About more than just the music
The single most boring and pointless thing that is ever said about rock and pop — and it always comes…
The Manx Liberty Masters
I sat on the plane to the Isle of Man, leafing through a copy of Nigel Short’s new book, Winning.…
Alan key
Given my affection for M*A*S*H, I can’t think why I haven’t listened to Alan Alda’s podcasts before now, besides the…
Going for Goldberg
I sometimes think the classical record industry would collapse if it weren’t for the Goldberg Variations. Every month brings more…
A script to raise whirlwinds
Boy meets girl. Girl gets pregnant. Then the entire world collapses. That’s the story of Camp Siegfried, which is set…
Cooking the books
In Competition No. 3218, you were invited to supply a recipe as it might have been written by the author…
2525: Prime Times
The unclued lights (individually or as two pairs), one of three words and three of two words, can be preceded…
Puzzle No. 673
White to play. This was a variation which could arise in the game R. Pert–M. Parligras, Manx Liberty Masters 2021.…
Low life
To lessen the side effects of chemotherapy I am prescribed a corticosteroid. I take a whopping dose around the treatment…
Irn Bru
There aren’t many countries where Coca-Cola isn’t the most popular drink. Scotland is one of them. And unlike some of…
Solution to 2523: Monstrous regiment
The unclued Across lights can be preceded by MISS and the unclued Down lights. MRS 2/15D is the pair. First…
England’s shameful betrayal of Pakistan
Any English person with a love of cricket knows life has its ups and downs. But until now we have…
Portrait of the week
Home The crisis of the week was a shortage of fuel at garages. ‘There is no need for people to…
Letters
Parish problems Sir: Emma Thompson draws attention to a serious problem in the Church of England (‘Power to the parish’,…
Writer’s notebook
Whenever I give talks to children about my books they always ask who inspired me to be a writer. I…
In search of refuge
Hardly a day goes by without headlines about immigrants, asylum-seekers and refugees. In the ancient world, movements of people were…
A love-late relationship
‘Dad, why is it that whenever we go anywhere, we’re always running to catch a train?’ asked Charlie, my 13-year-old.…
Dear Mary: Your problems solved
Q. I have recently become a widow. Since my son is away at university, I had the idea of charging…
The real Greek
Lemonia lives in the old Chalk Farm Tavern in Primrose Hill, which is better known as the set of Paddington.…
Perfect storm
When my husband’s whisky glass fell off the little table next to his chair on to next door’s cat, which…
