Adrian Phelan

Post 47

Eclectic weekend| What to wear| So long, Dolly| The job bit| Blood Cancer Awareness Month| Goodbye and thanks| Social links| Links to past posts

Lost Weekend  

I’m leaning on the flexibility of it being a bank holiday to publish the blog a bit late this week. I was up at the crack of dawn for my annual 13-mile walk which was pleasant in the late summer weather but I’m aching a bit now and have discovered muscles in places I didn’t realise I had places.  

I also have a corn on my little toe, which is inconvenient. I’ve never had one before and it’s bringing out the worst in me.  

The bank holiday Monday is rounding off what was a great weekend, the highlight of which was seeing Maximo Park and The Libertines at The Priory in Hitchin, which is just a short taxi ride from my house.  

To my shame I’m not familiar with the music of either so it was very much a new-music experience for me, albeit watching everyone else singing along. In truth I did recognise some of The Libertines songs and Pete Doherty and Carl Barrett have familiar faces, so I wasn’t totally lost.  

Also on the bill was local up and coming musician Kit Bottomley who won a competition to open the show. I didn’t get down early enough to catch him but lo and behold The Libertines brought him on to play on their last song. What an experience for Kit, and he totally took it in his stride.  

He’s one to keep an eye on. A star of the future for sure.  

Wrong Coat Season returns – mini diary 

Whatever the weather was last week it would seem I was committed to wearing inappropriate clothing for it. On Tuesday I wore a jumper and it turned out to be 25 degrees. I also had chinos on, so I looked like I’d lost my golf course. On Wednesday I wore a precautionary coat because of the threat of rain, but then having not needed it left it at the office.  

Then of course the heavens did open on Thursday, and my coat was at the office, so I got somewhat drowned before dashing to the local shop to buy the worst umbrella in Christendom.  

In all seriousness, the rain was very bad on Thursday evening and I was concerned for those affected by the flooding a couple of years ago. I was glad to hear everyone was ok.  

On Friday, the weather acted like nothing had happened and butter wouldn’t melt… 

I can’t wait for this week.  

Good golly Miss Dolly  

I think Dolly Parton was worth her weight in gold for the song ‘9 to 5’ on its own, and that only scratches the surface. She was also an extremely positive and very insightful person. She was a natural interviewee and was always uncompromising about her looks, which were of course defining. 

We’ve lost so many famous people in 2026, but globally, Dolly’s loss must be the hardest felt.  

We’ll be eternally grateful for the songs she left us.  

The job bit  

Q3 of the financial year is just about to begin so reminder that if any of your campaigns could do with a little extra communications or engagement support, I am still available at short notice. There are 47 weeks’ worth of copy on my website if you want to check the quality of my writing and of course there is much more video content on my Instagram if you want to see what I’m like in front of a camera or might be like facilitating an engagement session.  

Here is my CV for consideration as well. Do keep it to hand.  

Do Good Well  

It’s blood cancer awareness month and this one is quite close to home as my mother had Burkitts Lymphoma in the late noughties which would ultimately shape the rest of her life and our lives as well. If you’re in the emerald isle, check out Blood Cancer Network Ireland and in the UK check out more about the campaign on the Blood Cancer UK website. 

I’m looking to raise awareness with this one, but you can also donate some money if you are in a position to do so.  

Goodbye and thanks  

At the time of writing, we’re up to day 22 of the 50 to 50 mini charity plugs and a big thank you in particular to Trussell Trust, NHS Blood and Transplant and The Irish Blood Transfusion Service who have all engaged so far. It is much appreciated.  

And of course, to everyone who has got this far, thanks for sticking with me. We’re getting ever closer to post 51.  

See you next week.   

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