I’m sure you all know Bradley Walsh is the host of ITV’s teatime hit quiz show, The Chase.
But I wonder how many quiz fans out there can answer this brainteaser.
Has Bradley’s career also included being a) an actor; b) a comedian; c) a Bedfordshire footballer?
What’s the right answer? All three!
No prizes for knowing that Bradley is a clever comic, and every Law & Order or Coronation Street fan knows he’s an accomplished actor.
But top marks if you knew that Bradley used to play for a football team not a million miles from here.
Which team? Dunstable!
Yes, Bradley apparently did play for The Blues in his younger days.
He is listed on the Dunstable Town FC site in their “notable former players” section.
And that puts him in the same illustrious list as the late, great George Best. Wow.
One account of Bradley’s time at Dunstable says he scored 15 goals for us in 25 appearances. Go on, my son.
Of course, his days as a professional footballer were in his youth.
To paraphrase his quiz show catchphrase: “For you, Bradley, the football career is over...”
Still on the subject of football, a friend tells me that local place names have been cropping up on the pitch.
Dagnall in particular did very well in an FA Cup match.
In fact, Dagnall knocked out the Dons.
But no, it wasn’t the village. It was Chris Dagnall, who scored twice to help Barnsley to a three-one win against the MK Dons.
Then there’s the player called Yeates (pronounced Yates) who plays for Watford.
His first name is Mark. So that’s Mark Yeates...
I wonder if there are any famous folk called Totternhoe, Studham or Kensworth out there?
If you spot any quirky namesakes, drop me a line. My email address is above and our postal address is on page 2.
Have you popped into Dunstable Library since it reopened last week?
I went in for a wander, as you do, and decided to check out the new self-service set-up at the same time.
The new machines look a bit like the self-service checkout section at a superstore.
But worry not. There won’t be any unexpected items in the bagging area!
The new machines are near the entrance, where the main desk used to be.
And you can use them to scan in your must-have books, etc, to borrow, return or renew them. Smart stuff.
But there were people on hand, too. Friendly staff members showed library users how it all worked.
And the plan is that the self-service system will mean the staff will have more time generally to help you and me with all our other queries.
I have to say, it all seemed straightforward. My visit to the library really did have a happy ending...
Touch wood, a visit to Ashridge Forest made me feel like spring is on the way.
The visitor centre was up and running, and it has had a makeover for 2013.
There’s a new-look area for children in the centre. And there’s a separate book section, with comfy chairs.
Too early for bluebells, of course. But not too early for my first Ashridge scone of the year!