Category Archives: Uncategorized

One of my recent pleasures has been listening to a radio dramatisation of Arnold Bennett’s novels.  Born in Hanley in 1865, the background to his novels are the five towns that make up Stoke-on-Trent.  He weaves beautifully together the lives … Continue reading →

Canonisation isn’t something that happens to ordinary folk like you and me.  To become an official saint you have to go through lots of steps.  Firstly you have to be dead and other steps include having a miracle attributed to … Continue reading →

I listened to a programme about the singer song-writer Joni Mitchell.  Joni was a folk singer, who came from Canada to America to find success.  The folk scene was very much alive in America, as it was here, during the … Continue reading →

Don’t mix religion and politics.  Don’t talk politics or religion at the dinner table.  It will only cause a row.  A little while back, MPs from the governing party objected to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s stance on the Rwanda Bill.  … Continue reading →

To begin, a very Zen story: “Give me the best flower that you have,” said the man to the florist. “Every flower here is the best,” replied the florist. At these words, the man became enlightened. It’s a delight and … Continue reading →

“Your Amazon Prime subscription needs renewing,” said the automated telephone message.  We don’t have Amazon Prime and never have.  “This is the fraud department at your bank.  Two payments have been made from your account…” Which bank is that?  Someone … Continue reading →

The holy season of Ramadan has just begun for followers of Islam.  For Christians the  season of Lent is nearing its end as we build up to Holy Week.  Both Ramadan and Lent are best known as seasons of denial, … Continue reading →

“How did we do?”, the survey asks.  Well, he came to the door, handed me the parcel, took a photo.  I said, “thank you”.  He smiled and hurried off down the path to deliver the rest of his 132 parcels. … Continue reading →

After the war, during the 1950s and 1960s the UK needed workers to rebuild Britain.  Irish workers came. But, as Paul McNamee, editor of the Big Issue  writes, “there was antipathy because they were the outsider, the other, easily cliched … Continue reading →

Last Sunday we sang Cwm Rhondda.  That great Welsh hymn tune.  One often sung with great gusto by male voice choirs.  But it’s the first two lines of the words that struck me this time: “Guide me, O thou great … Continue reading →