Blog
Hyperbaric oxygen and chronic osteomyelitis
My son David is almost half way through his latest treatment to cure the chronic osteomyelitis which has plagued his young life for almost ten years; it is a last resort really, and we are pinning all our hopes that hyperbaric oxygen therapy will work. David suffers...
ROCA and ovarian cancer screening
Congratulations to Abcodia, the biomarker validation company I work with, which has been granted world-wide exclusive license for ROCA, a test which has the potential to be a major breakthrough for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. ROCA, which stands for the Risk...
Wisbech’s illegimate princess, Jane Stuart
This is the riveting story of how Jane Stuart, an illegitimate daughter of King James 11 the last Roman Catholic to rein over Britain, came to live in a cellar in Wisbech, selling thread on the market place. It would surely make a best seller for Hilary Mantel or...
The plastic bag levy in England – too little too late
I believe the plastic bag levy planned in England is too little too late. The Republic of Ireland successfully introduced it 13 years ago and attracted worldwide admiration for reducing its use of plastic bags by 80%. Environmental officers from all over the world...
Edgar Speyer and Marin Alsop – the last night of the Proms
When Marin Alsop sensationally lifts her baton on the last night of the Proms this Saturday, making history as its first woman conductor, I wonder if she will spare a thought for Sir Edgar Speyer, a great British benefactor who saved the Proms from bankruptcy - yet...
Why Improved Screening for Ovarian Cancer is Urgently Needed
While it is tragic to think that today, 19 women in the UK will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, they could be considered the lucky ones as this deadly disease can be easily misdiagnosed when women complain of bloating and abdominal pain. I hope that their cancer was...
How being a carer changed Jackie Ashley’s life
I have reprinted Jackie Ashley's excellent report on caring for her husband Andrew Marr following his stroke. I saw Jackie at Cambridge Wordfest earlier this year and asked how Andrew was, and she replied that he was doing well and getting lots of physio. As someone...
Alan Turing and Lionel, the “maths genius”
I am very much looking forward to seeing the film Codebreaker when it is released, describing the brilliant talent and shameful treatment of Alan Turning. A postcard of Turing's sculptured slate image taken from his statue which has pride of place at Bletchley Park,...
Sir Edgar Speyer – Banker, Traitor, Scapegoat, Spy?
Have you ever heard of Sir Edgar Speyer? The chances are that unless you have stayed at his former sprawling home on the North Norfolk coast where his story and sad demise is displayed in the lobby - now the splendid Sea Marge Hotel where I first heard of him - it is...