Donald Trump and Keir Starmer have finally signed the US-UK trade deal at the G6 and a bit meeting in Canada on 16th June.
Cynicism must be tempered with the possibility of saving jobs at least in the short term.
In the longer run as Neville Chamberlain found in September 1938 signing agreements with far right politicians has a limited potential. Fortunately however Trump is not Hitler even if some of his colleagues are admirers..
The Telegraph has had a long period with no owner and in that period has moved from a newspaper to a viewspaper. A new owner is now in place but no doubt the process of reining in the viewsmakers will take time (if it happens at all).
Meanwhile the always ‘patriotic’ is claiming that British people like fried fish and chips. In 2025 the rider must be added, if they can afford them.
George Orwell in the Road to Wigan Pier suggested that fish and chips (then much cheaper) had saved Britain from revolution in the 1930s. British history is not the Telegraph’s strong point.
National Beard Week 2025 23-28th June
Monday 23rd June: Hirsute Personality of the Year: the beard wearer who has made the positive public impact during the year. 2024 winner- Jeremy Corbyn
Tuesday 24th June: Beard Friendly Sandwich of the Year: the sandwich that goes in the mouth not the beard. 2024: Bacon or Facon
Wednesday 25th June: Hirsute Broadcaster of the Year: the broadcaster whose beard has had the most public impact. 2024 Aatif Nawaz
Thursday 26th June: Pogonophobe of the Year: the most notorious beard hater of the year; 2024 Nigel Farage
Friday 27th June: Most Beard Friendly Employer. Not awarded in 2024
Saturday 28th: Beard of Summer 2024: the third of the four quarterly seasonal Awards 2024 Ian McKellen
16th June is of course Bloomsday and sticking with tradition I’ve compiled a version of the sandwich that Leopold Bloom is described as eating in Ulysses.
Gorgonzola (piccante) on Irish soda beard with Dijon mustard & tomato.
It was tasty and fairly beard friendly..
Beard Liberation Front
16th June
contact BLF Organiser @keithbeard.bsky.social
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has welcomed progress in hirsute history as US golfer JJ Spaun became the 8th winner of the US Open Golf with a beard since 2000 early on Monday morning UK time.
Men’s golf used to be an almost entirely clean shaven sport, something the Beard Liberation Front has campaigned on over the decades. It has now become more diverse and more beard friendly recognising the importance of facial hair in Tee and Putting shots.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, we congratulate JJ Spaun and his beard. Beard Power on the golf course enhances the possibility of success
Red Saunders was one of the founders of Rock Against Racism but also a leading photographer.
In recent decades he has pursued a Hidden project recreating scenes from radical history. Details of a new exhibition featuring his work are above.
The picture used in the flyer is that of the black leader of London Chartism William Cuffay. It was shot at Chat’s Palace in Homerton (Hackney) and I am in it wearing a false beard stuck on to my actual beard…
Mr Johnson has a number of children with a number of different partners…
The Ambridge Socialist
15th June
Hugh Dennis (Father Crispin) didn’t make it to St Stephens
It was Peggy’s funeral this week and Father Crispin, sometimes known as Hugh Dennis, was set to preside as per the Matriach’s Instructions. However Crispin had to retire hurt after a massage on his shoulder from Kate. Hence Alan Vicar got to do the job.
The Archers Dynasty: one out, one in
As Peggy the former leader of the Archers Dynasty departed so another is due as Phoebe revealed she is expecting an Archer later in the year.
Farm Sunday: Not warring brothers (for once)
Despite Daveed’s concerns Farm Sunday at Brookfield was thronged with no obvious sign of militant vegans. Bridge Farm by contrast was quiet. Daveed in an act of solidarity diverted the masses to Tony and Pat’s entirely sewage free farm. In return Helen sent Daveed some cheese…
Justin’s Legacy
Justin is still working on his rewilding legacy. There could be trouble ahead with the Borsetshire Land Board..
In Other News
Helen has a date with Dane at a Birmingham Comedy Club otherwise known as the Mailbox
What would stop you listening to the Archers?
The question was asked by the Academic Archers Meta site this week. The Ambridge Socialist posted, Farage drinking at the Bull, which got some support. Tbh given how keen some elements in the BBC are in promoting Reform, don’t rule it out.
Trooping the Colour took place at Horseguards in central London on 14th June. It doesn’t have a set date but is held in June because the weather is likely to be better. It coincides more or less with the current monarch, King Charlie’s birthday.
I was watching South Africa beat Australia in the World Test Final but kept on eye on the TV coverage. It suggested the possibility of a new Monty Python film. There is no point to Trooping the Colour except as a ceremonial occasion.
Like anything to do with Royalty Medieval origins are claimed but the modern ceremony dates from 1889 and really became of note after it was first televised in 1937. Where Royal Families or similar (see President Trump) continue to exist across the globe such ceremonies will be found.
Terence Ranger and Eric Hobsbawm edited a volume titled The Invention of Tradition. Of course all traditions are invented at some point. The interesting historical question is when they were invented and why.
Trooping the Colour in its present form dates from the later years of Queen Victoria’s reign (died 1901). It was boosted by TV coverage in more recent times. As a parade it is (without question) an example of how well the British State can pull off a ceremonial parade. Historically Royal ceremonials were often chaotic but were reinvented in the late Victorian period. The parade is a symbol of imperial authority but if its not done well- think Trump on 14th June-it can send the reverse message.
Keir and Victoria Starmer were present, but while there are many things that can be said about the Labour leader in fact attendance is also a tradition. Government papers released by the National Archives related to the National Dock strike in 1966 contains documents where Harold Wilson and other Cabinet members are trying to resolve the dispute while at least giving the appearance of paying attention to the Trooping of the Colour. Starmer being a Statal person I suspect genuinely liked it…
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