Banjo Boy

When I was at Durham University I saw John Boorman’s 1972 Deliverance for the first time.  It is a chiller/killer/thriller that starts innocently.

Group 5

I regard it as a badge of honour to have Group 5 on my BA boarding pass. I am the last to board (no problem) and there is often no overhead locker space (annoying) but I know that I have paid the lowest fare (satisfying). On Thursday something happened that the BA commissars did not… Continue reading Group 5

Published
Categorised as Travel

The Coincidence of Novembers

Instant gratification. The “I want it and I want it now” culture. But you can Go Slow. I have, maybe, bought a book. I don’t know yet because it’s on a journey. That’s marketing jargon for “we will let you know when we have raised enough money to publish the book”.

Published
Categorised as Literature

Cod & Prawns

“Beautifully simple recipe: cod & prawns with fennel & white wine. (Prepare 5 minutes, Cook 25 minutes.)” I was enchanted by this tempting supper on a Waitrose shelf.

Donn Byrne

Was youse ever in Coolmain? A grand ould place that ended up owned by a Disney; the Mickey Mouse clan.

Published
Categorised as Literature

The Tyranny of Technology

The tyranny of technology leads to insanity – it’s a proven fact and explains why I turn to religion as a balm for the psychological wounds inflicted by my malevolent MacBook Pro and impish, insolent, indolent iPad.

Big Money

Giving investment advice often is like showing off a garden – “if only you’d come last week”. Strangely, although equity markets are very high and international trade will be impacted by US tariffs and Brexit, there are some opportunities.

Published
Categorised as Business

Ebony

A lot of sports are so expensive that outsiders are effectively excluded. I’m thinking ocean racing, Formula 1, high-end horse racing and polo.

Paul Muldoon

Hugo Williams’ weekly columns in the TLS were written between 1988 and 1994. He published a selection in 1995 under the title Freelancing, Adventures of a Poet.

Rokeby’s Half Crown

Rokeby Hall is a fine Georgian house in Co Louth not far from Grangebellew. It was built for Richard Robinson, 1st Baron Rokeby and Archbishop of Armagh. My brother, also a Baron, is at present only a Diocesan Reader in Armagh but I have hopes that he may follow in Lord Rokeby’s ecclesiastical footsteps.