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  1. Politics
7 October 2020

This England: Polly-mouth

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

Polly-mouth

Five foul-mouthed parrots have been causing a comical stir at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park by swearing in front of visitors and staff.

African grey parrots Billy, Tyson, Elsie, Jade and Eric arrived at the park in Friskney together, which is also home to the National Parrot Sanctuary. The five parrots have often been heard “effing and blinding at each other”, much to the amusement of staff and visitors.

The Lincolnite (Janet Mansfield)


In the orange

Money is not supposed to grow on trees, but Waitrose appears keen to prove the old adage wrong by selling a bag of autumn leaves for £6.

The Times (Chris Nicholls)

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Not short of port

Sir – I believe the apparent shortage of sherry is due to its use in recipes for banana bread being baked during the pandemic. I started using reserve port instead.

Letter in the Daily Telegraph (Peter Phillips)


Isolation nation

An Indian takeaway has launched a 114-item feast for self-isolators which takes ten days to eat. Dishes include one named “Aag Maithyoo Hancock”, or “Sack Matt Hancock”. The £49.99 banquet from Bombaylicious, in Coulsdon, Surrey, includes six lagers and 27 dishes, in what is thought to be the largest set-meal takeaway in the world.

Daily Mirror (Daragh Brady)


Finger in the pie

Bake Off 2020: Contestant is granddaughter of Sandwick woman’s lifelong pen-pal.

Headline in the Shetland Times (Claudia Kingston)

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This article appears in the 07 Oct 2020 issue of the New Statesman, Long Covid

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
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  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
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Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments 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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