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Cock-ups, not conspiracies, are bane of the Press
Many years ago, a young trainee journalist was sent to the house of a well-known vicar in his patch, who had been the subject of a substantial burglary.
Forget The Clash, birdsong is now music to my ears
Why am I in a field with 20 pensioners, all of us going brr, brr, brr, brr brrrrrrrrrr in unison? What a vision is this cagouled collective of hip replacements and walking sticks moving in unison through the church meadow making bizarre sounds.
How my beautiful game morphed into a Teutonic hell
If you want the tickets, you'll have to be quick, I was told; others are waiting if you don't snap them up. And so it came to pass that I have bought the most expensive tickets I have ever paid for to watch a football match.
Best show on the box gives us all a good challenge
I only watch one programme on TV these days, apart that is from the footie. I'm hooked on University Challenge. Have been for years.
Why you should never forget importance of memory
Look at the date. It's April 17. Where did the year go already? What happened to, let's say, February 25? What was I doing. I can't remember. I've just looked it up on the calendar to find it was a Monday. A bit grim then, probably.
Thanks Maggie, for teaching us hedonistic teens to think
I was 16 when Margaret Thatcher came to power. We didn't know what had hit us.
Never the Dane, but Uncle Monty you were still the best
Chin, chin Uncle Monty. You were the best. Your words, phrases and philosophies will live on, repeated by future generations of film fans stumbling across one of the finest British movies ever made.
How I enjoyed some shamrock 'n' roll with Obama
Look, I'm not trying to boast, but I did go to Washington last week for work and wound up at the White House while the world's most powerful man made a speech two feet away from me.
Actor's heinous crimes a moral dilemma for film fans
It is one of the most electrifying scenes in cinematic history.
Dying star shines as brightly as in his feelgood prime
So, should you go to see an artist perform just because he's dying? I'm in Portsmouth at the weekend and a mate has a spare ticket to see the legendary rhythm and blues man Wilko Johnson play on his farewell tour.
Why I'll never say Auf Wiedersehen to true Kraftsmen
Ever seen a grown man cry live in 3D? If you had been at the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall in London last Wednesday night you would have done.
How technology is robbing us of any sense of value
At a breakfast business meeting a social media snake-oil salesman selling golden visions of the future tells his audience how they can unlock untold riches by joining the digital revolution.
No way I'm ducking out of this Bird Watch challenge
I never imagined it would come to this. Not back in the era of late nights, post-punk trousers, gelled quiffs and fight-the-world attitudes. That I'd be sitting in my back garden, taking part in the RSPB's Bird Watch survey weekend, I mean.
Who will play heroes and villains in Lance Armstrong saga?
Who's going to play Lance in the inevitable film? I was pondering this the other day while grinding my way to work through the 17 sets of traffic lights (regular readers will know of my feeling on this) that blight the two-mile city-centre journey from my home to the office.
I can't break my addiction to a deadly white powder
It's January, so thoughts turn to avoiding all the dieting advice that clutters up newspapers. I've taken a bit more interest this year for, though I normally make no resolutions, a work colleague has put the fear of God into me over my salt intake.
Kraftwerk still have me hooked after all these years
I've given myself plenty of time to achieve the task, even taken a day's holiday. I've set my alarm early so that I can prepare.
Brave men trembled as horrific gifts went off the scale
Who could do something like that? What twisted mind? Some evil genius who knew the effect such a thing would have on that day of all days.
Why I'll always make a meal of festive footie match
Depending on when you are reading this, I am either heading for disgrace, or I am currently in that state. Today is/was the Boxing Day footie match which I find myself spending a worrying amount of the rest of the year looking forward to as I get older.
Leveson in the dock over handling of Press inquiry
Imagine a defendant in a criminal trial, let's say fraud, found guilty on the flimsiest of evidence. What's worse, during the trial the defendant finds himself squeezed into the dock with others similarly accused and given half-a-day out of a three-month sitting to argue his case.
Always shades of grey in the black and white headline
I often think back to Paul Reinhards. That big, imposing man who lived in that equally big and imposing house in grey Gravesend and whose terrible secret, hidden for 40 years, I stumbled across all those years ago.
Madeleine McCann: New suspects identified by UK police
North West 200: Live pictures plus race schedule
In Pictures: Balmoral Show
Nice-but-dull Kate's annoying baby bump pose
FHM's sexiest women - Kunis knocks Tulisa off her perch
Latest News
North Korea fires 'projectile' new
North Korea fired a projectile into waters off its eastern coast, a day after launching three short-range missiles in the same area, officials said.
Call to reopen Dublin memorial park new
Campaigners have demanded the reopening of a memorial park to Irish patriots which was closed just a year after tens of thousands of euro in public money was poured into upgrading it.
Rooney to miss game as baby is due new
Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's final game of the season as wife Coleen is due to give birth to the couple's second child.
Latest Sport
Keegan: Mancini deserved more time new
Former Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has said he was surprised by the timing of Roberto Mancini's sacking.
McDowell sets up Jaidee showdown new
Graeme McDowell produced a flawless display of golf to book his place in the final of the Volvo World Match Play Championship for the second year running.
Deans offers hope to absentees new
Australia coach Robbie Deans has left the door open for the likes of Quade Cooper to make the final squad to face the British and Irish Lions after the in-form Reds playmaker failed to make the 25-man group.
Latest Showbiz
Pattinson and Stewart split new
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart have reportedly ended their romance yet again, after three years together.
Rihanna 'regrets Brown risk' new
Rihanna is reportedly fuming about her on/off boyfriend Chris Brown's recent split comments, especially because she took a "massive risk" by getting back with him.
Sir Elton John's son 'enjoys fire truck ride' new
Sir Elton John's toddler son got so excited when he saw firemen recently the singer asked them to give the tot a ride in their truck.
