This is the worst optics for Birmingham Council. They've made this problem for themselves when the coolest thing would have been to make the England flag permanent while doing the same for other roundabouts with Jamaican, Pakistani and the Union Flag. Make roundabouts flaggy!

Yep, I definitely stockpile the family laundry until the wind speed gets to optimal strength for the offshore windfarms…. And when it’s calm we only eat cold food. Obviously, we prefer to watch television only when there’s a gale outside. And the dishes can always pile up

We will not tolerate aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour… From the new Private Eye, out now.

There is a lot of talk about toppling imperial monuments in London. Meanwhile, this is what is happening in Madras (Chennai) in India.

A 50% increase in bus fares is putting more money in your pocket. And if you disagree, I will put you in prison.

Number 10 press office clinking glasses today over a job well done

This is truly a shocker. What is the BBC thinking? I have used its Written Archives Centre for both of my books on British operatic culture. I wish the letter of objection could be opened up for more signatures - there would be plenty more who would sign. observer.co.uk/news/national/…

My favourite story of the week

I dunno, maybe this guy?

My regular Monday readers' favourite cartoon is on my website. Clive is getting fired. Or is he? alexcartoon.com

Perfect irony that Boris Johnson did turn out to be a disaster just as the Sensibles warned, but not for any of the reasons they said and in fact by doing something they were in principle totally cool with.

The problem is that Richard Gaisford comments reflect a caring, socially responsible and thoughtful citizen. The morons who dumped this litter are selfish, inconsiderate and lazy. Sadly, there are millions of people like that in Britain. They need to be socially shamed.

The beautifully secluded and atmospheric chapel of the Holy Trinity in Old Bewick. It seems to have been founded by Matilda, the wife of Henry I, and daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland (as in ‘Macbeth’), in memory of her father, who’d been ambushed and slain outside Alnwick.

"They found no increased risk of death associated with higher intake of animal protein. In fact, the data showed a modest but significant reduction in cancer-related mortality among those who ate more animal protein." Oh. Right. sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/…

Two awful ideas from the govt. - Kicking out less active peers (who cost nothing when they do nothing) brings no benefit - it just denies them the chance to contribute. - Removing peers over 80 would strip the chamber of many of its most accomplished and experienced figures.

Whoever the BBC has hired as the costume designer really should be exploring a new vocation. It’s bad enough that he or she couldn’t be bothered to look up what priests wore in the 11th century. That they don’t even know the stole goes underneath the vestments is sheer laziness.

#Tynemouth Station, looking north, in the late 1960's. The many commuters provided plenty of business for the newspaper stall, on the right, which largely obscures our view of the main entrance. Note the hanging flower baskets and slot-machines, one against each column.

I was interested in the sign " Experienced workmen sent out " . What could it refer to? To the right " Willia " which matches nicely with the shop Williamson & Co., Household Furnishers, 4 Shakespeare Street. The phrase was a common Edwardian marketing slogan.