This is Northumberland Calling 16.9.22
In the midst of state mourning
This is Northumberland UK calling 9 9 22
The news in the UK continues to be dominated by the Queen’s death and the accession of King Charles III. For the first time the Accession Council with all of its archaic language and pomp and circumstance was televised.
Shops ran out of black ties. Because there is to be a bank holiday for the funeral on Monday, many shops and services will be closed. Many sporting fixtures have been called off as the police are busy in London with the people queueing to view the coffin and the expected crowds for the funeral.
The best place to watch the funeral will be on the BBC website as it will be livestreamed. The Telegraph will also do a livestream on you tube. It is going to be a very solemn pageant with many dignitaries attending. Pres Biden will travel by his Beast but the rest will have to take special buses.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, one of the guards standing vigil collapsed. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/15/watch-moment-guard-collapses-late-queens-lying-state/
The British love a queue and what more fitting tribute to the Queen than her subjects forming one of the longest queues to pay their respects. I have huge admiration for the people who are prepared to stand for up 11 hours patiently waiting to shuffle past the coffin. You can see the live tracker of the queue here:
An explanation about what to do if you want to join the queue. They have tried to think of everything. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/attending-ceremonial-events-for-the-lying-in-state-and-the-state-funeral-of-her-majesty-the-queen/her-majesty-the-queens-lying-in-state-at-the-palace-of-westminster-houses-of-parliament
King Charles became annoyed at a pen. I suspect the pressure is beginning to show. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pens-and-his-royal-nibs-whats-driving-king-charles-iii-to-madness-v05hhxn8z
Because suddenly there is a merging of two households, there will be redundancies in those who work for the Royal Household. It is built into their contracts but those who live in ‘Grace and Favour’ accommodation will not have to vacate it. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/14/late-queens-personal-aides-face-redundancy-grace-favour-homes/
In other news:
Trans v gender critical issue are centre stage in court as Mermaids UK, the charity dedicated to trans children tries to get LGB Alliance, a charity dedicated to helping people who are same-sex attracted, delisted as a charity. The case is unprecedented. There are many questions such as do Mermaids even have the legal standing to bring such a case? The three witnesses for Mermaids admitted that none of them had read the Cass Interim Report in full. The three witnesses for the LGB Alliance, particularly Bev Jackson and Kate Harris, were stalwart in their explanations. At one point Harris was moved to tears when she had to explain what a lesbian was and it could never include a natal male. “I’m going to speak for millions of lesbians around the world who are lesbians because we love other women … We will not be erased and we will not have any man with a penis tell us he’s a lesbian because he feels he is.” The case was supposed to conclude on Friday but now looks it will overrun.
Even the Guardian had to report on it. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/sep/15/lgb-alliance-co-founder-breaks-down-in-court-when-asked-to-define-lesbian?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter&fbclid=IwAR1PyK7QlOhMEx5G32SMGruiXpTX_th8_QsGec_gtycqcbxEbPna7exqhkg#Echobox=1663268600
Tribunal tweets is doing its now derigour tweeting of these sorts of cases. The substack gives all proceedings. The evidence of Paul Roberts the CEO of the LGBT Consortium where he attempted to explain why a female can be considered a gay man and he loudly proclaims ‘not be an expert’ is good entertainment value. Likewise the evidence of the Mermaids CEO who has not read the Cass interim report but knows Mermaids follows NHS guidance even though she is not a medical expert.
Gilian Philips, the NYT bestselling author who had to retrain as a truck driver after her publisher and agent dropped her for her support of JK Rowling – she had put in her twitter bio I stand with JK Rowling has been granted leave to appeal her case. It is an important case for all writers, particularly freelancers including journalist stringers as it seeks to ensure they entitled to the protections of the Equality Act 2010 and can’t be fired for their beliefs. https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/gillian-philip-fights-for-authors-rights/
These are the below cabinet level ministerial appointments. It is interesting to see who was appointed and who they backed. Mainly Truss supporters. https://conservativehome.com/2022/09/16/government-shuffle-snap-analysis-jenrick-returns-to-government/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Friday%2016th%20September%202022&utm_content=Newsletter%20Friday%2016th%20September%202022+CID_c51bce0e933fdf7fd7e8176ed86eb509&utm_source=Daily%20Email&utm_term=Non-Cabinet%20Ministerial%20appointments%20to%20date
NB there will be no update next week as I shall be away on my hols.
I meant to mention I got a little into the first book by "Robert Galbraith" yesterday. Thank You for recommendation. Like it a *lot!*
Are they putting her in a sarcophagus and entombing her in a pyramid along with her horse, corgis, and household staff?
Because I'd probably watch THAT.
Otherwise, zzzzzzzzzz.