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Pride and prejudice
For countless decades people living in Britain have been changing their names, and no, I’m not thinking about maiden names but rather their first names. For those who have a different cultural heritage, names can quickly become a challenge – people don’t pronounce them right and frequ
Read MoreApril 19, 2022
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Stamps to make an impression
Since 1840, the way we send letters, affixing a stamp with an image of the monarch’s head, has changed remarkably little. Well, not any longer. Perhaps you have already bought some of the new definitive stamps and noticed that there is a QR code on the side. So, did you scan it
Read MoreFebruary 09, 2022
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The star thrower
It seems that storm season is when large numbers of sea creatures get washed up on beaches and then stranded. Storm Arwen produced this along a short stretch of the Murray Firth near Inverness with some starfish. There have been many adaptations of a story called “The star thrower”. I
Read MoreJanuary 04, 2022
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Photos in conflict
There are a few jobs in life, when you survey them, especially the dangers, that make you seriously wonder why people do them. I can identify with those in the military that go on dangerous tours in places like Afghanistan and yet there are others that go within a very short distance
Read MoreDecember 08, 2021
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Webs everywhere
If you’ve been lucky enough to get away for a holiday recently you might have noticed, when you returned, that the spiders have been particularly busy leaving those calling cards all around the windows and ceilings. Apparently, this is the time of year when they tend to get a bit fris
Read MoreSeptember 13, 2021
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Betrayed by a kiss
It should have been just another day in the office, but it was not to be. The man was a public figure, virtually a household name, a man at the top of his game. Of course, I am referring to Matt Hancock, who until recently, was the government’s health secretary. If anyone should have
Read MoreJuly 01, 2021
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Adoration or annoyance
The death of anyone, however long-expected, always comes as a shock. What has been unsurprising, with the passing of Prince Philip at age 99, has been the genuine national sadness and sense of pathos for what the Queen must be going through after 73 years of marriage. Prince Philip wa
Read MoreApril 14, 2021
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The “Reddit army”
Until recently the name GameStop would not have rung many bells but that has all changed thanks to a bunch of users on the popular Reddit platform, recently ranked the 17th most-visited website in the world. The story centres around numerous small shares investors, the “Reddit army”,
Read MoreFebruary 02, 2021
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Benefits in the rearview mirror
In the same way that we all know that hindsight is a wonderful thing, similarly there can be benefits, even substantial ones, that are only observed, as it were, in the rearview and not up front. I once heard someone giving thanks for COVID and I could see that immediately there opene
Read MoreNovember 09, 2020
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Assumptions vs Assurance
Due to the large amount of recent rain, one morning I perched myself atop a nice stable three-legged iron garden table and pushed out the large volume of water that had collected on our gazebo. It made light work of all that heavy water. However, within the space of half of one second
Read MoreOctober 07, 2020
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Masking up
The time is fast upon us where we are, much more widely, going to have to don our masks out in public places. So, have you decided yet what type of mask you are going to wear? Will it will be a bulk buy of the cheapest and most basic mask? Alternatively, will you do even better than t
Read MoreOctober 07, 2020
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Too much too soon
It has been now a couple of weeks’ worth of lockdown changes with: 2 million primary children invited to go back to school, more people back in work, and the restrictions generally somewhat eased. Opinions are pretty mixed as to whether we are truly following the science or whether we
Read MoreOctober 07, 2020
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Hidden figures
Just 10 days ago the world learned that the renowned African-American mathematician, Katharine Johnson, had passed away at that grand old age of 101. Ms Johnson was hired by NASA in 1953 to be, what they called at the time, a “human computer”, using nothing much beyond pen
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2020
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5G, do we have an issue?
By now the decision has likely been made and the result out in the public domain – I refer to the choice over whether to let Huawei equipment form the heart or just a lesser part of the 5G national network. For some of us “early adopters” we might be quite excited ab
Read MoreJanuary 28, 2020
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The disease of distraction
Very recently I came across a fascinating article on the subject of distraction. Even for the most focussed and work-efficient people, getting distracted is nigh on impossible to avoid. So you’re sitting having an intensive discussion with someone and then you hear that faint &#
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019
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The missing cryptoqueen
They call it a story of greed, deceit and herd madness. Over the last couple of months there has been a series of BBC podcasts with the title: The Missing Cryptoqueen. It has to do with the sudden disappearance of Dr Ruja Ignatova, founder of the amazing cryptocurrency scheme OneCoin,
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019
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When a neighbour is closer than you think
We’ve probably all had the experience of a removal lorry stopping right next door. For most of us we’re a bit wary of the newcomers since we don’t know whether they’re going to be good, bad or truly monstrous! In one recent case a lady called Hillary had a woma
Read MoreOctober 14, 2019
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How far would you go?
Thinking of the most basic staples of life, our bread and water, I wonder how far you would be willing to go for them? I recently came across a couple of stories which showcase what people have been willing to do. The first is from a village in East Java province called Klepu. There t
Read MoreAugust 27, 2019
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An unfortunate ‘slip & cut’
You have to feel sorry for the poor guy. He went into Leicester Royal Infirmary for a botox injection and came out full on circumcised! Not the best way for a hospital to make their mark. Of course I understand that, with the best will in the world, we are all fallible people. Even wi
Read MoreAugust 27, 2019
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Selective speaking
I was amused hearing about the family that got a celebratory takeaway when their child was threatened with a detention for talking in class. As may not surprise you, the backstory for this news item was a bit more complex and involved. A girl called Red had gone through nursery school
Read MoreJune 10, 2019
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Jackpot day
It comes under a raft of names: a bonanza, a treasure trove, a windfall etc. It was just the other week we were hearing about the lady who scooped the lottery jackpot and walked away with a cool £1m in prize money. What was particularly interesting was that the lady concerned, Paula W
Read MoreApril 09, 2019
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A time to sing
Stories coming back from conflict zones, that are generally cheering and put a smile on your face, are fairly scarce.
Read MoreMarch 14, 2019
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Just so…daily!
Being just into the New Year, whether we would admit it or not, many of us entertain high hopes.
Read MoreMarch 14, 2019
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Drone chaos
The amount of sheer mayhem caused in the run up to the Christmas period at Gatwick Airport
Read MoreMarch 14, 2019
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Going, going, gone!
The other week Sotheby’s auction house put under the hammer one of Banksy’s best known images
Read MoreMarch 14, 2019
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In over our heads
Very recently household debt has been hitting the headlines again. Apparently: “Up to 8.3 million people in the UK are
Read MoreMarch 14, 2019
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A wall all around
That President Trump promised to build a wall along the US-Mexican border is common knowledge, yet just recently
Read MoreSeptember 13, 2018
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Death row – A heavy toll
As a Christian minister it is one privilege to come alongside those that are facing the grief of losing a loved one. And yet
Read MoreSeptember 13, 2018
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#NotForChildren
I remember hearing a story many years ago about a mystical forest. Some children stumbled upon
Read MoreSeptember 13, 2018
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Knives making better lives
Knives making better lives London has just opened a new outdoor gym by the name of Steel Warriors. There’s no membership fee, there’s even a free coaching facility. Now if this doesn’t already sound too good to be true, this gym has been built from two tonnes of surr
Read MoreJanuary 25, 2018
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The “Nudge unit”
The picture on the front was that of an elephant pushing the baby along with its trunk, the title: “Nudge” by Prof Richard H Thaler who has just now been awarded a Nobel prize. The previous Prime Minister took up some of his ideas in the creation of an internal depar
Read MoreNovember 04, 2017
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Gem of a story
This week will have seen Sotheby’s auction an exceptionally sized diamond weighing in at 26 carats
Read MoreAugust 05, 2017
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Getting over the overture
How would you like to die at the grand old age of 146? Mbah Gotho, a Christian man from Sragen
Read MoreMay 15, 2017
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Cake or biscuit?
No doubt, at some point, someone has asked you one of those rather silly questions
Read MoreMarch 13, 2017
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Endless brick walls
I still remember the day just as vividly as when it first happened 30 years back.
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2017
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Are we forgetting the lines?
First it was Stacey Solomon reading her lines from a clipboard at the panto and then it was Patti Smith
Read MoreJanuary 24, 2017
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Picture perfect
Every year Girlguiding in the UK carries out a survey on Girls’ Attitudes.
Read MoreNovember 01, 2016
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Pls and Thx
It was just the other month when the story broke of an 86-year-old grandmother who
Read MoreAugust 01, 2016
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My X makes me human
They say that, “X marks the spot”, but what would X be in your life that makes you most human?
Read MoreMay 31, 2016
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Humankind’s greatest friend is?
Humankind’s greatest friend is …? The latest edition of the Smithsonian Institute Magazine had this opening statement:
Read MoreMay 02, 2016
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Picture Power or Person Power
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words – well recently some research
Read MoreFebruary 03, 2016
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Perfect parsnip
The celebrity chef, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, has recently been in the spotlight
Read MoreNovember 20, 2015
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Robot love
I read in the paper an article which stated: “The robots are coming.
Read MoreNovember 02, 2015
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Picturing compassion
It was the image of policeman Mehmet Ciplak carrying the three-year-old Alan Kurdi’s
Read MoreNovember 02, 2015
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The sharp end of forgiveness
Vincent Uzomah was doing the job he loved and, for now at least, he cannot face going back to it.
Read MoreAugust 24, 2015
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Cheerleader Mourning
The headline read: “Cheerleading world mourns ‘founder’ Lawrence Herkimer”.
Read MoreJuly 20, 2015
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Order! Order!
It was playful stuff recently appointing the Speaker of the House of Commons by re-enacting the centuries old
Read MoreJune 09, 2015
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Suffering wordsmiths
As an occasional radio presenter with Newbury & Thatcham’s very own Kennet Radio, you will not be overly
Read MoreMay 04, 2015
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Eyes wide shut
Until very recently, if you had asked me what blind people see, I would have answered without any real hesitation,
Read MoreMarch 10, 2015
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First impressions, worst impressions?
The events of the Paris massacres at the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices and elsewhere
Read MoreJanuary 15, 2015
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Born only to die as it sleeps?
November 12th witnessed the Philae lander’s bumpy arrival on 67P. The new birth had taken 10 years from when the Rosetta
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10 million people said ‘Yes’ in 72 hours
What would create a festival atmosphere in Tokyo, causing thousands to take to the streets in fancy dress?
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Vacuum joke gets clean sweep
It was voted top joke this year at the Edinburgh Fringe by the comedian Tim Vine: “I decided to sell my Hoover… well it was just collecting dust.”
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When two words won’t do
It was this month I bumped into a BBC article highlighting a new word that seems to be doing the rounds at the present: ableism. The article explained:
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Darn those knees!
A brief story if I may: Two pastors’ wives were sitting mending their husbands’ trousers. One of them said to the other, “My poor Andrew,
Read MoreFebruary 26, 2014
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Bola on the Andrew Peach Breakfast Show
Bola, whilst out and about talks to Andrew Peach on his morning show and introduces him to Puff-Puffs etc.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2014
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Pastor Hedley on Andrew Peach Breakfast Show
Minding my own business out and about in Thatcham Town Centre on Monday 27th January 2014 and I spy the BBC Radio Berkshire car and Bridgitte Tetteh scouting around for likely interview candidates – so here we go Lord – in for a penny in for a pound.
Read MoreBola on BBC Radio Berkshire Sunday Evening Show
Bola talks about her faith and her love of cooking and how they combine.
Read MoreJanuary 26, 2014
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Putting 3,000 Lifetimes to Work
2014 is here, normality has returned and the festive season is barely more than a fading memory.
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A Tertium Quid
I’ll save you some taps diving off to Google for a quick Latin refresher. The term tertium quid:
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A long obedience in the same direction
The story of Noah and his ark is one that is well known. The bible is literally chock full of stories
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When what you want is wanting
What if you could create a world exactly the way you wanted it? I could imagine that for many the construction would include:
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Didn’t he do well
Bruce Forsyth was recently in the news voicing concerns that there could be a shadow side to Britain’s Got Talent with young
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Kicking up a mighty royal stink!
Having quite a fair slice of good old British reserve, I’m not usually the type who likes to make a big fuss.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Getting properly drunk
You could be forgiven for thinking that it is only in more recent days that people have really learned how to party.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Commitment a dirty word
In a great many settings today commitment is seen as something which is highly likely to limit our lifestyles
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Loving interference
If there is anything that people routinely hate and can even drive them to distraction, it is interference.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Countering silliness with silliness
Have you ever said or heard someone else say: “Well of course we’re not under law but under grace”.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Having a bone to pick
Fear would always grip me when my mother would suddenly say “Hedley, I have a bone to pick with you”!
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Contemplating tax evasion?
I think we can take it for read that no one much likes paying taxes. On one occasion Jesus got cornered over this rather
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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When the Jubilee reached Galilee
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee has granted people up and down the land occasion to truly celebrate.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Assumptions, assumptions
The apostle Paul wrote a very odd thing in a letter to Christian believers, he said:
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Ever commanding, ever demanding?
Many in our day take a somewhat dim view of God. Perhaps, right now, that’s you.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Poems don’t have to rhyme
Do you sometimes think that your life has neither rhyme nor reason. You look back over
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Daydreaming in the night
From our earliest moments we crave security, to be gathered up in our mother’s arms. And which
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Magnificent or mangled
It was one of the strangest prayers ever uttered. He was called to preach before the
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Where’s Wally
No doubt many of us have seen the “Where’s Wally” books. Double-page colour spreads
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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All your eggs in one basket
We all know the common-sense proverb which says “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”.
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Which side of the moon?
I want you to picture a day where God, without any warning, decides that mankind will have
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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A question of fruit
Jesus did much of his teaching by telling stories and he even gave us a couple of trilogies,
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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An Epiphany on Epiphany?
At this time of year people celebrate Epiphany and only one month ago Susan Philipsz won
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Contribution or sacrifice?
Two professors were having breakfast together and were debating whether making a contribution or making
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Turning us upside down
I came across the story of a rally car driver who was a truly forward thinking person. He had a sign which he placed on his
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Not what I would have written
Reading the Bible, even for seasoned readers like me, has its challenges and I want to share a simple tip with you
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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When second best is not best
Did you ever bring home your school report thinking you would get praise? You looked at your parents face to see whether
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Circular thinking
Talking about whether the Bible is a divine book or a thoroughly human production is one of those subjects that usually
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Good to be in a bind
Baptising two Christian believers yesterday has put me in mind of a story. A sailing vessel was at the point of
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Fire survival
We’ve all seen scary adverts about fire safety in our homes. Images of being rudely awakened from sleep by the
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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The graveyard of good intentions
It is wonderful to be at the start of a new year and let me take this opportunity to wish everyone all of God’s richest
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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The R-word
To many of us the word repentance, at least on first hearing, comes across as a bit
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Mining the minute
Some of us have what is called the gift of the gab, well the apostle Paul, who wrote many
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Exploding sermons
The story is told, most likely an urban legend, of a woman found in her car with the windows
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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Being a Christian unbeliever
I think it would be true to say that very few Christians have ever thought of themselves as
Read MoreAugust 29, 2013
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