This is Northumberland Calling 06.09.24

The Dystopian film sets do the Tyne Valley edition

Hello America (Particularly Central Ohio) this is Northumberland Calling

Kemi Badenoch started her campaign to become the next Tory leader. She made it through the first round of the MPs voting. She is the Conservative Party members’ favourite apparently. The man who topped the poll (in a surprise) was Robert Jenrick (or Generic as I keep thinking of him – instantly forgettable and a cookie cutter Tory politician). James Cleverley, Mel Stride, and Tom Tugendhat also remain in the race.  They are not going to be power for a few years as Labour do have a huge majority in the House of Commons. Badenoch’s campaign launch video was good.   https://x.com/KemiBadenoch/status/1830557532139712915

The report on the Grenfell fire has been published. It makes for harrowing reading. Incompetency and corruption. The Met Police figure it will take about 18 months before corporate manslaughter charges are brought. They are going through it line by line but the bottom line is that all 72 deaths were avoidable. One of the architect firms involved has been prevented from going bankrupt to avoid the charges. These things take a long time, but the charges are hard to bring (and ensure a conviction) https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/grenfell-tower-architecture-firm-liquidation-blocked-fire-investigation-lljc70gvz or https://archive.ph/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/grenfell-tower-architecture-firm-liquidation-blocked-fire-investigation-lljc70gvz

A paper has just been released about the decrease in bone density that trans identifying females experience. Apparently it is a quite significant decrease. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2024.1416121/abstract

Scotland has decided to embrace the Cass Review and now only clinicians can refer children to gender clinics rather than allowing for self-referral. Doctors have said that proper checks were not being done on some patients in Scotland. https://www.thetimes.com/article/0f4e147b-9673-4590-8e19-b2938c006c1e or https://archive.ph/https://www.thetimes.com/article/0f4e147b-9673-4590-8e19-b2938c006c1e

This is about the scandal engulfing Creative Scotland where an employee, a literature officer who in her spare time identifies as a witch contacted various bookshops, trying to get them not to stock Hounding by Jenny Lindsay a book about how a Gender Critical poet was cancelled. This directly contradicts what a literature officer is supposed to do. Creative Scotland has opted not to formerly sanction the employee and to attempt to move the conversation on. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-creative-scotland-was-corrupted-by-gender-ideology/ or https://archive.ph/PpBVe

One of the children’s tv programmes I loved as an older teen and indeed beyond was Dangermouse, a surreal comic about spy mouse and his hamster sidekick Penfold. The man who created and wrote the series has died. The Times had a very interesting obit about him and the various children’s series he wrote. https://www.thetimes.com/article/656cd1cd-fa11-43e9-86fe-6896f56e54a8 or

The road to Plankey Mill (a nature beauty spot near me) has been closed until mid-December. They are filming some dystopian horror sequel – the 2^nd part of 28 Years Later. The first part is now finished but they are going straight for the 2^nd part. It apparently stars Cillian Murphy and Jodie Cromer. My daughter informs me that I am the worst person for recognising people and thus unlikely to recognise them or indeed Ralph Fiennes or Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The 2^nd part is being directed by some big director who has directed Marvel superhero films. (The things one learns when waiting for a car to be repaired) https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/gallery/filming-28-years-later-closes-29855118

And I am not the only one saying people should both watch the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses and read the books. Robert Compton for the Times is saying the same things. Mick Heron writes an excellent spy thriller. He could be the new Le Carre, except he does jokes better and has a few strong female characters so he is just Mick Herron and all the better for it. If you like spy-tainment, this is currently some of the best.  Herron breaks any number of ‘rules’ but the writing is page turning stuff. Apparently Bill Gates is a fan as well. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/slow-horses-book-series-h2w5xmzlf or  https://archive.ph/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/slow-horses-book-series-h2w5xmzlf

This is an interview with Jack Lowdon who plays River Cartwright in the series. He has been in a number of films including D-Day where he played a downed RAF pilot. Why yes, I do like this series. My youngest was forced to watch it when he visited last Spring and went back home and binged watched it all. There are reasons why it is so popular. And  the books are better… https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/jack-lowden-interview-slow-horses-saoirse-ronan-outrun-the-fifth-step-ckjhm2ht2 or https://archive.ph/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/jack-lowden-interview-slow-horses-saoirse-ronan-outrun-the-fifth-step-ckjhm2ht2

The newly redone dry stone wall (higher than a spaniel can jump)

The wall which was destroyed back at the end of January has finally been repaired. Dry stone walling can be done whatever the weather as opposed to mortared stone walls which require a dry day. Perhaps a clue as to why there are so many dry stone walls in Northumberland and Cumbria.

Paddy is unimpressed with having his photo taken

Paddy is now happy that he can freely run about in his garden once again. He does seem to be a bit dubious about having his photo taken.

I am working away on my latest Viking and have just realised that I started the book in the wrong place which is why the first chapter feels flat. Sometimes you have to write things in order to know what is wrong.

Barnes and Noble are having a preorder sale 25% off plus another 10% for ‘premium customers’ if you order online. Ends today (September 6^th). It includes my latest Tempted by Her Forbidden Warrior(out on 24 Sept 24).

Hopefully everyone else’s week was a good one. I look forward to seeing you in the comments.

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