Colin J. Anderson

Thoughts From A Devon Sitting Room

Recording my life in diaries and photographs, from heady days as a student in London in the 1970’s to being a pensioner on a low income today. My writing is a mixture of insight – from knowledge & experience – and history. I explore my professional and personal interests – energy & climate change, history, politics, music, film, food & drink… the list goes on!

THIS WEEK

50 Years of Photos : a new photo every week

No.5: Snow Train

c.1980: snow and fog descend upon Newton Abbot railway station

Morning Thoughts From A Devon Sitting Room

No.65: EcoShop Saved!

Saturday, 7th. February 2026

The bells of St.Michael’s are ringing which, for a Saturday morning is likely to herald a wedding. Despite this being Wet Month II it is dry with brief moments of no more than a few minutes of sunshine.

I feel strangely calm after yesterday’s festivities, the first of two visits this month to my local. Amongst all the conversation that ranged from celtic history to the integrity of the national grid, we heard the very good news that two amongst our number have pitched in to save the GreenEco Supplies shop in town, which had been at risk of closure at the end of 2025. I confess I consumed more Dartmoor Jail Ale than usual – or than my budget can strictly allow.

The bells are still ringing out and we are visited by a heavy rain shower. A rather long one. And, now that my brain is temporarily devoid of thoughts, I am glad to be relaxing indoors – and considering my next visit to the EcoShop.

50 Years Ago…

Student Cash Card & Network Analysis

Wednesday, 4th. February 1976

The things we study in geography… Today I finished writing a paper on US Highways and started on notes for a paper on Game Theory. Network Analysis was an aspect of geography that I found I was good at – and in later years drew links with Medical Geography and the spread of contagious diseases. I was very pleased to pick up my Student Cash Card from Barclays – such things were very new and hi-tech at the time! Could we be heading to a cashless society?

Something of a mystery: I took time out to walk up to the offices of CBS Studios in Soho at lunchtime, but I have no idea why – that’ll teach me not to write incomplete diary entries! I suspect, given my work in ents, it must have been in connection with a potential band for the LSE Old Theatre. I came away with a contact telephone number though, so whatever it was could well have borne fruit.

RECENT stories

Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot in Old Pictures: The Globe Hotel in 1981

The Globe was a fine hotel. Wouldn’t it be nice if the ground floor, which was a restaurant and bar, was the same today? Mr.Austin take note…
Read more…
Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot in Old Pictures: Alexandra Theatre & Market Street, 1981

The Alexandra Theatre has always been one of my favourite buildings in Newton Abbot and, as you can see, Market Street was a busy traffic thoroughfare in 1981.
Read more…
LSE Diary, Music

Morning exam; evening gig – Kursaal Flyers & Eddie and the Hot Rods for 85p!

Fifty years ago: after a harrowing exam it was good to make it to the Marquee in London’s Soho for a gig – two bands for 85p!
Read more…
Photography blog

Scanning old film negatives in RAW: yes it can be done, and yes the results are at least as good as you might have hoped

After some weeks of effort I have finally learned that scanning old negatives in HDR RAW provides very good results – with the right hardware and software.
Read more…

My LSE Diary posts – reflecting life as a student in the 1970’s. I was at the Joint School of Geography – King’s College & the London School of Economics.

Not only that but also 30 years living in London – life on a south London council estate… and more!

LSE Diary

London

A sample of recent posts

My home town in Devon since 1956! Many of these blog posts will be featuring Newton Abbot through the years but some will also be from around Devon.

Newton Abbot page

Devon page

A sample of recent posts

I love music – especially live – and tend to home in on bass, although I also like ambient music which is generally bass-light. Blues, reggae, jazz, funk, soul have been a constant thread throughout my life but you will also find me writing about prog rock, punk and other styles too.

Pictured left: a snap I took at an Ashburton Blues event 2025 – The Robert West Band

Music page

Recent music posts

Everything from saving energy to gardening, interior design to lighting. I love my home. Sometimes I will feature previous homes, including my 10th. floor flat in a south London council block. You will find useful tips and advice. I love my home!

Home & Garden

Recent home & garden posts

A small selection of themed photography pages

Food!

Garden flowers

Shadow & Light

Photography

So who is Colin Anderson?

A Devonian with stories to tell and a love of history, science, philosophy, environment, & entertainment.

An increasing number of people I know are either down the rabbit hole or caught in its event horizon, which I find distressing. I prefer the real world and, like a frantic sponge, I cannot help but soak up knowledge, insight & quality.

Which I like to share…

About me