I used to spend most of my summer holidays in the Polish Tatra Mountains, walking and climbing along well marked routes. Going off the track was restricted by the rules of the National Park, and in fact by the character of the mountains. Straying of these routes was suicidal, unless I could fly or was a well-equipped and experienced rock…

Last month a homeless man pleaded guilty to two charges of dishonestly making a false representation after booking in for three nights at a £70-per-night hotel and pretending to be Louis Theroux, a BBC presenter. The hotel staff became suspicious on the second night when he ordered room service including ‘some fags’ rather than ‘cigarettes’. This was a modern version…

Many years ago, as a young priest, I went on a training course. There I found out I would share my room with a famous comedian who was to attend that course as well. I’d admired him for years, and was really thrilled at such a prospect. But I also knew that many artists like to keep a low profile…

Watching the news, listening to the radio and reading newspapers are the main sources of our knowledge about the world, near and far. Our choice of media certainly shapes our views, but similarly our views play an important role in choosing particular TV channels, radio stations and newspapers. We’d like to believe that our views and opinions are impartial and…

Last week the British government presented a new package of financial arrangements; it’s been widely analysed and commented on in the media. As usual the opinions are divided, partially because of political views, partially because of the practical effects of the budget. The only certain thing is that not everyone is happy, as it’s practically impossible to please everybody. Setting…