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18 August 2021

This England: Spitting image

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

Strangers regularly stop a mum in the street to say her baby daughter is a mini Boris Johnson thanks to her unruly mop of blonde hair.

Bethany Jeeves was stunned when Lottie was born with a shock of long, thick silvery hair. Since then, five-month-old Lottie’s hairdo has taken on a life of its own and regardless of what Bethany does to it – including wetting, washing and brushing it – it sticks up.

Cambridgeshire Live (Nigel Huddlestone)

[See also: This England: Flight of fancy]

Butter fingers

A motorist being chased by police was caught after dropping his phone while it was open on his Facebook page.

Essex officers said the dangerous driving suspect, 30, from Basildon, was later arrested after crashing in Southend.

Metro (Amanda Welles)

Give a gift subscription to the New Statesman this Christmas from just £49

[See also: This England: Snow place like home]

Gooseberry grievances

A gooseberry grower lost his title after his prized bushes were poisoned and killed ahead of a prestigious competition. The reigning champion claims his chances were scuppered before they even began after his highly prized crop was “nobbled”.

Terry Price, crowned winner in 2020 with a 50g fruit, says he noticed his bushes looking “sickly” three months ago and that within ten days they were dead.

Mr Price said: “I could have cried when I found out because so much work goes into it and then it’s all gone just like that.”

Last year he won the trophy for “premier berry”.

Yorkshire Post (Michael Meadowcroft)

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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