Cockney Tribute Act Performing Tonight

Great news for all the fans of jellied-eels, cockney music and out of tune pianos, as the UK’s eighth best Chas & Dave tribute act will be performing in Beckworth tonight. The act, aptly named Ches & David, will be performing the real duo’s two hits but promise to liven things up with a few surprises including some mime, juggling and lots of anecdotes about appearing on Masterchef and being extremely famous. In an email David Mitchell, the act’s “joanna player” (pianist), told me that he and his East End singing partner Ches (Chesney Hawkes) have been rehearsing for a couple of hours and are very excited to be performing, especially as the pub is paying them in crisps and lemonade. It’s only £9.50 on the door and this weekend’s featured ale at the pub is Where Is Sue Perkins When You Need Her. Warning: If you don’t like D-List celebrities singing in poorly “put-on” East London accents and going all “Mary Poppins” then please stay at home! Cindy Carmarthen, Bar Manager, The Blind Badger Pub & Venue

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(Above) Musical mockneys Chesney & David rehearsing their moves earlier today

Local Lad On Centre Court Today

Sports news… Don’t forget to watch Wimbledon on telly today as our (only) local tennis pro Lionel “Corky” Deptford is playing on Centre Court. He is playing young Columbian hopeful Santiago Giraldo and after Corky’s amazing trouncing of Andy Murray last year it promises to be a riveting match. Although he is almost-completely blind, 91 year old Lionel is the second oldest ranked tennis player in the world (ranked 631) and plays by sense of smell only. He only took up the game upon retirement and when interviewed last year modest Mr Deptford put his extraordinary win over Mr Murray down to the wonder of drugs like viagra, a red meat diet, having a lot of sex and the fact that due to some injury or other Mr Andy was “absolutely useless” on the day. Fingers crossed Corky has similar luck again and annihilates Giraldo today, it would be wonderful to see him in the final. Stranger things have happened! Christine Batley. Chief Tennis From Wimbledon Reporter. Beckworth Guardian

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(Above) Corky warming up at Wimbledon earlier today’