Listen to Dr Francis Young on the history of fairiesWhere did fairies come from? They are so ubiquitous in our culture that there seems to never be a time when we were without them. But what are fairies exactly? Were they always associated with magic? Are they small? Are they winged? When did the first fairies appear? Who named them the fairies or the fey? Francis Young discusses these questions here and in his book Fairies: A History. (more) |
Will Labour back the reform of parliamentary elections next week?Neal Lawson writes in the Guardian: Next Wednesday, the representation of the people bill will come before parliament for its final stages. An amendment has been tabled to set up a national commission to look at which system of proportional representation (PR), which does match votes to seats, would best suit our country. It has huge backing in the Commons, in the Labour party and among the public. The prime minister, Andy Burnham, is also a longstanding supporter of electoral reform. The political conditions have never been more favourable to begin making changes to the voting system. What, Lawson asks, ... (more) |
Scottish Lib Dems object to huge Scottish Water bonusesWe're used to hearing about bosses of English Water companies getting rewarded for failure, but north of the border, things are just as bad, if not worse. It's particularly egregious to see publicly owned Scottish Water pay out £250,000 in bonuses to senior management when the company's record is far from unblemished. Scottish Lib Dem Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton and Emvironment spokesperson Sanne Dijkstra-Downie have written to John Swinney to ask him how such bonuses could be justified. They said: Dear John, We are writing to you following the publication of Scottish Water's annual report, which included the executive members' renumeration ... (more) |
Ed Davey on "unfair mean and nasty" attacks on Jason ArdayEd Davey has spoken to Politics Home about the death of Jason Arday following an extended period of vicious press coverage. Davey told PoliticsHome that parts of the media had seemed to "focus in on it and attack him in a way which seems awfully disproportionate, unfair, mean, and nasty". What it shows is that we have to push back against this Trump-like attack on liberal values where we embrace everybody equally and respect everybody. "There seems to be a movement, particularly on the right, to move away from the liberal progress I thought we made, where we respect people, ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1567"Profound isolation contributed to the deaths of more than 100 care leavers in England in a year, with a dramatic drop-off in support from social services at 18 leading to catastrophic consequences, a review has found. A government-commissioned report into the early deaths of young people who left care described the problem as a national tragedy and said many were left on their own 'at the height of vulnerability' before they died."Jessica Murray reports on the continuing scandal of Britain's care system for children. William Lane tells it like it is: "Liberalism in Britain has been and always will be ... (more) |
25 August 2026 - yesterday's press releasesPolice submit first charge file relating to Mohamed Fayed Rennie urges Dalzell investigation amid reports of misuse of taxpayer money Almost 10,000 waiting on care package or assessment SNP urged to change course to get 770,000 Scots treated Harley: Pause GP walk-in centres as low attendance rates persist Chou Turvey responds to recorded crime increases Green: SFC report shows public sector reform falling short Police submit first charge file relating to Mohamed Fayed Commenting on the update from the Metropolitan Police that Operation Cornpoppy detectives have submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service for a Charge decision, Dave Robertson ... (more) |
Can Burnham deliver on housing?The Independent reports that Andy Burnham has pledged a £10bn package to build tens of thousands of homes, marking the first indication of how the new prime minister plans to grapple with Britain's housing crisis. The paper says that the initial wave of funding will build 70,000 homes across England, at least 60 per cent of which will be social rented houses, though the funding has not just been found as it is reported that it comes from the previously announced £39bn Social and Affordable Housing Programme (SAHP) fund, agreed last year by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and ... (more) |
Meeting Planting Up SunnisideAnother floral display from Planting Up Sunniside. The group have taken on the role of brightening the village by planting up containers and verges. They are meeting shortly and I've been invited to attend. The Sunniside Christmas tree and the switch on event will be on the agenda. I will have to report that there will be only one donkey for the switch on. We had three last year but this (more) |
Goodbye DollySad news: Dolly Parton has passed away. I saw her in concert at the O2 about a decade ago. She was one of the greatest singers and entertainers of the last 6 decades. The world will be a less colourful place without her. She accepted people for what they are and she was a great success in a male dominated world. RIP Dolly. (more) |
Argent: Hold Your Head UpI loved this when it came out when I was 11, but it now makes me remember seeing The Zombies at Market Harborough Leisure Centre in 2011. After he had played his keyboard solo on this, Rod Argent was shaking hands with people in the front row of the audience. I do like small venues. Also in the band that night was Rod Argent's cousin, the late Jim Rodford. He is also playing on this original recording. (more) |