Category Archives: This sceptred isle

Today marks the ninetieth anniversary of the Act of Parliament that allowed sports to be played in England on a Sunday. The legislation was one of the moves away from the Sabbatarian spirit that had shaped English laws. Ninety years … Continue reading →

“We should stop identity politics,” declared the Year 9 student as we stood waiting in a corridor. “Why do you think so?” I asked. “Because they are divisive.” “Do you take a Marxist perspective?” I asked. “No, I am a … Continue reading →

Feeling a need for a blood sugar boost, I went into a newsagent and bought a bag of Crawford’s Cheddars. It is some years since a doctor in Dublin advised me that eating something savoury was preferable to eating something … Continue reading →

John Bowman’s RTE Radio programme is a weekly search through the sound archives. One week, the archive included a particular recollection of Irish railways. Someone sending their personal effects by train had included a caged parrot among the items to … Continue reading →

Leaving the money pit that is my car at the garage, I left a note with the key, “there is a knocking noise in the offside rear shock absorber.” A call came from the garage. “Mr Poulton, we have replaced … Continue reading →