Month: April 2025

Nimrod

Noah (and Felix) arrived at 8.30 to tidy up the garden, something he does twice a year.

Published
Categorised as Religion

Another Memoir

Heywood Hill is where Posh Folk buy their books, though more often than not they buy mail order. Owned by the Duke of Devonshire and managed by his son-in-law it is the grandest shop in London but doesn’t swank. As it’s next door to Geo. Trumper I go when I’m having a haircut and never… Continue reading Another Memoir

Published
Categorised as Literature

The Reproaches

The Crucifixion by Giotto (b. 1267 or 1277 – d. 1337 CE). The scene is part of a cycle of frescoes showing the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. (Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, c. 1304 to c. 1315)

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday in the UK has become associated with the distribution of Royal Maundy money by the Sovereign since the reign of King John.

Published
Categorised as Art, Religion

Ten Years Ago

In April 2015 the Financial Times published this letter.

Published
Categorised as Politics

The Feast Day of St Christopher

There is a treat in store for PG Wodehouse fans next month. On 9th May there is an event at the British Library with a cast of Wodehouse descendants and luminaries.

Three Worlds

What’s the point of reading fiction? These days I re-read fiction I have loved for decades and there is no point in reading anything new.

John Betjeman

(To Patrick Cullinan) “The Old Rectory Farnborough Wantage Berkshire 2 May 1950 My dear Patrick, . . . The words on you postcard are gay, lucid, arresting and sound as though you were creatively happy, even if you aren’t putting anything down on paper. Doesn’t one work in spurts? – long periods of silence, then… Continue reading John Betjeman