Wokesters on twitter have found another glaring social injustice; ‘Fat shaming’. The word ‘fat’ is no longer allowed among the virtuous; in the enlightened US they have long used ‘Big’ instead, so that if someone tells you they come from a ‘big family’ you don’t necessarily need to look enthusiastic. The issue has swelled to large proportions by skinny actress … [Read on]

As the Channel migrant crisis deepens, and one half-baked scheme after another bites the dust, our thoughts turn more and more to Jean Raspail and his prophetic Camp of the Saints (1973), in which the first of an armada of a hundred ships arrives off the Mediterranean coast of France from India, a decrepit old British steamer carrying some 50,000 … [Read on]

I never intended to become a union representative; I wanted to concentrate on teaching. But I hadn’t reckoned on the politics which frustrates so many teachers. The perennial exasperation of being hampered from doing the job properly, rampant bullying, lack of professionalism and ease with which all these factors could be aligned to end a teacher’s career in the byzantine … [Read on]

Thousands of rock fans will be converging on Somerset next week for the Glastonbury Festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, but Lenny Henry has put a dampener on the summer fun by complaining about the lack of diversity in the Glastonbury audience – in other words, that there are too many whites. According to Henry, in conversation with Clive … [Read on]

A few days ago the BBC carried an extensive, interesting report on the discovery of the wreck of a warship named the Gloucester, lost on a North Sea sandbank in 1682. She was a typical Naval vessel of the period, heavily gunned with an elaborately carved quarterdeck and forecastle, all gilded and painted. The future James II was aboard and … [Read on]

Why are the rich so woke? It is largely an extension of the champagne socialist and limousine liberal phenomenon. They have always been that way. But why are they so vocal now? Why are we constantly barraged by their shrill voices that we follow their instructions on how to be good, caring people – just like them? Some of them, … [Read on]

The English summer is always full of delights, Pimm’s, open gardens to visit if the rain holds off, and a trip to the RA Summer Show an art feast since 1769, showing over 5,000 works including printing, sculpture, film, photography and architecture. This year 14,000 works were submitted, 1,500 shortlisted. I was fortunate to have two paintings nominated.  I read … [Read on]