On reflection

I’M sure you have all heard the expression about getting the proverbial “clean slate”. I recall from my young schooldays the response of our primary teacher when the children had been misbehaving in c

LETTERS

I WAS browsing the bookshelf in a charity shop when I glanced up to see my neighbour outside, trying to come in. With his arms fully encumbered with a large bag, the door was proving difficult to open

ARE you sitting comfortably? Then I will begin.” So began the wonderful “Listen With Mother” radio series for children, especially for those under five. Launched on January 16, 1950, every day the voi

You wouldn’t guess from the cover design—three songbirds silhouetted over swatches of picturesque Englishness—but Catherine Clarke’s A History of England in 25 Poems hits one of its sweet spots with a

Love Big Issue and Lou, I think, who sold me the mag at St Paul’s station is a nice guy. Here’s a picture (above) that I took last week from my narrow boat on the River Lea where I have recently moved