Spurred on by the early morning chill, we walked steadily over the sands towards the pier as a whirl of chatter buzzed around us in English, Polish and Arabic. With one of our number waylaid with a stiff limp, we let the crowds of Santas, elves and penguins shuffle passed in a snaking procession that stretched all the way from Bournemouth to Boscombe. This was our first Christmas Day in Dorset, … Continue Reading
Latest Interviews
Interview with Valerio Ciriaci: Director of If Only I Were That Warrior
If Only I Were That Warrior is an award winning film that investigates the Italian occupation of Ethiopia in 1935 and the legacy it has left behind. Driving this story is the recently constructed … Continue Reading
Geoffrey Seed: Beating Libel Law with Fiction
“‘The common currency of both our professions is information. You want information. We want information. I can get you this, but I want the following things…’ what he wanted was information about my … Continue Reading
Articles & Editorial
Global Refugee Crisis: New Film at the BFI London Film Festival
The 60th London Film Festival at the BFI sees premiers for Oscar hopefuls, La La Land, The Birth of a Nation, Snowden and Free Fire. However, amidst the glitz, glamour, global … Continue Reading
Morrissey, ‘List of the Lost’: That Joke Isn’t Funny?
Penguin Books have so much to answer for… We are absolutely horrified by Morrissey’s new novel, ‘List of the Lost’. All the reviews are true – read this excellent rinse by … Continue Reading
Searchlight Arts Multimedia
Charity Christmas Single: “Can You Stop the Carvery?”
Brave Little Turkey Launches Heartfelt Christmas Appeal Somewhere in Norfolk a brave little turkey managed to smuggle out a recording detailing exactly what she wants for … Continue Reading
Song: You Ain’t No Muslim Bruv
Stella has just sent us her take on the heckle heard around the world. It made us giggle… and like all of her stuff, we’ll keep putting it online until she gets us sued (at … Continue Reading
New Fiction
100-Word Fiction: Tiddles the House Cat
For the fifth time that morning the little cat pushed her head repeatedly against the old man’s hand in a vain attempt at coaxing it into life. For ten years the lazy tuxedo had wanted for nothing. … Continue Reading
100-Word Fiction: Not-So-Original Prankster
If only he’d stuck to gluing pound coins to the floor. But no, he had to go further, and Manchester Printworks on Sunday morning was perfect for it. Placing a small baggy of washing powder on … Continue Reading
Editorialisms
Meet the Mexican Cheese Bandits of Salt Lake City
As you enter the Rose Park area of Salt Lake City, Utah, a majestic stone sign invites you into streets lined with mature conifers, oaks, aspen and maple trees. The houses that skirt these walkways … Continue Reading
The Global Sniffer Bee Population Speak Out
Channel No 5, fried eggs, ashtrays, Febreze… the smell of unwashed bodies was quite overpowering as the stomping throng of 500 travellers jostled for space in the overheated waiting area. But high … Continue Reading
Web Series: The Party That’s Never Won
Episode 5: The Christmas Party That’s Never Won
Song: What a Show It's a mighty fine Christmas shindig And it's packed with party bigwigs The message the Leader bellows: "Give more dough, give more dough, give more dough" And there's lots of … Continue Reading
Episode 4: The Party Anthem
Song: Say No Say no, say no No immigration, border is closed No, me say no, me say no, me say no, me say no, me say no-o No immigration, border is closed No more soft touch from Great … Continue Reading
Episode 3: The Party Conference
Tick-tock. Tick-tock. The clock at the front of hall beat out a slow steady tattoo. This was the last day of the United Liberation Party (ULP) conference and the place was still rammed to bursting … Continue Reading
Greg Goode’s Political Diaries
Part IX: The Rise of the Bee
Rising plucky from our seats before the gathered throng We addressed the noble 56 who governed true and strong Mike articulated gamely, his speech was just sublime The Leader of the Council … Continue Reading
Part VIII: My Epic Quest
With inspired fervour I cast out my net And snared a great horde of potentials to vet The journey that followed was completely unplanned And it feels like I’ve travelled every road in this … Continue Reading
Part VII: Tramping the Halls of Westminster
“Ed,” sang the high pitched female voice emerging briskly from the second set of security gates which separated the public from the tree-lined interior of Portcullis House. “Anyone for Ed… Miliband?” … Continue Reading