There was much to do last Saturday, culminating on the night with a trip to Tamworth to see my mate Sean’s band perform. I had missions first though. Bloxwich and back to Cool Hog the pork scratchings shop as they now do hot pork baps, and it was epic.

Then Tesco. First up was to claim my first ever Euro Millions win. A whopping £2.60 for getting two main numbers. I was 35% embarrassed at collecting such a small amount and 65% they aint bloody keeping it. Although the ticket had been in my wallet unchecked since July, so I hoped it was still valid. It wasn’t so long ago I had a £1 scratchcard go out of date as I left it so long to collect. Yeah it was only a quid but that’s two samosas. Anyway the ticket worked and it’s another £2.60 into the Gibraltar fund. I must say though that the Euro Millions is shit. I only play it when it’s the 10 guaranteed millionaires thing. You have to jump through hoops to get £8. Aint nobody got time for dat.

Whilst in Tesco I went a bit crazy as per normal. I bloody love shopping and would do it all the time if I had the money. Also as per usual there was someone with a trolley in the basket shop checkout area. They got the standard narrow eyed stare as I marched past.

Sean is a great singer, and I’ve seen him in action so many times, both when we were performing in stage shows together in AMCS and of course as the lead singer of a band. I’ve seen him in 3 different bands now. Destroyed Beyond Belief, Rock Revolver and his present one Delayed Response. I first saw his current line up when they played at the reopening of The Watering Trough in Walsall. I didn’t see much of the second half of that night as it was that busy I couldn’t get served. The second time was also at The Trough. This time I could get served, got absolutely twatted and can remember very little other than dancing around in front of the band on my own like a nob.

So this would be my third time seeing Delayed Response putting them on level terms with some of my favourite artists that I’ve seen that amount of times like Belinda Carlisle, Boy Kill Boy and Maroon 5. I was very excited so to calm things down upon putting the shopping away I chilled out with a mug of green tea and put on a bit of Lana Del Ray.

On the train and as we pulled into New Street the conductor announced where the lifts on the platform are located, following up with “as the escalator probably won’t be working as per usual.” Regular readers of this blog will know of my disdain for the non working escalators at New Street so I loved this comment. They were working by the way.

On the busy train to Tamworth, I offered my seat to 4 women and they all turned me down. The last one though, when the train jolted turned around, pointed at my lap and said “I might end up on there in a minute.” “That’s perfectly fine with me” I replied which got a big laugh from her and her friends. You know, I might finally be getting good at talking to strangers. 2023 me would never had said that.

The gig was at The Crafty Two. Sean and his partner Sammy’s favourite pub. It’s where the three of us used to record our podcast The Long And Shot Of It, but I’ve only been there once since that finished, when Tamworth hosted Walsall in a pre season friendly in August last year. I’d never tried to find it in the dark, but hey I know the way yeah?

My trouble is, when I walk I start thinking about shit and not concentrating where I’m going. Once – in Blackpool I left everyone in the pub and decided to save money and walk back to the hotel for an early night. I ended up walking miles and having to pay £7 in a taxi to be driven back the way I’d walked.

On this walk I saw a petrol station. This wasn’t good. I’ve never seen a petrol station in Tamworth. Never thought about it but assumed they had them. I decided to take a couple of right turns and that would put me in the right direction. Like so many of my other great ideas it went tits up. After a decent walk I ended up back at the railway station.

I tried again, taking a different turn and got completely lost. I had to find a George to ask, and you know I hate asking for help but this was getting urgent. Fortunately someone pointed me in the right direction. I hit the town centre in a completely different direction so it was a big relief to see Santander as this helped me get my bearings.

Turning the corner toward the pub and although I needed no further clarification that I was nearly there, I could hear Sean singing from down the road. As I walked in he was belting out “won’t you please help me?” which I thought was quite apt in the circumstances.

The bar area was very busy so I grabbed a drink and found an empty chair in the back where I could still enjoy the music. We had a rendition of “Proud Mary” which I absolutely loved as a kid so this was the highlight. Final song of this set was Turning Japanese, another classic from my childhood which really came into it’s own during my teenage years. The place was bouncing due to the fine entertainment but also I suspect as the locals may have been celebrating Tamworth FC qualifying for the first round of the FA Cup that afternoon..

At the half time I was waiting for people to go loo and cigarette smoking so I could move into the main area but Zoey en route I assume for the loo spotted me, fetched Sean’s partner Sammy who came and led me into the bar.

I caught up with Sean during the break. I’d seen him at a wedding night in August and he said he was planning to ask Sammy to marry him in December and asked if I would be his best man, which really shocked me. He knows hundreds of people so was surprised he picked me but I was absolutely delighted. At this point he said he was bringing the proposal forward to tonight. I was glad I’d came.

I took the opportunity to take some pub pictures, Sean commenting “are you being a tourist?” He knows the score. The place was decked out in Halloween attire, and there was a big television showing scenes of Motocross riders coming off their bikes which grabbed my attention. Normally I wouldn’t have given it a second look but following my first trip to watch Speedway recently at the Birmingham Brummies last ever match at Perry Barr as reported here, I gave it a watch.

Second half started with a bit of Black Sabbath. I got an “alright Evo?” over the mic from Sean which I absolutely loved. I confirmed that I was. At one point he sang the opening lines to “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan before cutting it short and going into rock mode again. If he had started her current song “The Subway”, which I bloody love, I’d have been up there and finished it myself.

There was a belting rendition of “Alive” by P.O.D and the final song of the night was “99 Red Balloons” and then came the main event. Other than film and tv I’ve only ever seen one live marriage proposal which was in The Fitters back in the day, and I missed some of it as I was in the loo. I wasn’t sure how serious it was but the wedding didn’t happen and they are not together anymore.

Sean started with a little speech about how wonderful it was having so many loved ones here and then called Sammy forwarded. He went down one one knee and she said “yes” it was amazing and very emotional. To quote Monty Python And The Holy |Grail “there was much rejoicing.” On came “Learn To Fly” by Foo Fighters which is epic but this gave way to Elton John’s “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?” which was a bit more appropriate.

I saw Sean shortly afterwards and he said “sorry geezer, this is the one night it couldn’t be all about you.” What a line. Made me laugh. I didn’t mind. I’m happy to share the limelight on special occasions.

Many congratulations Sean and Sammy. I can’t wait to be a part of your big day. This will be my 5th time as a best man and it’s such an honour. There ares some right plans to be made.

A quick check on the National Rail app suggested I wasn’t going to make the train home, so I asked Sean to sort me an Uber which he happily did. It came while I was in the loo. Standard. It was a proper sexy vehicle. Individual seats inside. Don’t ask the make or model. I could identify a 1980’s era Renault (especially the 4, 5, 11, 12, 20 and Feugo) but modern cars? Absolutely no chance.

It took half an hour to get back, the taxi driver did not want to chat – fine with me and it only cost £20. Can’t argue with that. Thought it would be double that. Especially as in a standard taxi it’s now £7 to get from Tesco in Walsall back to my house – even with a 45 minute wait which happened recently.

Fab night, great set and here’s to the soon to be Mr & MNrs Westwood. Sean, I think we need one of our renditions of “Caravan Of Love” on the big day.