God Bless This Feudal Land

England circa 1789
The Guardian view on King Charles and the Duchy of Lancaster: feudalism reigns in the north-west: The secret exploitation of dead people’s assets to upgrade the monarch’s estate must come to an end »

‘The monarchy looks vulnerable’: will Britain’s republicans bring down the king?: Every day, we learn more about the royals’ colonial legacy and financial privileges – and it has given a huge boost to the republican movement »

Likening them to Roman emperors, the self-confessed anti-monarchist says she sympathises with British royals who live with anxiety: The Royal family is trapped in misery, according to Prof Mary Beard, who likened their plight to that of Roman emperors. »

Storm Ciarán: England and Channel Islands Prepare for Disruption

BBC: People are protecting their homes and businesses, roads have been closed and ferries cancelled as the UK prepares for the arrival of Storm Ciarán later.

Damaging winds are forecast in southern England and gusts of up to 95mph (152km/h) are predicted to batter the Channel Islands.

The Met Office has warned of travel disruption, damage to buildings and flying debris.

There are also 24 flood warnings in place across England.

It comes less than two weeks after Storm Babet wreaked havoc across the UK.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings - indicating potential risks to life and property - for wind and rain in southern and eastern England.

A red wind warning, the highest level, has been issued by Jersey Met for Wednesday night into Thursday, with storm-force gusts, heavy rainfall and coastal flooding. » | Tim Dodd, BBC England | Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Related.

Orkantief erreicht die Küste von Frankreich: Aus Frankreich wird ein erster Rekord gemeldet. Dort stellen sich die Menschen auf heftige Stürme in der Nacht ein – ebenso in Großbritannien. In französischen Medien wird von einer „meteorologischen Bombe“ gesprochen. »

En direct : la tempête Ciaran touche terre dans le nord-ouest de la France, Emmanuel Macron appelle les habitants des départements en alerte à « rester chez eux » : Le chef de l’Etat a noté qu’une « tempête majeure va frapper dès ce soir une partie du pays » et a appelé les personnes concernées à ne « pas prendre de risque ». Des rafales de vent qui pourront atteindre 170 kilomètres à l’heure sont attendues sur les côtes normandes et bretonnes. LIVE EN COURS »

Storm Ciarán: Violent winds lash southern England and Channel Islands: Lives could be put at risk in the UK and parts of the British Isles as Storm Ciarán hits, forecasters have warned. »

England's Sparkling Future | ARTE.tv Documentary

The British have a love for sparkling wine. Over the past fifty years, the number of vineyards has increased by eight hundred times. The new English winemakers have a specific goal in mind: to rival French champagne. They are benefiting from climate change, which is transforming the southern regions of England into a fruitful wine-growing region. The race is on...

England's Sparkling Future | ARTE.tv Documentary
Available until the 20/11/2025



WIKIPEDIA: Wine from the United Kingdom.

Heat Health Alert Issued for England This Weekend

THE GUARDIAN: Warning covers London, east Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, south-east and south-west

The first heat health alert of the year has been issued for the coming weekend in England, where temperatures could reach a peak of 30C (86F).

The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, covers six regions: London, the east Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, south east and the south west. It is in place from 9am on Friday to Monday morning. » | Sammy Gecsoyler | Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Gonorrhoea and Syphilis Sex Infections Reach Record Levels in England

BBC: England is seeing record high levels of gonorrhoea and syphilis sexually transmitted infections, following a dip during Covid years, new figures reveal.

People are being urged to practise safe sex to protect themselves and get tested if they may be at risk.

There were 82,592 cases of gonorrhoea in 2022 - up 50% on the 54,661 recorded the year before, the UK Health Security Agency says.

Syphilis cases increased by 15% from 7,543 to 8,692.

The age group most likely to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is people who are 15-24.

Some of the rise will be due to increased testing, but the scale of the surge strongly suggests that there are more of the infections around, says the UKHSA.

Condoms are "the best line of defence" it advises. » | Michelle Roberts, Digital health editor | Tuesday, June 6, 2023

The West has become degenerate! Everything these days revolves around sex. Just look at the adverts! So many products are sold to consumers through sex-infused commercials. People should concentrate on “making love" instead of “having sex”. Animals have sex; human beings should make love. Love is clean and pure; sex, dirty. If this simple principle were adhered to, there would be far fewer STDs around. That goes for the straight community as well as for the gay community. Without wanting to sound old-fashioned and prudish, man was never meant to scatter his seed as though there were no tomorrow. – © Mark Alexander

Universal Basic Income of £1,600 a Month to be Trialled in Two Places in England

THE GUARDIAN: Scheme to run for two years and participants will be monitored to see what effect it has on mental and physical health

A universal basic income of £1,600 a month is to be trialled in England for the first time in a pilot programme.

Thirty people will be paid a lump sum without conditions each month for two years and will be observed to understand the effects on their lives.

Two places in England have been selected for the micro pilot scheme: central Jarrow, in north-east England, and East Finchley, in north London.

Will Stronge, the director of research at the thinktank Autonomy, which is backing the plan, said of the £1,600 figure: “This is a substantial amount. Universal basic income usually covers people’s basic needs but we want to see what effect this unconditional lump sum has on people’s mental and physical health, whether they choose to work or not.

“Our society is going to require some form of basic income in the coming years, given the tumult of climate change, tech disruption and industrial transition that lies ahead. This is why building the evidence base and public engagement now is so important, so the ground is well prepared for national implementation.” » | Dahaba Ali Hussen | Sunday, June 4, 2023

Sexually Transmitted Infections on the Rise among Over-65s in England

THE GUARDIAN: Increase in sexual activity among older people and popularity of chemsex are driving trend, say researchers

The growing number of sexually transmitted infections among over-65s, the rise of “chemsex” and popularity of dating apps are driving record demand for sexual health advice, a report has revealed.

Specialist advisers provided just over 4m appointments last year in England to people suffering from an STI such as syphilis or needing help with their contraception.

Attendance at sexual and reproductive health services is “skyrocketing” as a result of changes in people’s sexual behaviour, according to a report by the Local Government Association.

It highlights that the number of STIs recorded among over-65s increased from 2,280 in 2017 to 2,748 in 2019 – a 20% rise. The biggest increases were in gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

“Chemsex” gatherings, where predominantly gay and bisexual men have sex while taking drugs such as GHB and mephedrone, are heightening the risk of people becoming infected with HIV or hepatitis B or C. » | Denis Campbell, Health policy editor | Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Rise in popularity of anal sex has led to health problems for women: Incontinence, bleeding and STIs among consequences, say two surgeons, who want doctors to raise the topic with patients »

I should like my regular visitors, followers and occasional visitors to understand ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING: This blog DOES NOT promoste promiscuity. I hope and trust that you all understand that. On the contrary, and this might come as a surprise to some of you: This website promotes clean living within a loving relationship, be that relationship straight or gay.

What this website also promotes is tolerance and acceptance of the other. Gay people have been persecuted throughout the ages, usually by bigots and ignorant and nasty, intolerant people. This website tries to show that gay people are that way because God made them that way. They were born exactly how God intended them to be. There should be no shame in being gay. However, it is possible to bring shame on oneself by behaving in a socially unacceptable and promiscuous manner. But lifestyle is the choice of the individual. And that is for everyone to decide for himself. – © Mark Alexander

Heat Emergency Declared in England as Temperature Expected to Hit 40C

THE GUARDIAN: Heatwave arriving on Sunday expected to bring most extreme hot weather ever recorded in UK

The UK government has issued the first ever national emergency red alert for heat ahead of expected record temperatures on Monday and Tuesday, with the hottest areas set to be in central and eastern England.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has increased the “heat-health warning” alert for England to level 4 – the highest possible – for the first two days of next week, when the Met Office has forecast 40C (104F) for the first time.

The red alert, issued at 10.29am on Friday on the Met Office website, explains the level means a “national emergency”. It says it is “reached when a heatwave is so severe and/or prolonged that its effects extend outside the health and social care system. At this level, illness and death may occur among the fit and healthy, and not just in high-risk groups.” » | Robert Booth, Peter Walker and Gwyn Topham | Friday, July 15, 2022

Wales and Scotland Vow to Press Ahead with Trans-inclusive Conversion Therapy Bans

Wales and Scotland to press ahead with conversion therapy bans (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
PINK NEWS: The devolved governments in Wales and Scotland have expressed their commitment to banning “draconian” conversion therapy in all forms, in spite of Boris Johnson.

Johnson was widely condemned after first U-turning on plans to ban conversion therapy, before changing tack and promising that a ban would be forthcoming – though reportedly, it will now not include trans conversion therapy.

After initially stating that the government would pursue non-legislative measures against conversion therapy, a spokesperson told PinkNews on Friday (1 April): “The government has a proud record on LGBT rights, and the prime minister is committed to bringing forward legislation to ban conversion therapy.

“The content, scope and timing of the proposed bill will be confirmed in due course.” Representatives for Wales and Scotland have both released official statements affirming their commitments to banning conversion therapy in the wake of the two U-turns.

Though Scotland is not affected by Boris Johnson’s plans – the UK government had already said its ban would be for England and Wales only – a minister said in a statement that the practice has “no place in our society”.

Christina McKelvie, minister for equalities and older people, said: “Conversion practices that try to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity are harmful, discriminatory, and have no place in our society. » | Emily Chudy | Friday, April 1, 2022

Boris Johnson Tightens Rules on Travel and Mask-wearing over Omicron Concerns

THE GUARDIAN: Travellers to UK must take PCR tests and masks to be made mandatory in shops and on public transport

Boris Johnson has announced fresh measures to curb the spread of coronavirus including mandatory masks in shops and PCR tests for travellers entering the UK after two cases of the Omicron variant were detected in the country.

Amid mounting global concern over Omicron, named a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization on Friday, the prime minister set out a series of steps the UK is taking to maximise its defence against Covid-19.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Johnson said anyone arriving in the UK will be asked to take a PCR test for Covid-19 on the second day and must self-isolate until they provide a negative test. The rules on face coverings in shops and on public transport will also be tightened, he said.

Contacts of all confirmed cases of people infected with the Omicron variant will have to self-isolate for 10 days. Health officials are also examining the case for widening access to the booster vaccine programme, he added.

The measures will be reviewed in three weeks. With video » | Andrew Gregory | Saturday, November 27, 2021

Covid-19: la présence du variant Omicron se confirme en Europe : LE POINT SUR LA SITUATION - Nouvelles mesures, nouveaux bilans et faits marquants: un point sur les dernières évolutions de la pandémie de Covid-19 dans le monde. »

Archbishop of York Calls for New Vision of What It Means to be English

Cottrell said courage and compassion seemed the two best words ‘to define the Englishness I long for’.Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA
THE GUARDIAN: Stephen Cottrell says it is time to ‘rediscover a national unity more fractured than I have ever known it’

The archbishop of York has called for a new “expansive” vision of what it means to be English to counter a “negative political discourse and a hopeless future”.

Courage and compassion should be the cornerstones of an Englishness that people could be proud of, said Stephen Cottrell, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England.

Many people in England felt left behind by “metropolitan elites” in London and the south-east and strengthened regional identities in Scotland and Wales, he said. “Their heartfelt cry to be heard is often disregarded, wilfully misunderstood or patronised as backwardly xenophobic.”

It was time to acknowledge “our strong regional identities going back centuries”, Cottrell wrote in an article in the Daily Telegraph. » | Harriet Sherwood | Saturday, August 7, 2021

The Guardian View on Risking England’s Health: Not Everyone Can Choose to Stay Safe

THE GUARDIAN: For too many, Johnson’s ‘freedom day’ will bring fear rather than release

“The purpose of the state is freedom,” the Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza wrote. Its aim is to liberate everyone from fear, he argued, “so that they may live in security so far as is possible, that is, so that they may retain, to the highest possible degree, their right to live and to act without harm to themselves and others”.

Boris Johnson might nod in approval at the first part of the statement. But the plans for axing Covid restrictions in England, which the prime minister set out this week, fall far short of Spinoza’s fuller formulation. A more cautious relaxation would have been widely welcomed. Charging ahead in this gung-ho manner, scrapping almost all legal restrictions and failing to introduce mitigation measures (such as air purifiers in schools), or even uphold existing ones (such as compulsory masking), maximises the risk. The government is freeing some to return to aspects of life that they have sorely missed. But in doing so, those people risk serious harm to themselves and others. » | Editorial | Thursday, July 8, 2021

England’s Reopening Plan Is a ‘Dangerous Experiment’, Ministers Told

THE GUARDIAN: Health experts say ending most Covid rules on 19 July will affect certain groups disproportionately

Boris Johnson’s decision to lift a vast swath of Covid restrictions on 19 July is “a very dangerous experiment” that will disproportionately affect a host of people already susceptible to coronavirus, according to experts involved in an independent inquiry into the government’s pandemic response.

The damning report states that disabled people, those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds or those on low incomes are now at greater risk after rules on mask-wearing and self-isolation, as well as the requirement to work from home when possible, are set to be axed.

Dr Tolullah Oni, an epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge, warned that lifting restrictions would affect communities unequally. “We’re further widening the health inequalities we’ve seen play out in the last year,” she said. » | Rachel Hall | Wednesday, July 7, 2021

What else should we expect from a dangerous, self-aggrandising fool but a “dangerous experiment”? BoJo’s government is not fit for purpose! – Mark

Just in case you have forgotten what BoJo looks like, this is he:

India Covid Variant Spreading across England, Data Shows

THE GUARDIAN: Scientists say geographical spread ‘entirely predictable’ and window of opportunity has been missed

The coronavirus variant of concern first detected in India is continuing to spread across England, with cases emerging beyond “hotspot” areas, data suggests.

The variant, known as B.1.617.2, is thought to be driving a rise in Covid cases in parts of the UK and is believed to be both more transmissible than the variant first detected in Kent, which previously dominated, and somewhat more resistant to Covid vaccines, particularly after just one dose.

At present up to three-quarters of new Covid cases in the UK are thought to be caused by the India variant. There have also been signs of a slight rise in hospitalisations.

The situation has led some scientists to warn that the country is now in the early stages of a third wave of coronavirus which, despite the vaccination programme, modelling suggests could lead to a rise in hospitalisations and deaths, and that full easing of restrictions in England on 21 June should be reconsidered. » | Nicola Davis, Science correspondent | Monday, May 31, 2021

Warning of Tens of Thousands of Deaths in England from Covid-19 Second Wave

THE GUARDIAN: Tiered lockdown system not adequate for preventing high rate of virus infections daily, epidemiologist tells MPs

Tens of thousands of deaths are now inevitable in a second wave of coronavirus infections sweeping across England because of the failure to contain the virus, a government scientific adviser has warned.

John Edmunds, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told MPs on Wednesday that without further measures England’s tiered Covid-19 strategy would lead to high numbers of new infections every day, putting the NHS under strain and driving up the death toll.

“If you look at where we are, there is no way we come out of this wave now without counting our deaths in the tens of thousands,” Edmunds, an epidemiologist, told the joint hearing of the Commons science and technology committee, and the health and social care committee. » | Ian Sample, Science editor | Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Wales to Ban Visitors from Covid Hotspots in England

THE GUARDIAN: First minister says he will act this week if UK government refuses to stop people travelling

People who live in Covid-19 hotspots in England are to be banned from travelling to Wales, the Welsh first minister has announced.

Mark Drakeford said he had asked for the “necessary work” to take place to allow devolved powers to be used to prevent people from travelling into Wales from “high prevalence” areas.

Drakeford claimed people in Wales were “anxious and fearful” and were “clamouring” for action to be taken. He said the Welsh government would act by the end of the week if the UK government continued to refuse to stop people travelling from English Covid hotspots.

He said: “Evidence from public health professionals suggests coronavirus is moving from east to west across the UK and across Wales.

“Much of Wales is now subject to local restriction measures because levels of the virus have risen and people living in those areas are not able to travel beyond their county boundary without a reasonable excuse. I am determined to keep Wales safe.” » | Steven Morris and Libby Brooks | Wednesday, October 14, 2020

England-wide Covid Lockdown Needed 'Sooner Rather Than Later', Says Former Adviser

THE GUARDIAN: Prof Neil Ferguson says new rules should be imposed to minimise deaths in ‘perfect storm’ second wave

The epidemiologist whose modelling helped shape Britain’s coronavirus lockdown strategy has warned that new coronavirus restrictions will be needed in England “sooner rather than later” if the government is to prevent the disease surging again.

Prof Neil Ferguson – who resigned from the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) – said the country was facing a “perfect storm” following the easing of controls over the summer. » | Nicola Slawson | Saturday, September 19, 2020

The English Home Counties in 1938

Here I present a series of photographs of The British Home Counties, taken in 1938 by an American photographer. These photographs give a wonderful impression of England before the War. Many of the villages have little changed over the years. | Music: Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending

Coronavirus: England 'On Knife-edge' as Cases Rise and Lockdowns Grow

THE GUARDIAN: Former chief scientific adviser issues warning to government after huge surge in cases

New cases of coronavirus are doubling almost weekly across England, figures revealed, as Birmingham became the biggest local authority to announce a tightening of lockdown measures and health officials flagged “worrying signs” of infections in elderly people.

The measures to be introduced in Birmingham next week mean more than 7.3 million people – 11% of the UK population – will be living in areas affected by some level of local lockdown, according to a Guardian analysis.

After signs that the number of virus infections is accelerating sharply, the former UK government chief scientific adviser Sir David King urged ministers to improve the NHS test-and-trace system. He said England was on a “knife-edge”. » | Robert Booth, Nicola Davis, Nazia Parveenand Pamela Duncan | Friday, Sptember 11, 2020

Britain First: The "Most Dangerous Far-right Party"?

Britain First are far-right political party who say they want Islam to be banned and would hang their enemies if in power. The group has more followers on Facebook than any other political party in the UK and have just announced their leader is running for Mayor of London. The anti-racism group Hope Not Hate say they're "the most dangerous group to have emerged on the British far-right scene for several years” The Victoria Derbyshire programme’s Benjamin Zand finds out who they are and meets them at one of their protests in Rotherham.