Business
Where do our rates go?
For overseas readers rates are what we Brits call property tax. It goes to local government which dwells in the marble halls of our kingdom. If you find yourself in a north of England depressed [more…]
Blog
Fiction
Némésis – Part 7
Ash Shaddadi, the Syrian Governorate of Al Hasakha, December 2017 When Major Halward woke up the following morning there was frost on his sleeping bag. It was still dark while he pulled on his boots, [more…]
20th Century
Bax of Delights
There have been quite a few occasions when one wished one was a fly on the wall to listen in on a conversation. The private discussion between Sir Arnold Bax, Master of the King’s Musick, [more…]
Arts
Postcard from Lille, Part 26
‘I hope that you’ve all studied logical positivism?’ Incarcerated in Paranaque Municipal Jail, part of Metro Manila’s southern urban sprawl, it is boily hot and dark. Thousands of pairs of pin prick brown eyes look at [more…]
Hobbies
Crossword No. 79
First correct entry out of ‘the hat’ wins a GP mug of your choice, or GP beer mats. Email entries to me by 6.00 pm tomorrow subject ‘Crossword’. Contact here on email Last weeks’ winners. [more…]
20th Century
Soundies – The First Music Videos
I subscribe to a 1940s Society publication and in one of the issues a year or two ago was where I first saw mentioned something called ‘Soundies’ that came along in the early part of [more…]
20th Century
The Malayan Campaign 1941 – 1942. Part Two
Realisation of the Japanese Threat and the Landings On the declaration of war with Germany in September 1939, the Defence Committee, which co-ordinated Malaya’s defence became the War Committee. The group consisted of the Governor [more…]
Arts
Standards, Flags and Colours
In an attempt to win the driest, dullest posted article I present this. The document’s first couple of lines regarding a diversity and inclusion impact assessment may take readers aback. We all know that Royal [more…]
Arts
The Going Postal Camper Van
One of my heroes, Judas Was Paid, suggested I make a camper van. So, obedient old girl that I am, I made a camper van. But because, like most on here, I am nasty, twisted [more…]