New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
  2. UK Politics
20 April 2022

This England: Not a leg to stand on

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

A police officer took wooden posts from a shooting range and used them to build furniture for his garden, a misconduct hearing has heard, The former firearms officer, who used to work for Dorset Police, used the stakes to construct a table.

It is claimed that he removed four or five posts from the range’s stores without permission between July and August 2019.

The i (Linda Calvey)

Racking up a bill

A shop worker has gone viral after she shared a clip of a brazen swan entering the Co-op on Islay.

Popping in for a gander at the local products available in the Port Ellen shop, the swan waddled his way around to the counter area. The swan seems unaware of the panic among the workers, who barricaded themselves behind the till area.

Posting the humorous clip on social media, Irene Gillies wrote: “You bump into everyone when you’re in the Co on Islay.”

Aberdeen Press & Journal (Ron Grant)

[See also: This England: Story of my life]

Lights, camera, Jesus

New CCTV cameras have been installed in a South Lakeland town. And they have already been put to use spotting a group causing a disturbance.

The town council’s vice-chairman Allan Muirhead said police were called to a group of men caught on camera causing anti-social behaviour. “No arrests were necessary,” he said. “As one of the group was dressed in costume as Jesus, it was probably just as well.”

The Westmorland Gazette (Mike and Lynne Gibbons)

[See also: This England: Flight of fancy]

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

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
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.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people?
"Why wouldn't you?" Joining the charge towards net zero
The road to clean power 2030

This article appears in the 20 Apr 2022 issue of the New Statesman, Law and Disorder