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Just watched a brilliant tribute to him, amongst others James May spoke in it, there were plenty of Spitfires, suitable numbers of Concordes, some cars a well written and warm send off. Brilliant - The end of an era.....
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Just watched a brilliant tribute to him, amongst others James May spoke in it, there were plenty of Spitfires, suitable numbers of Concordes, some cars a well written and warm send off. Brilliant - The end of an era.....
Stirling Moss, my hero, with a full head of dark hair, as well.
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I'm going to be very careful how I write this, not least because Raymond Baxter WAS indeed someone I admired.
But I do take issue with the rosy-tinted views of the BBC in the "good old days", and indeed some people's definition of a "gentleman". IMHO, the BBC was (still is to a degree that is unacceptable, even though I agree the output has been dumbed-down) a divisive and classist entity. Yes, it probably reflected the world back then, but things move on. Some good, some bad, some indifferent, some better. 'Twas always thus.
A gentleman doesn't need to sound as if he's got something stuck in his mouth, or be dressed in a Savile Row suit. A gentleman generally speaks articulately and clearly, and has his own style. There's a difference. Now, Raymond Baxter was proper RP, and of course I wouldn't hold that against him, but that's a product of environment and upbringing, it didn't make him a gentleman any more than putting jam on my stomach and folding myself in half makes me a sandwich.
Also, as an aside, did anyone else notice that, like many of his generation, Mr Baxter didn't sound quite so RP as he got older, although he still had a wonderful gravitas? Nicholas Parsons is another example, as is Bob Monkhouse.
Anyway, all that aside, it was a lovely tribute to a genuine enthusiast, and yes, a gentleman. You could feel the affection coming across from the people on the programme.
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Stevied, I don't know what to make of your post.
Raymond Baxter was a decent, brave, good Englishman. Most people of my age remember him with the greatest affection and are sad that he has died.
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I can forgive anyone who comes up with a line like "smearing jam over my stomach and folding myself in half doesn't make me a sandwich"
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What people forget we owe our nation's freedom to the toffs.
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Dunno whether you'd call RB a toff really, but he was certainly a Second World War fighter pilot and as such entitled to proper consideration and respect.
Also made a lot of interesting, inoffensive TV and had a sense of fun.
I didn't notice stevied being disrespectful in any way though, just worrying about the architecture of RB's vowels changing as he got older... as much to do with false teeth as anything else I reckon.
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I wasn't being "disrespectful" in any way, so any one who thinks I was please read again. I was making a simple point as I see it that you don't need to adhere to a rigid set of criteria to be a "genttleman". I didn't use the word "toff", I only alluded to RP speech, hardly controversial!
Where in any of my comments did I say he wasn't due to consideration and respect? I absolutely 100% think he was, along with everyone who fought in the war. I do not agree that only "toffs" have fought for our freedom though. Not at all, don't understand that comment.
Lawman, I don't know why you're at a loss. I too admired, respected and liked him. In fact, I am paying him a compliment, as he i) modernised the BBC, which you will see is something I consider to be a good thing and ii) he stayed with them until well into later life, so he was hardly a dinosaur was he?
I am at a loss myself to be honest.... : ( Don't get the controversy.
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PS Thanks quizman..... I have no idea where that came from. It sounds like a quote, but it was all my own work!!
PPS and heavens to Betsy.
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i understuded stevied and i have nothing to add, as you say a top bloke.
There was a record of the week on radio 2 this week and it was mentioning all the people that have gone in the last 10 years ( a country singer) you never miss them till theyve gone i still miss karen carpenter
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Er, something's happened to my entry above!
"PPS Heavens to Betsy" is making no sense just sat there on it's own. And it should read "PS Thanks Lawman" not quizman.
What's the record of the week, oldman? Will have to have a listen. Oldman, quizman, lawman... no wonder I am getting confused...
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kenny rogers
album of the week
radio 2 ken bruce
motoring link? (i had it on while driving miss maisy)ok trevor the tractor
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Er, something's happened to my entry above! "PPS Heavens to Betsy" is making no sense just sat there on it's own. And it should read "PS Thanks Lawman" not quizman.
You next post after that (which I incorperated into the original one and deleted the latter) said something along the lines of wanting an edit button because you meant to have typed "ps, thanks to quizman, not lawman". And then "PPS Heavens to Betsy"
I changed lawman to quizman, but now you inform me that you were correct in the first place.
DD.
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I bet if raymond baxter was alive and well and posting on here he would get an edit button.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Steve,
I wsn't having a pop. He was a genuine middle class guy who influenced a generation. What James May said about "one little boy will be very happy" summed it up, what moved me was the commentary to Winne's funeral.
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Yes, pugugly I agree. I am no working-class hero, far from it! I guess my point is that good people are good people, regardless of background, voice and so on.
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I find some of the comments somewhat odd , I suppose you would describe my Father as a "toff" an ex. Group Captain who joined the RAF in 1925 as an apprentice , learnt to fly in 1930 was commisioned in 1937 and went on to fly 103 bombing missions.He also flew at the end of the battle of Britain as a fighter pilot .He came from a large family of 9 children and told me to survive hunger he ate stolen dog biscuits , I still have his Medals AFC , DFC and bar , he died in 1995 aged 91.
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Yes Rover, I chose the wrong word. My old man is much the same served as an RAF Medic until he retired 15 yrs ago, he would probably have been described as a "toff" by many, but this was due to the
way he was taught/trained and rose through the Commisioned Ranks. He comes from a simple background as well but set us up quite well as a family to enjoy the good things in life. No offence meant.
As a family we still have strong connections with the RAF with one family member still serving with fast jets, he would probably pass as a "toff" but came from a comprehensive school through RAF sponsorship.
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8< 8< SNIP
This and several other posts removed as non motoring related. Sorry if one or two that were motoring related got wiped out in the removal process - DD.
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