Sunday book review – the Sacred Combe by Simon Barnes

Simon Barnes’s new book is a very readable collection of stories, memories and short essays on places that are important to him – all with a strong link to the natural world. I enjoyed reading them. And I enjoyed the illustrations by Pam Guhrs-Carr too. I wasn’t completely convinced that the book deserved the handicap…

You are in charge – stand a tip-toe

On Tuesday evening, as you know, I spoke in Glossop and one question that came up, which quite often comes up, is the question of the great power of the rich landowners to get their way. When a lady asks the question it is usually along the lines of ‘Won’t it be difficult to ban…

A bit of a round up

five MPs were treated to a day’s shooting by BASC, to the value of £772 each. The five MPs were the chair of the all-party shooting and conservation (ho! ho!) group, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP (Con, Cotswolds), Bill Wiggin MP (Con, North Herefordshire), Sir Edward Garnier (Con, Harborough, former Solicitor General), Graham Brady MP (Con, Altrincham…

Topsy-turvy progress

I was speaking in Glossop on Tuesday evening so I set off for a leisurely drive on Tuesday morning. Rather than take the fastest route I took something approximating to the shortest route, but added quite a few wiggles: the nice thing was I had plenty of time, it was a sunny day and there…