IT’S been a week since I gave up and you know what, I’m feeling better, more relaxed and at peace with the modern world already.

THE world of after-dinner speaking is fraught with hazards, as Captain Colin Darch discovered when he was invited to address the good ladies of Parkham Women’s Institute at their April meeting.

WORK and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith would like “wealthy” pensioners to hand back some of their perks to help with the Government’s continued battle to balance the nation’s books.

IT’S become a joke that the nation has been sharing — but nobody round here is laughing.

ALL in all it’s been a pretty damned shabby few days for Britain.

THE Sunday morning ritual in our household was that dad always made first grab for the News of the World.

I GREW up with the smell of smoke in my nostrils, from the steam trains that blew their shrill whistles before entering and leaving the tunnel no more than 200 yards from the back garden of where we lived.

I GREW up with the smell of smoke in my nostrils, from the steam trains that blew their shrill whistles before entering and leaving the tunnel no more than 200 yards from the back garden of where we lived.

HE’S got a ruthless, win at all costs streak. He would cut up a team mate, even go against team orders, to get to the front. And he’s certainly been making headlines this week.

HE’S got a ruthless, win at all costs streak. He would cut up a team mate, even go against team orders, to get to the front. And he’s certainly been making headlines this week.