The Grubtown Daily Herald

Tomorrow is the official launch day of GRUBTOWN TALES and — wonder-whizz technology permitting — this website should be transformed from the leather-book look of yesteryear into a gleaming new thingumy of loveliness!

I’ve had some great feedback about the website over the years, so part of me (from my knees to my ankles, probably) will be sad to see it go…

The old site (R.I.P.)

…on the other hand — not that anyone was talking about hands — this new-look website with a fabulous GRUBTOWN feel to it should fill one with the joys of spring, so please join me by raising a glass — and, if you don’t have a glass, please raise an eyebrow, to the new-look website. CHEERS!

I visited Bodiam on Easter Monday. . . I’ve been going there since I was a little boy. I described it as my favourite castle in Britain in my book ‘Why Are Castles Castle-Shaped?’ and I haven’t changed my mind since. It’s on the Kent/Sussex border and is surrounded by a fish-filled moat fed by natural springs. If you like castles, you’ll love Bodiam. It looks ‘whole’ on the outside, but one you’re on the inside you’ll find it’s a ruin: a hollow shell. The last time I was here was with Barney from BBC Radio 4’s GO 4 IT! when I was telling him about a chap called Mad Jack Fuller. In 1828, Fuller bought Bodiam Castle from a firm of builders based in nearby Hastings, who were going to pull it down and use as building materials!!! He paid ‘3,000 for it, which was very big bucks in those days. He not only saved it, but also carried out some repairs and installed the impressive gates you have to go through to get inside. Today, it’s owned by the National Trust. It was a beautifully sunny day, with clear blue skies, and there were plenty of other families enjoying the castle too. Then it was home to what’s left of the Easter eggs.