RSS feed
My talk to Priory School Leavers, November 2011

My talk to Priory School Leavers, November 2011

Having a clear-out recently, I found a talk I gave to the GSCE leavers from my old school Priory in Lewes in November 2011. It was for their certificate evening, where they celebrated exam success and general all round good eggs. They asked me to give a short talk before the Mayor gave out the ... Read more »
Short story: Pier Review

Short story: Pier Review

Last year, as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival, submissions for short stories were sought on the theme 'Brighton: past, present and future." Selected stories would be read to an audience by actors. Here's my submission, and it was most gratifying to hear it read. Pier Review The West ... Read more »
After the 1987 storm, Queen's Park in Brighton

After the 1987 storm, Queen’s Park in Brighton

I remember the great storm of 1987. The letter box rattled all night and my mum decided we had to go to school. Oh innocent days. No internet or text messages. We'd listened to the radio, listing all the schools that were shut, and St Luke's wasn't mentioned. So off we went. It was chaos ... Read more »
Brighton Holiday Homes: a neighbour reflects...

Brighton Holiday Homes: a neighbour reflects…

Watching the tweets from the Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce Big Debate on the motion “this house believes that Brighton’s night time economy is tarnishing the city’s brand” was interesting. But I was very surprised to see people praising "responsible" firm Brighton Holiday Homes, ... Read more »
Tardis Police Box Spotting in Glasgow

Tardis Police Box Spotting in Glasgow

What was a Whovian with a few hours to spare in Glasgow to do, but have a tootle around looking for police boxes? The second city of the Empire is home to a several of the Gilbert MacKenzie Trench designed beauties and I managed to find two as part of my sight-seeing. Reports as to how many there ... Read more »
HOVErheard*: The Tattoo

HOVErheard*: The Tattoo

Two very reasonable parents discuss the tattoo their student son has just got on his arm. You get the sense the parents have had some wild days themselves and are hardly prudish. Mother is doing most of the talking. Mum: It is very big though, isn't it? Boy: No, it's not. Mum: And well, it ... Read more »
Eton couldn't run a state school

Eton couldn’t run a state school

I'm embarassed to say the Prime Minister and I share Eton College as an alma mater. But unlike David Cameron, I had the greater privilege of learning more than a thing or two in the state sector. If Cameron had been to a comprehensive like me, he'd know that Eton just doesn't have what it takes to ... Read more »
Royal Jelly Mould with Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose

Royal Jelly Mould with Princess Elizabeth and Margaret Rose

I picked up a thing the other day in a charity shop and I can't really find anything about it online. So I throw it over to you. Do you know anything about this glass jelly mould with the images of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose on it? I intend to sell it on eBay, so I asked that ... Read more »
Sue Bailey's Funeral

Sue Bailey’s Funeral

Sue Bailey was buried on Thursday. She was a close and dear friend to me for many years and I was privileged to attend her funeral. Let me share some reflections, for those who weren't there. It was a small gathering. Eleven people. Mostly family. It was raining. In woodland, near London, there ... Read more »
The peaceful, natural burial ground at Clayton Wood

The peaceful, natural burial ground at Clayton Wood

My friend Sue writes at London Cemeteries and described her visit to Epping Forest Burial Park recently and how it changed her view of burial. Like her, I previously favoured cremation (or even burial at sea, in my more eccentric moments) until I visited a natural burial site. Cremation ... Read more »
The language of civil partnerships matters

The language of civil partnerships matters

It's astonishing that New York has only just legalised gay marriage. There are some very touching pictures in the Guardian. The word is right though: marriage. And changing the law in this country does, to a very large extent lie with simply changing a few words. I'm pleased that we have civil ... Read more »
What did the Prime Minister know? And when did he know it?

What did the Prime Minister know? And when did he know it?

The resignation of Rebekah Brooks was inevitable. That Sir Paul Stephenson has resigned too, on the same day as Brooks’ arrest, is remarkable. Surely David Cameron is next in line. I’ve been saying it on Twitter and down the boozer for at least a week. Tonight, even Iain Dale thinks it’s a ... Read more »
In praise of Christopher Hawtree

In praise of Christopher Hawtree

One of the great surprises of the City Council elections in Brighton and Hove in May (Yes, yes, the ones where I got absolutely thrashed by the Cllrs Kitcat), was the victory in Central Hove ward of our very own local eccentric Christopher Hawtree. Needless to say, when I call someone eccentric, I ... Read more »
Contrition from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Contrition from the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

... Read more »