An ancient anecdote

[neville cardus]

Billy Bates was a charming, singular man who differed markedly from his dowdy Yorkshire colleagues. He was a shameless metrosexual in a time when the term was unknown; indeed, so well-dressed and -groomed was he that his myrmidons christened him "The Duke". He was, as is most of his dapper ilk, hopelessly susceptible to the attentions of the ladies.

At the age of twenty-five, on 25 May 1881, Bates married Sarah Elizabeth Medley in Kirkheaton Parish Church. "Ba-ates is a foo-il!" cried revolted county colleague Ted Peate. "'E's gone 'n' getten wed i' t'middle o' summa; 'e should 'ev waited 'til middle o' winta, when 'e could gi' 'is oondivided attention ta it."

Peate would know, of course: he'd married Sarah Coultas on 20 November the previous year.

 

[SJS]

Billy Bates was a charming, singular man who differed markedly from his dowdy Yorkshire colleagues. He was a shameless metrosexual in a time when the term was unknown; indeed, so well-dressed and -groomed was he that his myrmidons christened him "The Duke". He was, as is most of his dapper ilk, hopelessly susceptible to the attentions of the ladies.

At the age of twenty-five, on 25 May 1881, Bates married Sarah Elizabeth Medley in Kirkheaton Parish Church. "Ba-ates is a foo-il!" cried revolted county colleague Ted Peate. "'E's gone 'n' getten wed i' t'middle o' summa; 'e should 'ev waited 'til middle o' winta, when 'e could gi' 'is oondivided attention ta it."

Peate would know, of course: he'd married Sarah Coultas on 20 November the previous year.

 

[neville cardus]

Glad to see that you enjoyed it. You'd be surprised to know how much research went into that.

 

[SJS]

Glad to see that you enjoyed it. You'd be surprised to know how much research went into that.

I honestly cant see how one can go 'researching' for that.

 

[neville cardus]

I honestly cant see how one can go 'researching' for that.

In which case you must be a myope. Peate's words are reasonably well known, so the research came in in finding out when he and Bates tied their respective knots. I did that to ensure that the story had substance. I'd a feeling that the real Neville Cardus, with his fanciful inclination towards embroidery, might've been behind it.

 

[SJS]

In which case you must be a myope. Peate's words are reasonably well known, so the research came in in finding out when he and Bates tied their respective knots. I did that to ensure that the story had substance. I'd a feeling that the real Neville Cardus, with his fanciful inclination towards embroidery, might've been behind it.

Interesting

 

[SJS]

..and yes I am practically blind

 

[neville cardus]

Interesting

Thank you.

 

[neville cardus]

..and yes I am practically blind

Worry not, sir; I am, too.

 

[skipper]

Interesting....

 

[33/3from3.3]

I don't get the joke....

 

[neville cardus]

You're not alone.