Blog
Stephen Hawking, Master of the Universe
Sitting in the Cambridge University lecture theatre listening spellbound to the synthesised voice of Prof Stephen Hawking, pre-recorded for his 70th birthday symposium which he was too poorly to attend in person, I was struck by two thoughts: 1. The warmth and humour...
Stephen Lawrence verdict should make govt rethink forensic closure
If ever there was justification for the government to rethink its planned closure of the UK Forensic Science Service, then today's verdict for the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence 18 years ago has proved this without reasonable doubt! A conviction was secured solely...
When did you last stay up till 3am reading a book?
It's been so long since I burnt the midnight oil reading a good book. So I couldn't wait to discover whose writing it was that captivated award winning journalist Jenni Russell to such a degree of excitement that she stayed up until 3 am to finish reading her book. It...
Would you go on Mastermind or University Challenge?
Did you watch Jungle Queen and X-Factor star Stacey Solomon's surprise celebrity appearanace on Mastermind over Christmas? I was stunned at her confidence in pitting her brains against super chef Sophie Grigson, the Fast Show's Simon Day and musician Steve Harley....
Macmillan Cancer Support’s Biggest “Thank You”
No words are spoken in this emotionally charged video, but the raw feelings of the six people it features are stripped bare as they read poignant and touching messages of thanks sent by from friends and loved ones suffering from cancer which have been published on the...
My Boxing Day boardwalk at Wicken Fen
I was keen to try out my new Scarpa walking boots today, so we headed for the nearby Wicken Fen nature reserve this morning where we found many like-minded souls with no interest in the Christmas sales. Our Boxing Day walk was a mere stroll compared to what I am used...
Let’s have some Merry Christmas cheer!
Am I the only one who misses Christmas carols being played in our shopping centres and stores? Instead, the festive atmosphere is silent and sombre and I miss feeling that warm glow inside when I hear those lovely carols. No doubt political correctness is to blame,...
The 70th birthday Stephen Hawking symposium
I feel extremely privileged to be able to attend a symposium to mark the 70th birthday of physicist Professor Stephen Hawking, a brilliant cosmologist acclaimed globally whose life has surpassed medical expectations. The remarkable Prof Hawking was told in 1963 that...
Government reforms ignore trans-racial adoption
It's the best Christmas news for any child languishing in care and waiting to be placed with loving, adoptive parents - the announcement today that the government is replacing its crippling bureaucratic process with a new system. Proposals include forming an expert...