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Helene Hanff: Beyond ’84 Charing Cross Road’ – for We Are Cult

I’ve written a piece for the splendid We Are Cult, about the books of Helene Hanff. Here’s a link: http://wearecult.rocks/helene-hanff-beyond-84-charing-cross-road If you’re interested in movies, TV, music or books that are a little off the beaten path from the bestsellers, please have a browse round the We Are Cult site. There are some really goodContinue reading “Helene Hanff: Beyond ’84 Charing Cross Road’ – for We Are Cult”

Tip-top Tip

A version of this article was originally published in the Isle of Man Examiner. The other day I was reading the health column of a glossy magazine. It was something to do while waiting for my takeaway order to be ready. The theme of the article was ‘purification’ and it was packed with charmingly unscientificContinue reading “Tip-top Tip”

Book review: ‘Until the Manxmen are driven away’.

UNTIL THE MANXMEN ARE DRIVEN AWAY – The Selected Poems of Paul Lebiedzinski Ramsey poet Paul Lebiedzinski has finally had his work published in book form, 25 years after his death at the distressingly young age of 43. Culture Vannin have continued their interesting and vital work in expanding the popular idea of what ManxContinue reading “Book review: ‘Until the Manxmen are driven away’.”

Out of the Snow

A version of this essay originally appeared in the book You And Who Else. I don’t know what school dinners are like these days; rather nice, I imagine. Campaigns of recent years have shown how it’s possible to provide a tasty, nutritious midday meal, while keeping within stretched education budgets. I like to picture schoolContinue reading “Out of the Snow”

The Pre-Loved Paperbacks of Peel

A version of this article was originally published in the Isle of Man Examiner. A favourite bit of comfort reading for me is 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. If you don’t know it, then I urge you to seek out a copy as soon as you can. It’s an absolutely charming true lifeContinue reading “The Pre-Loved Paperbacks of Peel”

Mr Kermode’s Elk

A slightly different version of this article was first published in the Isle of Man Examiner. In 1897, a man named Philip Kermode found an elk in the Isle of Man. As he was chairman of the Isle of Man Elk Committee at the time, this made him very happy. Well, I say ‘happy’, butContinue reading “Mr Kermode’s Elk”