Mark Gretton

Fair play to Delap: I've seen players refuse to celebrate goals scored against teams they formerly played for, but never anyone refusing to score a goal against a team for the same reason #hcafc

Home tomorrow. Genuinely dreading the change in weather from this ⬇️

For one night, a genuine @hcsstweets.bsky.social supporter - watching the lads on TV in Lanzarote, 70 miles west of Africa 🙂

Sundown was n Puerto Del Carmen from a couple pavement bar. Wouldn't be anywhere else.

There is a lot of convenient amnesia about Peter Mandelson’s New Labour days. Let’s jog some memories | George Monbiot Yes, he betrayed the national interest in his dealings with Jeffrey Epstein – but also in his sanctioned role as enabler of corporate power, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

Well-written, George. About time that Gordon Brown, who seems to be treated by @theguardian.com as if he was William Gladstone, got a kicking on those pages.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde Obsessing over individual players and political chaos leaves less time to focus on the misogyny. And that’s for the best, isn’t it guys, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

Really angry, really good:

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

They serve gin and tonic in pint glasses in American Indian. I do think the Spanish approach to gin quantity is to be imitated and admired.

The wonderful Perfect Circus band.

The wonderful Perfect Circus band, doing what they do, at the American Indian, Puerto del Carmen.

A real shame for every reason you state as we let good things die off.

My university, my campus, my city. Redundancies for the staff and local students losing one of their few chances at making a better life for themselves and families

Sex and snacks, but no seat at the table: the role of women in Epstein’s sordid men’s club Files reveal a world of flattery and fratboy tones, where rich men are cultivated and women provide services

Interesting, but really disheartening to read that the most powerful and influential men in the world are even worse than you anticipate. A useful reminder that you can never be too cynical.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...

‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university? When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...

Sadly, may well be the first of many. English Universities will be missed when they’re gone, sacrificed to financial short-termism, Brexit, and hysterical hatred of foreigners.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

I am not exaggerating when I say ICE functions as a terrorist organization in the Twin Cities. The goal seems to be to harass and frighten people (the ones who are lucky enough to not be abducted, at least) and it's deeply unsettling when you learn they're in your neighborhood.

Liverpool, 1965, photo by John Bulmer.

Not like the old days? In truth, there has never been a better time to watch sport | Sean Ingle For all the golden moments, rewatching coverage from 40 years ago was a lesson in how much things have improved

Bang on!

www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/j...

Back-scratching bovine leads scientists to reassess intelligence of cows Brown Swiss in Austria has been discovered using tools in different ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees

The article doesn’t ask, so I will: what do people who believe cows can be bred to be exploited and eaten because they are barely sentient make of this?

www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

If it wasn’t clear before, it is now: Britain needs an escape plan from the Trump world order | Gaby Hinsliff The US president’s trade war for Greenland tells us that the time for fence-sitting or wishful thinking is over, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

The usual good sense - but how will
It be done?

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

First #parkrun of the year completed, time not too terrible after 3 weeks off. Felt good to be back.

Well done! I’ve started pottering out again, but haven’t faced a parkrun!

Mystic Nigel has seen the future: a country run by his cabinet of taxidermied Tories | Marina Hyde By welcoming ‘Honest Bob’ Jenrick into the fold, the Reform seer is embracing the uniparty chaos he claimed to be seeing off, writes Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

As ever a good read, as so often a fair and gloomy point: so many aspects of the UK work so poorly now that it’s likely people will reach for Reform in May and after.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

O my:

Abolish the crazy thugs at ICE.

Heh, thanks for the heads up!

Literally no mention in the mainstream news of the 5th Anniversary of Trump supporters attempting to violently overthrow the U.S Government.

Male bonds develop one way, female friendships another. Should we stop trying to make men more like women? | Gaby Hinsliff The strong and silent masculine image is often derided, but why? Perhaps companionship via trains, golf or a quiet drink is enough, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff

I love @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social, me 🙂

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Climate change bot bingo

Demand for electricity in UK surges after two decades of decline - United Kingdom News Beep Britain’s electricity demand is on the rise after two decades of decline as electric vehicles, heat pumps and AI data centres drive a new era of

Demand for electricity in UK surges after two decades of decline

https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/342114/

Britain’s electricity demand is on the rise after two decades of decline as electric vehicles, heat pumps and…

One of my greatest fantasies is to go to a dogging spot and join in with the action. I don't drive and I'm too embarrassed to ask for a lift.

Darts on TV accompanied by Christmas cake, cheese and sherry, visitors have all gone #RealMeaningOfChristmas

Watership Down

Read it and weep