I wrote this two summers ago – and I take no crdit for being prophetic. ‘Rugby and male voice choirs may still rule the valleys, but maybe they will toast success with a crisp local rosé or an elegant Pinor Noir in the future.’ And this week (July 6, 2021) a “deliciously fresh” red wine,… Continue reading
How the National Theatre’s Under Milk Wood is the perfect post-lockdown play
“The itinerant, ultra-sociable Thomas would have been the last person to be constrained by social distancing, red and amber lists, and isolation. He was a man of the pub. It’s hard to see how he could have survived as a writer without beer-fuelled social interaction.” Dylan Thomas knew Under Milk Wood was good, even in… Continue reading →
How Pembrokeshire was shunted into a siding
It’s a long way from London to Pembrokeshire, so if you didn’t have too much to carry, you might fancy a nice through train from Paddington to, say, Tenby, famous old resort. And until 2019 you could do just that. Four and a half hours of Co2-busting ease, bypassing the holiday jams. But not any… Continue reading →
Destination Lincoln – How to tempt daytrippers from car to train.
The summer of 2021 presents a rare opportunity to persuade people to leave their cars at home and take day trips by train. As we wait for the government to explain exactly what it means by our transformed railway system ‘Great British Railways’, some train companies have decided not to wait to see how that… Continue reading →
Big Issue founder wants politicians to think long term
The welcome initiative by Lord Bird (John Bird, founder of The Big Issue), He arranged a “balloted debate” in the House of Lords in June 2019 – (a debate on subjects raised by backbenchers) on the case for better protecting and representing the interests of future generations in policymaking. is a promising start. The pioneer work… Continue reading →
Exit cuckoo, pursued by climate change?
‘The cuckoo then, on every tree, Mocks married men; for thus sings he, “Cuckoo; Cuckoo, cuckoo!” O, word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear!’ (When Daisies Pied and… Continue reading →