Reviewing a Sunday spent in the garden

Flower

Gardening - a term which fills me with dread. I've always hated gardening and everything that goes with it. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike gardens, I appreciate the effort which goes into a garden but I just don't want to bother with all of … [Read more...]

Child benefit, Leveson – a 2012 rant from a Wiltshire mum

Image of a five pound note

As journalists, we are not often able to express opinions about political things - and many of us just don't want to - but today is different. Today I feel the need to say what I think both as a journalist and as a mum - and it's two gripes here: … [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...]

First day back at school – what’s it like for you? From one Swindon mum.

First day at school can seem like a long, uphill slog

Today many children went back to school - as a mum of three, I have three of these days to deal with this year as all three children are at different stages. Today will possibly be the most long-winded and it reminded me of the trauma that many … [Read more...]

Should we put sports’ day photos on social media sites?

school playing field running track

Today was sports day at my children's school. It was a fun day and they did really well. I took some great pics and was all ready to publish them in action on Facebook - didn't really think about it being a problem.   Then a text … [Read more...]

Road users who drive me mad!

picture of a car, side view with one wheel showing

This morning as I drove down a dual carriage way in Swindon - a cyclist, making his way out of town on the other side of the road, crossed the very wide green verge and then crossed in front of two lines of cars on my side of the road. Luckily … [Read more...]