On a bitterly cold January evening, I walk with trepidation towards a grand, imposing church. Why trepidation? Because I know the temperature inside this magnificent venue is not going to be that different from the outside; I spent many hours trembling inside Union Chapel attending union meetings. The choice of the venue is perhaps anathema […]
Another year has passed. We have arrived at 2017. A new dawn, or same old, same old? We always complain that the year has passed too fast. Really, we are expressing fear of our approaching old age. Ask the children of the world if the year has passed too fast. Those children who are dodging […]
2016 is certainly going to be remembered for many things. In years to come when you get a quiz question “in what year….?” there will be a good chance the answer will be 2016. The year of the underdog continues to back the most unlikely scenarios. No-one gave Leicester City a chance of winning the […]
The intriguing Labour leadership contest finally drew to an end on 25th September 2016, when Jeremy Corbyn won a resounding vote of confidence – a second victory in just 12 months. The Labour Party is now the largest political party in Western Europe with a staggering 600,000+ members. Over 300,000 have joined in the last […]
In the blink of an eye she was taken away from us. Years of compassion, dedication, courage gone. Two little children denied of a wonderful mum, her husband of a cheerful, compassionate partner. Why is it that the impact of the death of certain people is so much more profound? I did not know Jo […]
As Eurovisions go, it appeared that Australia (yes, we know it’s not in Europe) had it sown up this year. Way out in front with votes from the juries of the participating countries, we were looking at a comprehensive Aussie win. Though Ukraine was picking up a few 12 points, Australia was more consistent with […]
Now it’s getting tasty! The line-up for Eurovision 2016 is complete with the second semi-final revealing which countries are now locked in for the final this Saturday. I wonder how Russia (the favourites, remember), feel about Ukraine getting through with ‘1944’? This controversial song references the Tatar deportation by Stalin in 1944 and the song […]
If you had one chance to spend Eurovision in any country, it would surely be Sweden and in particular Stockholm, wouldn’t it? The Swedes have got this Eurovision thing sussed. Winners of this most prestigious song contest umpteen times, no-one knows this contest better than the birthplace of the mighty Abba. And if you are […]
I heard the bad news on a cold November night. 17th November 2015 to be exact. Two friends had gone to see him at Croydon Hospital. They rang to tell me in floods of tears that we had lost him. I had visited him a few days before, and was planning to go and see […]
Yet again we march. With arthiritic knees, painful backs, we march on. What are these compared to the suffering of refugees, victims of wars, destruction. Victims of Western foreign policy, western greed. We march to demand compassion, justice and humanity for refugees. Refugees, facing inhumane treatment, at home and in Europe. The Europe where they thought they […]
