Until the 1950s, universities tended to be hot on students’ morals, if not excessively so on their scholarship. Little happened to the bone-idle or simply thick, especially if they were personable and good on the sports field or behind an oar; but woe betide the man or woman found illicitly sharing a room at night, or breaking some other moral … [Read on]

It was a usual morning; someone on BBC Woman’s Hour was talking about Caribbean cookery but doing it in the new, to my ears, strange language of woke: ‘Cookery is a vehicle.’ Long important pause. ‘Cooking is about identity. It’s about learning your history.’  On Twitter I asked if anyone recognised the origins of this new- speak, which perhaps originates … [Read on]

Never let a good crisis go to waste. Covid-19 has been exploited by political leaders and the medical profession to pursue social objectives that would normally face stiff public opposition. Alcohol is a prime target. Who would have believed, earlier this year, that all pubs would be forced to close at 10pm, alongside other irksome regulations such as no standing … [Read on]

Dear English Heritage, Thank you for providing your new program for ethnic minorities as described at this web site: https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/training-skills/work-based-training/paid-training-placements/ I wonder how you define ‘ethnic’. I have two daughters, both half Nepalese. Is that ‘ethnic enough’ to fit your definition? They have both English and Nepalese names, so if one applied as Zangmu Llama, I presume her application would … [Read on]

From the research I have done, I am left in no doubt the answer is ‘yes’. Despite most media organisations declaring Biden the winner, now that the FBI and the Justice Department are officially involved, who will become President must remain in dispute. The Trump team have a major problem: to find all the evidence and then fight multiple court … [Read on]

I recently had the luck to see ‘Murder Ahoy!’ on TCM, which shows classic films on TV, mainly aimed at the over 50s. Made in 1964 it taken from one of Agatha Christie’s twelve novels about Miss Marple, her indefatigable spinster detective. Starring Margaret Rutherford, the eccentric character actress, it was astonishingly amusing and entertaining, at least in comparison with … [Read on]

John Taylor, Baron Kilclooney, former deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, has caused shockwaves in the political world by describing vice president-elect Kamala Harris as ‘the Indian.’ Angela Smith, Labour leader in the Lords, described Kilclooney’s remarks as ‘despicable and beneath contempt’, and is to make an official complaint. Well, Kilclooney’s reference to ‘Biden’ and then to ‘the Indian’ … [Read on]

When the government banned our old soldiers and sailors from attending the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday, I was determined to turn up anyway. Deterred by advice that Whitehall would be blocked off, I went instead to my local event at Carshalton Ponds. Expecting a small gathering but no dignitaries, I penned a short speech, as follows: – ‘Ladies and gentlemen, … [Read on]