The new illegal immigrant Hotel is coming along well and should be ready to receive “guests” arriving in the summer dash across La Manche next year.
The peregrine falcons will be disappointed when the cranes are dismantled as they enjoy perching and even mating on them, something even the most knowledgable readers of the Kama Sutra would be reluctant to attempt.
The winners of the PG Wodehouse Society (UK) Essay Prize were announced this morning. There were 49 entries in the adult category and 7 in the junior category. You can read all about it here and there will be more in Wooster Sauce next year.
On this day in 1953.
”Tuesday 15th December 1953
Started off in the fog for Southend and turned back. Worked all day as I had a few unexpected hours. Cocktails with Oliver Messel to meet the recently deposed Kabaka of Buganda* – a charmeur; he told me that his family had reigned since the fourteenth century and he is the thirty-seventh in unbroken descent. I counselled dignity and moderation and promised that I would help find some formula to restore him to his throne.
*Edward Frederick William David Walugembe Mutebe Luwangula Mutesa II (1924 – 1969) was Kabaka or King of Uganda from 1939 until his death. He also served as the country’s first president from 1963 – 1966 when he was deposed. In the early 1950s he led opposition to an East African Federation. He died in exile in Rotherhithe of alcohol poisoning: a theory is that he was assassinated by being force-fed vodka.” ( Henry ‘Chips’ Channon: The Diaries 1943 – 57, edited by Simon Heffer)
As sometimes happens the footnote eclipses the diary entry.
I was at school with Freddie’s heir Ronnie Mutebi. Both living in London, we used to meet up in the holidays. On one occasion walking down Regent’s Street, we met two elderly Ugandans, who fell to the pavement in reverence to their new Kabaka in exile. After a few salutations, the two school boys walked on. After various changes of government, he is now on his throne in Buganda.