Category Archives: This sceptred isle

In the days before the Internet, the days of the very distant past before the establishment of local radio stations, to hear any reference to local places was rare. Of course, the local newspaper carried snippets from around the villages, … Continue reading →

If I had to choose my favourite line in an English novel, it would be the final sentence of Monica Ali’s Brick Lane, where one of the characters declares, “This is England, you can do whatever you like.” It seemed an … Continue reading →

Cornish pasty and chips, it must be nearly the ultimate in excess. Brought up to believe that a pasty was a complete meal in itself, with meat, potato, and vegetables,  a voice echoes down the years suggesting that there is … Continue reading →

To be honest, I had not expected the meeting to proceed. Announced before the England team reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, its starting time was to be the very moment when the football match kicked off. Checking the … Continue reading →

Steve Wright must be on holiday. It was Craig Charles on BBC Radio 2 for the half an hour during which I listened this afternoon. Steve Wright has an “oldies” feature from three o’clock until half past three each weekday … Continue reading →