Embed from Getty ImagesThe German occupation of the Channel Islands during the second world war is likely to receive new prominence because of an official inquiry into what happened in those years on Alderney. Unlike the other islands, Alderney was largely cleared of its population and became a prison for slave workers building Hitler's sea defences. A report in the Observer today looks at the tensions between those who believe far more people died on the island than the official account suggests, and those who resent the issue being opened. The paper even managed to find a local who accused ...
Sun 13th
18:04
The Brides in the Bath murderer had a baker's shop in Russell Square, Leicester, and it still stands
On 13 August 1915 - a hundred and eight years ago today - George Joseph Smith, the 'Brides in the Bath killer, was hanged at Maidstone Prison for the murder of three women. When I blogged about Russell Square in Leicester, I knew that Smith had once had a baker's shop there, but not exactly where it had been. Thanks to top local historian Joanne Vigor-Mungovin, who once wrote a guest post here on Joseph Merrick, I now know that it was at 25 Russell Square. Not only that: no. 25 is the former shop building in the photo I ...
This week has seen a landmark Lib Dems policy document published on housing. I believe it's the most detailed statement by the party on housing in a generation, and there is much to admire about it. It has, however, not been greeted by universal acclaim. I've been a construction journalist and conference producer for 18 ... Continue reading Towards a liberal housing policy
I am not going to pretend that I could ever have been a successful baton twirler. My mind was blown apart by the skills and dexterity that I saw on display in Liverpool for nthe last week. Sometimes being Lord ... Continue reading →
Pakistan Pakistan is sliding back into military rule. Actually, it never really left it. The military and its friends in the intelligence services have for decades been the puppet masters pulling the strings of successive nominally democratic governments. Quite often they don't even bother with the veneer. Imran Khan knew this. That is why he came to a modus vivendi with the army early in his premiership. Unfortunately for the cricketing star that arrangement did not last. He tired of both the orders and the corruption and decided to be his own man and clear the Augean Stables. Unfortunately he ...
The Independent reports that an Australian travel firm previously slammed for its handling of Covid quarantine hotels has been quietly handed a £1.6bn contract covering the UK's new asylum accommodation ships. The paper says that Corporate Travel Management (CTM) was put in charge of the lucrative two-year arrangement in February, weeks before the government revealed it would use a barge as its first offshore accommodation for asylum seekers: The contract was awarded directly to CTM without competition, and a lawyer with knowledge of the system said the government had pushed a wider deal originally drawn up for official travel "beyond ...
Sinner is the second single from The Last Dinner Party, who are the 'UK's most exciting new band', according to Hannah Zwick on uDiscoverMusic: Riding high after their debut Glastonbury performance, UK five-piece The Last Dinner Party has shared its second single, Sinner. Produced by frequent Arctic Monkeys collaborator James Ford, Sinner builds on the atmosphere the group introduced listeners to with their debut single, Nothing Matters. With punctuated vocals and dramatic hooks, the band has already established a clear identity. Guitarist Lizzie Mayland reflected on Sinner, explaining: "Sinner is a story of self-acceptance, and the longing for the past ...
Residents will recall that, a few weeks ago, Fraser had a site visit around Greater Balgay with two senior environment managers from the City Council and the Chair of West End Community Council to look at issues needing attended to. We have since also had further concerns about the planet trail where much of the greenery needed trimmed back (see photos) and we have received an assurance this will be attended to. We have also received concerns about the overgrowth from Balgay Hill northwards towards Ancrum Drive and we also raised this with the council. The Greenspace Team Leader (Environment) ...
