Blog
My P & O recipe for Pina Colada Soup
I promise you it tastes better than it looks! I couldn't resist ordering pina colada soup during my P & O cruise this summer. I loved its creamy coconut flavour with an added kick from the Malibu. It was gorgeous, and I asked our head waiter for the recipe. I...
Iain Dale and Sir Edgar Speyer
Despite having troubles of his own, Iain Dale has written a glowing review of a fascinating book written about the life of Sir Edgar Speyer who had strong Norfolk links and political connections. I knew that Prof Tony Lentin's excellent book, Banker Traitor Scapegoat...
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...