Apple & a bunch of bananas!

The Apple phenomenon rolls on. Co-founder Steve Jobs gave a keynote speech at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, yesterday, extolling the virtues of the exciting film rental opportunities that will be possible with the new Apple TV box.

Steve Jobs has got the knack of coming up with memorable quotes. My favourite, by far, is his appeal to John Sculley, Pepsi Cola's youngest ever President, when persuading him to join the Apple team:

"Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?"

That would have done it for me!

This evening, 80 or so Trustees, staff & volunteers of The Greensand Trust gathered for a social at Eversholt Village Hall. The conservational work that the Trust does across Mid-Bedfordshire is absolutely first class, and it was great to see everyone involved encouraging and appreciating one another. I really value the friendships that I've made over the years working with the 'Eastern Vols', a fantastic group of people, wonderful characters one and all, if a bit bananas (which is why I fit in so easily)! Below is their concluding contribution to the evening. I confess to being the 'vicar' who turns up for tea! I didn't want to spoil the piece by singing, so I elected to video it instead. Lyrics have been added below.



TO THE TUNE OF SILENT NIGHT.

EL SUPREMO, RICHARD WOOLNOUGH,
SENDS HIS ORDERS, DOWN BELOW.
“WORK THEIR FINGERS RIGHT DOWN TO THE BONE,
PAY NO HEED IF THEY GRUMBLE AND GROAN,
VOLES ARE GRIST TO THE MILL, VOLES ARE GRIST TO THE MILL.”

GANGMASTER GAV AND GANGMISTRESS LIZ,
HEAR THE WORD, DO THE BIZ,
ESTHER AND KEITH FROM THE WEST DO THE SAME,
CALLS FOR MORE TROOPS ARE THE NAME OF THE GAME,
GET MORE VOLES FOR THE TEAM, GET MORE VOLES FOR THE TEAM.

TO THE TUNE OF JINGLE BELLS.

SO-
MASOCHISTS, ARSONISTS, COME AND JOIN THE VOLES,
IF YOU LIKE A BIT OF PAIN, THEY CAN MEET YOUR GOALS.
OH-
THORNS IN FLESH, BRUISES, CUTS, ANKLES YOU CAN SPRAIN.
VOLES CAN GIVE YOU ALL OF THIS, PLUS SOAKINGS IN THE RAIN.

DIGGING GREAT BIG HOLES, HACKING AT THE BRUSH,
BUILDING GREAT BIG FIRES, GIVES HOTROD SUCH A RUSH.
PITTS RECORDS IT ALL, SEDGELY WATCHES O’ER,
JOHN B MAKES THE TEA, AND ALL IS WELL ONCE MORE.

OH-
DUCK END DAVE, LIKES TO RAVE, ‘BOUT HIS FINE RESERVE.
RUBBER GEAR IS COL’S DELIGHT, THE PONDLIFE TO CONSERVE.
OH-
SUE AND LIZ, REMIND US OF, WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE.
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, REMINDS US ALL OF STEVE.

FRANCES SHAMES US ALL, SHE IS SUPER FIT,
AUDREY’S PUMPKIN PIES, SLOW HER NOT A BIT.
WENDY, SAL AND GEORGE, LIKE TO WORK ALL DAY,
VICARS MERELY COME FOR TEA, AND OTHERS MERELY PLAY.

OH-
EASTERN VOLES, MEET WESTERN VOLES, THAT’S A SPECIAL TREAT.
THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING, IT’S GOOD FOR US TO MEET.
WE-
THANK THE TRUST, FOR THIS FINE FEAST, AND RAISE A CUP OF CHEER.
TO EACH OF YOU, WE WISH YOU ALL, A VOLING GOOD NEW YEAR.