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19 January 2022

This England: Age is no limit

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

Age is no limit

A grandfather who took up skateboarding at the age of 82 has insisted “age is no limit” in life. Don Morton began his new hobby in September after previously being a passionate skier and rollerblader.

The grandfather-of-two said: “I am the living proof that age is not a barrier. There is no reason to not take it up – older people can have a very fun time just going on the pathways. I’m in the process of building up speed.”

Scottish Herald
(Daragh Brady)

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

Too close to home

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On the road to Cop28

It may have been intended as a light-hearted jibe at its West Yorkshire counterpart, but a new strapline on “Welcome to Hull” signs has provoked a wide-ranging reaction on social media.

The sign, on roads on the border with East Riding, now features a strapline that says: “We know we aren’t perfect, but at least we aren’t Leeds.”

Yorkshire Post
(Michael Meadowcroft)

[See also: This England: Once in a blue moon]

A salty shock

A Cardiff woman says she was stunned when she opened a Walkers multipack and one of the packets had no crisps in it.

Yarna Davies had bought a multipack of cheese and onion Walkers crisps. When she arrived home she tucked into a packet and was so hungry she dove in for another. But to her horror the second packet had no crisps in it at all, “not even a crumb”, she said, reflecting on her ordeal.

Walkers has apologised, blaming a production error. “I was annoyed,” Davies said. “But it’s a once in a lifetime thing.”
Wales Online
(Christopher Rossi)

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This article appears in the 19 Jan 2022 issue of the New Statesman, The end of the party