Not Just About Money

Having enough income to keep housed, fed, clothed and warm, is of course a priority.  But life is much more than that.  We need to keep in touch with friends and relatives.  We need to be entertained, and informed of what is happening around us and in the world.  We need to move around, and if we have difficulty with it we need help.

Our taste in music is rarely catered for on the radio.  Numerous pop stations clutter up the wavebands, leaving only Radio 3 - a bit highbrow, and Classic FM.  There seems to be no middle ground these days.  What happened to the dance orchestras, big bands, theatre organs, Hawaiian serenaders, accordion bands, light orchestras, jazz groups, military bands, and so on?

In the days of the Home, Light and Third programmes, there was music of every kind throughout the day.  But what is there now?  If you don't like pop, there's very little to listen to.  (Click for:  Poem: "Music on he Wireless")

I have tried to do something about this.  During the 70's, I became interested in the accordion and electronic keyboard, which led to me composing a few tunes and songs in the styles I had enjoyed in the past.  Pop was already getting its stranglehold then.  Through the years, I have built up a collection of recordings, and it is some of these that I now offer on the website.

I do not claim them to be anything special, but just a bit of tuneful easy listening.  I am the first to admit that they are a very poor substitute for, say,  Glen Miller.  But I don't own the copyright of Glen Miller's music, so I can't offer it free like I can my own.

Just go to: www.unchartedmusic.com

In recent times, the Internet has grown alarmingly quickly.  Our generation is likely to get left out for two reasons.  First, the expense of equipment, and second, the complexity of it all - most of it unnecessary.

Businesses and government departments regularly throw out and replace their computers, which generally end up on a tip somewhere.  Could these not be recycled for use by those on low incomes, who might also receive concessionary deals from service providers?

And what about some clear and concise computer handbooks?  I have dealt with technical matters all my life, and yet still struggle with the jargon.  What hope is there for a complete newcomer?  On the Web, I found a list of computer clubs.  The Isle of Man is conspicuously absent.  Any ideas?

Another blow to keeping in touch has been struck by the loss of Manx Radio's Mannin Line.  While nothing will replace it, greater use of websites such as this may help.  Could we also revive an interest in CB radio?  This was popular in the 80's, and even bridged the gap between generations.

What about trying to supplement our pension by doing a bit of work at home?  This is where bureaucracy can really fall on us like a ton of bricks.  Landlords, mortgage lenders, insurers, planning authorities, and in the Isle of Man, the work permit people, are all there to either say no, or want more money from us.  What hope is there?