Islam
“Soldiers of France”
A fortnight ago, I was asked if I might translate the open letter signed by retired French generals warning the government of the very real possibility of a civil war in France. It was felt [more…]
Philosophy
Arts
The Year Turns, part 5
Beltane This important festival has been reinvented umpteen times throughout the ages. I knew it from childhood as May Day. On a couple of occasions while at primary school our class was forced to dance [more…]
Book Review
Book Review: Arthur & the Lost Kingdoms by A Moffat
My review of John Morris’ The Age of Arthur caused quite a stir and clearly there remains much interest in the British Dark Ages, and especially in the thorny issue of Arthur and his existence. [more…]
Arts
He Who Pays The Piper(rada)
It just wouldn’t do to let Easter weekend pass without an article involving eggs. This dish makes for a useful brunch, lunch or evening supper. Usually we share it with friends, but this year, sadly, [more…]
Arts
The Year Turns, Part 4
Ēostre My earliest memories of this time of year involve decorating eggs, going to the local park, and rolling them down a hill. Well, more of a small embankment than a hill, but the thought [more…]
20th Century
The ‘Crockford’s Clerical’ Murder
On Sunday 6 December 1987, the Reverend Doctor Canon Gareth Vaughan Bennett returned home after spending a most agreeable weekend with friends in Cambridge. On the way he had given a colleague a lift home, [more…]
Authoritarianism
A Moral Dilemma
On Sunday last week (27th February), Peter Hitchens informed his readers that he had taken the Covid jab, which sparked fury amongst some and disbelief among others. Hitchens stated that ‘I did not do it [more…]
Christianity
Korea, Suwon, Part 3
Attending a Korean Mega-Service Towards the end of my stay in South Korea in 2017, I attended one of the mega-services Korean churches specialise in. It was a meeting of the Baptist Church, which, the [more…]
Christianity
Korea, Suwon, Part 2
Christianity in Korea—Just Why? The Catholics formed the vanguard of Christianity’s march into East Asia. They first arrived in Korea in the late 1700s, and met with the same hostile reception as they had in [more…]