- Home
- Site Index
- About Me
-
My Books
- Book List & Themes
- Strictly for Adults Novels >
-
Tales from Portlaw
>
- No Need to Look for Love
- 'The Love Quartet' >
-
The Priest's Calling Card
>
- Chapter One - The Irish Custom
- Chapter Two - Patrick Duffy's Family Background
- Chapter Three - Patrick Duffy Junior's Vocation to Priesthood
- Chapter Four - The first years of the priesthood
- Chapter Five - Father Patrick Duffy in Seattle
- Chapter Six - Father Patrick Duffy, Portlaw Priest
- Chapter Seven - Patrick Duffy Priest Power
- Chapter Eight - Patrick Duffy Groundless Gossip
- Chapter Nine - Monsignor Duffy of Portlaw
- Chapter Ten - The Portlaw Inheritance of Patrick Duffy
- Bigger and Better >
- The Oldest Woman in the World >
-
Sean and Sarah
>
- Chapter 1 - 'Return of the Prodigal Son'
- Chapter 2 - 'The early years of sweet innocence in Portlaw'
- Chapter 3 - 'The Separation'
- Chapter 4 - 'Separation and Betrayal'
- Chapter 5 - 'Portlaw to Manchester'
- Chapter 6 - 'Salford Choices'
- Chapter 7 - 'Life inside Prison'
- Chapter 8 - 'The Aylesbury Pilgrimage'
- Chapter 9 - Sean's interest in stone masonary'
- Chapter 10 - 'Sean's and Tony's Partnership'
- Chapter 11 - 'Return of the Prodigal Son'
- The Alternative Christmas Party >
-
The Life of Liam Lafferty
>
- Chapter One: ' Liam Lafferty is born'
- Chapter Two : 'The Baptism of Liam Lafferty'
- Chapter Three: 'The early years of Liam Lafferty'
- Chapter Four : Early Manhood
- Chapter Five : Ned's Secret Past
- Chapter Six : Courtship and Marriage
- Chapter Seven : Liam and Trish marry
- Chapter Eight : Farley meets Ned
- Chapter Nine : 'Ned comes clean to Farley'
- Chapter Ten : Tragedy hits the family
- Chapter Eleven : The future is brighter
-
The life and times of Joe Walsh
>
- Chapter One : 'The marriage of Margaret Mawd and Thomas Walsh’
- Chapter Two 'The birth of Joe Walsh'
- Chapter Three 'Marriage breakup and betrayal'
- Chapter Four: ' The Walsh family breakup'
- Chapter Five : ' Liverpool Lodgings'
- Chapter Six: ' Settled times are established and tested'
- Chapter Seven : 'Haworth is heaven is a place on earth'
- Chapter Eight: 'Coming out'
- Chapter Nine: Portlaw revenge
- Chapter Ten: ' The murder trial of Paddy Groggy'
- Chapter Eleven: 'New beginnings'
-
The Woman Who Hated Christmas
>
- Chapter One: 'The Christmas Enigma'
- Chapter Two: ' The Breakup of Beth's Family''
- Chapter Three: From Teenager to Adulthood.'
- Chapter Four: 'The Mills of West Yorkshire.'
- Chapter Five: 'Harrison Garner Showdown.'
- Chapter Six : 'The Christmas Dance'
- Chapter Seven : 'The ballot for Shop Steward.'
- Chapter Eight: ' Leaving the Mill'
- Chapter Ten: ' Beth buries her Ghosts'
- Chapter Eleven: Beth and Dermot start off married life in Galway.
- Chapter Twelve: The Twin Tragedy of Christmas, 1992.'
- Chapter Thirteen: 'The Christmas star returns'
- Chapter Fourteen: ' Beth's future in Portlaw'
-
The Last Dance
>
- Chapter One - ‘Nancy Swales becomes the Widow Swales’
- Chapter Two ‘The secret night life of Widow Swales’
- Chapter Three ‘Meeting Richard again’
- Chapter Four ‘Clancy’s Ballroom: March 1961’
- Chapter Five ‘The All Ireland Dancing Rounds’
- Chapter Six ‘James Mountford’
- Chapter Seven ‘The All Ireland Ballroom Latin American Dance Final.’
- Chapter Eight ‘The Final Arrives’
- Chapter Nine: 'Beth in Manchester.'
- 'Two Sisters' >
- Fourteen Days >
-
‘The Postman Always Knocks Twice’
>
- Author's Foreword
- Contents
- Chapter One
- Chapter Two
- Chapter Three
- Chapter Four
- Chapter Five
- Chapter Six
- Chapter Seven
- Chapter Eight
- Chapter Nine
- Chapter Ten
- Chapter Eleven
- Chapter Twelve
- Chapter Thirteen
- Chapter Fourteen
- Chapter Fifteen
- Chapter Sixteen
- Chapter Seventeen
- Chapter Eighteen
- Chapter Nineteen
- Chapter Twenty
- Chapter Twenty-One
- Chapter Twenty-Two
-
Celebrity Contacts
-
Thoughts and Musings
- Bereavement >
- Nature >
-
Bill's Personal Development
>
- What I'd like to be remembered for
- Second Chances
- Roots
- Holidays of Old
- Memorable Moments of Mine
- Cleckheaton Consecration
- Canadian Loves
- Mum's Wisdom
- 'Early life at my Grandparents'
- Family Holidays
- 'Mother /Child Bond'
- Childhood Pain
- The Death of Lady
- 'Soldiering On'
- 'Romantic Holidays'
- 'On the roof'
- Always wear clean shoes
- 'Family Tree'
- The importance of poise
- 'Growing up with grandparents'
- Love & Romance >
- Christian Thoughts, Acts and Words >
- My Wedding
- My Funeral
- Audio Downloads
- My Singing Videos
- Bill's Blog
- Contact Me
My Singing Videos
3rd February 2018
A month ago I decided to learn the words to one of my mother's favourite songs that she used to sing daily as I was growing up; 'The Isle of Innisfree'. Sheila was accompanying me on the piano, but I had to dismiss her after she started playing out of tune with my singing( or should that be, not in tune with my 'out of tune' singing?) Sheila continued to play along with 'Alexa' but eventually one of them had to go. Managed to just finish before the postman arrived. Remember what my mum used to say, 'God did not give permission to sing to only those with a good voice'. Enjoy Bill xxx
https://www.facebook.com/beck.forde/videos/10155510050021743/
A month ago I decided to learn the words to one of my mother's favourite songs that she used to sing daily as I was growing up; 'The Isle of Innisfree'. Sheila was accompanying me on the piano, but I had to dismiss her after she started playing out of tune with my singing( or should that be, not in tune with my 'out of tune' singing?) Sheila continued to play along with 'Alexa' but eventually one of them had to go. Managed to just finish before the postman arrived. Remember what my mum used to say, 'God did not give permission to sing to only those with a good voice'. Enjoy Bill xxx
https://www.facebook.com/beck.forde/videos/10155510050021743/
5th February 2018
I thought I would try to do Mum’s song properly out of respect without the family pantomime from her firstborn, Billy xxx |
7th February 2018
I have had fun practising singing again this past few weeks, and have done a song for my mother and my daughter. The next time we go to Ireland, I intend to visit Athenry in County Galway, so I am dedicating this song to my lovely wife, Sheila, who married a rebel. There is an appropriate couple of lines in the song 'Our love is on the wing, we have dreams and songs to sing.' If my health holds up this spring, our dream is to spend a month travelling around ten countries in Europe at our own leisure. Then, if I continue to stay well, we plan to go to Ireland for a couple of weeks in the autumn. Fingers crossed as they say. Don’t expect perfection with this song as it was sung and posted after one take and I haven’t learnt the words yet. Love and peace. Bill x |
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8th February 2018
Today’s practice. It’s a difficult one!
Today’s practice. It’s a difficult one!
Click to set custom HTML
14th February 2018
To my Valentine Girl, Sheila Forde.
I thought I would try ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ again to see if I could make it any less emotional for me to sing.
To my Valentine Girl, Sheila Forde.
I thought I would try ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ again to see if I could make it any less emotional for me to sing.
15th February 2018
A short song that says so much between a loving couple: ‘Let it be me!'
A short song that says so much between a loving couple: ‘Let it be me!'
16th February 2018
For my Dad.
Love from Billy.
XX
For my Dad.
Love from Billy.
XX
17th February 2018
For my Grandma Fanning.
Love from Billy.
xx
For my Grandma Fanning.
Love from Billy.
xx
18th February 2018
Song of the day:
Dedicated to my gardening friend, Stephen Bleunven and his partner, Michael.
Have a good day.
Love,
Bill
XX
Song of the day:
Dedicated to my gardening friend, Stephen Bleunven and his partner, Michael.
Have a good day.
Love,
Bill
XX
20th February 2018
I heard this song recently and loved the melody and the lyrics. It reminds me of my love for Sheila Forde. Bill x
I heard this song recently and loved the melody and the lyrics. It reminds me of my love for Sheila Forde. Bill x
21st February 2018
Here’s a short song for any male lover to the woman in his life: 'Loving You'.
Here’s a short song for any male lover to the woman in his life: 'Loving You'.
22nd February 2018
Just a little reminder of a meeting between Dean Martin and me during 1964. At the time I was a Hotel Receptionist and Dean booked into the hotel in Toronto, Canada at 3.00 am. I opened up the restaurant for him and provided him with a sandwich.
Over the next hour, we chatted at the table, drank a beer , smoked a couple of cigarettes, and a few coffees together, swapped stories and even sang a song together.
For a full account of my memorable meeting with Dean, please access:
http://www.fordefables.co.uk/sweet-serendipity.html
Just a little reminder of a meeting between Dean Martin and me during 1964. At the time I was a Hotel Receptionist and Dean booked into the hotel in Toronto, Canada at 3.00 am. I opened up the restaurant for him and provided him with a sandwich.
Over the next hour, we chatted at the table, drank a beer , smoked a couple of cigarettes, and a few coffees together, swapped stories and even sang a song together.
For a full account of my memorable meeting with Dean, please access:
http://www.fordefables.co.uk/sweet-serendipity.html
23rd February 2018
Occasionally, along comes a song that is so popular that it is copied by every singer in the land,but however hard they try, with a few exceptions, they come up with a poor substitute to the original. I believe this to be such a song. The best one can do is to cover it in their own voice and style and consider themselves fortunate to have run in the second race. Bill x
Occasionally, along comes a song that is so popular that it is copied by every singer in the land,but however hard they try, with a few exceptions, they come up with a poor substitute to the original. I believe this to be such a song. The best one can do is to cover it in their own voice and style and consider themselves fortunate to have run in the second race. Bill x
24th February 2018
“Blueberry Hill” was first recorded in 1940 by several artistes including Gene Autry and Glenn Miller, and Louis Armstrong. My own favourite version, however, was done by Fats Domino in 1956, when I was 14 years old. Fats was essentially a rhythm and blues singer and was a forerunner to the rock and roll scene that followed.
“Blueberry Hill” was first recorded in 1940 by several artistes including Gene Autry and Glenn Miller, and Louis Armstrong. My own favourite version, however, was done by Fats Domino in 1956, when I was 14 years old. Fats was essentially a rhythm and blues singer and was a forerunner to the rock and roll scene that followed.
25th February 2018
When we are apart from the one we love, today we tend to phone them. And though lovely to hear their voice, there is nothing like the reading of a love letter from them. A letter from them can be read over and over and will invoke their image as if they were there with you, much more than hearing them on the phone will.
When we are apart from the one we love, today we tend to phone them. And though lovely to hear their voice, there is nothing like the reading of a love letter from them. A letter from them can be read over and over and will invoke their image as if they were there with you, much more than hearing them on the phone will.
26th February 2018
Another favourite of mine from Dean, ‘That’s Amore’.
Another favourite of mine from Dean, ‘That’s Amore’.
27th February 2018
A memory from my youth when writing letters to sweethearts was a common thing. If you were lucky, she would send you a nice letter back the following morning with love and kisses, or if unlucky, you got back your own letter, unopened, unread, and marked “Return to sender -address unknown”.
A memory from my youth when writing letters to sweethearts was a common thing. If you were lucky, she would send you a nice letter back the following morning with love and kisses, or if unlucky, you got back your own letter, unopened, unread, and marked “Return to sender -address unknown”.
28th February 2018
Here is a little song that was at the top of the hit list parade in 1964 when I had the privilege of meeting Dean and singing this song with him in a Canada hotel without an audience. For full details of my meeting and singalong with Dean, access:
http://www.fordefables.co.uk/sweet-serendipity.html
Here is a little song that was at the top of the hit list parade in 1964 when I had the privilege of meeting Dean and singing this song with him in a Canada hotel without an audience. For full details of my meeting and singalong with Dean, access:
http://www.fordefables.co.uk/sweet-serendipity.html
1st March 2018
One of my favourite singers from my youth singing one of my favourite songs with my favourite message of all time. Have a good day.
One of my favourite singers from my youth singing one of my favourite songs with my favourite message of all time. Have a good day.
2nd March 2018
A sentimental civil war ballad called ‘Aura Lee’ recorded by Ellis Presley as ‘Love me Tender’ in 1956 in the film of the same name.
A sentimental civil war ballad called ‘Aura Lee’ recorded by Ellis Presley as ‘Love me Tender’ in 1956 in the film of the same name.
3rd March 2018
It is important to have somebody in your life who ‘believes in you’. If you can go through life with your parents, teachers, employers, friends, family, sweetheart and partner ‘believing in you’, you are bound to succeed in the eyes of all.
It is important to have somebody in your life who ‘believes in you’. If you can go through life with your parents, teachers, employers, friends, family, sweetheart and partner ‘believing in you’, you are bound to succeed in the eyes of all.
4th March 2018
To all those men and women who gave their lives up during the Second World War so that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.
We will not forget.
We’ll meet again.
To all those men and women who gave their lives up during the Second World War so that we might enjoy the freedom we have today.
We will not forget.
We’ll meet again.
5th March 2018
A fun song I remember from childhood.
A fun song I remember from childhood.
6th March 2018
About one month ago, I decided to do some daily singing practice.
I am pleased to confirm that even after only four weeks of daily-hourly exercise singing, the spirometer confirms that my lung functioning capacity has improved by 10 percent. Given that it was only 60 percent before I started with the singing exercises, as I only operate on three arteries instead of four, it shows that as my dear old mum used to tell me as a child that 'singing one's song' was her daily tonic and lifesaver.
As a ‘thank you’ to all you supporters and suffering listeners over the past month, here's an extra little song for you today to show you how I feel about all your support over the past four years since I was told I had a terminal blood cancer.
Love you all. Bill x
About one month ago, I decided to do some daily singing practice.
I am pleased to confirm that even after only four weeks of daily-hourly exercise singing, the spirometer confirms that my lung functioning capacity has improved by 10 percent. Given that it was only 60 percent before I started with the singing exercises, as I only operate on three arteries instead of four, it shows that as my dear old mum used to tell me as a child that 'singing one's song' was her daily tonic and lifesaver.
As a ‘thank you’ to all you supporters and suffering listeners over the past month, here's an extra little song for you today to show you how I feel about all your support over the past four years since I was told I had a terminal blood cancer.
Love you all. Bill x
8th March 2018
When I was growing up after the 'Second World War years', my mother would often listen to her favourite singer Vera Lynn on the radio. Whenever this song came on, I would always ask her, "Mum, who's this 'Jimmy' she's singing about?" and mum would reply, "He's you, Billy Forde. He's every boy who lived through the war years!" I've never forgotten that question and answer, and I've never forgotten how mum often changed the name from 'Jimmy' to 'Billy' whenever she sang along with the 'Force's Sweetheart' and I was nearby.
When I was growing up after the 'Second World War years', my mother would often listen to her favourite singer Vera Lynn on the radio. Whenever this song came on, I would always ask her, "Mum, who's this 'Jimmy' she's singing about?" and mum would reply, "He's you, Billy Forde. He's every boy who lived through the war years!" I've never forgotten that question and answer, and I've never forgotten how mum often changed the name from 'Jimmy' to 'Billy' whenever she sang along with the 'Force's Sweetheart' and I was nearby.
9th March 2018
This song was released in the year of my birth, 1942.
“Play it again, Sam.”
This song was released in the year of my birth, 1942.
“Play it again, Sam.”
10th March 2018
A song that’s suitable for broken relationships and also contains many thoughts and expressions that would apply to a bereaved person who has lost a soul mate.
A song that’s suitable for broken relationships and also contains many thoughts and expressions that would apply to a bereaved person who has lost a soul mate.
11th March 2018
In the 1950s, families used to go on Sunday afternoon walks. And if you lived in certain parts of the country, you sometimes would go on an afternoon cruise down the river.
In the 1950s, families used to go on Sunday afternoon walks. And if you lived in certain parts of the country, you sometimes would go on an afternoon cruise down the river.
12th March 2018
When loved ones are separated, such times can be very blue. It’s never nice being lonely on special occasions like birthdays, new year’s eve and particularly Christmas.
When loved ones are separated, such times can be very blue. It’s never nice being lonely on special occasions like birthdays, new year’s eve and particularly Christmas.
13th March 2018
One of my Uncle Johnnie's Favourite songs.
One of my Uncle Johnnie's Favourite songs.
14th March 2018
My favourite John Denver song that I carried on every courtship.
My favourite John Denver song that I carried on every courtship.
14th March 2018
Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary, John & Lynne Ford.
Congratulations!
Love from Billy & Sheila. Xx
Happy 48th Wedding Anniversary, John & Lynne Ford.
Congratulations!
Love from Billy & Sheila. Xx
15th March 2018
A lovely song from the film of the same name in 1955 about the love between an American reporter and a Eurasian doctor who meet prejudice from family and Hong Kong society for daring to fall in love with each other.
A lovely song from the film of the same name in 1955 about the love between an American reporter and a Eurasian doctor who meet prejudice from family and Hong Kong society for daring to fall in love with each other.
17th March 2018
It is natural to ask after the breakup of a significant relationship, 'Who's Sorry Now?'
It is natural to ask after the breakup of a significant relationship, 'Who's Sorry Now?'
18th Marach 2018
It's just another way of saying, 'You're everything to me', Sheila Forde
It's just another way of saying, 'You're everything to me', Sheila Forde
19th March 2018
A song to bring you back to your days of beauty and innocence.
A song to bring you back to your days of beauty and innocence.