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25% => The Reg Smeeton Match Day Action/Reaction Forum => Topic started by: bobby charlton on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 10:22:39



Title: melksham town
Post by: bobby charlton on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 10:22:39
just been up to the ground    looks truly amazing  pitch is in magnificent condition.   fair play to melksham they have pulled out all the stops for Swindon tonight and i hope we put on a real show.
forecast is awful but will make the pitch even better
admission prices as follows they have just informed me are
£7 ADULTS £5 OAPS  £2 CHILDREN UNDER 15     PAY ON GATE 
     FREE CAR PARKING AND PLENTY OF CAR PARKING 
BAR OPEN FROM 5PM

Lets pack there new ground out and support another of our county non league teams, and start building better relationships with our local clubs and start getting back to where we belong   good luck to Dave and the Players and also good luck to Melksham for the upcoming season


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Tails on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 10:50:29
Thanks Mr. Melksham Chairman.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 17:53:23
nice ground to be fair Mr Chairman


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Flashheart on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 17:58:14
lolz. Close, he's their manager.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:03:09
Bobby Charlton is Melksham's manager? That's some sort of coup there


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: sonicyouth on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:10:21
lolz. Close, he's their manager.
hahahah superb


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:31:35
TOWN FIRST-HALF XI | Vigouroux, Trialist, Robertson, Conroy, Hussey, Dunne, Trialist, Starkey, Trialist, Norris, Goddard.

#STFC

Trialists seem to be: Bainbridge, McDermott and Slew

Second half looks like being: Henry, Purkiss, Lancashire, Bainbridge, Smith, Thomas, Linganzi, Twine, Mullin, Hines, Brophy

Subs: Young, Evans.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Costanza on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:36:35
Cece Franck Pepe, we hardly knew ye.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: The Artist Formerly Known as Audrey on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:38:00
So, where are Melksham in the pyramid compared to Supermarine?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Costanza on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:41:34
So, where are Melksham in the pyramid compared to Supermarine?

One level below Supermarine so not much different.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:42:17
So, where are Melksham in the pyramid compared to Supermarine?

Supermarine are Tier 8 and Melksham are Tier 9.

http://www.fansfocus.com/leagues/english-pyramid/


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:43:17
Have they left the Conigre?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:43:25
B(r)ainbridge and McDermott anyone?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Costanza on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:45:59
B(r)ainbridge and McDermott anyone?

Jack (ex-Everton) and Donal (Rochdale)

Both played against Supermarine. I thought Bainbridge looked useful.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:47:29
Jack (ex-Everton) and Donal (Rochdale)

Both played against Supermarine. I though Bainbridge looked useful.

Thanks!


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Ells on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 18:59:27
Pitch does look decent to be fair to old Bobby!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEeZdNkXoAES07x?format=jpg)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:07:44
Still 0-0.

Flitcroft out.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:11:20
1-0 (Norris)  33 mins

Flitcroft in.   :)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: ibelieveinmrreeves on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:13:36
Have they left the Conigre?

Yep, finally.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:27:18
want a 1 1/2 friendly games prophecy of Doom?

Norris and slew won't get the goals us promoted .

:)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: 4D on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:27:43
They have a fence, like Oxford


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:33:42
Slew has scored 11 goals in 100+ games since 2010. Will only ever be useful as a battering ram.

Pretty obvious we lack creativity and obviously a finisher. May have to wait a little longer for these players to become available.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:37:16
Slew has scored 11 goals in 100+ games since 2010. Will only ever be useful as a battering ram.

Pretty obvious we lack creativity and obviously a finisher. May have to wait a little longer for these players to become available.
8 goals in 1.5 games? Is it really that obvious?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:37:46
yeah just to be clear lack of creativity was a serious observation, but I'm not worried about it until someone in august.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:40:41
8 goals in 1.5 games? Is it really that obvious?
Not sure if serious.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Saxondale on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:42:06
No hopes for the lad Mullin then?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:42:40
forgot about him


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:44:00
Depends what you are trying to achieve.  The Wise/Sturrock period was built off of a firm defensive approach (although slightly different to each other).  We never looked like battering anyone, but equally didn't look fragile.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: RobertT on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:46:12
Oh, and didn't Flitcroft say they haven't done any work on attacking play as yet, in fact nearly no work on tactical set-up.  So essentially the team is playing as a bunch of individuals right now.  Plus we've only really signed the defensive players, Mullins apart.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:47:22
No hopes for the lad Mullin then?
Mullin could be decent, Norris could be decent in League 2, Brophy could be decent in League 2, Goddard could be decent in League 2.

Those are our 4 main attacking goal scorers/creators at the moment.

Still think it's obvious we lack quality going forward. Need another 2 wingers and strikers I'd say.

Maybe I've been playing too much Football Manager.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Saxondale on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:49:23
Hes just missed a penalty so hes shit then.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 19:51:26
Not sure if serious.
Well yes of course I am. Winning 7-1 doesn't suggest an obvious lack of creativity does it? I'm not saying more attacking players are not needed or won't be welcome. I'm just wondering what you are basing your statement on given the evidence of the pre season games so far.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 20:19:39
FT 5-0 .  Thomas (2), Twine and Mullin with the second half goals.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 21:14:47
Nice facilities for a small club, sat under cover so happy with that.

My twopenneth, left as the 5th went in:

1st Half Goddard and an overlapping Hussey were our main attacking threat.
Slew was less effective than he was against Supermarine (missed a sitter too) and we struggled a bit to create chances in general.
But as per Marine, we were in total control. In the midfield our number 8 (not sure who is who, but it wasn't Starkey!) put in some good challenges and some slightly late challenges. Get the impression ball or man he'll get one or t'other.
Vigs and the back 4 didn't have a lot to do.
Norris was Norris, really want to find a way to get him going, but he looked like he did last season - and hopefully he improves as he gets fitter.

Second half was pretty much as you were. Brophy out wide left and Smith as left back I'm not convinced by - like Smith just not sure he's a left back. But as they tired we started to push on a lot, and obviously that's reflected in the goals. I'd say Mullin was pick of the forwards today, looks bright enough.

The sum total of all this means naff all of course, because its a friendly.



Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 21:17:25
Depends what you are trying to achieve.  The Wise/Sturrock period was built off of a firm defensive approach (although slightly different to each other).  We never looked like battering anyone, but equally didn't look fragile.

Absolutely, its putting the ball in the net when the opportunity comes that worries me. And yes thsat does sound ridiculous given we've scored 12 in 2, and no he hasn't finished recruiting, we are all aware this isn't the final squad.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 21:20:44
Well yes of course I am. Winning 7-1 doesn't suggest an obvious lack of creativity does it? I'm not saying more attacking players are not needed or won't be welcome. I'm just wondering what you are basing your statement on given the evidence of the pre season games so far.

Personally its that we only have two or three players that provided that creativity, that the striker options look like missing more than they score (Mullin aside) and that the quality and fitness of the opposition needs to be taken into account
--------------------------------------------------

Having said that, we've dominated both games totally. We've scored 12, we've got a lot of time to work on the players we have in terms of fitness and sharpness, and to get more in. What more could we do.

The glass is definitely over half full.

Add a goalscorer and another winger and its looking good.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Super Hans on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 21:35:53
Well yes of course I am. Winning 7-1 doesn't suggest an obvious lack of creativity does it? I'm not saying more attacking players are not needed or won't be welcome. I'm just wondering what you are basing your statement on given the evidence of the pre season games so far.
My point was more potency is needed i.e. more players which can create/score which you've just mentioned yourself.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: ekarot on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 22:03:24
Tonight's game was typical pre season stuff . Mullins was sharp and Brophy fast and direct.Having watched melksham for 12 months instead of swindon (due to our mill wall supporting chairman who is not looking for any other investors and is in it for the money.)
I realise 3 things--
1 The standard of football at both levels has dropped massively
2 The passion and commitment from flitcroft may well inject some energy into the team maybe like Di Canio
3 The bar at melksham serves 10 times quicker than the county ground hotel
That is all


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: singingiiiffy on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 22:20:46
Tonight's game was typical pre season stuff . Mullins was sharp and Brophy fast and direct.Having watched melksham for 12 months instead of swindon (due to our mill wall supporting chairman who is not looking for any other investors and is in it for the money.)
I realise 3 things--
1 The standard of football at both levels has dropped massively
2 The passion and commitment from flitcroft may well inject some energy into the team maybe like Di Canio
3 The bar at melksham serves 10 times quicker than the county ground hotel
That is all

Eh? You stopped watching Swindon because power isn't looking for investors? And that from watching a pre-season game with half a team the standard has dropped massively? I'm lost


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: singingiiiffy on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 22:30:30
Anyone that went, did Hines play tonight? Can't see him on the team sheet unless still under trialist


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: ekarot on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 22:36:56
What about the bar service ??? :pint:🍺🍻🍾🍷🍸⚽️


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: singingiiiffy on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, 22:43:48
What about the bar service ??? :pint:🍺🍻🍾🍷🍸⚽️

Ok il let you off your strange views and blame the drink!


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: OOH! SHAUN TAYLOR on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 05:14:16
My point was more potency is needed i.e. more players which can create/score which you've just mentioned yourself.
Indeed I did. I agreed with your overall point but not the way you made it. You could say I was being a pedantic old git, I wouid say it's one of my few pleasures left to me in life 8)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Sippo on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 06:46:11
Tonight's game was typical pre season stuff . Mullins was sharp and Brophy fast and direct.Having watched melksham for 12 months instead of swindon (due to our mill wall supporting chairman who is not looking for any other investors and is in it for the money.)
I realise 3 things--
1 The standard of football at both levels has dropped massively
2 The passion and commitment from flitcroft may well inject some energy into the team maybe like Di Canio
3 The bar at melksham serves 10 times quicker than the county ground hotel
That is all

Are you Reg's son?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Bob's Orange on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 08:21:35
Nice facilities for a small club, sat under cover so happy with that.

My twopenneth, left as the 5th went in:

1st Half Goddard and an overlapping Hussey were our main attacking threat.
Slew was less effective than he was against Supermarine (missed a sitter too) and we struggled a bit to create chances in general.
But as per Marine, we were in total control. In the midfield our number 8 (not sure who is who, but it wasn't Starkey!) put in some good challenges and some slightly late challenges. Get the impression ball or man he'll get one or t'other.
Vigs and the back 4 didn't have a lot to do.
Norris was Norris, really want to find a way to get him going, but he looked like he did last season - and hopefully he improves as he gets fitter.

Second half was pretty much as you were. Brophy out wide left and Smith as left back I'm not convinced by - like Smith just not sure he's a left back. But as they tired we started to push on a lot, and obviously that's reflected in the goals. I'd say Mullin was pick of the forwards today, looks bright enough.

The sum total of all this means naff all of course, because its a friendly.



Can only imagine number 8 is Jack Dunne.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Batch on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 08:43:39
Can only imagine number 8 is Jack Dunne.

Thanks. No prisoners, ball or man, that's the impression I got. My prediction for first suspension is September 23rd :)

Quote
Anyone that went, did Hines play tonight?

Er, as you can see I'm not quite up to speed on whose who! Sorry


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 08:53:58
Sounds like it was a good run out, get a few wins under the belt as winning can become a habit.

Look at pre season 2 years ago we got beaten at Supermarine and Solihull and only had one narrow win 3-2 vs Petersfield.

Pre season friendly results don't mean anything but fans love to see new players scoring goals galore against smaller teams and going several games unbeaten, just a bit disappointed we couldn't bag a bigger team for a home friendly this term to test us against a better set up side than non league outfits and show off to the fans. (behind closed doors friendly excepted)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 09:04:16
Sounds like it was a good run out, get a few wins under the belt as winning can become a habit.

Look at pre season 2 years ago we got beaten at Supermarine and Solihull and only had one narrow win 3-2 vs Petersfield.

Pre season friendly results don't mean anything but fans love to see new players scoring goals galore against smaller teams and going several games unbeaten, just a bit disappointed we couldn't bag a bigger team for a home friendly this term to test us against a better set up side than non league outfits and show off to the fans. (behind closed doors friendly excepted)

Lou Macari used to like a good friendly against lower opposition, in order to get a winning feeling. 87/88 I suppose being the zenith

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Results.asp?Friendly=YES&Season=1987-1988

Even a routine win at the Manor, and a pre jinx victory at Whaddon Road in the mix


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 09:17:06
Lou Macari used to like a good friendly against lower opposition, in order to get a winning feeling. 87/88 I suppose being the zenith

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Results.asp?Friendly=YES&Season=1987-1988

Even a routine win at the Manor, and a pre jinx victory at Whaddon Road in the mix
I went to every pre season that year as I was emplyed by the club at the time, my car broke down on the way back from Whaddon Road in the middle of Cheltenham.....we had some super results that year and the 2 games we didn't win we played the youth team not the first team.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 09:24:03
I went to every pre season that year as I was emplyed by the club at the time, my car broke down on the way back from Whaddon Road in the middle of Cheltenham.....we had some super results that year and the 2 games we didn't win we played the youth team not the first team.

I was in Cheltenham on Sunday... there are worse places to break down.

There was one Lou season where Duncan Shearer filled his boots pre-season then found it very difficult to score when the season started. He included 4 at FGR... would be good to see Norris or Mullin do the same this season for real


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 09:42:28
I used to love pre season games, all the foreign trialists coming in.

I remember we had Eugene Dadi an Ivory Coast international and Bernard Tchoutang a Cameroon international play along with another African international, but the manager at the time (could have been Todd or Andy King but I am not sure) said he didn't think either were capable of playing on a wet Tuesday at Hartlepool!

Both were good players.

Tchoutang went on to play for Roda JC in the Dutch top division and Dadi had a career with Tranmere and Aberdeen over here.

EDIT: it was Nigerian international Bimbo Fatokun Larne.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 09:50:13
I used to love pre season games, all the foreign trialists coming in.

I remember we had Eugene Dadi an Ivory Coast international and Bernard Tchoutang a Cameroon international play along with another African international, but the manager at the time (could have been Todd or Andy King but I am not sure) said he didn't think either were capable of playing on a wet Tuesday at Hartlepool!

Both were good players.

Tchoutang went on to play for Roda JC in the Dutch top division and Dadi had a career with Tranmere and Aberdeen over here.

McMahon... was gaffer, I remember he rejected someone like Tchoutang, becasue he had no boots. Another one was a Boli, bro of Basil, famed for nutting Psycho.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Peter Venkman on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 09:52:59
McMahon... was gaffer, I remember he rejected someone like Tchoutang, becasue he had no boots. Another one was a Boli, bro of Basil, famed for nutting Psycho.
I remember Roger Boli he was a big lump of a player (not tall) about 4 stone overweight! theres more here about the missed players...

https://thewashbag.com/2014/07/22/trialist-fails-the-good-the-bad-and-thomas-dossevi/


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: tans on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 10:35:09
McMahon... was gaffer, I remember he rejected someone like Tchoutang, becasue he had no boots. Another one was a Boli, bro of Basil, famed for nutting Psycho.

Tchoutang played in the digby testimonial and was immense.

McMahon also turned down Hasan Kachloul as well. Idiot



Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Exiled Bob on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 11:47:44
I went to every pre season that year as I was emplyed by the club at the time, my car broke down on the way back from Whaddon Road in the middle of Cheltenham.....we had some super results that year and the 2 games we didn't win we played the youth team not the first team.
And just my luck - the only game I went to was Basingstoke away...got hammered.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Posh Red on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 18:23:25
There was one Lou season where Duncan Shearer filled his boots pre-season then found it very difficult to score when the season started. He included 4 at FGR...

I remember that game, we went along to see our new signing (he'd just joined for £250k, which was a lot for us then), and we hadn't even seen a picture of him (pre internet days).

So out trots this ginger bloke, with lilly white legs & we thought oh bugger is that him.

He proceeded to score a goal with both feet & a header & our minds were made up that he was going to be a star.

The fact that he didn't score for what seemed like ages, until the Palace keeper threw one of his shots in his own net (well, let in a shot he should have saved anyway).

We then went to Watford on the Saturday after & he scored a screamer (so much so that I bought the match video) and his star status was confirmed :)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Costanza on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 18:25:23
£250,000 is a lot for Town to pay now...!


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Flashheart on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 18:27:24
It's a lot for most clubs outside the Championship to pay.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 19:03:15
I remember that game, we went along to see our new signing (he'd just joined for £250k, which was a lot for us then), and we hadn't even seen a picture of him (pre internet days).

So out trots this ginger bloke, with lilly white legs & we thought oh bugger is that him.

He proceeded to score a goal with both feet & a header & our minds were made up that he was going to be a star.

The fact that he didn't score for what seemed like ages, until the Palace keeper threw one of his shots in his own net (well, let in a shot he should have saved anyway).

We then went to Watford on the Saturday after & he scored a screamer (so much so that I bought the match video) and his star status was confirmed :)

Think I was abroad for the friendly season... caught my first look at Dunc at The Hawthorns... I thought he looked ill, which I assumed was why he was crap. We got stuffed undone by Carlton Palmer  :)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: leefer on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 21:02:49
Hi everyone....popped along to Melksham last night
Credit to Melksham...fantastic little set up
Went to just 2 lge matches last season...just lost all interest sadly..
For what it is worth i think Linganzi looked real decent...and the youngsters looked hungry....Brophy could be very decent at lge 2 level
Anyway....hope all you people are keeping well.....look after yourselfs.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 23:11:04
Hi everyone....popped along to Melksham last night
Credit to Melksham...fantastic little set up
Went to just 2 lge matches last season...just lost all interest sadly..
For what it is worth i think Linganzi looked real decent...and the youngsters looked hungry....Brophy could be very decent at lge 2 level
Anyway....hope all you people are keeping well.....look after yourselfs.

I'm good, thanks for asking.  Seen any good history from the lorry lately?


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Peter Venkman on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 08:14:05
and the youngsters looked hungry...
Thats Scott Twine, very thin and slight build could do with a good meal ;)


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: leefer on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 08:44:07
I'm good, thanks for asking.  Seen any good history from the lorry lately?

Nice to see you still on here Reg...see plenty of stuff...very lucky
Gloucester Cathedral a particular fave as plenty of parking for lorries outside!
Penzance today....👍🏻


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 09:06:36
Nice to see you still on here Reg...see plenty of stuff...very lucky
Gloucester Cathedral a particular fave as plenty of parking for lorries outside!
Penzance today....👍🏻

Bit of a haul to Penzance, specially the Cornish miles at the end.

I keep meaning to pay Gloucester Cathedral another visit, one of those places that's reasonably easy to get to, and been many times, but looking back the last time was a good few years ago, and you can always see something new.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: chalkies_shorts on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 09:23:48
Good to have you back leefer. Used to enjoy your trucking stories. Gloucester Cathedral is a great place. They have concerts there sometimes and I saw Oysterband and June Tabor there a couple of years back. Interesting acoustics.
Penzance was interesting. It seemed to me that every inhabitant was drunk and with a dog. A bit like Swindon Town Centre really.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Reg Smeeton on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 09:28:46
Good to have you back leefer. Used to enjoy your trucking stories. Gloucester Cathedral is a great place. They have concerts there sometimes and I saw Oysterband and June Tabor there a couple of years back. Interesting acoustics.
Penzance was interesting. It seemed to me that every inhabitant was drunk and with a dog. A bit like Swindon Town Centre really.

A mate has just bought a place there... part of the attraction, the drunks like to have a chat with you, whereas in Swindon they want to rob you.


Title: Re: melksham town
Post by: Private Fraser on Thursday, July 13, 2017, 10:00:59
Nice to see you still on here Reg...see plenty of stuff...very lucky
Gloucester Cathedral a particular fave as plenty of parking for lorries outside!
Penzance today....👍🏻

Gloucester Cathedral is one of my favourite places, too.  Used to live not far away so was lucky to be able to get there quite often.  On a pleasant day, you can spend a peaceful half hour or so sitting in The Garth just thinking about the history of the place.  A couple of years ago, they started getting a bit heavy handed about 'donations' as you went in, though. Probably driven by the major stonemasonry work then being undertaken.