hello all I'm not going to bother with away games anymore this season, waste of money , load of rubbish again lol
Right I'm off to bed now. I've enjoyed my evening in the cafe so thank you Gills for your hospitality. Goodnight all.
OK. Bloke has a few days away and the team goes to pot, 3 kin 0 ! what's that all about ? come on brb, time for a beer.
Many a true word spoken in jest Rocky, this is my great great Grandfather Joe Bastiani. This from the Hampshire telegraph circa 1874 Hampshire Telegraph â 20 May 1874 SERIOUS CASE OF SMUGGLING DURING THE NIGHT.- At the County Bench on Saturday, George Hendy, John Simmonds, sen., John Simmonds, jun. and James Simmonds, Freshwater, and Joseph Bastiani, Chale, were charged with smuggling 36 gallons of brandy at Colwell Bay, Freshwater.- Mr. W.H.Holmes, Collector of Customs, and Mr. Beverly, solicitor to the Inland Revenue, attended to prosecute; and Mr. R.W. Ford, of Portsmouth, defended the prisoners.- Police constable T. McLaughlin said that at half past one oâclock on Sunday morning last, while on duty near Colwell Bay, Freshwater, he heard some men coming along the high road from the direction of the shore. He turned the light behind his back, and concealed himself in the hedge, and no sooner had he done so than five men came up â three in front and two immediately behind, each carrying a bag over his shoulder. He turned the light directly on the three men in front, when he recognised the prisoners Hendy, the elder Simmonds and Bastiani. He seized the elder Simmonds with one hand and Bastiani with the other, while he kept Hendy fixed against the bank. They all dropped the bags and kegs, which fell into the road. Simmonds wrenched himself from him, and so did Bastiani. The former ran off, but the latter lingered, and as he was afraid he would assist in relieving Hendy, with whom he was struggling, he threatened to strike him with his staff if he interfered. He then left. As Hendy carried the large stick produced, he knocked him down with his staff. He whistled for assistance, and was soon joined by Sergeant Horlock, and after the cuffs had been put upon Hendy, they found that the two other prisoners had dropped bags each containing two kegs. He could not swear that the Brothers James and John Simmonds were the men who had dropped the kegs and run off; but he believed that they were, as the two prisoners were the same height and appearance as the men he saw. He did not see their faces. A few minutes after the Sergeant had arrived, the brothers Simmonds, who live with their father, about 100 yards from where the struggle took place, came up to them, and said âWhatâs up?â He replied that they knew what was up, as was indicated by their clothes which were covered with mud and dust as if they had come up the cliffs, and other parts of their clothes were marked apparently, with dirty cord lines.- The witness underwent a severe examination by Mr. Ford.- Sergeant Horlock said he was stationed at Yarmouth, but was on duty last Sunday at Western-farm, and on hearing the signal for assistance about a third of a mile off, he hastened to the spot, and found Constable McLaughlin struggling with the prisoner Hendy. After placing the cuffs on him, he instructed the constable to collect the tubs. The prisoner Hendy and nine tubs were conveyed to Newport and given over to Superintendent Horan. The sergeant also deposed to the brothers coming up to them on the road when they were collecting the kegs of brandy, and also to the conversation that took place.- John Cham, a sergeant in the Coast-guard, said about eleven oâclock on Saturday night last he saw the elder Simmonds and his son come from the direction of the Needles in a large boat; and, on landing, asked them why they were so late, when they said they had gone to haul in pots, and had been delayed on account of the tide.- Mr. W. Hayman, chief officer of Totland Bayâs Coastguard station, Freshwater, said that he had been called by the police at three oâclock on Sunday morning to the house of the prisoners Simmonds, near Colwell Bay; and on examining the premises he found two casks which were filled with water and the other two with hogâs wash. All had a strong smell of spirits. As water seemed to have been lately thrown about the place, he observed to them âThat they have had a wash down.â The two brothers said nothing, but smiled. On examining the slop pit he perceived that it also smelt strongly of spirits.- Mr Superintendent Horan said he received the nine tubs of spirits from Sergeant Horlock on Sunday last, which he delivered the same evening to the Collector of Customs at Cowes. On the same day Hendy was brought to the station. On Sunday afternoon he went to Freshwater and apprehended John Simmonds and his two sons, whom he charged with having, that morning, been concerned in unshipping foreign spirits liable to duty. They all declared they were not there, which assertion they repeated after having been placed in the cart. He then told them that prisoner Hendy had stated that they were all three present, to which they made no reply.- P.C. Rossiter deposed to having taken the prisoner Bastiani into custody at Chale-green, Parish of Chale, on the 12th inst., when he charged him with smuggling.- P.C Phillpotts said that he had charge of all the prisoners at the police-station, Newport, and about 11 oâclock on Monday evening, after the prisoners had gone to bed, he heard them begin to talk, when he went to listened. The older Simmonds said to Hendy, âWhat made you tell who were there?â Hendy answered, âI did not tell who were there, but they asked me who was there between the three Simmondsâ, and I said I did not know.â After a few seconds Hendy said, âI expect we shall get six months if the case goes to trial;â the elder Simmonds replied, âNo, we shall get it settled here.â After the witness had given further evidence as to the conversation which had taken place between the prisoners, he was severely cross-examined by Mr. Ford who denounced in the strongest possible terms the conduct of the witness in listening to the conversation of the prisoners.- Mr. W. Holmes said he was Collector of Customs at Cowes, and on Sunday last he received nine kegs of brandy from Superintendent Horam. The keg produced was one of them. The phial in his hand contained a sample of spirits taken from the kegs, which was from 50 to 60 over proof.- The exact quantity in the kegs were 24 gallons, but when liquefied with water to 36 gallons, it still remained 42 gallons over proof.- James and John Simmonds were told to stand down. The elder Simmonds and Hendy, who pleaded, and Bastiani, who pleaded not guilty; were each ordered to pay a fine of £100; and £2 costs; or in default, six monthâs imprisonment. The three prisoners were removed in custody.- Sir Henry Gordon said he was requested by the magistrates to express their approval and commendation of the vigilance and courageous conduct of Constable McLaughlin, in his efforts to capture the prisoners.- Mr. Beverly, on behalf of the Inland Revenue, also commended the conduct of the constable. The elder Simmonds, who is a person of means, late on Saturday afternoon paid his fine and costs by giving a cheque for £102.
