April 2018 marked the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. The 30 years before that was marked by bitter violent conflict. In the closing days of 2018 there is renewed verbal animosity, not from the province itself, but from politicians in Westminster over the status of the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish… Continue reading
Posts by Gareth Huw Davies
Bulldog breeds Co2-free plastic for men’s skin care products
Discarded plastic is unsightly, but it is Co2-heavy too. And this is a point which has not been made so much in the flurry of announcements, from the government down, on the subject in early 2018. While we grapple with eliminating plastic altogether, we might at least start making it from something sustainable. I look… Continue reading →
1066 Country and all that – Hastings battles up the South Coast rankings
President Macron has announced that the Bayeux Tapestry will be loaned to Britain. This will be the first time in 950 years that it is left France, although it’s likely to be five years before it arrives here. It is not known where the tapestry will be displayed in Britain, although the British Museum must… Continue reading →
Climate charity 10:10 calls for new buildings to have solar panels as standard
The climate action charity 10:10 has launched a campaign to persuade the government that all suitable new buildings should have solar panels fitted as standard. In a tweet it argues: “If every new home came with built-in solar panels, we’d increase our capacity to produce clean solar power by 50% in just seven years. British… Continue reading →
New York leads accelerating move to divest from fossil fuels
Update: March 21st 2018. Cardiff University announced yesterday that it is to stop investing in fossil fuels by 2021. Its statement: “The move to full divestment aligns the University’s investment decisions with our values and aims, and reaffirms our commitment to environmental sustainability, responsible investment and social responsibility. I wrote the piece below the line three years… Continue reading →
Bamboos and balms in the Hertfordshire hills – how Champneys corners spa appeal
Updated, Jan 2018. Once the standard dress in this lesser stately home in the Hertfordshire hills would have been the morning suit and the crinoline. Today the everyday garment in Champneys is the fluffy white dressing gown with fur collar. After early misgivings, I decided to wear mine around the place too, taking heart from… Continue reading →