Tag Archives: UK

The Climate Emergency is Very Real

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I have been back in Norwich for a month and there has still been virtually no rain. Day after day the skies have been clear, and the garden has steadily grown more and more desiccated. Fortunately, we have a number of large trees that are surviving and presumably will make it through. This means, at least, the garden is cool.

There is no doubt we are facing a climate emergency and it is really depressing to see how much denial there is about this. I do understand the feelings of helplessness that many have when faced with this inexorable crisis. The only way to deal with it is to come together and hold everyone, especially governments and capitalists, to account. That requires leadership across countries as well as within them.

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Drought looms, fires burn

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I spent just under three months in Durban and returned to England over the last weekend in July. There was virtually no rain in Durban, and while it is the dry season, this was exceptional. We know, thanks to El Nino, there is an impending drought across Southern Africa. This dry spell suggests it may be severe, perhaps even the worst since 1983/84.

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Xenophobia, football and books

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I am not sure why I didn’t get this written and posted before the end of June. There have been a few things going on, the World Cup for example, although I have not been paying that much attention to it. I am saddened that South Africa got knocked out but pleased that they got as far as they did. I hope that England continues their run of success. Mind you by the time you see this posting they may not be in the running anymore!

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Meeting Movers and Shakers in London

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I am putting my fingers to the keyboard a little ahead of schedule this month. I wanted to get this blog out before I travelled to South Africa at the end of April. Those plans changed, as I describe later. I’ve had an interesting couple of weeks and am writing while it is still fresh in my mind.

I am a member of the UK board of the organisation ForAfrika. Just over a week ago I was invited to a small gathering of board members in London. The CEO, Isak Pretorious, hosted a dinner in the Conduit Club. It is quite unique, its members are concerned with making a difference, and I think they do.

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End of March

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I have had a busy time this month. Wednesday, 18th March, was my birthday, a big one as I turned 70. I decided as it was, obviously, a once in a lifetime experience, I would organise several celebratory events. On the day Rowan, my daughter, Ailsa and I went out for lunch to Cafe 33, a popular venue in Norwich. Rowan brought Ledger, our grandchild, of course. He is now seven months old, and I will admit to having the grandparent prejudice of thinking he is exceptionally smart and good looking.

I had never been to this venue but had noted that it is very popular, with queues outside the door, even in winter! I now understand why. The food is excellent and the prices extremely reasonable. The exterior is not very inviting, the frontage is on a busy city street and it is not easily accessible. Once we were in it was really special.

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On by-elections and birds

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On Friday 27th February we woke to hear the results of a by-election in the constituency of Gorton and Denton in the Manchester area of the UK. By-elections are called when an MP has resigned, been forced to leave, or died. This seat had been held by the ruling Labour party, whose MP was dismissed for writing offensive messages on WhatsApp.

The poll was seen as a key test of the political winds in the nation. The turnout was 47.5%, I don’t think that is high enough, but it was very respectable for a by-election. I personally feel voting should be compulsory, something which is enforced in Australia, and there should be consequences if people don’t vote.

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On Films and Books

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A couple of weeks ago Douglas and I went to see the movie Hamnet, which is based on the book of the same name by Maggie O’Farrell. Hamnet was William Shakespeare’s only son who died of the bubonic plague aged 11. He contracted it after his twin, Judith, fell ill with it. In the film he lay next to her and asks God to spare her and take him instead. This is what happens, he dies and she recovers.

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What will 2026 bring?

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This monthly update was started a couple of days before the new year. I finalised it just after New Year’s Day, but took a few days to proofread it.

I find the period between Christmas and the new year to be rather melancholic. However, Christmas day was unique and very special as Rowan, Ben and four-month-old Ledger joined us for lunch. Of course, Ledger does not have much idea about what is going on, but it was a joy and delight to have the little boy present. He is as bright as a button and is beginning to smile and chuckle (although not at me yet!). He has turned into a little person very quickly and clearly has strong opinions.

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The dog days of August

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A goal of my blogging is to not write too much that is personal. However, this month I must break that rule. A couple of weeks ago my daughter gave birth to her first child, and therefore our first grandchild. The boy and mother are doing well, and we have seen them briefly. This new life is quite miraculous. I had forgotten how tiny and fragile newborns are!

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Durban winter is the best time of the year

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I have just had 10 glorious weeks in Durban. I travelled over in mid-May and came back to the UK at the end of July. I barely left Durban during this period. The only trip from the city was to Hilton, just outside Pietermaritzburg for lunch with people who attended Waterford. Most were a year or two younger than me, and I had not seen some for more than 50 years. It affirmed the value of the Waterford education and values for all of us.

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