Pungent pongs
During a holiday in France many years ago, when sanitary arrangements were still lagging behind those in the UK, the pungent smell of a Pissoir never failed to carry me
Kids’ stuff
In an age where children can take their parents and teachers to court if they are subjected to physical castigation such as spanking or a clip around the ear, the
Immigration & Asylum
The twin issues of immigration and asylum are rising up the political agenda fast back home in the UK. So is the growth of the British National Party. Its racist
It’s all about choice
MAMAMARATONA 4 By JUDY SHARP I remember clearly the first time I met Cynthia Williams. I was in a small hotel overlooking the Douro River when my mobile phone rang.
Wimmin’ by Judy Sharpe
In those heady days of the ‘80s – or perhaps it was the ‘70s, I really can’t remember any more – The Guardian newspaper, bastion of everything left-wing, had a
Changing risks into opportunities
Somerset Maugham tells the story of the sacristan’s assistant who was fired because he could neither read nor write. When he left the church, he was so upset that he
Rope-a-dope by Skip Bandele
It was Muhammad Ali who coined the phrase “Rope-a-Dope” back in the ‘60s – I always associated it with giving a wrongdoer enough rope to hang himself with. But the
First signs of autumn
Fred is proving to be a bit of a loose cannon – just as he recovers his health and just as we relax after one destructive assault, he fires another
New EU Commission in place
European Commission President, José Manuel Durão Barroso, has unveiled his executive, describing it as a heavyweight team that would put economic growth at the heart of the agenda. The Resident’s
Take paradise, put up a parking lot
Do you remember Joni Mitchell’s song Big Yellow Taxi? “They take paradise and put up a parking lot,” was a recurring line – and my goodness, I am beginning to