The Cedar Tree (1976 - 1979)

I vaguely remember this series from my childhood back in the good old days that were the 1970s. The Cedar Tree was a television serial that ran from 1976-1979 on ITV in the UK. It involved the story of the Bourne family, hailing from an aristocratic background, before the turn of the Second World War.

The Cedar Tree was an ATV Production and recorded at the ATV Centre in Birmingham. Two established cast members were the veteran actress Joyce Carey and Susan Skipper, who played one of the Bourne family's daughters.

When Snooker Went Loopy (1986)

I have just been watching the Snooker World Championship today and for some reason I got thinking about "Snooker Loopy" the humorous novelty song which was released as a single in May 1986 and entered the UK Singles chart, reaching No6. It was written and performed by cockney duo Chas and Dave and featured Snooker players Steve Davis, Dennis Taylor, Willie Thorne, Terry Griffiths and Tony Meo, as backing vocalists under the name 'The Matchroom Mob' - Matchroom Sport being the company owned by promoter Barry Hearn which employed all these snooker professionals at the time.

The lyrics are a mild satire on the style and antics of the players involved: "old Willie Thorne; his hair's all gone" for example. The verse on Steve Davis also makes light of the famous 1985 World Snooker Championship and his missed black in the final frame.

Chas & Dave still perform the song at their live shows with the original lyrics, even though most of the players mentioned have now retired from the game (most are still known as part of the BBC commentary team).

"Snooker Loopy"
Single by Chas & Dave, The Matchroom Mob
Released	May 1986
Format	Vinyl
Genre	Novelty
Length	3:49
Label	Rockney
Writer(s)	Chas & Dave