Many thanks to Graeme Richardson in The Times for nominating Poetry of the Second World War as the 'standout anthology' of the year.

A very fair article on beaver bombing from a surprising source. None of this would need to happen if successive governments weren't so pusillanimous. (P. S. why not gift a copy of BLACK OPS AND BEAVER BOMBING for Christmas? It's a banger.) telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/0…

VERY intriuged to hear beaver bombing featured on #TheArchers.... this could get interesting! Here's my investigation into this guerilla rewilding movement - ft Ben Goldsmith Derek Gow Fiona Mathews Tim Kendall 🦫codastory.com/climate-crisis…

I'd heard this rumour and I still can't quite believe it's true. It would be the most stupid and craven policy decision imaginable. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Judy Golding and I talk to the Slightly Foxed team about her father's novels and his lasting legacy. foxedquarterly.com/william-goldin…

On Saturday 17 May I will be leading a study day in Oxford on William Golding's fiction. ocsg.uk.net/event/the-auth…

That was fun.

The Guardian view on campus cuts: academics pay a high price for Westminster’s mistakes | Editorial theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

Here's a fascinating event at The London Archives for anyone interested in the poetry of war and the poetry of the Second World War in particular. Renowned expert, Prof Tim Kendall, will be introducing his new anthology of WWII poetry: eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-event-p…

Join Prof Tim Kendall at The London Archives for a talk on the Poetry of the Second World War to celebrate the release of his new anthology and some of the most important #poetry of the 20th century. Wed 5 March 5:30-7pm #TheLondonArchive #WW2 eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-th…

It took far too long but we got there in the end. theguardian.com/environment/20…

Tomorrow, 5 March, 5.30pm, London Archives. I'll be holding forth on the poetry of the Second World War. Wait, SECOND world war? eventbrite.co.uk/e/poetry-of-th…

If this isn't the most ridiculous article I've read, it's certainly up there. And of course it's all made up. devonlive.com/news/devon-new…

Mark Rutte today: 'Can we trust the Americans? Yes, they are our biggest partner, the biggest allies in Nato. They have freed my country together with Poland and Canada after the Second World War.' I think he may be forgetting someone.

Still no swifts but we spotted the first swallow of the year in Colyton this morning. That's about a fortnight later than usual.

7am this morning in the drizzle at Axmouth Harbour. All season I've been looking for adders on heathland with no luck. Then I stumble across this beauty while I'm just out walking the dog.

Allan Ahlberg, one of the great writers for children, has died. theguardian.com/books/2025/jul…

This is forthcoming in early November. The project accompanied me through cancer, chemo and Covid, so I'm a little emotional that it's finally making its bow. What an honour to be editing Golding, who has been 'my author' since I first read The Spire as a teenager.

Fly agaric. Hallucinogenic but very volatile and unpredictable in its effects. We left these for any shamans that happened to be passing.

Just arrived this afternoon: the paperback edition of my WW2 anthology.