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Wishing for the Past
Nostalgia is a powerful thing. When times get tough – as they are doing for many thousands of people – the oddest things can become a comfort. For me it’s the sound of my Grandad’s male voice choir. Once upon a time, they were a bunch of tough men from the surrounding coal fields and [...]
Living Cheaply During a Recession
I read with some consternation the account of a staff journalist at the Guardian who had taken up the challenge of Chinese businessman Wang Hao to live on 100 Yuan (about £10) for a week. The challenge does not include direct debits such as rent or council tax. The writer, Stuart Jeffries, then goes on [...]
The Glorious Twelfth – August 12
Countryfile recently had their 20th anniversary and took the opportunity to appreciate the stewardship of the upper moorlands provided by grouse gamekeepers. The money provided by game shooting during the season generates enough income to pay for heather burning and management of the birds. Most of the endangered peat and heather hilltops would be covered [...]
Emmeline Pankhurst Day – 14th July
14th July 2008 marks 150 years since the birth of Emmeline Pankhurst – the outspoken reformer committed to securing women’s suffrage in Britain. She was jailed on numerous occasions for her protests at the lack of political rights for women in the UK.
Universal suffrage in Britain was granted only in the year of Pankhurst’s death, [...]
Synod Decides Whether to Allow Women Bishops
Oh. Please. I can’t believe that this is even an issue. Can women do the job? Yes. Does God mind women? There isn’t a reason why he should – unless he’s still got hangups about that apple thing.
What need does the Almighty have for a gender anyway? Is he/she going to meet another single God? [...]
Cost of Living versus Quality of Living – Escape the Credit Crunch Abroad
Looking for the cheapest places to live? Assuming that you still earn a normal UK wage, you will want to compare Cost of Living Surveys and Quality of Living Surveys. Mercer, the Economist and some large governmental organisations compile these. We have picked out some titbits of relevant information and put all of the useful [...]
Places to visit on school / bank holidays: Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey is hidden away between the North York Moors and Cleveland Hills near Sutton Bank. It is extortionate to get in so take some cash with you or plan to walk to the abbey. (£10.50 per car I seem to remember). We did get the audio tape tour to take with us though.
The abbey [...]
The Derby at Epsom: History and Running for 2008
This post is NOT about Basshunter – if you want Basshunter click here!
The 229th Derby begins today – the epitome of British racing. Horses are specially bred for this event, which commands total prize money of £1,413,500 and was watched by 3,649,000 people in 193 countries last year.
The Derby was named after Edward Smith Stanley, [...]
Graphing Lifestyle Trends: a Study
After many years of difficult research, we’re finally able to release the finding’s of our study into human lifestyles since the mid 1990s, here are the results in graph form:
I gathered this important data from the very best ever Facebook group – You’re Having a Graph – which you all need to join by pressing [...]
Happy Saint George’s Day!
Patron Saint of England
St George’s cross is a red cross on a white background, is the flag of England, and part of the British flag. St George’s emblem was adopted by Richard The Lion Heart and brought to England in the 12th century. The king’s soldiers wore it on their tunics to avoid confusion in [...]
