23 March 2022

This England: Whiskey on tap

This column – which, though named after a line in Shakespeare’s “Richard II”, refers to the whole of Britain – has run in the NS since 1934.

By New Statesman

A dog flooding a kitchen by turning on a tap is one of the more unusual pet-related claims to have been dealt with by an insurance giant.

In one case, a young Labradane (a Labrador/Great Dane cross) named Whiskey turned on a tap in his kitchen while his owners were out. The dog caused £4,000 of damage by flooding the room.
Yorkshire Post (Michael Meadowcroft)

A piece of the blessed pie

The British Pie Awards, held in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, has received a record-breaking 976 entries, its organisers have said.

At the highly competitive contest, which plays out over three days, 151 judges are running an expert eye over 23 different classes of hot and cold savoury pies, dessert pies and pasties.

The ceremonial blessing of the pies – in what organisers have called “the cathedral of pies” – was delivered this year by the Bishop of Leicester Martyn Snow.
BBC East Midlands (Christopher Rossi)

All publicity is good publicity

Forget dating apps. One man looking for a wife has rented a £2,000 billboard on the London Underground.

The bachelor, Jeevan Bhachu, 31, plastered himself over a 20ft advert at Oxford Circus Tube station in the hope that he’s spotted by Ms Right. Looking dapper in a pink suit, he drops his go-to pick-up line: “Best Indian you’ll takeaway.”