This is Northumberland Calling 5 Aug 2022
Will be posted later on Common Sense TGIF (promise)....
This Northumberland UK calling 4 8 22.
The 75 anniversary Fringe Festival opened in Edinburgh this week, famous for showcasing up and coming comic talent through out the years. But it will be hard pressed to outshine some of the comic gold currently on display in the UK news cycle.
Case in point: Aberdeen University has issued a trigger warning for its course on Beowulf for violence, defecation, ableism, alcohol abuse, symbols of black magic…and monsters. It also warns that the Viking sagas involve depictions of violence. Some might think such a trigger warning is an advertisement that the course will not be dull, but Aberdeen University says they care about the mental health and well being of their students. Certain baby name sites suggest that the name of Grendel will ensure a child is imaginative, creative and insightful. Possibly what Grendel’s mother was going for when she named him. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11078663/Monstrous-Old-English-classic-Beowulf-gets-slapped-trigger-warning-monsters.html
Manchester Metropolitan University also got into the act and decided to put a trigger warning on a course about Medieval miracles as some are graphically depicted and include coughing up blood. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/08/02/university-gives-history-students-trigger-warning-graphic-miracles/
Then there is the reverse ferret spectacle of various Conservative ministers, the party which has been in power since 2010, declaring a war on woke and rooting out hitherto unknown diversity training programmes for their civil servants. Suella Bravermann is the latest to do so. Better late than never, but the admission that it happen on their watch does not seem to be there. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11078419/Ditch-woke-witch-trials-Attorney-General-Suella-Braverman-hits-diversity-training.html
The two remaining contenders in the Conservative Leadership race continue with the reverse ferreting. Truss about regional public sector pay and Sunak about off shore wind farms. Truss is widely expected to win but there were warnings the ballot process may have been hacked. Various former ministers have been lining up to endorse Truss.
Labour managed not to sack any shadow ministers this week despite several attending strikes. Starmer has been reprimanded for not declaring various interests (including several gifts from football clubs and the sale of a plot of land, but has apologised. Starmer is currently on holiday. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/08/04/sir-keir-starmer-found-have-breached-mps-code-conduct/
Johnson is on his honeymoon (have lost track which number it is) in Slovenia. His second wedding reception was apparently a large bash and well attended but not held at Chequers. Carrie Johnson rented her wedding dress. They had a South African braai for the food. https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/boris-johnson-wedding-carrie-dress-27627510
Drag Queen Story Hour come to the UK in a big way and there have been protests. Some counselled librarians to call it Pantomime Dame Story Hour. While physically protesting may get the issue on television (and give free publicity to the practice!), the quiet work of complaining to the local councils and making Freedom of Information requests and following them up, including kicking up to the next level if needs be is being done by grassroot Women’s Right Organizations. It is very much – the whole question of the suffragettes (stunts) v the suffragists (quiet lobbying and complaining) again. Many of the libraries failed to complete the more in-depth paperwork and FOI revealed that DQSH costs £600 per fifty minute session (nice work if you can get it as it is higher than Society of Author rates). Presumably it is paid for out of the Inclusivity budget. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/librarians-told-call-drag-queens-pantomime-dames-to-avert-protests-over-talks-to-children-5njvqsfh8
The Sky broadcasting corporation was found guilty of discrimination after a white diversity officer informed a mixed-race employee that the employee was oppressed due to her Latina heritage. The employee objected to the classification of oppressed as she had never been in her life and won £14,000 for racial discrimination. “In its ruling, the panel said Ms Cook’s remark did amount to discrimination although it added she did not deliberately use offensive language nor attempt to cause harm. “Ms Cook appears to have assumed that, as Mrs Bradbury’s skin colour is not white, she must have suffered oppression, which is a form of stereotyping. “We considered that the remark and the manner in which it was handled by Sky In-Home Services did amount to less favourable treatment. It caused Mrs Bradbury understandable distress.” https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/08/02/diversity-officer-guilty-racism-telling-colleague-must-have/
The average price of gas continues to fall but remains far above what it was at this point last year (1.79 petrol, 1.90 diesel) – at the beginning of July it was 1.92 and 1.99 respectively. The Bank of England has raised interest rates by half a percent to 1.75% and gave a gloomy forecast about rampant inflation and the cost of living crisis. Inflation is supposed to rise 13%, there will be a severe recession and household incomes are going to take a massive hit. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/08/04/three-charts-show-economic-disaster-facing-britain/
Equally Maersk, the container shipping company continues the global supply chain crisis to continue and is making a very healthy profit as containers continue to be in short supply due to sudden lockdowns in the Far East. The disturbance around Taiwan is not going to help. Ships are arriving on average 6 days late. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/08/02/global-supply-chain-chaos-continue-months-warns-shipping-giant/
The Avian Bird Flu continues to affect sea bird colonies across the UK with more islands being closed to visitors as well as domesticated poultry flocks. It may be low risk to humans, but it is devastating the bird populations. The Bird Flu originated in China due to their agricultural practices and then for a variety of reasons it has been allowed to spread across the world. It is adding to food insecurity as the sheer number of poultry culled is huge. It is not going away any time soon. It is also affecting the US “Grady Ferguson, a senior research analyst at the data consultancy Gro Intelligence, said that while new cases have tapered off, the losses “will continue to impact its industry, potentially for years, as did the US’ 2014-15 losses of 50m birds”. “That was the worst animal health disaster in US history,” he said. “This year, the US has so far lost 40 million. More losses may begin in the fall as migratory birds – a major suspected [bird flu] spreader – head south for the winter.” https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/unprecedented-bird-flu-outbreak-exacerbating-food-insecurity/
The drought in the south of England continues with hose pipe bans in place. Because of Kielder Water, the North East is unlikely to have one.
The Premiere League starts this week. I have spoken to my local oracle (aka my husband who supports Man U) – the prediction is Manchester City for the title with Chelsea being the team most likely to contest. Maybe Liverpool. For a wild card, Arsenal. The prospects for Manchester United are iffy but with a new manager you never know – they might finish near the top of the table.
And finally, Patrick the Therapy Pony has been made mayor in the Cornish village of Cockington (you do have to love British place names – some friends live near Shittlington Craig) complete with robe and chain but banned from the pub after certain unknowns complained about his behaviour and that it was undignified to have a pony as a mayor. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/naysayers-get-revenge-after-pony-becomes-mayor-0nbh9pllz
Yer a laugh riot, Ma'am. "But it will be hard pressed to outshine some of the comic gold currently on display in the UK news cycle." Just one among many. Cain't thankee enuf!
P.S. Got a feeling TGIF comments won't open up today. Hope this isn't a trend. TYTY again!