Anne Pickles
It Shaw is a mess
Published 19 July 2008
Set in Northumberland in 1964, George Gently – BBC1’s latest Sunday evening cop drama – promised a bit of a telly treat. Retro story-telling with maybe some groovy backdrop music. Like Heartbeat without the cocoa and slippers, right?
Eel be late
Published 19 July 2008
“HE’S the greatest chef in the world, that’s all,” said Jean Christophe Novelli of Marco Pierre White (Marco’s Great British Feast, ITV1 Wednesday).
Put Des out of his misery
Published 19 July 2008
IT was never going to be everybody’s cup of tea – but who could have imagined it wouldn’t be Des Lynam’s?
Exams too easy? Well they have to be or the markers would never cope
Published 18 July 2008
So, school’s out then – or as near as makes no difference. Out of Sats results, out of buses for next term, out of luck with summer holiday weather. Out of patience, very likely.
Lessons in how not to deal with knife crime
Published 15 July 2008
How would you shock a kid with a knife into changing his vicious, stabbing ways? Throw him into jail for a few years – right?
Francesco would look sexy in a bin liner
Published 12 July 2008
Fans of Francesco da Mosto would follow him anywhere – on a gondola along the canals of his native Venezia, on a camel through the Sahara, on a slow train to Brampton Junction.
Simple pleasures for our Sheila
Published 12 July 2008
TO be honest Sadie and Simon got right on my nerves – and the more they exasperated Location, Location, Location (C4) presenters Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp with picky demands and nose-curling rejections of properties in Bath, the more nerve-endings screamed at the remote.
Some things can’t be beaten
Published 12 July 2008
YOU realise you’re knocking on in years when you start to say: “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore...” and know it to be true.
Nothing gentle about ratings trouncing
Published 12 July 2008
IT was Sunday and a Northumbrian variation on the Judge John Deed theme was scheduled to dominate BBC1’s evening with new cop drama George Gently.
Dirty old town?
Published 11 July 2008
My word, Carlisle has taken some low body blows lately. Visitors and locals alike have been uncommonly vociferous in their criticism of our poor old city; depressingly pessimistic about her future revival prospects.
Criticise our buildings and our weather – but please, don’t find fault with Cumbria’s welcome
Published 11 July 2008
My word, Carlisle has taken some low body blows lately. Visitors and locals alike have been uncommonly vociferous in their criticism of our poor old city; depressingly pessimistic about her future revival prospects.
A refreshing glimpse of sportsmanship
Published 8 July 2008
It was glorious and agonising; dramatic and breathtaking. Five hours of spectacular play with not a swear word or rude gesture anywhere as a blot on the landscape.
Tell your consultants to bogof now, Gordon
Published 8 July 2008
I’ve never been able to work out what it is about consultants that makes grown men, women – and far too many elected politicians – agree wholeheartedly to purchase expensively presented suggestions that they should tie their own blindfolds and leap into the abyss.
Duncan dragon’s lost his puff
Published 5 July 2008
DUNCAN Bannatyne has kicked his smoking habit. He’s a former 20-a-day man, which makes him the worst kind of preacher – a convert.
More of the same please, Beeb
Published 5 July 2008
THE worst part of Criminal Justice (BBC1, Monday to Friday) was that it had to come to an end.
No title
Published 5 July 2008
BRITAIN’S Missing Top Model (BBC3 Tuesday) was making a brave attempt to challenge our fondness for safe celebrity conformity.
Marco’s so scary he’s the best
Published 5 July 2008
He’s shabby, arrogant, addicted to his smokes, could certainly do with a haircut – and is probably Britain’s most talented chef. No wonder Marco Pierre White is so infuriating.
I’m very sorry mummy, did I offend you by asking about your age?
Published 4 July 2008
It doesn’t do to be a plain speaker. Just ask Pam. A lifetime of speaking her mind – in a well-mannered way, of course – has been tipped right off kilter. And she’s not happy.Mind drifting towards Pam’s predicament, I waited for my weekend meat order at the butcher’s in Brampton, unaware I’d been spoken to in a whisper.
Mum’s the word when you can’t find a phone box to call home from
Published 4 July 2008
It’s probably just another one of those signs of the times – the kind that makes you feel your age and want to sit down for a bit. They’re closing down telephone boxes and opening up after-school sex clinics. How the heck did that happen?She was approached for advice by three boys, aged 13, 14 and 15, who’d not yet embarked on intimate relationships but who were thinking about it and wondering about the wisdom of making the move.
Have your say
- Anger at early start for school holidays
- Public give views on eco-village proposal
- 3,000-name petition over problem layby
- Crisis talks in city to salvage airport plan
- Leave us smokers alone, trim your expenses and fix the holes in the road
- Sex clinic gives condoms out to 13-year-olds
- Vandals knock over headstones in city graveyard
- Tackling accidents, booze and cigs are priorities
- Hespin Wood choice for new waste plant
- Hostel plan for women and children supported
