Month: June 2026
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IT’S a year ago since the Day of the Jackal thriller writer Frederick Forsyth died and when I wrote this blog on Britain’s shame and Whitehall’s vanity during what is sometimes coined the Biafran War. In modern times, it is hard to explain the Cold War paranoia of the Sixties and Seventies so some of…
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By HILARY GAVIN ONCE again I’m a day behind with my self-imposed schedule posting my weekly local commentary Facebook round-up page. In truth, I was too tired, grouchy and upset yesterday to think clearly and rationally so I had to rest up. Thankfully, I slept well and I woke up this morning thinking about the…
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By HILARY GAVIN OKAY, I admit it. I weep over sentimental dog movies. Marley & Me, A Dog’s Purpose, Snow Dogs, they’ve all seen me dissolve into tears over time. So it’s no surprise that I blubbed uncontrollably whilst watching the 2024 Mark Wahlberg film Arthur, the King on Netflix one evening last week. You…
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By HILARY GAVIN IF THERE is one scene that sums up the central message of the 1980s’ movie Educating Rita, it is – for me – when the titular character Rita, a working-class Open University student, can’t open the door to her university tutor’s study. It’s been many years since I last watched the film…