Paignton by Numbers - an occasional series

Number one,  Esplanade Road - the Paignton Club. The Paignton Club has been continuously run as a private member’s club since its opening on 22nd December 1884 by architect George S. Bridgeman and builder C & R. E. Drew.  It is in a marvellous position on the seafront, near the harbour. As well as being a private club it is also available for meetings, weddings etc.
It is a listed building. I met my friend John this morning for a coffee, not here of course, I have never been in. We enjoyed the ambiance of the Mercure, a new hotel on the seafront, and as usual talked of many things, and surprisingly for two men in their late 70s, we talked about Fat Boy Slim. John told me he had changed his name, - as if we care, but I found this explanation in the Guardian, - where else.
Norman Cook has bid farewell to Fatboy Slim, his moniker of 10 years. Hardly new to name changes - he was born Quentin Leo Cook for a start - Norm holds a coveted place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Top 40 hits recorded by the same artist under different names.
But when these names include such ridiculous pseudonyms as Fried Funk Food, Pizzaman, Yum Yum Head Food - we're beginning to see a trend emerging - Freakpower, Son of Wilmot, Son of a Cheeky Boy, and the Mighty Dub Katz, it would seem that he needs a bit of constructive advice when adopting his new nomenclature.
Norm is keeping schtum about his change of name but there are rumours that he could be releasing his next album under the imprint of Brighton Port Authority. This is hardly the exciting new alias that his flagging career really needs. Would he not be better following the path of Sean 'Diddy' Coombs and shorten his name in increments, from Fatboy Slim to F-Boy Slim, F-Slim, Slim and, inevitably, Slam?

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