Robert Drummond

Fish ‘n’ Chip Van, Otley Road, Bradford, photo by Ian Beesley. 'The chip shop owner told me he had to fire one of his assistants because he kept parking the van the wrong way round.'

They'll give a millionaire a baby box, or free prescriptions, or free university tuition for their kids, but when it suits them (eg when the proposed policy wasn't their idea) the only acceptable approach is targeted funding that will, by definition, mean some kids lose out.

Hypocrites.

Low income pupils priority in outdoor education bill after SNP U turn Pupils from low income households and those with additional support needs would have priority to receive residential outdoor education under changes…

Education is not a priority in Scotland, and the idea of this being the best country in which to grow up is laughable. The money involved here would be trivial in the grand scheme of things. What's more, the SNP are hypocrites when it comes to universalism.

www.heraldscotland.com/news/2549692...

A statement on allegations the Canary made against Gary Lubner A statement on allegations the Canary made against Gary Lubner from Canary on 4 July 2025

That isn't true about Gary Lubner. Always worth checking facts. www.thecanary.co/editorial/20...

A statement on allegations the Canary made against Gary Lubner A statement on allegations the Canary made against Gary Lubner from Canary on 4 July 2025

That's incorrect about Gary Lubner. www.thecanary.co/editorial/20...

The Government seems to have no conception of what made the Teach First route distinct and attraction.

Along with ditching the brand, it's neutering a valuable part of the teacher recruitment pipeline - in the middle of a teacher shortage.

🧵

schoolsweek.co.uk/labour-plans...

Two lone spectators sit on the deserted Western Terrace on the washed out Saturday of the 1956 Leeds Ashes Test

State-school cricket at Lord’s? Bring it on A state-school cricket competition announced last week with a final at Lord’s is such a good idea you wonder why it has taken until now for someone to come up with it. Ever since Lord (George) Byron...

The first five batsmen in the first Test England played after the war were all state-educated.

✍️ Roger Alton

That was terrible.
It goes from one bad thing to another.
Breaks confidence when speaking with Nabi, refers to the women in Afghanistan loving watching cricket, has no idea that Nabi would find it impossible to say, boycott the game. Absolute car crash.

An image captured from FULLY FITTED FREIGHT (1957)

FULLY FITTED FREIGHT (1957) | http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/705387/index.html

I wish someone would campaign for reducing child poverty in the UK the way they do for the farmers and the way they do around means testing winter payment for the elderly.

Stops

Is that a large amount? It seems it.

We ignore Sudan at our peril. This campaign of mass murder and rape will have global consequences | Nesrine Malik Almost two years into the war, Sudan is facing anarchy, famine, genocide – and ambivalence from the rest of the world Sudan’s war, which began in April 2023, is closing in on its second year. No one expects or becomes accustomed to war, but it is…

We ignore Sudan at our peril. This campaign of mass murder and rape will have global consequences | Nesrine Malik

There's no dignity in assisted dying

Indeed.
unherd.com/2024/12/ther...

Have you read Boycott on Boycott? Absolutely fascinating read. I'd highly recommend it.

The Ghosts in the Machine, by Liz Pelly Spotify’s plot against musicians

harpers.org/archive/2025...

Are Social Media Platforms the Next Dying Malls? It was cool to hang out at the mall—until it wasn't

Very probably, yes.
www.honest-broker.com/p/are-social...

No Sydney Barnes? He'd be on my list for sure. Rhodes being Harold, yes?
Never saw him play, but chatted a few times with his as he umpired in Derbyshire. Lovely bloke and didn't seem at all bitter about his poor treatment from the authorities.

MPs ‘spreading misinformation’ over puberty blocker ban, Cass says Some MPs argue that the ban discriminates against transgender children, but Baroness Cass said it was grounded in evidence and safety concerns

Labour MPs who oppose the ban on puberty blockers have a “misunderstanding” of medical evidence, Baroness Cass has said ⬇️

my annual notice: please do not, at holiday parties, ask someone why they aren't drinking if they turn down alcohol. reasons vary and are usually personal and very much none of your business. also, if you are hosting a party, have non alcohol choices for people who do not want to drink

As always, this is a lovely read. Your schools are lucky to have you. It's so important for the young people to have a role model like yourself.
It's cool to like orange chips and opera - Ms Stoneman does, so there.
BTW Orange chips sounds like absolute filth. We need them in Edinburgh.

If You Think You Can Hold a Grudge, Consider the Crow The brainy birds carry big chips on their shoulders, scientists say. And some people who become subjects of their ire may be victims of mistaken identity.

Great read about crows holding grudges. www.nytimes.com/2024/10/28/s... via Eleanor Halls substack. eleanorhalls.substack.com

This article is very good.
Love this bit. #cricket.

BBC Sounds - 6 Music Instrumental - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of 6 Music Instrumental on BBC Sounds.

Starting tonight @bbc6music.bsky.social for four consecutive nights, INSTRUMENTAL, presented @mrrichardnorris.bsky.social @hannahpeel.bsky.social … check out Richard’s magnificent memoir, Strange Things Are Happening @whiterabbitbks.bsky.social

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...

The Quietus Albums of the Year 2024 (In Association with Norman Records) There was a week in mid-October when The Quietus’ release schedule spreadsheet was overflowing with bounteous goodness, with over ten albums by artists we’re partial to out on the same day. This was a...

What I love about this list is that I haven't listened to 90% of these albums... A lot of new sounds to look forward to! thequietus.com/tq-charts/al...

BBC Radio 6 Music - 6 Music Instrumental, Magic & Microphones Hannah Peel & Richard Norris chart a musical history through iconic instruments.

Starting tomorrow, BBC 6 Music has a weeklong special on iconic electronic musical instruments and gear. How about stretching this by to three weeks and make it an advent calendar @hannahpeel.bsky.social?

Jessica Mitford’s Escape From Fascism “Hons and Rebels” might easily be mistaken for a freewheeling memoir of aristocratic life. It’s also a study of intense ideological conflict in a family.

A good read, found via @helenlewis.bsky.social and her excellent Bluestocking e-mail.
newrepublic.com/article/1869...

Desi Yew Tree, Wolverhampton: ‘Part of the brilliance of Desi pub culture’ – restaurant review This place has masses of appeal and real star potential – if only someone had made a film about it Desi Yew Tree, 44 Pool Street, Wolverhampton, WV2 4HN. Desiyewtree.com. No reservations. Starters £4.50 – £11; Sharing grill platters £12 – £22; Main…

Desi Yew Tree, Wolverhampton: ‘Part of the brilliance of Desi pub culture’ – restaurant review

Obsolete Sounds The world's biggest collection of obsolete sounds and disappearing sounds - remixed and reimagined by artists all over the world.

Happy anniversary to Obsolete Sounds! 💿📻 Today is the 2️⃣ nd birthday of our project reimagining the world's obsolete and disappearing sounds, from typewriters and modems to traditional music practices and cracking glacier ice:

Listen to the full project: citiesandmemory.com/obsolete-sou...