potential we see in a compact sedan,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “It not only gives the driver and passengers generous amounts of space within a compact area but does so while providing the sporting ability you’d expect from BMW and an elegance otherwise only available in large BMW sedans. The quality and intrinsic value of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan are clear signals of our premium intentions for the car.”

The car for a new generation. As great growth potential can be seen in the Chinese premium compact market, BMW has conducted in-depth observation and research for the segment’s development trends and target customers. The BMW Concept Compact Sedan represents the approach to life of a generation of youth in China. These potential customers are confident, dynamic and extremely quality-conscious and have a feel for aesthetics. “The characterful design of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan embodies the driving pleasure offered by a sporting car with minimised exterior dimensions. It is as distinctive as it is essential – and, as such, it injects new life into the compact segment. This four-door sedan stands for everything that sets BMW apart,” explains Karim Habib, Head of Design BMW Automobiles.

Fitting the BMW template from every angle – the exterior design.
The compact and agile exterior of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan creates a familiar sedan silhouette based around a striking three-box design. Hallmark BMW proportions imbue the car with a dynamic allure unrivalled in its segment. Its sweeping bonnet and long wheelbase stretch the car visually, while the slightly set-back greenhouse further underlines its sporting nature. The clever use of time-honoured BMW elements, such as a long, prominent swage line, dynamic Hofmeister kink and surfaces moulded with impressive depth, ensures the car cuts an athletic figure from the side and highlights its relationship with other BMW vehicles. The four doors are integrated harmoniously into its proportions and allow easy entry for the driver and all passengers. Discreet soft-touch handles below the swage line open the doors as soon as a finger touches their metal surface.

Powerful interplay of surfaces.
Precise edges and contours form dynamically chiselled surfaces, reflecting an assured interplay between light and shade that lends sculptural depth to the flanks of the car and conjures images of tensed muscles. The flared wheel arches rise out clearly from the body as it tapers in towards the road and further strengthen the impression of athletic intent. The exclusive exterior paint shade Liquid Metal Bronze adheres to the surfaces of the body like cast metal. The fine pigments in the paint shift between light and dark depending on the incidence of light, showcasing the car’s attention-grabbing design language to maximum effect. The window surrounds and the weather strip-style exterior mirror stalks in polished aluminium are a classy flourish, while the exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels in intricate double-spoke design form a visual highlight with their bi-colour design and set the seal on the side view.

Front and rear ends exude undiluted dynamic allure.The designers have emphasised the width of the slim front end and ensured it picks up the sporting baton from the car’s flanks. Its signature kidney grille and eye-catching twin circular headlights instantly identify the BMW Concept Compact Sedan as a BMW. The familiar form of the kidneys and their size convey the car’s distinctive character: a seamless fusion of agility, sportiness and elegance. The hexagonal, dynamically “sawn-off” twin circular LED headlights on either side point inwards towards the kidney grille, creating a visual link between the kidneys and headlights that lends the car a purposeful look. The V-shaped central air intake is the starting point for a pervading design theme which splits the lower section of the front end into three sections and gives it a broader appearance. Surfaces merging into one another and stacked in different layers, and the interplay of those levels, lend extra depth and dynamism to the design.

Like the front end, the horizontally structured rear also makes a clear sporting statement. Lateral lines and a vibrant interplay of horizontal light and shadowed surfaces accentuate the width of the rear end and at the same time make the car look lower. The slim, elongated string of rear lights, with their prominent L shape, take this process a step further. An LED light element in the shape of an “L” inside the lights makes the characteristic light contours visible at night as well. The confidently sculpted rear apron reduces the gap between road and rear end, while a chrome insert that widens towards the outer edges of the rear apron adds a classy accent.

Sporty lightness and modern exclusivity – the interior. Glance into the interior of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan and its BMW family ties are immediately evident. The cockpit radiates a clear driver focus: all the lines, forms and controls are geared towards the person behind the wheel and their needs. This is highlighted by the prominent lines that converge in the direction of travel either side of the steering wheel. The resultant “cone of vision” sets the tone for the driver’s area as a whole. The form of the horizontal, nozzle-shaped air vents and their internal structure continue the theme. The “cone of vision” tapers into a Head-Up Display with combiner screen, which projects all the relevant information into the driver’s direct field of view.

Elongated horizontal lines and surfaces creating a generous feeling of space provide a counterpoint to the cabin’s driver focus and sporty styling. For example, the instrument panel on the front passenger side extends into the doors in an elegant, horizontal movement, creating an inviting ambience for passengers. Exclusive Nappa leather, open-pored wood and brushed aluminium form an attractive triad of materials spreading across the whole of the instrument panel, whose leather-covered top surface with contrast stitching is a feature normally the preserve of luxury sedans. An unbroken insert in polished aluminium provides for a classy surround for the instrument panel, while orange-coloured contour lighting further accentuates its character-defining contours at night.

The doors’ design picks up the instrument panel’s horizontal lines and extends them into the flanks of the car in a dynamic sweep. The front door, for example, extends visually into the B-pillar and makes the interior feel bigger. Indeed, the cabin offers an unaccustomed level of space and openness for a car in this class. The sporty seats, which in the rear suggest two individual seats, further enhance this impression. Covered in naturally soft Nappa leather in warm Ivory and Grey Brown, as well as Muted Brown, they offer unbeatable comfort. Accents in Velocity Tulip – a snug shade of orange – underline the sporting geometry of the seats, which take their cue from racing buckets and accentuate the sporty character of the vehicle while at the same time meeting the comfort requirements of a premium vehicle. Beyond this, the large panoramic roof floods the interior with natural light and extends the space above the passengers’ heads to underline the generous feeling of roominess.

Technical aesthetics. All the technical features of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan are integrated into its interior design with polish and refinement. Mechanical operating elements modelled to flawless ergonomic effect – such as the climate system controls, gearshift lever and iDrive system – extend from the super-smooth surfaces. All the other functions on the steering wheel, centre stack, centre console and door openers are operated using backlit touch-sensitive surfaces, whose high-gloss black surfaces provide a highly exclusive interior ambience when switched off. In addition, a “combiner” Head-Up Display and 8.8-inch screen in the central information display contain all the information required at any one time.

Generously-sized rear compartment.
The rear compartment of the BMW Concept Compact Sedan vividly reflects the importance attached to passenger comfort. Despite the car’s compact dimensions, the rear – which is designed to accommodate two people – welcomes its passengers with a bright and expansive feeling of space. Its exclusive materials, high-quality workmanship and warm Ivory and Muted Brown tones, backed up by accents in Velocity Tulip, create an inviting ambience. Visually, the rear bench suggests two individual seats and offers passengers ample space in which to spread out. At the same time, its form sees the sporting flavour of the front seats spilling over into the rear. The panoramic roof, which extends a long way back, and the ivory-coloured roof liner ensure the second row of seats is likewise bathed in a light and almost airy sensation of space. At night, the contour lighting extending into the doors accentuates the function islands of touch-control door openers, touch-sensitive window controls and loudspeakers. A separate climate control unit in the rear-facing surface of the centre console adds the finishing touches to the high-comfort rear accommodation.

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Caltex Fuel Your School creates impact for students in Negeri Sembilan

 10th from left: Pn. Nor Baizura Kamaruddin, Student Affairs Supervisor of Seremban School District,  11th from left: Mokhtar Ali Ismail, Policy, Government & Public  Affairs Manager, 12th from left En. Pkharuddin Bin Hj. Ghazali, Deputy Director of Education, Education Department of Negeri Sembilan and 13th from left:Jeffrey Perera, Managing Director of MyKasih Foundation with Caltex retailers, teachers and students of the winning schools in Negeri Sembilan

After finishing off with schools in Melaka, Caltex has now completed its annual community campaign in Negeri Sembilan, the land of masak lomak cili api. Caltex Fuel Your School in partnership with MyKasih Foundation. In its fourth consecutive year, the Campaign had once again further raised the awareness in driving change and providing equal self-development with proper classroom facilities for students of high need schools in Negeri Sembilan and Malacca by enhancing a better environment and further promoting the learning of Science, Technology, English and Mathematics.

Remember folks, it is always a good thing to give back to society, especially our rural folk who somehow lag behind when it comes to education and the necessary tools to compete.

6th from left: Pn. Nor Baizura Kamaruddin, Student Affairs Supervisor of Seremban School District, 7th from left: Jeffrey Perera, Managing Director of MyKasih Foundation, 8th from left: En. Pkharuddin Bin Hj. Ghazali, Deputy Director of Education, Education Department of Negeri Sembilan,  9th from left: Mokhtar Ali Ismail, Policy, Government & Public Affairs Manager along with teachers of the winning schools in Negeri Sembilan

  PRESS RELEASE
Caltex Fuel Your School creates impact for students in Negeri Sembilan

(L-R): Mokhtar Ali Ismail, Policy, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Pn. Nor Baizura Kamaruddin, Student Affairs Supervisor of Seremban School District, En. Pkharuddin Bin Hj. Ghazali, Deputy Director of Education, Education Department of Negeri Sembilan  and Jeffrey Perera, Managing Director of MyKasih Foundation officially closing the Caltex  Fuel Your School campaign in Negeri Sembilan

NEGERI SEMBILAN, 20 Nov. 2015: Chevron Malaysia Limited, which carries the retail brand

Caltex®, successfully completed its annual community campaign, Caltex Fuel Your School in partnership

with MyKasih Foundation. In its fourth consecutive year, the Campaign had once again further raised the

awareness in driving change and providing equal self-development with proper classroom facilities for

students of high need schools in Negeri Sembilan and Malacca by enhancing a better environment and

further promoting the learning of Science, Technology, English and Mathematics.

“By reaching out to schools in Malaysia one state at a time, we are glad that the Caltex Fuel Your School

campaign has made a difference and this is especially important for high need schools as more than 50

percent of the students are from low income households. In line with our global initiative, Chevron’s

Energy for Learning, this community campaign truly helps to support learning-based programmes –

whether it’s acquiring new knowledge, gaining new skills or exposing individuals to different ways of

thinking,” said Policy, Government & Public Affairs Manager, Mokhtar Ali Ismail.

This year, out of 25 classroom projects funded for Negeri Sembilan, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong Parit

and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Seremban struck the most wins and were awarded with

learning materials worth RM20,000 each. The submissions contributed to a 60 percent increase in project

submissions compared to the overall campaign last year.

“I was overjoyed when our school was informed that four of our submitted projects were selected and will

be receiving learning materials to further enhance the classroom experience for our students. I applaud the

teachers of this school who passionately worked so hard to win the Caltex Fuel Your School campaign. It

is like a dream come true and this is the best thing that’s ever happened – together with the teachers, we

are now able to provide a better learning environment for our students. Thank you, Chevron for making

this possible,” expressed Mr. Mohd Sahib Rahmat, school principal from Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong

Parit.


The learning materials awarded to all winning projects of participating schools in both Negeri Sembilan

and Malacca created an impact reaching a total of 1,241 students. In Negeri Sembilan itself, the

Campaign had reached out to more than 300 students with the support of Caltex® users who purchased

petrol using the Caltex® JOURNEY Card from 15 October to 14 November with RM2 pledged to the

classroom projects. Funds generated were channeled towards purchasing materials such as computer

notebooks, projectors, interactive white boards, electronic dictionaries and laboratory equipment, to name

a few.

Present at the closing ceremony of the Caltex Fuel Your School campaign, Managing Director of

MyKasih Foundation, Jeffrey Perera said, “We applaud the concerted effort by all parties involved in

making the Fuel Your School campaign a success in Negeri Sembilan. We are truly grateful for the

opportunity to work with Chevron once again to create a nurturing environment for students in pursuit for

knowledge. We look forward to supporting community learning initiatives through our partnership with

Chevron.”

The Caltex Fuel Your School campaign is part of Chevron’s Energy for Learning – a global initiative

which encourages partnerships with local communities, government bodies or non-profit organisations to

expand learning opportunities as well as to support the development of both the social and economic

vitality of these communities.

“For the fourth consecutive year, we are very pleased with the project submissions and the campaign that

is helping to drive more and more schools to participate. We hope to continue this community effort and

extend it to more states in the coming years,” added Mokhtar at the closing ceremony of the Caltex Fuel

Your School campaign in Malacca.

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Why Alastair Cook is the new Anton du Beke

Characteristically wise words from Vic Marks, the Sage of Middle Chinnock:

Alastair Cook ... in recent years has had almost as many partners of various shapes and sizes as Anton du Beke. Too many of them have displayed the same sense of timing as Ann Widdecombe.

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Beach declared safe in Cornwall after 'mystery substance' discovered to be seaweed

Congratulations to the Western Morning News for winning our Headline of the Day Award (and thanks to a reader for nominating it).

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