March 2020 – Stephen Liddell

Coronavirus Diary 9 – Of Geese, Parrots, hoarders and spam!

No matter how early I wake up, the day truly gets underway here in a typically village sort of way. Every morning at dawn I hear a gaggle of geese fly directly over my cottage. There are lots of ponds and lakes relatively nearby; I can see the trees that surrounded the nearest one to… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 9 – Of Geese, Parrots, hoarders and spam!

Spitting Image is back!

It was announced last week that one of my favourite television programmes when growing up is to make a return. To people of a certain age, Spitting Image was an unmissable programme with up to 15 million people tuning in to watch the current affairs of the week being re-enacted by large rubber puppets. By… Continue reading Spitting Image is back!

Coronavirus Diary 7 – I may well be going mad, well more mad anyway.

How is everyone? We all still here? That’s good. As I thought would be the case, some old fashioned values and community spirit have been returning. I’ve been penned inside my home for a month or two really on top of the official 12 week ban I have on going outside except in dire emergencies.… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 7 – I may well be going mad, well more mad anyway.

Coronavirus Diary 6 – The state owes me thousands, why don’t they know who I am?

It’s been a long day or so. As I rush head-first towards bankruptcy I attempted to make use of a minor law change to allow people such as myself claim just over £90 a week, in stark contrast to everyone else who can claim up to almost £3,000 a month. I waited on line for… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 6 – The state owes me thousands, why don’t they know who I am?

Cornish D-Day Veteran Harry Billinge (94) gets his MBE & meets the Queen.

Last year I made a memorable on The Endcliffe Park Memorial in Sheffield & the incredible devotion of Tony Foulds. Recently a D-Day veteran who raised more than £25,000 towards the cost of building a national memorial honouring his fallen comrades has become an MBE. Incredibly despite having a key role in the Normandy landings,… Continue reading Cornish D-Day Veteran Harry Billinge (94) gets his MBE & meets the Queen.

Coronavirus Diary 5 – You look like a man!

I hope everyone is well and not been driven totally bonkers yet. I’ve been pretty much on lockdown for almost 2 months now although only the last week or so has been due to the Coronavirus. I am both well-settled into a routine and a little bored. I’m not too bothered by the virus today… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 5 – You look like a man!

The Queen homes in on being the longest serving monarch in history

Last week Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the fourth longest-serving monarch today, surpassing legendary Mayan ruler Pakal the Great. The Queen has surpassed K’inich Janaab Pakal who ruled the Mayan city state of Palenque for 68 years and 33 days before his death in 683AD. The Queen obviously holds several records including her title as the longest-living… Continue reading The Queen homes in on being the longest serving monarch in history

Coronavirus Diary 4 – From Boris with love.

I’m a bit cold today as I write this. Despite it almost being April, it’s only about 6 degrees C outside (42F) and I am a bit nippy especially as the windows have been ajar since 7am to let some fresh air in and I generally only have the house heated to about 17 degrees… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 4 – From Boris with love.