John Howarth

Thanks. You can manage the traffic for these things - but somebody has to want to (I know this, I’ve done it). As it is the pilots for our flight couldn’t get through - so a little late 😎

What kind of numpty allows an agricultural show to effectively cut off access to a major airport in a country full of empty fields? #edinburghairport

#Solstice Birney Hill, Northumberland. The most beautiful sight.

… and you know what, by comparison to a home game it was nothing - no problem getting there, no problem getting away. Metro fine, roads easy. I conclude it was all about scaring folk from travelling.

Tomorrow Sam Fender plays St James’ Park. Nice. Capacity crowd. Many warnings of transport/Metro overload/special arrangements/etc.

Every two weeks or so #NUFC play at home with a capacity crowd. No warnings, no special arrangements (sometimes cancellations). But no real problems.

I don’t get it?

Of course they do. But they don’t “represent” County Durham. They draw from it, sure but so do Newcastle. No team “represents” its county.

It should be.

No, they don’t.

No, I can’t see that cutting it either.

Not so sure about that Tim. Knowing a little about how agencies work (I ran one for 20 years) I expect they have a set of possible ideas - there are only so many ways you can go with it if you rule out a ‘new idea’. I like what we have, but what they say about the issues is true.

I’m seeing all kinds of amateur and not so amateur attempts to redesign the #NUFC crest. Here’s a clue. They aren’t going to hire you.

Another thing, it’s tricky.

White Port and tonic a suitable celebratory for a deserved victory over the Bad Hair Day Blues. #NUFC

Petition: Make the arts part of UK National Renewal | Campaign for the Arts The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. The arts make our lives happier and our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them.

🚨🌱 The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. Please join me in signing the @campaignforthearts.org petition to remind the UK Govt: the arts make our lives happier & our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them. www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/sp...

There is something perfectly hideous about taking photos on your phone at someone’s funeral. As for so called ‘leaders’ doing so, words fail me. That Pope seemed like a decent chap. But whoever, a degree of decorum is in order. RIP. #PopeFrancis

The Election's not normal Next Thursday is a very limited test of public opinion in England, what's likely to happen in that electoral landscape is not remotely normal, which is what we've come to expect.

I've been writing about next weeks limited English local elections, what's normal and what's not.

I write every week - you can find me at Substack.

open.substack.com/pub/johnhowa...

Holding Keir's coat There are plenty of people wanting to urge the Prime Minister into a fight. It might be good entertainment but it wouldn't be smart.

So, anyway, there are a lot of people offering to hold Mr Starmer’s coat while he has a fight. It’s something that should always signal caution.

open.substack.com/pub/johnhowa...

Thing about socials. Once you break the habit of posting you stop thinking of it. Then you don’t.

Turning the irony dial up to 11 #trade #tariffs

I make two observations:

1. Great 3pts #NUFC
2. The BBC Chair, Samir Shar knows obviously nothing about football and his opinion on what MOTD should and shouldn’t do if utterly worthless.

Falling down the rabbit hole A life changing story of a personal anniversary, involving the best and worst of the UK NHS and which I share because we need to remember happy endings really do happen.

On my Substack today a personal story of a young woman overcoming some daunting stuff that came out of a clear blue sky (oh, look what I did there). Shit happens, but there are happy endings too. And we like a happy ending.

open.substack.com/pub/johnhowa...

I am seeing utter tripe being talked on various feeds about #NUFC ticket sales for the EFL Cup Final. Folk just making stuff up and/or generally not having a clue. Queue fine. Wait fine. Seat choice fine. Priority system is what it is, & fair. Easier than 2023. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Delighted for Joe Willock tonight. Great performance, two great finishes. #NUFC

Eddie obviously got my memo about playing three at the back. Pity he ignored it for Bournemouth but I’ll forgive him after tonight.
#NUFC

Jack hasn’t read the bible, has he?

Brexit Five Years On Buyers' remorse progressively sets in as the Great British Mistake provokes memories five years after the leaving.

In my Substack post this week I talk, inevitably, about #Nrexit five years ago today and the last month in Brussels.

I also recommend some reads, talk about a movie and the last match of the the Champions League ‘League Phase’ - a daft name for a better product.

open.substack.com/pub/johnhowa...

Wrong selection, wrong set up, wrong tactics and a game too far - and that old thing about not passing to the blokes in green. You have to think out the opponents, ‘playing your own game’ only goes so far.

Believe every word.

Jail the grooming gangs and their apologists, you say?

Three Point Lane.

Odeon site I dare say.