The news that Simon Mann is being released from his confinement in a deep dark African jail is no doubt cheering for his family, but probably less so for the likes of Mark Thatcher who will no doubt be rueing the day that he ‘paid for an air ambulance’. Mann’s remarkable ability not to remain tight lipped will surely result in some candid remarks to newspapers in weeks to come. But surely, one might think Mann is something of a one off, an unusual case, there can’t be ... Read Full Story

About a year and a half ago, or perhaps a bit more I began to be intrigued by a guy called Saoirse who was planning to walk to India in a kind of pilgrimage to spread the word of the ‘freeconomy’ where people give things to one another without using the usual trading mechanism of money. Poor old Saoirse you may remember got as far as France, where unfortunately his caper came to a sad end when he realised he couldnt speak French, and the French realised he had no money to travel ... Read Full Story

What is new monasticism? What is the difference between monks and friars? And are we heading for a 1930s revival? The/my answers to all these questions, plus a competition and a joke are all to be found in the following article… In the 1930s much of the world was gripped by a severe financial downturn, this downturn was one of the factors which (arguably) precipitated the rise of right wing politics, and even the second World War. But it also precipitated a birth of a wave of ‘New... Read Full Story

Norman Painting 1924 – 2009 A very fine actor, and a legend of radio drama. I’m always sad when someone in The Archers dies, dont know why. But I know my sadness is nothing compared to what his family must be feeling, they can I hope be comforted a little by the knowledge that his work was appreciated by so many. Read Full Story

Yeah ok, it doesnt quite have that same Christmas time ring to it, but unless you happen to have an open fire handy (not in this flat mate) it’s a good deal more practical. If you are living tramp style, with a campfire and a load of chestnuts, try sticking them in a pan over the fire and cooking them like that, yum yum. Anyway, for those of us without campfires to hand… So you want to know what to do with those windfall chestnuts you scrounged? In fact there’s plenty you ca... Read Full Story

Vampire weekend are a band that I really rate, they mix a wide selection of musical styles and quirky lyrics, and make fantastic tunes. The first song I heard of theirs which really made me prick up my ears was Cape Cod Kwasa Kwasa, which is a really great tune. More recently though I’ve been thrilled to hear Horchata, which is just a superb tune. Its on the forthcoming album ‘Contra’ which is released in January 2010, but you dont have to wait (or pay) to get the song, it&... Read Full Story

Following on from reflections on pioneer lifestyles and ministries over recent months, I read that David Hieatt is leaving the company he founded, Howies. For those who dont know, Howies is a kind of Green Urban Sports clothing company, they make stuff for cyclists, skaters and so on, and perhaps most notably for those who want to look like cyclists and skaters. The great thing about Howies was, for me, their independence, their ability to stick it to the man while still working inside the sy... Read Full Story

We had a wonderful weekend up in Scotland with my feckless brother and his much better half, he seems to be doing alright I suppose… And then on to see two sets of good friends before we came home, one of the people we went to see I have known about as long as said feckless brother, a big difference being she’s not feckless… they are both teachers though… spooky. Crashed back in to getting work done today, despite the kids still being on holiday, went to see someone t... Read Full Story

I have been meaning to say, a big congratulations to SAM119 artist Steve Beckett, who has been working on his first Beano strip. As a lifelong fan of the Beano, its a great thrill for him to be able to do some work for it – all being well Steve’s work should appear in the 2011 Beano annual. Well done mate. More preview artwork from the new SAM119 title ‘Zeke’ soon I hope. Read Full Story

This week has been pretty mental, I was in Wales at the start of the week, and back home on monday evening, with plenty of work to get done. Havent even managed to get out to the allotment until I took the compost down this morning. So I am very much looking forward to a couple of days away visiting my brother and his lovely wife in bonny Scotland, land of my birth, and hopefully seeing some other friends on the way back home. I hope you have a lovely and peaceful weekend… Read Full Story