Category Archives: Social commentary

Who will be the fathers?

Posted on April 15, 2012 by

This story was told at my church a few weeks ago: “Elephant herds are formed of an intrictate social web of the extended family. Two or three generations of parents and cousins all play their part – it really does … Continue reading →

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Seven months on: what were the reasons behind the August riots?

Posted on March 27, 2012 by

One of the key investigations into the causes of the Summer riots is due to publish it’s findings tomorrow.  The report of The Riots, Communities and Victims Panel is important as its remit was to give a voice to the communities and victims … Continue reading →

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Hustle’s bubble: The Myth of Redemptive Finance

Posted on January 13, 2012 by

The final ever series of Hustle starring Adrian Lester airs tonight and after discovering it just over a year ago I’ll be tuning in. Hustle is a BBC drama in which a gang of successful, high living and smart mainly … Continue reading →

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“Beer is the cause and solution to all of life’s problems” *

Posted on November 15, 2011 by

This is a guest post by my mate Mikey Walker, a Primary school teacher in Leeds, on his recent 70 days ‘sans lager’… Sometimes I think Homer Simpson* wasn’t far off with his dystopian conclusion of beer’s place in society.  … Continue reading →

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4 winners from the Rugby World Cup

Posted on October 23, 2011 by

It was the Kiwi’s 4th choice fly half Stephen Donald who stroked the winning kick in the Rugby World Cup Final. So in his honour here are 4 winners from this year’s tournament. 1. Referees The Welsh will forever remember … Continue reading →

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Taken over by The Fear: the spiritual roots of the riots

Posted on August 12, 2011 by

Many of the people I have spoken to in recent days, whether religious or not, acknowledge that there is something spiritual about the destructive chaos that we have seen unleashed.  The meaninglessness of the riots speak of problems with deeper roots than … Continue reading →

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The unpredicted tinderbox: 3 factors which fuelled the riots

Posted on August 9, 2011 by

It’s very difficult talking about the reasons for riots during or immediately after they have happened.  People who blame things like poverty, racism, alienation, or the classic ‘there is nothing for the kids to do around here’ sound like they … Continue reading →

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How weddings undermine marriage

Posted on April 27, 2011 by

Last year the Bishop of Willesden got in trouble for his now infamous Facebook comments about the forthcoming Royal Wedding.  He was widely criticised for saying, amongst other anti-royal comments, that ‘I give their marriage seven years’ and was temporarily suspended from … Continue reading →

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