There will be a general election in a few months. I began to think about what this democracy thing really is. Why do we have governments anyway?
Originally a leader would undertake to protect his people from marauding gangs in return for food, some service or labour. This is still the foundation of government but the protection has now extended to flood, fire, famine, our fellow man disease and poverty. In return we pay taxes. [Read more…] about Democracy – More Than Just A Vote?
Chandler’s Ford is changing. Recent changes are in its centre, wherever that is, its public buildings, new community halls, library, parks, shops and recreational facilities. Even Eastleigh Borough Council has recently moved into new premises.
Less obvious but marching slowly on are changes in its older residential areas. [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Changes. What’s Your View?
It’s surprising what scientific principles are illustrated when taking a shower. Here are three that I have observed recently:
Do you remember those 1980s showers that were fed (via the hot water cylinder) from the cold water cistern in the roof? The cold water storage tank was only a few feet above the shower, so there was insufficient water pressure to give a decent flow at the shower. [Read more…] about Shower Science
I normally do not write about current emotive news on this site, but the story of Ashya King is so compelling that I feel I have a duty to share what I know about the children cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital.
Twelve years ago, my son was treated at Piam Brown Ward, children’s oncology and haematology centre for the Wessex region, based at Southampton General Hospital. This was the same ward that had also treated Ashya King, [Read more…] about Life In Children Cancer Ward At Southampton General Hospital
Today I would like to talk about … shopping.
On Friday, a new WH Smith opened in Chandler’s Ford, where I live. This added yet more stationery and more newspapers to a stationery and newspaper filled arcade.
I think, in order to be more varied, Chandler’s Ford needs to be [Read more…] about Chandler’s Ford Needs Better Shops!
Yesterday morning my mum told me about a major crisis happening in the Middle East, and during breakfast the radio switched to the news. I was expecting news on the Middle East conflict. But, the main news story was…
Germany beating Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup. [Read more…] about What News Is The Most Important?
Sri Lanka is not a place for haute cuisine but if you enjoy fresh and exotic fruits and the complex favours of curries you will be happy with the culinary experience.
Thanks to a homesick Victorian Scottish tea estate manager, there are all the familiar European vegetables grown in the highland area around Nuwara Eliya where the climate, at 5000 feet above sea level is similar to UK. [Read more…] about Sri Lankan Food
This was a big wedding even by Sri Lankan standards.
Some 480 guest met to celebrate the nuptials of Pavithi Weerasinghe with Udara Rajanayake, both physics graduates from the University of Peradeniya. [Read more…] about Sri Lankan Wedding
I was surprised the vicar started his sermon last Sunday with the news of England’s defeat, with additional updates from Facebook. The fervour of the World Cup is all consuming, and it is almost impossible to escape from the excitement and passion around us. Even God had to come second.
The only footballer I know of is David Beckham. In March 2013, David Beckham lifted up his shirt to show off his Chinese tattoo (and torso) at Peking [Read more…] about David Beckham’s Chinese Tattoo
The head of my department at the University took on two foreign students but he did not have the patience to supervise them. He wondered how the young, green lecturer would cope. I came to be supervisor of two Egyptian men ‘of mature years’ as it is quaintly put. That is, older than most students reading for higher degrees.
It took them a while to overcome the culture shock and get their English up to a reasonable standard. [Read more…] about Immigrants
Something that visitors to Britain find confusing (apparently) is our system of house numbering. You hear anecdotes such as “I was looking for number 127, so walked down the even side of the street to 126 and crossed over. But the house opposite 126 wasn’t 127 at all. It was 233 – I’d missed 127 half a mile back”.
It’s quite simple really. Buildings are numbered in sequential order, odds on one side and evens on the other. [Read more…] about Peculiar British House Numbering System
The Sunday Times had an interesting article last week about a survey. Young people were asked: Who embodies Britain?
There are some pretty interesting choices, some obvious ones and some questionable ones. Let’s take a look…
The person who embodies the nation the most is, of course, the Queen. 63% of young people thought she embodied Britain perfectly, followed by [Read more…] about Who Embodies The Nation?
Isn’t meeting someone you’ve always wanted to meet just so cool? Not just celebrities, but people from the past or fictional characters like Batman? Imagine how cool it would be to meet Batman!
But today, I’m going to be talking about people who I’ve always wanted to meet. And luckily, I’ve met a few! OK, only two. Technically three. [Read more…] about People I Want To Meet
Note: The writer of this post is 13 years old.
Today’s post isn’t going to be a coherent one, but – as you guessed, a rant. But it’s a rant I’m sure everyone can agree with, especially drivers.
As I can’t drive, I don’t know many problems about driving and silly motorists, [Read more…] about Be Safe: The Story Of Fred And Jim
The Fall of Singapore happened on the 15th of February, 1942, on the Chinese New Year day. It was the largest surrender of British-led forces in history.
Singapore was supposed to be an impregnable fortress.
Older people in Singapore and Malaysia still remember the hardship [Read more…] about From The Fall Of Singapore To Prosperity
As we are still in the Christmas season, I’ve decided to take a look at a character in the Nativity story who I think is quite underrated.
Judging by the title, you should know who I’m talking about. [Read more…] about Why Joseph Is Underrated
