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.

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Categorised as Art, Religion

Ten Years Ago

In April 2015 the Financial Times published this letter.

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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

Le Prix Goncourt

Should the President of France die in office, the head of the Académie Française is 24th in line to succeed. Something I discovered ten years ago.

A Man of Letters

    A niece told me yesterday her son’s hand writing is impossible to read. He disagrees saying that only one of his five teachers have complained (so far, in my opinion).

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Categorised as Literature

Crab Apple

I lodged next door for a year in 1976 but I cannot remember if it was there. It was certainly there when I bought this house in 1984, 41 years ago.

Is There Anybody There?

“Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—  While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door— Only this and… Continue reading Is There Anybody There?

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Categorised as Literature

The Price of Fame

As a psychologist I find it of interest that Clementine Churchill, wife of Winston, and Clarissa, wife of Anthony, both had problematic paternities. In those days of country house parties and before contraception there was a lot of corridor creeping.