Blog
The missing – Katrice Lee
Katrice Lee vanished in 1981, on her second birthday, during a visit to the Naafi shop on an army base at Paderborn, near Hanover. Her parents, Richard and Sharon, still cling to the belief that she may be alive. The computer-modified picture, showing Katrice as she...
Guardian pays £75 compensation for bearded insults on blog
How much compensation should be paid to a journalist who is insulted by comment is free readers over his beard? The Guardian decided on the princely sum of £75. This was apparently the amount paid to Paul Markillie, special features editor of The Economist after his...
An important lesson for Alan Johnson
When Alan Johnson visits his "forgotten" constituents in Hull, I hope he grabs a mop and joins in the clean-up operation, that he shows some genuine concern by his actions, not just empty words. An important lesson for him to learn is that he still represents his...
The missing – Jacob Wetterling
Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped by a masked gunman in 1979 aged 11. He was cycling home from a convenience store in Minnesota where he had rented a video with his brother and a friend when the gunman appeared from a driveway and ordered the...
Off to Leicester today
David and I are off to Leicester University today and I am very much enjoying venturing into this totally unknown territory and trawling the campuses. I missed out on university as I was fortunate to have a job offered on a local rag as a cub reporter...
Today’s wonderful news – Alan Johnston is freed
I woke up to the most wonderful news today that Alan Johnston has been freed after nearly four terrifying months in captivity. It seems ironic that he is released at a time when the UK is on a critical security alert fearing an imminent terrorist attack. At this time,...
The missing – Derek Burns
Derek Burns has been missing since 10 March 1989 when he was 20. He left his home in West Calder, Scotland saying he was going to meet friends for a drink but did not return. It was later discovered that Derek had gone to Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, to see his...
This is the time for Muslims to show their Britishness
I like this letter in today's Times. It made me think that this is the time for Muslims to show their Britishness: As a Muslim myself, I believe that it should not be unreasonable to expect the British Muslim communities to come out and march under the banner of...
Villagers train as traffic cops
Villagers in Norfolk are being trained as traffic cops to advise police on "real, and not perceived" speeding areas. Of course road safety is important, but I'm pretty sure that parish councils already know their hot spot problem areas. Eight villagers in...