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Why Pele was such a joy to watch
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 08/01/2023
» All week there have been eloquent tributes to the great Brazilian footballer Pele. The news of Pele's death came too late for last week's column but I would like to offer a belated salute, however inadequate, to this man who provided such joy to my generation. Just like Muhammad Ali in boxing, Pele transcended his own sport to become a figure of international standing.
'Flying comma' suffers a bumpy landing
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 15/12/2019
» Although it didn't make the headlines, there was a small item of news last week that will sadden those who treasure the English language. It looks like the poor old apostrophe is coming to a full stop. Finally admitting defeat, the chairman of Britain's Apostrophe Protection Society dedicated to preserving the much-abused punctuation mark, threw in the towel and announced it was all over, stating "the ignorance and laziness in modern times have won".
The day the tree came tumbling down
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 13/05/2018
» Last week I suffered the distressing experience of watching the biggest tree in my garden be chopped down to a stump. The tree had been there for a decade, growing rapidly every year, and it felt almost like losing a favourite pet. I should explain that although I love trees, this arboreal assault was given my reluctant approval as the tree had grown to a such a height that if it came down in a storm it would demolish half of the house. All the same, I felt very uncomfortable watching it being hacked away branch by branch.