Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Words of the year are bit of a worry
Roger Crutchley, Published on 07/12/2025
» More words or phrases of the year have been drifting in courtesy of the major dictionaries and I'm afraid most of them are not particularly encouraging. In fact some are a disturbing indication of the direction in which the English language and society are heading.
Windsor Castle back in the limelight
Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/09/2025
» Windsor Castle has been in the news this week for reasons that require no explanation. Suffice to say the Brits are still quite good at putting on a show with plenty of horses, hats and bagpipes.
Watch your step these stormy nights
Roger Crutchley, Published on 18/05/2025
» The rainstorms during the past week have been really refreshing. They've cooled things down a bit which is quite a relief after perspiring my way through April. I also appreciate the accompanying rolling thunder which provides a stirring theatrical soundtrack for the rain sloshing down. It's just another reminder of how powerful Mother Nature can be.
Sad tale of a sycamore and a chainsaw
Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/10/2023
» Every now and again there is a news story that leaves you scratching your head prompting the question "What were they thinking?" That was my reaction on reading of the destruction by vandals of an iconic sycamore tree in the northern England county of Northumberland.
Lots of promises as big day approaches
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 02/04/2023
» With the Great Event, otherwise known as election day, just around the corner, like most countries in the world we will have to brace ourselves for regular helpings of political poppycock including plenty of promises from prospective candidates. Still, it could be fun.
It's important to know your onions
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/02/2023
» There was a news photograph recently in which a Filipina bride in Iloilo on the island of Panay carried a bouquet of onions down the aisle rather than flowers. She explained that while flowers would soon be thrown away the onions would last and ensure the newlyweds have something to eat in the ensuing weeks. Now that is a practical housewife.
Is Bangkok in danger of getting greener?
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 19/06/2022
» There is a decent-sized tree just over the wall at the back of my house in Bangkok which provides welcome shade. So I was a bit concerned the other day when workers from the local administration rolled up armed with a chainsaw, explaining the tree was threatening overhead electricity cables.
Tea for two and a sandwich at the Palace
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 12/06/2022
» There seems to be a consensus in Britain that the best moment of the Jubilee was Paddington Bear taking afternoon tea with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.
In Britain it helps to be a little eccentric
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 30/01/2022
» Last week's column concerning traditional British food unfortunately failed to mention one of the highlights of the year, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championships, held every September in Ramsbottom, near Manchester. It dates back to the Wars of the Roses in the 15th century between the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose).
Don't worry, be happy … like the Finns
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 28/03/2021
» For the second year running Thailand was ranked 54th in the UN-sponsored World Happiness Report which covers 149 countries. It seems that although we have not quite descended into the depths of Les Miserables, Thai people are not exactly dancing in the streets with joy either. However, considering the Covid situation, one suspects there's not one country in the world that is particularly happy.