A scrapbook for my life
My brief encounter with a notorious villain I once spent half a day with John Mcvicar, the armed robber and notorious prison breaker. He had committed various offences during his criminal career in the 1960s and 70s including armed robbery, a series of crimes which once earned him the title of the most dangerous man …
The ultimate comeback tour? News that scientists are aiming to bring back the long deceased Dodo by crossing its DNA with that of a Nicobar pigeon in a Jurassic Park style revival of long extinct animals has been met with interest in the senior echelons of the conservative party. The tories’ fortunes have sunk so …
Churchill rides again; why love needs nuts; don’t wake up and smell the coffee; and a love letter to London. Listen to the podcast here
Philosophy takes to the streets During the first lockdown a friend of mine in America challenged me to produce a rap song about the philosopher Jeremy Bentham. Don’t ask me why it’s a long story. So here goes ... My name is Bentham but you can call me Ben or JerryI’m the real thinking deal …
Sixty four years of capital passion As a very young man with a five shilling Red Rover I adventured with friends from Whitehall to CamdenVia that technological miracle of yours, the Post Office Tower.I was schooled opposite the walls of Greenwich park and thrown out of the flower gardens for playing football.I took one of …
Better get a move on … With the death of Bernard Cribbins last year it is only appropriate that his most notable work - the song Right Said Fred - should receive renewed critical acclaim. It is a deep and meaningful piece, often misunderstood, with both political and existential domains. In terms of economy it …
Why eating cultured people could be the next big thing There are many inventions that are always promised but never seem to arrive, or at least not quite in the way we had imagined. Examples include a universal cure for all cancers and a hover board of the kind that they have in Back to …
Eyecatching 