Rook Rivalries

Fuse / 3rd April, 2014

Rooks, are a member of the Corvidae family, one of the first bird to nest and raise their young, a sure sign of Spring’s eventual arrival even in mid-winter.

In February, they rebuild their twig fortresses high in the tree tops, eggs arrive at end of the month or early March and youngsters hatch 16 days …More»

We are the Sweeney and
we haven’t had any Dinner!

Front Row / 27th March, 2014

A Murder Mystery evening – Now I know the concept may sound a little hackneyed but this evening event was an evening well spent.

Mike Henderson has written and produced an excellent mystery ‘Dying For A Laugh’ The narrative unfolds in a ‘Fawlty Towers’ style hotel with a large cast of actors who play …More»

Best male singer of the year…

Fanfare / 19th March, 2014

…NME, 1975*

And the winner is {bodhran roll please} John Goodluck, crown pagan prince of Suffolk song and grand magister of the 1970s Ipswich folk scene.

They don’t make ’em like this anymore. Johns unholy trinity of The Suffolk Miracle (74), Speed the Plough (75) and Monday’s Childe (77, like punk never happened) are faultless …More»

The Colne vs the Amazon

Foreword / 13th March, 2014

Some well placed World Book Day vouchers pointed family Forté to sunny Wivenhoe last weekend, a magical bohemian haven of writers, poets, artists and thinkers (and a few drinkers, although there was no sign of Francis Bacon today) on the banks of the River Colne just south of the border. Although within …More»

A Real Blott on the Landscape

Fuse / 13th March, 2014

I love the Suffolk countryside I live in, but some despair has set in with the ruinous nature and blight caused by solar panels on roofs.

The government set up a policy pinned around the premise that solar energy must be good for us all, and sold as a must have, a “Sid” share …More»

Oh good ale, you are my darlin’

Fanfare / 7th March, 2014

What a night, the stars must have been aligned. Three top flight acts all squeezed into Ipswich ale monastry St. Judes for a night of avant folk and folly.

Hats off to the tiny St. Judes, they really know how to run a town pub, it’s full of a psychedelic array of …More»

When Roads turn to Rivers…

Fuse / 6th March, 2014

Recently, I found myself in the notorious Flowton Channel watching the swirling dirty brown waters, from the safety of my car, with the certain knowledge I would have to turn back and take a long detour to work. I was intrigued to see the extent and depth of the frothing waters, so I got …More»

Where can you stay in the Metropolis…

Fuse / 28th February, 2014

At an affordable price with some chic styling?

Why not try one of the new wave of ‘cube hotels’ that accentuate the better aspects of ‘student style’ accommodation but with a few extras for the urban hotel market –  a difficult pitch – as they must be clean, hygienic and appealing – and most …More»

Green grows the Laurel

Furrow / 28th February, 2014

This weeks customary Saturday morning stroll took me to Freston woods, just inland on the Shotley Peninsula, on the high ground overlooking the Peewit paradise in the distance.

Although only a stones throw from home, and for no obvious reason beyond a more natural pull toward the river, this is still alien territory for …More»