This is Northumberland Calling 10.4.26
The last gasping relics of Empire edition
Hello America (especially Central Ohio), this is Northumberland calling.
Gentleman’s Relish has ceased production. The staple of gentlemen’s clubs, quiet teas and genuine relic of the Empire is no more. It is probably the closest thing Britain had to the Roman garum or fish paste and is made with anchovies. AB Foods decided, despite the loyal following, there was no point in making it any more. The secret commercial recipe dates from the 1820’s but variations do exist. It is a very salty paste which when spread on toast basically makes a meal (or so it is claimed). It can also be added to cottage pie or Scotch woodcock to add an unique flavour. You honestly do not need much as the stuff is that powerful. I suspect someone will revive it, but the last remaining jars on the shelf. Somewhat a metaphor for Britain I fear. https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/food-drink/article/gentlemans-relish-production-stopped-discontinued-v26j5c7fl or https://archive.ph/c4ErQ
This is a recipe if you wish to make your own: https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/recipes/gentlemans-relish-recipe
Scotch woodcock is basically scrambled eggs on toast topped by Gentleman’s relish (or if you’d prefer a teaspoon of capers and two anchovies).
An exhibit of Queen Elizabeth II’s clothes has opened. It demonstrates her use of soft power through clothing. Her motto was ‘I have to be seen to be believed’. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/art/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-life-in-style-review-fashion-cdlhf5gxt or https://archive.ph/ZPkLM
The less said about the current failures of the Royal Navy, the better. HMS Dragon is in dry dock. The Russians decided to try cut cables in the North Sea and taunt the British by escorting their shadow tankers through the Channel. Defence spending needs to increase but Rachel from Accounts would rather do giveaways and Ed Millipede is devoted to Net Zero so the Treasury says no. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/russian-warship-escorts-sanctioned-shadow-fleet-vessels-in-channel-7tbwfs83c or https://archive.ph/9qGNg
The May local elections are coming. Labour will tank. The Conservatives will perform better than expected (but still poorly) and the fringe parties will surge. We may have a new Labour PM by June because Starmer must bear some of the responsibility. Hopefully whoever it is, they take defence of realm seriously. Starmer claims he does but his actions… As Badenoch said – Starmer is all hat and no trousers. I am not holding my breath on his replacement either. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/04/08/starmer-is-all-mouth-and-no-trousers-on-defence/ or https://archive.ph/UdYuQ
This is Starmer’s bleating about how it must be a line in the sand (but to repeat, the Treasury will not release the funding, nor has the Government published its long promised Defence Plan): https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/09/iran-war-britain-allies-europe-energy-social-policies
2/3 of voters want Starmer out. My only concern is who replaces him as there will not be a General Election until 2029? Mahmood, Healey or even Al Carns could do the job. Big Ange, the Millipede, Bridget Philipson and others are more devoted to student politics of the Left than defence of the realm. The Labour membership skews Left for obvious reasons and thus I fear whoever comes next will be worse (as hard as that is to believe). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/04/09/two-thirds-of-voters-want-starmer-out/ or https://archive.ph/6hAXZ
Despite what Yvette Cooper and a number of EU ministers think – Lebanon is a sovereign nation and not a colony of Iran’s. It is brilliant that Israel and Lebanon will now have ceasefire talks and hopefully find a way to disarm the rogue militia Hezbollah. It is a measure of the IR’s weakness that their negotiating team has shown up in Pakistan, despite what they called violations. They are currently not in the position to protect Hezbollah. Hopefully the Lebanese government will take full advantage of the situation and craft a lasting peace with Israel.
The Finnish study on the mental health of children with gender dysphoria was cleverly designed. Unlike the British, the Finns did not lose track of the cohorts. Unlike the Dutch, participation was not merely questionnaires. Because there is health equity in Finland, serious psychiatric support means above and beyond. It is a good marker. And unsurprisingly, gender affirmation was not a magic bullet. In fact mental health significantly decreased for a considerable proportion of the cohort.
The Finns have also released a study on the fetal brain cells. Apparently sex differences are visible from 5 weeks post conception. The brain is not some blank slate which undergoes various washes. In other words, in a surprise to very few, sex is determined at conception and remains unchanging. However, the research does point to reasons why various diseases present differently in males and females. Early establishment and life course stability of sex biases in the human brain transcriptome: Cell Genomics
Lynsey Smith who won the JR against the Northumbria Police last year is using that judgement as a basis to sue the Football Association as they have announced a huge tie up with Pride which is an active campaigning organization. The FA is not supposed to allow political stances. For example no advertisements for Reform or the Greens on the sidings. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/04/09/premier-leagues-pride-campaign-triggers-legal-complaint-ove/ or https://archive.ph/M9gj1
The Good Law Project lost its latest attempt to make women’s toilets and changing rooms mixed sex. Funnily enough the guidance followed the law. https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/single-sex-toilets-workplace-uk-ehrc-law-guidance-qssdnsh3m or https://archive.ph/wiJCo
The Calmac ferries continue to be broken. 23 out of 30 routes are affected. https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/service-status/#/service-status
Here:
The blossom is starting to be out and the bees are buzzing. I need to do a full inspection soon but the bees appear to be building nicely.
Paddy has been busy in the garden, chasing rabbits. Thus far the rabbits are winning.
My writing progresses and I have finished doing my website except for formulating a ‘reader magnet’ which showcases my writing.
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I could not agree with you more about the IR's weakness. We are being fed by the anti-American and even more so anti-Trump media that America has lost this this war.
Go Lynsey! That girl has the bit between her teeth. After that ridiculous time-out so the Muslim players could eat during Ramadan, the FA gets what they deserve.