Boughton is a chocolate-boxy village just north of Northampton where for decades the wealthy of that town have chosen to live. Today it is threatened by its remorseless expansion. But less than a mile to the east everything changes. This is the original site of Boughton and there you will find the ruins of the church of St John. The Victoria County History described it thus in 1937: The ruins of the old church of ST. JOHN stand to the north-east of Boughton Green on a site which falls from west to east. The building consisted of chancel, north chapel, ...
In his pomp Muhammad Ali was just about the most recognisable man on the planet. Supreme as an athlete, he risked everything that had earned him to stand up for his people and for what he believed to be right. One reason for his extraordinary fame was that he was a great athlete in a sport that enjoyed a popularity it hard to imagine today. Heavyweight boxing was the blue riband event. In the years of rationing after the second world war British men like Bruce Woodcock, who were really no more than middleweights, had to take on American heavyweights ...
Sat 4th
20:06
"What, if anything, do the Rocks Green supermarket promoters know about trading in Ludlow?" asks new...
This article brings an update on the latest objections to the Rocks Green supermarket scheme, including concerns about the impact on the town centre and whether local roads will be safe. The supermarket application, which was submitted a year and a half ago, has now received 206 objections and 18 expressions of support (14/05573/OUT). "One... Continue reading "What, if anything, do the Rocks Green supermarket promoters know about trading in Ludlow?" asks new objector →
There are only two ways out of the village by road, Creeting Lane to the north towards Stowupland, and Pound Road which runs south before reaching a T-junction (left for Creeting St Mary and Needham Market, right for Cedars Park, Stowmarket and the A14). Before... And, as you enter the village, there are signs identifying it, above which are 30 mph speed limit signs. One of the two at the south end has been annoying me for some time, as it has been covered with green slime all winter. Today, in my capacity as Parish Councillor and concerned citizen, I ...
The National Garden scheme allows us to peep inside some of the private gardens that are some of the most beautiful hidden places in the UK. It is brilliant scheme and over the years I have visited many gardens. Tomorrow there is a group opening of five Gardens in Birkdale and it is my intention to cycle to each of them starting with Mrs and Mrs Maudsley at 23 Ashton Rd at about 12.30pm and finishing up with Mr and Mrs Fletcher of Saxon Rd at around 3.00pm. In between I intend to pedal to Sandra and Keith Birks of ...
Episode 15: United We Stand First shown: 19 December 1970 (US), 30 April 1971 (UK) Director: Harry Booth Writers: John Tully and Glyn Jones Appearing apart from the Double Deckers: Pat Coombs as Miss Fisher Derek Royle as Mr. Beaumont Jack Haig as the Short Workman Bob Todd as the Big Workman Lauri Lupino Lane as the Mayor John Barrard as the Short Councillor Reg Peters as the Tall Councillor Note: I was on the road every weekend in May except the last, which I spent catching up with other things. Only two more episodes after this one, alas. Plot ...
Roughly twenty years ago my Mum and I went to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and made a promise to one day visit the Chelsea show together. Little did we know then just how long it would take to organise this trip (between us, various work, family and health commitments always cropping up) but this year, finally, we got there. For Mum a first visit and for me, the second. Thank you to all those who helped out to get us there, it was a brilliant 50th treat! 5000 Poppies Floral tribute for the Queen's 90th Birthday ~ This ...
Current Watership Down, by Richard Adams (a chapter a week) The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas The Unicorn Hunt, by Dorothy Dunnett Selected Stories, by Alice Munro Last books finished Space Raptor Butt Invasion, by Chuck Tingle The Builders, by Daniel Polanski Perfect State, by Brandon Sanderson Slow Bullets, by Alastair Reynolds Next books Peter & Max, by Bill Willingham The Hidden War, by Michael Armstrong Short Trips: 2040, ed. John Binns Books acquired in last week Who Moved My Blackberry? by Martin Lukes with Lucy Kellaway Dark Horse, by Fletcher Knebel Alice in Sunderland, by Bryan Talbot ...
Two of my little treasures Eva and Jonah in Court Hey Park after visiting the NationalWildflower Centre. Whoops almost forgot my big treasure Erica!! Yesterday I had a marvellous day with two of my three families. No, don't get ... Continue reading →
This morning, I received an e-mail from Guardian Members, asking for my support. I used to be a Guardian reader. Yes, I admit it. I'm a liberal, internationalist and socially aware, the very sort of person who fits the stereotypical Guardian reader profile. However, a few years ago, I gave it up. "Why?", I hear you ask. Because it had become really annoying. Bloody Polly Toynbee didn't help, with her usual "this Liberal Democrat idea is a good one, vote Labour" shtick, but it had become, how can I put this, too worthy, too right-on. And so I switched to ...
Tim Farron has launched a campaign to persuade young people to register to vote in the EU referendum, saying that this country's position in the world is in the hands of these young voters. He also called on the Electoral Commission to do more to encourage young people to register before Monday's deadline. He said: In these next few short weeks, the post-war European project of peace, co-operation and prosperity lies in Britain's hands. This vote will hinge on young people and them getting out and making their voice heard. The Electoral Commission have a responsibility to help people vote, ...
News from the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors and Campaigners (ALDC): Each year, ALDC recognises the outstanding work of local Focus teams through our Campaigner Awards. Nominations for this year's Awards are now open. The Campaigner Awards are presented at the ALDC AGM at Federal Conference by a special guest. Winners in each category and our Overall Winner will receive cash prizes and a signed and framed certificate for their office! This year, after shortlisting, we will also be opening the vote to you! We want members of the party to have a say in this year's winners and will ...
Here's a reminder of the Twitter list for the Liberal Democrat peers, which lets you follow them all in one convenient place.
Embed from Getty Images BBC 4 have surpassed themselves with "World War Two: 1945 & The Wheelchair President". Professor David Reynolds presents a remarkably gripping and informed biography of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, focussing mainly on the final year of his life. It's a must-see for any politics anorak and is available for the next 20 days here. FDR very skilfully presented himself to the American public so that they were not fully aware of his disability. When he was seen standing up or walking, he was supported by a mixture of a steel frame around his legs, a podium, ...
Sat 4th
11:16
At last a Labour person finally making a progressive case for Europe, what took so long?
Watch this excellent video by Gordon Brown. At last someone, other than Tim, making the internationalist case for Europe. At last someone else talking about peace and human writes and not obsessing about a Tory leadership challenge.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Christine Jardine has reflected on the EU referendum as her daughter sets out on a journey round Europe. She thinks back to how her grandmother felt seeing her son go to Normandy – to fight in a war. She imagines her horror and panic when he briefly went missing and was found injured. All this, she argues, amounts to a powerful case to stay in the European Union: My daughter and her friends have already visited Thiepval, the Normandy beaches, a concentration camp. They have studied that period of European History which is about to ...
Willie Rennie argues today that we need to make sure that we keep access to EU markets easy for business. We don't want to be putting borders up, creating more red tape, which could cause problems and cut jobs. He says: At the heart of the argument for remaining in Europe is a single market, making trade easier, and allowing businesses based on innovation and excellence to thrive is going to underpin our future success. That was the argument that won the independence referendum and is just as powerful now. Three million jobs in Britain depend on Europe. We need ...
If there is one mind set I find difficult to understand it is that of politicians and others who, faced with a supposed problem, propose a solution that limits people's freedoms. We saw this phenomenon in action over e-cigarettes when Welsh Government Ministers proposed banning their use in public places purely as a precautionary approach. Not only did they not have a shred of evidence to back up this proposal but what evidence was available directly contradicted their assumptions. Now, we have calls to ban the sales of energy drinks to under-16s on the basis that these drinks may e ...
The following is a review of the Vice documentary, "Jeremy Corbyn: The Outsider", which is a half hour long behind the scenes look at Corbyn and his team, directed and presented by Ben Ferguson. I know what you're thinking: here's my chance to revel in another Corbyn media misstep. But I genuinely watched the documentary with as open a mind as was possible. The first thing I have to say is this: why the hell did Corbyn's people allow this level of access? I realise that Ben Ferguson is a). a stated Corbyn supporter and b). from an outlet that ...
WestFest's Big Sunday 2016 takes place from 1pm to 7pm this Sunday - 5th June - on Magdalen Green. Big Sunday is now a firm fixture on the start of summer calendar and can be enjoyed by everyone. You can spend a day lounging on the grass listening to a free concert - or better still up on your feet and dancing! You can wander through the great range of stalls having a brilliant shopping experience with excellent food and drink, a range of handmade craft items on sale and information about West End community groups. I'll be helping on ...
The Liverpool Echo has the story – see link above [IMG: images] Melling has long suffered from poor bus services and it seems things are about to get worse for those living in the Melling Rock/Rock Lane area of this mostly rural Parish. If I am to understand things correctly (if I am wrong please shout) the 133 bus route will soon no longer serve Melling Rock/Rock Lane. It will instead leave Maghull via Eastway/School Lane, travel past Ashworth Hospital, and then over the M58 Motorway onto Prescot Road in Melling before entering Kirkby. The reverse will apply to ...
Oh he so reminds me of Charles Kennedy at his best in this impassioned speech in favour of the EU. And who would have thought it from the man who really struggled to be Prime Minister. Spot on Gordon Brown.
