Showing 1 - 10 of 23
Cornflakes, cats and grizzly bears
Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/03/2026
» Readers are no doubt aware that the official codename for the current US action in the Middle East is Operation Epic Fury which admittedly sounds more like the title of a martial arts B movie. It should not be confused with Operation Urgent Fury, the name given to the US invasion of Grenada back in 1983 during the Reagan administration. Israel incidentally has its own name for the current mission, Operation Roaring Lion.
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.
The bombers that look like giant bats
Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/06/2025
» Anyone who has observed those B-2 Stealth bombers used by the US in Iran last week will be aware of the unique futuristic design that some say makes them resemble giant bats. Opinion is divided on whether these planes are an inspired example of beautiful modern engineering and technology or just plain ugly. They certainly look a bit sinister, but then so do most planes designed for dropping bombs.
Probably the saga to end all sagas
Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/06/2025
» The latest nationwide crackdown on motorcyclists not wearing crash helmets kicked off on June 1. Whether it will prove more effective than countless previous campaigns remains to be seen. But don't hold your breath.
Maybe it's time to look on the bright side
Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/01/2025
» It is that time of the year when columnists are expected to make a few pertinent predictions concerning what could be in store for the next 12 months. However, things are so unpredictable at the moment that even Nostradamus would struggle to come up with a half-decent forecast. We are also entering the Year of the Snake which is not particularly comforting.
A headline that went around the world
Oped, Roger Crutchley, Published on 21/01/2024
» There has recently been some discussion concerning the quirky law that bans the sale of alcohol in supermarkets and restaurants from 2pm to 5pm and also before 11am.
The train robbery that gripped a nation
Roger Crutchley, Published on 20/08/2023
» Last week on television I watched the two-part series The Great Train Robbery, an intriguing account of the audacious heist that made headlines in Britain all those years ago. It slowly dawned on me that this month is the 60th anniversary of that extraordinary robbery which took place on August 8, 1963, on the Royal Mail train from Glasgow to London. Frightening how time flies.
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).
Nothing wrong with snoozing in Snoring
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 01/08/2021
» One of the first things a visitor to Thailand is asked is probably what town they come from back home. My response of Reading invariably brings blank looks, so I usually add "just west of London" which admittedly doesn't make things any clearer. It would be nice if I came from a place that sounded a trifle more intriguing, such as the wonderful Nempnett Thrubwell in Somerset or Booby Dingle in Herefordshire.
There's no excuse to be lost for words
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 06/06/2021
» It is always nice to come across new words and last week I discovered a tiny treasure trove of fancy locution thanks to the Grandiloquent website which specialises in flowery, but genuine language. Grandiloquent means a "pompous or extravagant style of language" and there is plenty of that about.