Titanic – what does the story mean to you? Review my thoughts….

How much would you pay for a set of keys?...

Titanic! No not the film - I couldn't bear to watch it again - no, for me, it's the real story which is captivating me as the 100th anniversary of  the sinking looms. Through this wonderful job that I do, I've recently spoken to a man who's an … [Read more...]

Disabled? In receipt of benefits? Need social care?

Are there any thorny questions around these laws?

This is a different sort of blog for me - it's my journalist head trying to get at the truth of the matter, so this will be particularly relevant to you if you are disabled, in receipt of benefits or in need of social care. Two important pieces of … [Read more...]

Should our press be free – or not? Review my thoughts…

Don't restrict the Press.....

This week I was asked to fill in a survey about press freedom and the phone-hacking scandal. It's part of a study by a university which is questioning journalists across Europe about their views on the issue of regulation of the Press. Those of … [Read more...]

Shopping in cities – it’s the parking, stupid!

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Sometimes it takes an expert to state the obvious to get those in power to take notice. This morning retail guru Mary Portas did just that by mentioning parking charges as one of the main reasons why many of us no longer use the high street. It’s … [Read more...]

9/11 Ten years on – terror attack or not?

Ten years after 9/11 - Question Time

Question Time has returned and they are talking about 9/11 - not surprising given this weekend's tenth anniversary. But just before that on BBC3 was a programme involving a group of young people being taken around America who were all convinced … [Read more...]

WHAT ABOUT THE RIOTS?

Police worry about some children who are out of control

Watching the news tonight and I listened to the mum of 13-year-old boy justifying why her son went to the riots with a hammer strapped to his leg. He wasn't rioting, but he was there. The hammer was for his own protection. She was lamenting the … [Read more...]

WHAT ABOUT THE RIOTS?

Have you seen the mob mentality close up?

I'm listening to Question Time talking about riots as I'm writing this. Here in Swindon, for three evenings in a row there has been rumour and counter-rumour about trouble in the town centre. To my knowledge, nothing's happened.   Shops … [Read more...]

Round-up of news – no, it’s not about phone hacking!

We've raised millions for needy in Africa so far....

So the hacking saga goes on with resignations and revelations galore - with all other news disappearing out of sight. It's a shame that everything hinges around this, even though it is important. It just feels like it completely obliterates other … [Read more...]