THIS IS THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF "Lord BASNETT"
I apologise to all who may have have logged onto this site and have seen no changes or updates in the past months. So without further ado let's come bang up to date and explain what's going on both with work and pleasure.
Having spent nearly 32 years in the Banking world commencing back in September 1974 with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, 1983 Bayerische Landesbank Girozentrale, 1987 Societe Generale, 1992 Riyad Bank Riyadh, 1995 Kleinwort Benson and finally in 1997 Generale Bank Birmingham, later to become Fortis Bank, in June 2006 I decided that the Banking industry that I had enjoyed for so many years was not for me any more and that a change had to be made. My assessment of where I thought the banking industry was heading was proved right by the spectacular collapse of the banking system in 2008 driven by avaricious and unqualified leaders in a sector that was sadly lacking any ounce of sound and solid regulation.
Currently I am working with Tradition UK Ltd, one of the world's largest Intermediate Financial Brokers, represented in 27 countries with over 2,500 employess worldwide. We act for Major Banks, Building Societies, Public and Private Companies, Universities, Colleges and other educational establishments, Institutional Investors, Local Authorities, Charities and NHS Foundation Trusts.
We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority with Tradition being a registered trademark of Compagnie Financiere Tradition who are listed on the Swiss stock exchange.
Tradition will work hard for you, using its extensive knowledge of the financial markets by placing deposits in sterling and other currencies, buying and selling Certificates of Deposit, and executing foreign exchange transactions. Our aim is quite simply to bring a competitive edge to treasury operations and in the process add value and save you time.
Further information can be found on our website www.tradition.com or contact directly with me on tim.basnett@tradition.com.
On a personal note the Basnett clan continues to reside in Solihull in the West Midlands and life still remains thankfully fairly chaotic. Music still remains a key part of day to day life with at least three members of the family playing on a regular basis with "2 Weeks Noticel" with numerous dates already booked for 2011. The 6 piece band consists of a keyboard player (Lord B), bass guitarist Gino Lombardi, lead guitarist Ollie Basnett, rhythm guitarist Ryan O' Leary, a new drummer and the all important lead vocalist Luke Basnett. The music covers a wide range of tastes with songs from the past 6 decades. Events booked so far include gigs, weddings, parties and Company do's in Solihull, Tewkesbury, Meriden and Cannock to mention but a few.
I am starting to raise money for Prostate Cancer, an illness that unfortunately I was diagnosed with in 2008, and something that I can only descibe as a life-changer. Sadly a good friend of mine, former England and British Lion's Rugby player Andy Ripley passed away at the back end of 2010 as a result of losing his long battle with Prostate Cancer and I shall always be grateful for his words of wisdom advising me to go to my doctor when strange symptons started to inflict themselves on me. A PSA blood test is something that I would recommend any guy to have over the age of 45. It's painless and could be crucial, believe me I should know.
Anyone who suffers from the same or has any strange questions to ask, please feel free to contact me and ask. I have always openly discussed the issue, a subject that most blokes avoid as it concerns bodily areas between the tummy button and the knee-caps!! Any doubt, give a shout. Contact addresses are either www.lordbasnett.co.uk or thebasnetts@btinternet.com.
We will be playing at "The Red Lion" on the Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull on the evening of Saturday 4th June 2011 where a percentage of the £5 ticket price will be donated a Prostate Cancer Charity Fund. If you would like to join us please feel free to come along but it may be worth buying tickets in advance as we are limited to about 115 people.
I am hoping that with further computer skills I will shortly be able to add further items to this page including a global market report, future and past band gigs and life in general. I am not a great user of Facebook or Friends Reunited, (Twitter I cannot even fathom out let alone understand) so if you would like to make contact, you have a wide selection of e-mail addresses to choose from.
11th May 2011 updates.
Ticket sales going well for the Gig on June 4th at the Red Lion in Shirley Solihull which hopefully should be a cracking night with some rocking good music being played. Please come and support a good cause.
Progress on my book "The Last of the Sundowners" is still making headway but a little more tricky writing than previously envisaged with all the cross referencing and memory being tested thoroughly high on the list challenging my sanity. But it's fun as I try to remember events of 30 to 40 years ago with brother Neil managing to fill in a few gaps.
Looking forward to June 11th when we are cruising around the Mediterranean with good friends of ours Rob and Karen Sadler on what I can only describe as a floating gin palace. This will be the third time away this year following trips to Mombasa, Kenya and Niederhau, Austria in January and March respectively and should be fun to say the least. Quite what the hangovers will be like is unimaginable but more on this at a later date.
20th June 2011 updates
Great night at the Red Lion, Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull on June 4th when over 150 "musical party animals" attended a "Two Weeks Notice" band night and raised a good amount for the Prostate Cancer Research Fund. To all those who supported and contributed to what was an exceedingly splendid night with some fantastic music from the boys, myself included, a very big thank you. We will be playing the Red Lion again hopefully in September so will keep all advised on the date.
Just also returned from an absolutely marvellous cruise around the Mediterranean with Norwegian Cruise Lines taking in Barcelona, Livorno (for Pisa), Civitavecchia (for Rome), Naples (for Sorrento), Palma (for the wonderful Riu Bonanza Playa and Park hotels and "Wellies" restaurant in Portals Nous) in the company of our great friends Karen and Rob Sadler. Don't mention the Bollinger night or the Perfume shop incident on the boat at any cost!!
Special mention to some wonderful musicians on the "Norwegin Epic" that I met including the fantastic "Slam Allen Blues Band" in Fat Cats Bar with Hammond keyboard man Ron Brown a treat to meet, the Iguana Trio with J.C Morales playing on top deck 15 at the Waves Bar, on some occasions with yours truly playing Sanata's "Oye Como Va" with the band. Also on board an absolutely fantastic classical guitar player from Argentina. Truly a musical feast and one that I shall not forget for a very long time.
My book continues to make progress albeit at a very slow pace but I will get there in the end I am sure. As soon as a complete and readable version of " The Last of the Sundowners" is available, be assured that I will be shouting it out in the hills for all to hear.
Until next time, stay cool and remember the three important questions in life:
"Why are we all here"?
"Where are we all going"?
"And should I be taking some sandwiches"??
23rd July 2011
Details of the next fund raising gig are now formalised and "Two Weeks Notice" will be playing the Red Lion on the Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull on Saturday 10th September 2011 where we hope that we will get another wonderful turnout for a night of superb music from all eras. An iconic Pink Floyd song will be covererd this night so come along and enjoy the sounds. Tickets again are available for £5.00
Recently played at a party near Upton-on-Severn where we got some good reviews, so it's all going as well as can be expected.
The band plays next on July 30th for Janine's birthday party at "Naff Hall", Kingslea Road, Solhull in the garden so fingers crossed for a dry and warm sunny summer's evening.
As usual in conclusion, a thought for all.
When Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone all those years ago, who on earth did he call to see if it worked??
AUGUST 2011
For those interested in what is going on with the band please look at www.2weeksnotice.co.uk
Going through one of those phases at the moment where my Prostate C is getting me down a bit. If you suffer from it and have the treatment you will understand where I am coming from. If you don't then relish every day and what it gives.
On a brighter note the band play a garden party on Saturday 20th August in Lapworth which sounds a great bash and something to look forward to.
England at the moment is enough to depress anybody and that is what it is succeeding in doing, even to me who normally takes most things in my stride. It's expensive, badly Governed, badly managed and badly policed (not their fault). Weak Government leads to a weak overall performance economically and socially and until such time that this country starts to buck its ideas up, then "up the swanee" is where we are heading. Has anyone not got any respect for anything or anybody nowadays?
Classic example. Cricket match last Saturday 13th August, umpiring in a beautiful village cricket ground in Blockley Gloucester, I was called a "f...ing cheating b..tard" by a player!! Not happy to say the least and sums it all up I am afraid to say. Willing umpires who love the game do not need this sort of abuse. We do this in our own time and at the end of the day we are human beings and can make a genuine mistake. Do I hang my white coat up?. Do I heck. Makes me even more hell bent on doing a good job.
Off my soap box now everybody. I'm off now to get a length of rope!!
More to come anon.
Keep smiling
August 26th 2011
Great news for the band following a tremendous gig in Lapworth, Warwickshire on Saturday August 20th, "2 Weeks Notice" has been asked to play New Years Eve at the Moorings in Leamington, which sounds to be a fantastic evening, posh frocks and all (for the women that is!!)
May I also recommend the fine cuisine, hospitality and ambience at the very fine Hampton Manor in Shadowbrook Lane, Hampton in Arden. If you haven't tried it out get yourself there and experience the fantastic surroundings. Marvellous service and great selection of wines. Particularly good Argentinian Malbec by name of "Toso".
Some hard practice sessions for the band ahead of some big gigs in the next months but it's great fun and very rewarding.
Long live rock and roll
12th September 2011.
A very big thank you to all who attended the gig at the "Red Lion" on Saturday 10th September to support the Prostate Cancer Charity and listen to "2 Weeks Notice". Great atmosphere for the whole evening which always makes it a pleasure for us to play and entertain. We have taken on board some of the very useful feed backs to us over vocal sound issues and this hopefully will be remedied for future events.
A couple of new songs put out which we hope that you all enjoyed.
Stay cool
6th October 2011
One of my passions in life is cricket and it has always been a wish of mine to become President of a cricket club and at last night's Annual General Meeting of Catherine de Barnes Cricket Club (Catney) in Solihull, that wish came true when I was elected President of the Club, something that I feel honoured to have been asked to do. It is my intention in the coming months to raise the profile of the club and to attract as many new members to the Club as is possible. I will also be looking for sponsors who in return will get membership to the Club, advertising around the ground if possible and more importantly an enormous debt of gratitude from members, both playing and non-playing.
Bolstering cricket at grass roots level is essential for the survival of cricket sides for without those new members coming through, some of these wonderful cricket clubs in the Warwickshire countryside will either have to merge or fold. Something that I would be very sad to see and hopefully it will not come to this.
If you find yourself at a loose end on a glorious sunny Saturday afternoon next Summer please come down to the Club situated behind the Boat Pub on Hampton Lane in Catherine de Barnes to watch the cricket, the planes coming in and out of Birmingham Airport or even the barges as they tootle up and down the canal. Children very welcome and pets too. It could not be a better spot and so close to the centre of Solihull. There is a good bar available with reasonable prices as well.
I still find it totally amazing that a lot people who have lived in Solihull and the surrounding areas for many years are unaware that a cricket club exits in Catherine de Barnes. I can assure you it does and I would love to see you down there.
On the "2 Weeks Notice" band front we have made another contribution to the Prostate Cancer Awareness Charity bringing our fund raising efforts so far to just short of £500 for which they are very grateful. Splendid and again another big thank you.
A lot practice under way for a big wedding on October 22nd at the Marriot Forest of Arden hotel in Meriden.
Autumn well and truly approaching as I go into my studying the laws of cricket from an umpiring perspective. My conclusions from what I have read so far are the application of Common Sense and an air of impartiality.
Again thanks to all for reading. Catch up soon I hope.
24th October 2011
A very successful gig at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel on the 22nd October with "2 Weeks Notice"providing some fine entertainment during the course of the evening for some 200 wedding guests. Many thanks too for the Disco services provided by Messrs Si and Jason. It makes our job a lot easier when someone else is providing the disco music so it should be considered that we do a full package in partnership for future events i.e the band and disco. Also my thanks to the Marriott staff involved in the Marquee whose assistance at times was most welcome and done with a smile. Thank you Daniella and your team of workers. At least we did not send the decibel reader into cut off mode when we played. Now that would have been interesting.
Unfortunately a gig we were asked to do has not materialised on December 3rd, so the next one is in Cannock on December 10th.
On the cricket front two companies have already been approached for some sponsorship deals for the 2012 season and from the bottom of my heart anything that is offered financially in this day and age is a wonderful gesture and deserves an enormous thank you.
So far with the help of my sons Luke and Ollie we have been able to attract about 7 new members to come down and play cricket at Catney next season which is a splendid effort. We must get that Sunday team out again every week on our lovely ground.
Other ideas include having a President's Day on a Sunday with an opposition side from either the Lord's Taverners or a similar roving side to attract a worthwhile crowd down at Catherine de Barnes Cricket Club.
The Club's Annual Award Ceremony and Dinner was held on October 14th at the Millwright Arms in Leamington/Warwick and many thanks to the Masons for providing excellent cuisine and drinks at very reasonable prices.
The atmoshpere of the playing members and their guests during the whole evening was that of fun and a close sense of team spirit which should bode well for the future as we translate that to a winiing cricket side on the field of play. The club has the capability and enthusiasm for a push back to the glory days and playing cricket in the higher divisions. Again the importance of committment and continuity cannot be emphasised too much.
3rd JANUARY 2012
Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will be able to give you some news on my fund raising for Catney Cricket Club for the coming season. The new members list seems to be increasing by the day with many looking forward to the indoor nets commencing at Aston University on Monday January 23rd at 20.30 hrs.
"2 Weeks Notice" played two excellent gigs in December, the first at the Oak Farm Hotel in Cannock in December 3rd, great audience, and on New Years Eve at the Moorings, Myton, Leamington Spa, another good audience. The band is keen to expand on its current song list during the course of 2012 so some hard work ahead.
We are intending to arrange some gigs early in the New Year to allow us to put the efforts of our hard work to the test so will keep everybody informed as to where and when we will be playing and hope that you can join us.
Economically 2012 looks to be another tricky year for the global markets and the continuing problems of the Eurozone ultimately could affect everybody. As I have said on numerous occasions and always maintained, as long as the politicians keep getting involved with economic matters and fiscal policy, the writing is on the wall for a complete fiasco and an endless uncertainty. How long the Euro remains its present format, in reality, is hard to envisage.
Finally a very happy and hopefully prosperous New Year to you all and your family.
30th January 2012
Well into the New Year now and all so far going reasonably well.
We have lost two members of the band but have filled the gaps with Gino Lombardi and Matt Wells and I wish them well with "2 Weeks Notice". I am sure they will both be a major asset to the band. It is our intention to play the "Red Lion" sometime in March and hopefully later in the year we will be putting together a fund raising evening for the new Marie Curie hospital currently being built in Solihull.
We have been booked to play for a wedding on April 1st in Harborne so a bit of work ahead of us with the new format of the band.
Cricket nets are underway at Aston University for Catney and last week's first session by way of attendance with both old and new members was very impressive and very encouraging for the future.
As Winston Churchill once said " I am an optimist. It doesn't seem too much use being anything else".
WEDNESDAY 8TH FEBRUARY 2012
A few updates on the band and cricket front.
Catney Cricket Club were delighted to have had the presence of David Hemp, Captain of Bermuda, ex Captain of Glamorgan, player at Warwickshire and Worcestershire at nets last Monday the 3rd February and hopefully he will continue to come and give the players some invaluable coaching and advice. If the spirit of the nets is carried over into the forthcoming season then I sense that 2012 could be a good year for the Club.
I am also very grateful to John James, Chairman of Intandem Films and Roger Skan, Managing Director of H.V.Skan Ltd, Solihull for their very kind donations to the Club.I am hoping that both will be making an appearance down at Catney in the coming season.
To music. As mentioned we have two new members on board who have joined "2 Weeks Notice" to replace Ryan Lowry and Joe White who are pursuing other band interests. We are delighted to welcome aboard Gerardo "Gino" Lombardi on bass guitar and Matthew Wells on drums and we are all looking forward to playing in public in the new format in the coming months.
The band is due to play at a wedding at Harborne Golf Club on April 1st and it is also our intention to hopefully play two gigs later in the Year raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support and Marie Curie in Solihull.
As always thank you for your interest and as Lord Byron once said "Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine".
Keep smiling, keep strumming and keep your eye on the ball !!
WEDNESDAY 18TH APRIL 2012
A fair amount to report since the last time of writing so here we go.
Update on "2 Weeks Notice" following on from a slight restructruing of the band. We played a very enjoyable gig at Harborne Golf Club on Sunday April 1st 2012 for a wedding reception, with Matt Wells now on board on drums, and a welcome return on bass of Ryan Lowry.
Next gig is a private party on May 5th at "The Red Lion" Stratford Road,Shirley with events also booked for the future coming months.
The cricket season has now commenced at Catherine de Barnes Cricket Club with the first game last Sunday 15th April against Wednesbury following a Club day the previous day. Again many many thanks to those people who have put in so much hard work and time to get the ground up to its splendid state.
The season ahead is promising and with the right attitude and committment from the players we have, my hopes are high that the Club will have a successful and prosperous season. Last Sunday's turn out by spectators added to the day and certainly proved very rewarding over the bar. Long may it continue.
I am also very grateful for the generosity of "Treadwell's" on the Stratford Road in Solihull for their kind contribution of paints for the fencing around the ground and also to "Solihull Blinds" and the Wood family for their offer to put new blinds in the Clubhouse. Again many thanks to John James and Roger Skan for their kind donations to the Club.
I am also awaiting a decision from the airport Community Trust fund to see if I have been successful in my application for a grant for new picket fencing along the canal side of the ground and for a new lawn mower for the groundsman. I will know after April 19th, the day of their next meeting.
I have recently undergone another scan for my prostate cancer and am delighted to report to all that it was clear. Many thanks to my oncologist Daniel Ford and the team at Spire Parkway Solihull for their ongoing support.
Lord B's annual garden party this year looks set for Saturday July 28th.
It was Herbert Hoover who once said " Blessed are the young, for it is they who shall inherit the national debt". How sadly true.
Again thanks for reading.
15th May 2012
The cricket season is well under way down at Catherine de Barnes and the ground is looking glorious. Again thanks to all those who contributed to the pre-season work down at the ground. I personally never want to look at another white picket or green fence again for a very long time.
Thanks also again to Roger Skan and John James for their kind donations enabling us to purchase the cricket balls for the season, the Treadwell's for their supply of paint, The Birmingham Airport Community Trust Fund for their grant enabling the Club to purchase a new lawnmower for the square for the Groundsman, and also to Nigel Wood of Solihull Blinds (and to Charlie Wood for a superb installation job)for the wooden blinds in the Clubhouse. They make an enormous difference.
Thanks also to Chris Tyler for the television in the Clubhouse. All we need now is a decent aerial to get it working with a decent picture.
I would also like to thank Caroline Taylor and her team at Warwick Print for the fixture cards that have now been printed and are available to all playing and non- playing members.
Thanks also to the Mason's for their contribution to the fixture card with a half spread page for "The Millwright Arms".
Great start for Catney with the first X1 winning their two opening matches and the second X1 also getting off to a good winning start. A very good win too on Sunday 13th May against Leamington Lemmings. Long may it continue.
Support at the Club has also been tremendous so far and with more destined to come down when the weather is sunny and fine, it can only be good for the club. Fantastic to see young ones running around the Club again with bikes and cricket bats. Brought back a lot of happy memories. Hopefuly potential new members for the Club in the years to come.
"2 weeks notice" gigged on May 5th for a 40th birthday party at the "Red Lion" which again from feedback was another successful night with another gig picked up in December at "the Forest" in Dorridge.
As Bob Hope once said "a bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it". If only he had realised then how true his words then would become today!
Again thanks for your time in reading my page.
Kindest regards.
Lord BASNETT