The Old Friary

Dear Maria, Nadezhda and Ekaterina, I can’t imagine how you are feeling at the moment as you begin the astoundingly unfair and disproportionate prison sentence that has been handed out to you. It might cheer you to know that so many people around the world are thinking of you and doing what they can, through […]

Power, responsibility and all that… Every now and again, what with me being what I am (a human), I find myself hurled into the teeth of some sort of twitterstorm. Either I get a bit cross with someone ( or “throw my toys out of the pram” and “have a hissy fit” as some would […]

Greece is the Word I have a modest proposal that might simultaneously celebrate the life of Christopher Hitchens, strengthen Britain’s low stock in Europe and allow us to help a dear friend in terrible trouble. Perhaps the most beautiful and famous monument in the world is the Doric masterpiece atop the citadel, or Acropolis, of […]

Don’t Bragg It was a great surprise to receive a letter some months ago from Lord Bragg (he of unimpeachable Melvynous South Banksy fame) asking if I might consider taking over from him as President of the charity MIND. Only a few years ago MIND had paid me the great compliment of appointing me their […]

Welcome to Norwich: A Fine City An open letter to all who despise sport and most especially football My love of all kinds of sport surprises nobody more than myself. I do not think there has ever been a schoolboy with such overmastering contempt, fear, dread, loathing, and hatred for “games” – for sport, exercise, […]