10-year-olds allowed shotguns

Did you realise there is no minimum age requirement for a shotgun licence, and that children as young as 10 are being issued with them? It was news to me too, and I find it amazing that such a legal loophole exists, which has been highlighted in this report by the...
What makes parents lie?

What makes parents lie?

Q: What makes normally truthful parents start lying through their teeth? A: Meeting secondary schools’ admissions criteria. Schools in Brighton and Hove are the first in the country to this year use a lottery system to allocate places for over subscribed...
Let’s not forget our hostages in Iraq

Let’s not forget our hostages in Iraq

I’m naturally delighted to know that Prince Harry is home safely after fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan. But my thoughts are with the five innocent British men who have been held captive in Iraq for nine months in the most terrifying circumstances. While...
Social booking tags and a Daily Mugshot

Social booking tags and a Daily Mugshot

I sometimes lie in bed and think how dull my life would be if I had never started writing my blog, meeting so many interesting people, making friends with virtual strangers (not as sad as it sounds), receiving great invitations and now looking forward to exciting new...
Prince Harry and the Taliban

Prince Harry and the Taliban

Should we worry about Prince Harry having some action in Afghanistan and firing at the Taliban? After all, he didn’t sign up to sit behind a desk all day. My only concern is that his presence could attract a threat from terrorists and put the lives of his...
Will you pay 5p for a plastic bag?

Will you pay 5p for a plastic bag?

A round of applause to M & S for charging food shoppers 5p for a plastic bag and giving the money to an environmental charity. Will you pay 5p? I bet you won’t. You will take a reusable bag. That has been the experience  in the Republic of Ireland,...