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  1. The Back Pages
1 December 2021

This England: Kissinger-a-gram

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

Confusion erupted when an unknown intruder calling themselves “Henry Kissinger” joined an online meeting for members of the Aberdeen City Region Deal joint committee.

After 20 minutes, council officer Alison McLeod said there appeared to be an extra guest. But it was very unlikely to have been the famous 98-year-old former US secretary of state.

Aberdeen Press and Journal (Ron Grant)

Making a splash

Peppa Pig fan Grace Crouch has been crowned this year’s World Puddle Jumping Champion. Inspired by her cartoon hero, the three-year-old won with her technique and “infectious giggle”.

The panel at the event in Kettering were on the lookout for jump height, enthusiasm, splash distance and stickability – the amount of mud clinging to each competitor. Grace won a pair of wellies and a raincoat.

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Daily Mirror (Daragh Brady)

Kill your feed

A man has put a bird box which looks like a speed camera in his garden in an attempt to slow down drivers. Mike Wrathmall said some drivers went at “ridiculous speeds” on the road outside his Billingham home, where the limit is 30mph. Wrathmall has said that his neighbours had been positive about the “camera”.

“Probably around the area, people know where it is, but in regard to someone outside the area, it may make them think twice,” Wrathmall said. “A bit of doubt is all it needs sometimes, isn’t it?”

BBC North East and Cumbria (Christopher Rossi)

Each printed entry receives a £5 book token. Entries to comp@newstatesman.co.uk or on a postcard to This England.

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This article appears in the 01 Dec 2021 issue of the New Statesman, The virus strikes back

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com Our Thursday ideas newsletter, delving into philosophy, criticism, and intellectual history. The best way to sign up for The Salvo is via thesalvo.substack.com Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team. The best way to sign up for The Green Transition is via spotlightonpolicy.substack.com
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
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  • OH&S, Risk Management
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  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
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  • Sport and Recreation
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  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
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