Lullaby by Leila Slimani
Due to the general lack of, well, anything else to do, our next virtual meet-up came around quickly. One benefit of lockdown seems to be that reading time is up exponentially, especially when one group member’s husband (mine) is reliving his teenage years by hogging the television with an eBay...
Global Warming in a Decade: A Timeline Review
Global climate change can seem like a lot to process and understanding all the moving parts behind it can be overwhelming. This is especially true when trying to comprehend every change in Earth’s history. To make it a little easier, let’s look at how our climate and ecosystems have changed...
School’s Out
In this uncertain era, there is some comfort to be taken in the opportunity to appreciate the here and now. Many of us may no longer use the excuse ‘I just don’t have the time’. Yet it’s easy to over-romanticise the notion of having less, technically, to do. Learn a...
On the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of Homosexuality in the UK, LGBT lives still criminalised in 72 countries, report finds
Whilst England and Wales saw the decriminalisation of homosexuality fifty years ago today, 72 other countries and territories continue to criminalise same-sex relationships, including 45 in which sexual relationships between women are outlawed. According to an annual report released by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA),...
Vulnerable victims will no longer give evidence in court
Children and other vulnerable victims of crime can pre-record evidence to avoid attending court thanks to a new law. All crown courts in London and Kent will have the new protections, with others across the country to follow suit by the end of the year. Justice Minister Alex Chalk said...
Pandemic ‘causing new wave’ of plastic pollution
Coronavirus lockdowns around the globe have led to a dramatic 5% drop in greenhouse gas emissions, but not all measures to contain the pandemic have had a positive impact on the environment with UN reports showing a surge in global plastic pollution. Across the globe, streets, beaches and oceans have...
Time for a new industry benchmark? On reform in the tuition industry
In an attempt to minimize the extent of the educational disruption caused by Covid-19, the government has announced funding for a new tutoring initiative. The National Tuition Programme is set to inject £350 million into the education kitty, and represents an effort by the government to support disadvantaged pupils, who...
An Elephant in Rome Bernini, the Pope and the making of the Eternal City
Loyd Grossman is a Renaissance man in a Baroque world. Entrepreneur, broadcaster, TV presenter, musician and author, his main interest is in the arts, and having written one book on the American painter Benjamin West, he has turned his attention to Rome, with his opening lines reading, ‘Rome is a...
Le Mans 2020
By Maitland Cook For the first time since 1968 the Le Mans 24 Hour Race was run in September, and for the first time ever (since 1923) there were no spectators! A very unusual experience, but in fact the race was eventful, interesting, and extremely competitive. The works Toyota’s in...
Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz
This week brought the first in-person book club gathering since our initial session all the way back in that previous era, known as February. Abiding by the amorphous government guidelines to the best of my ability, I decked out the little courtyard in front of my flat (see also: a...
Marry in the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum, London, has launched an intimate wedding ceremony package for just £5,000. Open to wedding and civil ceremony bookings, up to thirty guests can celebrate in a choice of 12 licensed locations around the museum, whilst following the Covid-19 government regulations. This includes the Hintze Hall with...
Looking back: Nostalgia in the UK
Revealed: The 60s is the most missed decade Adjusting to the ‘new normal’ can be easier said than done and looking back at the good old days can be a nice reprieve from the realities of the pandemic. The past is very present in our culture, including in the TV...
The Natural History Museum’s Nature in Lockdown
Natural History Museum releases infographics on the influence of Covid-19 on the movement of people, air and noise pollution and wildlife sightings in the UK. In collaboration with data visualisation company, Beyond Words Studio, the Natural History Museum documented the environmental benefits of Covid-19 to use as part of their...
The Best Specialist Bookshops In London
Confucius, Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Desiderius Erasmus, Voltaire and Galileo Galilei all found enlightenment and knowledge in either exile or isolation. Their reading taught them valuable life lessons and inspired new philosophies; just as many of us may have discovered over the long months of lockdown. Lockdown has been a...
