Blog
University initiations
Do those degrading ritualistic initiations take place at all universities, particularly with sports teams? If so, heaven help David who this week passed his football trials at Hull - the university, not to be confused with the top premier league club. David has...
Where are our famous women artists?
I heard a discussion recently on the Antiques Roadshow about the lack of recognition given to women artists. At the same time, I had an email about Theresa May's campaign for Equal Pay. It seems extraordinary to me that art should have an element of sexual...
Discovering The Secret
I met an interesting woman called Carol on the train a couple of weeks ago and we chatted about life, work and books. She then asked me if I had read "The Secret" and was amazed that I hadn't. I was intrigued and ordered a copy which has just arrived. It has...
My hotel with a difference
The hotel in Limerick where I stayed last week had more than the traditional spa and pool - it was also used as a driving test centre. In fact, it is one of three test centres in Limerick, and maybe an explanation as to why some drivers there seemed to have no regard...
Two empty places round the dinner table
It is a time of great change in the Seymour household this weekend following the loss of two of its residents. The first came today when we had a shock following the unexpected death of our beloved cat Jack Morley. Jack - named on a whim by my son James, a good...
The new threat to food production – banning pesticides
Food production faces another major challenge on top of climate change - the ban of a large number of pesticides currently used by farmers. My MEP Robert Sturdy is vigorously opposing EU plans which could result in more than 80% of pesticides, herbicides and...
Hoping for "the luck of the Irish"
I'm spending the next couple of days in Limerick researching the book I am writing. And I'm hoping for "the luck of the Irish". I'm going to see a way of life which is totally alien to me - and 99.9% of you too. I know it will be riveting and unbelievable in...
Fiona Phillips, dementia, and her govt influence
When Fiona Phillips first mentioned that she was quitting her TV sofa because she was shattered, I had an inkling about the real reason behind it all. I didn't think it was just to spend more time with her two sons, 4 and 9, because she would have left earlier if that...
Should maternity pay be tripled?
There's no doubt that having babies is an expensive business, but should maternity pay be tripled? The European Commission is proposing changes to give women full pay for the first 18 weeks of maternity leave. This more than triples the amount currently received by...