Blog
Farewell to Sue
It's hard to believe that today my once fun-filled friend Sue will be turned to dust and ashes, that her life ended so tragically. I tell myself that she is now at peace, with no more demons to fight, and I have our happy memories of beach parties and her wicked...
Will planners ever say "no" to Tesco?
Is there a town in England without a large Tesco? At the moment there is at least one, and residents of Manningtree are hoping it will stay that way. This delightful Essex enclave is the smallest town in England with a population of only 900, and is preparing to...
Wifey’s £70,000 book deal
Many congratulations to Wife in the North for landing a £70,000 book deal to publish her poignant blog about life in Northumberland with three young children. Her identity has been revealed as Judith O'Reilly, a former Sunday Times education correspondent who moved...
Carbon free paradise on offer by Branson
If Richard Branson is so keen to promote environmentally friendly holidays, why not buy a showcase island closer to home than the Caribbean? Won't the negatives associated with long haul flights undo any of the...
Some climate change answers
Today's climate change debate couldn't have been better timed, hot on the heels of the announcement that international politicians are agreeing on the need to tackle global warming, the need for them all to meet targets to reduce carbon emissions. But the leading...
Trudy’s "Inside Out" story
I've written about the bravery of Trudy Lapinskis before. Well tomorrow tonight, those living in the East will be able to hear her courageous story on BBC1's "Inside Out" programme at 7.30pm. I spoke to Trudy this week and for the first time I have known her, she...
Tom Paine, Blogpower’s finest philanthropist
Within two days of writing about Gordon Brown's refusal to waive the airport tax for a visit by young children from Chernobyl, Blogpower's finest philanthropist, Tom Paine, has kindly paid this money himself. He has paid £960 out of his...
Climate change, the questions
I am attending a major debate on climate change at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge tomorrow. I will be meeting David Buckland who runs the Cape Farewell project. He has spent the past seven years trying to capture public attention on climate change by...
Council staff trained as law enforcers
I am a non-smoker, but there was a time when I was a fag-ash Lil and would puff away on 20 or more Rothman's a day, even the odd Gaulois, until my constant coughing and hacking forced me to quit. I feel so much better for it too, but I have no objection if...