paul diggory
Born a Shropshire lad, by the age of four I'd mastered every Ladybird book in Whitchurch Library, reading them all out loud to my imaginary friend. The joy of borrowing new books and carrying them home remains a wonderful memory. Along came football and, aged ten, I overhit a pass into Mr Howell’s front garden one day and, as he punctured the ball in front of my Mum, the old man delivered his withering verdict: “He’s a juvenile delinquent!” Nevertheless, I made grammar school, an exciting period of growth and development but which left little time for studying.
The school's careers advice covered teaching and university, neither of which appealed. Just as well. Both required A levels, the absence of which was the logical consequence of over stimulation in other areas - and the two part-time jobs to fund the lifestyle.
So I embarked on a career in housing. I was Chief Executive of North Wales Housing for over fifteen years, honoured to have been President of the Chartered Institute of Housing in 2007-08 and very flattered to have received the 2015 Outstanding Contribution to Housing in Wales Award. Take that, Mr Howell!
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“A decent home underpins our health, our education, our life and work prospects. Levels of homelessness and rough sleeping on our streets show how miserably successive governments have failed. A decent home is a human right.”
Housing continues to be a key part of my life - as Senior Independent Director on the South Liverpool Homes board and a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru board.
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Married with a daughter and a son, career responsibilities restricted my writing to a travel blog as GuideBookGollum. Outside Lola’s is my debut novel. I'm currently working on an auto fiction about a teenager called Sean, growing up in the early seventies. With the working title of I Should Have Been Revising, it's almost ready and should see the light of day in 2023.
“A book is a dream you hold in your hand” Neil Gaiman
These are the books currently making me dream…
The first thing that struck me about The Outsiders by James Corbett is the fabulously atmospheric cover photography of Liverpool. Turns out it's by Ant Clausen, who I met through ace event organisers ConnectIN. The cover hints at the mysteries that drive the story inside. James' debut novel, set against the rise and fall of his home city, features a range of well drawn characters and is a totally absorbing read. Loved it.
Mark Hodkinson's No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy is sub-titled Memoirs Of A Working Class Reader. It's a book in praise of the book. It's the fascinating journey of someone who's collected books since childhood and will appeal to anyone who's life has been transformed by the written word. Mark's message, that books are sacred and should be available to everyone, is important and he reminds us that working class voices remain marginalised and underrepresented. Engaging and entertaining.
When recent CIH President Jo Richardson announced that her 'Homeful' campaign for 21-22, exploring housing-led approaches to resolve and prevent homelessness, was inspired by The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, I thought I'd better read it. It's the story of the author and her husband, diagnosed with a terminal illness, losing their home, then coming to terms with grief through the natural world. I found that some passages of their walk along the 630 mile south west coastal path - not a remedy any GP would prescribe - were a little long, but ultimately worked in building the feeling of an incredible achievement. Probably a great guide too if you fancy the walk!
If you're a Pulp fan you shouldn't miss Good Pop Bad Pop by Jarvis Cocker. He says it's not a life story but a loft story. Clearing out your loft and writing about the stories behind your junk is an interesting premise for a memoir. And it works well. It became more interesting with each item and stops short of the big success that was round the corner.
David Cavanagh is one of the great music writers of our time. Good Night And Good Riddance is about How Thirty Five Years Of John Peel Helped To Shape Modern Life. A chronological history of Peel's broadcasts between 1967 and 2003, I've so far only read those between 1971-74 (researching my current project). The shows are brought to life in a fascinating and humorous way and reveal why Peel was so influential and much loved.
Most rock memoirs claim to reveal the real story behind whoever, but nothing I've read comes close to telling it like Mark Lanegan. It's the real deal. Incendiary performances, needle-ridden struggles with addiction, homelessness, petty crime, tragic deaths including the background to the loss of his close friend Kurt Cobain. Sing Backwards and Weep is a raw and unflinching account of the music business and brutally honest. Mojo's book of the year in 2020, it's harrowing, humorous and a compelling read.
“Music brings a warm glow to my vision, thawing mind and muscle from their endless wintering” Haruki Murakami
Right now these are the sounds bringing me a warm glow…
Skinty Fia Fontaines DC
The Dublin band's third album sees them continue their upward trajectory. Initially dark and dour the passion and power seep into your soul. It's insistent and captivating. Opening track In Ár Gcroithe Go Deo is my standout and their recent performance at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse was electric.
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Cheat Codes Danger Mouse and Black Thought
The versatile super-producer and the MC and founder of The Roots have collaborated brilliantly on an album that stands apart from anything else around. Every track is strong, every guest appearance fits seamlessly into the tapestry created by some of the finest beats and sampling you'll hear. With brilliant lyricism to boot, a stone cold classic.
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For All Our Days That Tear The Heart Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler
A beautiful collection of songs from the Irish actress and the influential former Suede guitarist. Superb vocals show off an impressive range and depth, allied to Butler's musicality that is always focused on providing exactly the right setting. The two complement each other on a set which is haunting and spine tingling.
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Cool It Down Yeah Yeah Yeahs
At last. After nine years the trio bring us eight examples of their craft and they're on top form throughout. Karen O's vocals are as good as ever whilst sonically the music has been fleshed out with electro wizardry. I think it works well. Opener Spitting Off The Edge Of The World features Perfume Genius, meanwhile they don't seem to notice that they've written Burning before and called it Sacrilege - maybe it's an upgrade?
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The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Joni Mitchell
I remember loving this album when I borrowed it from the library in 1975 and I finally have my own copy. At the time this was seen as an edgier direction with cool jazz elements sprinkled around. Time has judged it more kindly than some critics on release, so Joni was simply keeping a step ahead. The one constant in any Joni album is the poetry in her lyrics, delivered by that incredible voice. Not one duff track and it remains an outstanding record of a genius at work.
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Angels & Queens - Part 1 Gabriels
First part of the long-awaited debut album by Los Angeles based trio Gabriels reveals the development of their ethereal, soulful pop. It's a while since they announced themselves with the fabulous Love And Hate In A Different Time and this collection doesn't disappoint. Jacob's vocals reach euphoric heights one moment then plummet to depths of sadness the next. The use of piano and strings gives a Motown feel to some tracks, gospel and doo wop on others, but the synths always keep it modern. We saw them play the recently re-opened New Century Hall in Manchester - a wonderful venue with its own food hall - and they were spellbinding, albeit their set was only 45 minutes (pictured below). As for their name, it comes from the street that band member Ryan Hope grew up on - St Gabriels Avenue, Sunderland.
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