Rapid responses November 8, 2012 Special relationship [Re: It was attitudes not demographics that determined the US campaign, yesterday] Stephan Shakespeare’s insightful piece has interesting implications for UK politics. Firstly, David Cameron can be reassured that a leader presiding over a lacklustre economy won’t necessarily be voted out of office. But secondly, Cameron should be concerned that even attitudes in [...]
Alan Bennett’s People is a riotous but touching sideways look at England November 8, 2012 THEATRE PEOPLE The Lyttleton at the National Theatre **** Alan Bennett’s new play, People, slips effortlessly into the canon of his work, with its saucy “Blackpool postcard” humour and undercurrent of resentment and despair. It takes place in a wonderfully rendered, decaying stately home – all mouldy dust-jackets and shards of sunlight creeping through moth-eaten [...]
The Sapphires is a partial hit but The Alps has a mountain to climb November 8, 2012 FILM THE SAPPHIRES Cert 12A | By Alex Dymoke *** Soul music and Chris O’Dowd’s face must be two of the most inherently likeable things on the planet. Given that both feature prominently in Australian movie The Sapphires, it is perhaps unsurprising that the film has landed in the UK to an enthusiastic chorus of [...]
I spy with my Discerning Eye, some hot new talent November 8, 2012 ART ING DISCERNING EYE EXHIBITION The Mall Galleries, The Mall, SW1 This year’s ING Discerning Eye Exhibition is gearing up for its grand opening next week, when a wealth of fascinating works will go on display. The exhibition features exciting pieces from artists including Harry Pye, whose poignant block-colour paintings beautifully capture everyday hope and [...]
Where to drink November 8, 2012 The Parisian-born phenomenon Buddha-Bar launched last week, reincarnated in Knightsbridge following the closure of their Embankment-based venue two years ago. This very different proposition has a modern take on its Eastern influences and is poised to reclaim glory with delectable cuisine, incredible decor from renowned sculptor David Begbie, inspired mixology and the live DJ sets [...]
Rodgers reliant on Suarez to make a point at the Bridge November 8, 2012 CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL Sunday 4.00pm A QUARTER of the way through the season and it’s clear to see that reviving Liverpool is not going to be an easy task for Brendan Rodgers. The Reds’ opening five games yielded just two points and there is still a long way to go, although their fortunes have improved [...]
Retrieve and Sirvino are the value in November Handicap November 8, 2012 IT has been a brilliant season for racing with personal highlights being there at York to watch Frankel hose up in the International Stakes and then last month seeing Sir Henry Cecil’s superstar bow out of the game unbeaten with victory in the QIPCO British Champion Stakes at Ascot. Doncaster tomorrow afternoon hosts the final [...]
First time out is the time to catch Zarrafakt for in-form Lavelle November 8, 2012 PAUL Nicholls had a day to remember last Saturday with big race wins for Silviniaco Conti, Tidal Bay, Kauto Stone and Cristal Bonus, and he is set to unleash another powerful squad at his local track, Wincanton, tomorrow afternoon. The big betting race on the card is the Badger Ales Trophy (3.25pm) which the champion [...]
House repossessions fall to five-year low November 8, 2012 House repossessions fell to a five-year low in the third quarter, the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said today. A total of 8,200 properties were taken into possession over the three months to September, down from 8,500 in the second quarter and 9,600 the year previously, the trade body said. Over the first nine months [...]
Bank of England opts against more stimulus November 8, 2012 The Bank of England refrained from pumping more cash into the economy today, leaving the current stimulus programme at £375bn. The decision to hold quantitative easing is likely to have been close, with rate setters weighing up the UK’s GDP growth in the third quarter against signs of renewed weakness since then. It is understood [...]
