Time on #VEDay to remember one of the most important outcomes #WW2 - peace in Western Europe between former enemies

Important anniversary weekend - 50 years since I graduated from University of Warwick in event held here Coventry Cathedral

An important reminder about the need for unity of the democracies - America #EU UK G7 NATO bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Recently back from a trip to Iceland and Greenland - encouraging to see an #EU flag on a property in Nuuk along with the beauty of the scenery

Just back from a visit to #Crete - inspired by seeing works of El Greco on visit to Toledo in 2019 - saw his work in the very informative Historical Museum in Heraklion historical-museum.gr/en/

Enjoyable and interesting day yesterday at Coughton Court - interesting walks/gardens and links to Gunpowder Plot at at time when The Royal Family and Pope Leo XIV are promoting inter-faith reconciliation

60 years ago my paternal grandfather died - as a miner he served in World War 1 on the Ypres Salient on tunnelling duties - a very dangerous role This very moving poem summarises what soldiers experienced

Luckily he survived a poison gas attack #RemembranceDay #LestWeForget

A very enjoyable day on Saturday - 60th anniversary event University of Warwick - a reminder of what changed my life with exchange scheme study in 1973 Amherst College, travel around the United States and the opening of the Warwick Arts Centre in 1974

Interesting series but didn't see any reference to one of the most shocking events - more than 1 million dead from starvation and 1 million needing to emigrate to survive (25% of the population) - including two of my great-great grandparents #AnGortaMór #IrishFamine

NEW YEAR MESSAGE 2026 Venezuela reminds us of a world of power blocs – America, China, Russia, India – so essential for UK to be close to our neighbourhood power bloc #EU and EU to recall Benjamin Franklin's words “If we do not hang together, we will assuredly hang separately”

Hanging together means having an #EU common energy policy and a fully funded European defence and security as part of NATO

Closer “hanging together” would be to create a state (Federal Republic of Europe} #EU UK/EEA states and a defence arm - NATO + Austria/Cyprus/Ireland/Malta UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Mark Rutte Emmanuel Macron Friedrich Merz Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz Ursula von der Leyen European Commission

Closer “hanging together” would be to create a state (Federal Republic of Europe} #EU + UK/EEA states and a defence arm – European members NATO + Austria/Cyprus/Ireland/Malta Kaja Kallas António Costa EU Council Roberta Metsola European Parliament

All surveys indicate the same: Europeans of all countries want to strengthen and federalize the European Union..its the only way forward to survive in this ‘New Age of Empires’ dominated by Trump, Xi and Putin…what are our national leaders waiting for ?

Mario Draghi’s call is clear: Europe’s future lies in standing united. 🇪🇺 It is the time to come together and build a stronger, more sovereign and resilient Europe for its citizens!

Very enjoyable day in Hay on Wye last Thursday - highlight was a very informative castle tour

Maybe there is a case for women-only carriages - as is done in Japan in rush hour metro bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… Jess Phillips

A spectacular painting of an eruption of Mount Vesuvius - the highlight of an excellent day yesterday Compton Verney - also including the Brueghel and Rembrandt exhibition

A very enjoyable evening listening to the views of Sir Geoffrey Boycott on a wide range of topics sportsnightevents.com/products/an-ev…