Claire

"Dear Mother, I am writing these few lines severely wounded. We have done well, our battalion advanced about 3/4's of a mile. I am laid in a shell hole, with 2 wounds in my hip and through my back. I cannot move or crawl at all. I have been here for 24 hours and never seen a living soul. I hope you will receive these few lines as I don't expect anyone will come to take me away. But you know I have done my duty our here now for 1 year and 8 months and you will always have the consolation that I died quite happy doing my duty. You must give my best to all the cousins who have been so kind to me for the time I have been out here, and the best of love to Mother and Harry and all at Swinefleet." - A note from Private John Duesbury that was found on his body after the Battle of the Somme (WW1). What a waste.

Dick Van Dyke is 100 today. Here he is singing Hushabye Mountain written by Richard & Robert Sherman & included in the children’s film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. I think it’s his most beautiful performance and the gentleness reminds me of my mum who died of dementia in 2011.

Happy Birthday to centenarian Dick Van Dyke who turns 100 today!!! Born | December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri, USA Photo | Dick Van Dyke after winning “Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series” for his performance as Mystery Man/Timothy Robicheaux on Days of Our Lives at the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles on June 7, 2024. (Photo © Rodin Eckenroth).

We're saddened to hear that Scottish actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died aged 99. Baxter starred in a string of TV comedy shows including the BAFTA-winning The Stanley Baxter Series and The Stanley Baxter Big Picture Show. He received an Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards in 2020.

Stanley Baxters death is hard for those seeking to explain his magnitude. Theres no one with who to compare him for younger people. No M&W, Ronnie Barker, Dick Emery, Benny Hill - no equivalent entertainer. We have presenters & stand ups now but nothing on TV like Stanley Baxter

Every now and then, even a total amateur like me is in the right place at the right time. Five years ago, I was walking the dogs by the water’s edge at ⁦@AlthorpHouse⁩ with my iPhone - and realised that the light, the cloud, and the moment were just incredibly special.

Rest in peace, Diane Keaton. The Oscar winner’s spirit, humor, and heart lit up every film she touched — from "Annie Hall" and "The Godfather" to "The First Wives Club," and "Father of the Bride." She was a true Icon. Thank you, Diane, for a lifetime of unforgettable moments.

I cant! 💔💔💔 Diane Keaton was such a talent and a BIG part of my career. She directed two videos of mine - "Heaven Is A Place on Earth" and the video for "I Get Weak." She was kind and eccentric and I was blessed to know her. RIP Diane, you will be missed. 💔

G’night, Annie Hall… RIP Diane Keaton. 💔

@DreyfusJames I can see them ❤️

Going to pin this. Please be aware that X has been/continues to mess with my account. I know SOME of you can see my posts, but more often than not, I’m told people see nothing from my account. I’m told a brief reply or an RT to my posts will help, but who knows? Merci! 🙏

@paul_d_stevens @Matt_Pinner Agree, I was pretty independent from aged 9.

@Matt_Pinner Yes. Although less a case of “allow”, and more it being an absolutely normal way of life. We did stuff with our friends in those days. Doing stuff with parents wasn’t really a thing. It seems weird to me that today’s kids spend so much time with their parents.

I’ll ask again Did parents in the 70s/80s/90s really allow their kids to roam freely, or is that just a portrayal seen in movies

I don't know if there is a more appropriate goodbye to Loretta Swit, than her last scene in MASH in the series finale. Loretta won two Emmy's for her role as Major Houlihan.

This feels very hard to write, but earlier I tried to end my life. I’m currently in hospital, awaiting assessment, not sure what the future holds. If anyone has any pet pics (or other cute pics), I’d really appreciate the distraction ❤️

@narindertweets You look fabulous ❤️

Post a picture YOU took. Just a pic. No description.

2024 was Liz’s year. In an interview she once said she’d had one piece of bad luck, followed by a hundred pieces of good luck. Liz lived life to the full. She took photographs at castles and red carpets, at theatres and movie studios, she captured in her lense the emotions of actresses and comedians, of her very best friends and of total strangers. But more importantly she understood what it meant to truly be alive. Liz was passionate, kind and brave, the best big sister and the truest friend anyone could hope for. 2024 was the year Liz fulfilled her dreams. It was also the year she was taken from us. Liz was 17 when she died, just 10 months after being diagnosed with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour. She was brilliant and beautiful, though she would have denied being either. She fought every single day, determined not to leave her brother behind, determined that she would leave him with a lifetime of memories even if she had only months to achieve it. As 2025 rolls in at midnight, please consider buying a drink for Liz. The final item on her bucket list was to improve DSRCT treatment - a cancer that gets funding from neither governments or pharmaceutical companies. If everyone celebrating tonight chose to buy one for Liz and donate to the fund we could make a huge difference. It doesn’t take one powerful person. It takes lots of ordinary people to stand up and do what’s right. In 2025 young people should not be dying of cancer, simply because no one has invested in researching it. Terry Pratchet once said “No one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away” Let’s make Liz’s ripples the biggest we have ever seen. Will you join us for just one drink? justgiving.com/crowdfunding/v… #LizHatton #BuyLizADrink (N.B. If you can please add Liz to your Facebook or Instagram story or talk about her as you sit with friends tonight. Let’s make Liz’s impact in 2025 even bigger than it was in 2024)

@TiggyWalker @BBCRadio2 An amazing man, my sincere condolences xx

What does a new widow do on NYE? She listens to @BBCRadio2, opens a bottle and toasts her amazing husband. Courageous, wise, strong, creative and never dull. They didn’t call him the Pirate for nothing. Above all - the most devoted loving husband. Pls raise a 🥂to Johnnie Walker

@Matt_Pinner Hey!

Out of the 225K accounts following me I often wonder how many of you actually exist. Say hi if you see this.👀

When you’re waiting to film an advert and the dog suddenly remembers she loves you.

@VirtualAstro Thoughts with you, been there & it's true heartbreak x

He was the most wonderful cat in the world. I’m going to miss my little mate. I am broken 😞 xxx