‘Multi-cultural Britain’ started in the 1950s when immigration started from the West Indies. Because many West Indians lived in British colonies and were entitled to come here and live and work. Which they did. Encouraged to do so by shortages in many work sectors, they brought their music, their food and their fabulously laid-back attitude – Read More-
Great Tai Chi class last night. They’re always great but last night Grandmaster Lazlo was away so Guru Graham took over and gave his own take on the finest that eastern philosophy and mystical karma can aspire to, whilst inflicting serious damage on any possible assailants and causing pain and suffering to any would-be attacker. – Read More-
This is Mel in Vienna. Could be New York, Marbella, Ethiopia or Croydon. She sees some sunshine, a chink (I’m allowed to use that word in this context) in the clouds, a glimmer behind a wall, and she’ll turn and face it, anywhere, anytime. And smile. Because the sunshine makes her feel happy. Ahhhhhhh. I – Read More-
I had to look on a map yesterday to find out where, and in fact what, Estonia might be. As a kid I learned my geography of England by the location of the significant football teams. A process that would seem, whilst in my expanded horizons, to be continuing today. The rule is: if they – Read More-
Now here’s a funny thing. Two-and-a-half years ago, whilst walking round Ayers Rock (ok, ‘Oluru’ ya PC pedant) with Bulawayo Johnno, he told me of a film that ‘I simply HAD to see’. Yeah, ain’t they all. It was called ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ and its ‘brilliant’. Yeah, ain’t they all. He gave me a – Read More-
After the news on tv last night came Graham Norton. If you don’t know Graham, its Johnny Carson meets Judy Garland meets Riverdance. Very funny, very gay, very Irish. And generally, I’m not the biggest fan. But he does pull in some majorly A-list guests to abuse and… and… well, what does he do to – Read More-
It was always going to be a battle. There were always destined to be winners and losers. The victors and the vanquished. And the making of history. Though everything makes history; a trip to Sainsburys, having the car washed, taking a piss. We just need to be selective about what gets consigned to the history – Read More-
I hate shopping. I used to enjoy a troll round the high streets, back in the day, the boutiques round Carnaby Street, the novelty shops in Covent Garden, obviously any of the shops in Soho that had curtains on the window and an inflatable doll as the doorman. Then someone standardised the high street. Starbucks. – Read More-
Do you remember the Lib-Dems? Liberal Democrat Party of England, Britain and Cleggland? They used to be a soggy, minor force in politics before they vanished up their own trouser-legs in a rage of indignation and boredom. They died in 2015 when Nick Clegg’s mum decided to vote UKIP and Vince Cable was murdered by – Read More-
Galliano is back. Hooray. The disgraced former head of Dior fashion designer with the stick-on dreadlocks and a distinct dislike of Jews is now chief dressmaker for the label Maison Martin Margiela. You know, that fabulous company who made a dress with, errr, like, hmmm, sleeves and straps and stuff. Anyway, Galliano’s their man. He’s – Read More-