RSGOLD-RUNESCAPEGOLD

An emotional man, he was reluctant to discuss the experience, but the people of his own community never forgot his efforts, and in 1992 gave him the freedom of the town and in 1994 elected him mayor.He was wonderful company, a great raconteur and a fine singer who used to grace the choir in Cyfartha church in Merthyr He was also generous, in cash as well as in spirit. He was among the first at the scene, using his mining expertise to organise the futile rescue attempts and salvaging many of the children's bodies himself. "If I'd known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself." The jazz pianist Eubie Blake was speaking on his 100th birthday. There is a coterie of jazz musicians who have lived for nine decades and are still playing, the altoist Benny Carter (90 in August) and the tenor man Benny Waters (95) amongst them Watch this space. Jazz is such an all-embracing way of life that the greatest musicians don't stop playing until they stop breathing. Middlesex Holdings, the metal group, held at 8.25p as ABN Amro Hoare Govett took over as company stockbroker, replacing Hichens Harrison. John Mansfield, the timber group, jumped 2.5p to 8p; UKAV subscribed pounds 5m for new shares at 3p and intends to hit the acquisition trail..

JDS fell 21p to 250p, a new low, and JJB Sports 19.5p to 473p. Blacks Leisure, leader of the sporting pack, retreated 47.5p to 471p.Oasis, the fashion chain, produced the day's profit warning and duly slumped 73p to 267.5p. The shares, which have been 421.5p, arrived at 148p two years ago. Another casualty was Tradepoint, the fledgling group which runs it own little order- driven Stock Exchange.

Its admission it needs more cash, probably pounds 1m this week and then a pounds 9m cash call, unsettled the market, hitting the shares 20p to a 75p low.Kalamazoo Computer, which revealed it is involved in talks which could lead to a bid, rose 13.5p to 92.5p. It is, however, 40 per cent owned by the Kalamazoo Trust which, under its deeds, may not be able to accept any offer.Ronson rose 1.5p to 15.5p in busy trading after the departure of Howard Hodgson and girlfriend Christine Pickles. The Nike profits warning continued to take its toll and the problems at John David Sports added to the unease. This month's Monopolies & Mergers Commission report is also thought to favour BG over the industry regulator, Ofgas.Financials steadied a little after Monday's shake-out with Barclays up 26.5p to 1,161.5p. Still the latest shot in what has developed into a bitter battle tended to underline the daunting struggle the British group faces in America.BG, once British Gas, was the day's top performer, flaring 12.5p to 217.5p, highest since the break up.Talk Deutsche Morgan Grenfell had repeated its 300p target was one influence; another was a legal victory by a group where BG has a 51.18 per cent interest which could lead to damages of pounds 150m. Halifax volume was 21.45 million.Cadbury Schweppes, the chocolate and soft drinks group, was a weak Footsie constituent, melting 15p to 526.5p.