BY STEWART SLATER “There is a considerable overlap in intelligence between the smartest bear and the dumbest tourist.” So, apparently, said a ranger in Yosemite National Park when explaining why the bear-proof bin had not yet been invented. Make a trash can Yogi and his chums could not access, and neither could some humans. Make one everyone could use and, for animals smarter than the … Continue reading Mediocrity Knows Nothing Higher
BY DOMINIC WIGHTMAN Jimmy Carter died on the 29th of December. A century old. The press fêted him, especially the left flank of the mainstream media. Now that the obligatory 72 hours have passed, it’s fair to speak plainly. Carter runs Biden close for the title of worst modern American president. I saw the actions of his ‘philanthropic’ arm firsthand in the Philippines—sinister, appalling. But … Continue reading The Weight of Time
BY DOMINIC WIGHTMAN Recently I was thinking about a close relative who died two summers before the turn of the century. I was remembering his personal loo which, on account of being a boy, I was advised to use during family visits to his home in Surrey. I can still picture the room clearly… I recall the hard ‘bumf’ Izal loo paper, which was fast … Continue reading Worthies
BY DOMINIC WIGHTMAN There is nothing quite like the death of a close friend to spin one’s bearings. One minute you are there with him in his garden and he’s talking about his business and plans to replace his car. The next minute the earth you are tossing down on his coffin just a short walk from that same garden is soil he departed many … Continue reading Worldie
BY QUENTIN PIGG The past two years have seen so-called ‘green’ and ‘egalitarian’ politicians attempt to ward off that most green and egalitarian thing: death. The pitiless debt collector for whom our every heart murmur, every latent lump, and every shadow-ridden scan serves as a reminder of our outstanding balance. When it came to Covid, politicians thought they could write this debt off, but in … Continue reading Proscribing Death
VICAR Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that this week’s message and prayer finds You well, healthy and happy. As the summer fades, We all pray that there is no second Covid spike and that a successful vaccine emerges from the scientists’ labs. Let us at this time remember those countries still suffering spikes – that they may be saved. This week I … Continue reading A Prayer for Ourselves
CSM EDITORIAL The Squires are sad to report the death of our esteemed colleague Janet Girsman who, after a long fight against cancer, died at the Princess Alice Hospice in Esher last week. From her obituary: Janet Girsman was a freelance journalist, providing stories and leads for national newspapers including The Times, the Mail, the Guardian and Country Squire Magazine. She worked until a few … Continue reading R.I.P. Janet
BY QUENTIN PIGG Though it’s not customary to receive the bin man with celebration, in the early hours of Sunday 16th February it was not a customary position that I would find myself in. For amongst the empty packets of quail eggs, gooseberry yogurt pots and other banalities of general waste, lay the ashes of my dead neighbour. She’d been in there for at least … Continue reading Dear Ruth, RIP
CSM EDITORIAL We have all trespassed. Whether intentionally or unintentionally we’ve been on land we should not have been on. Perhaps we were exploring an old ruin or retrieving a ball. Maybe our map-reading skills got us lost or we saw a pretty stream we wanted to take a photograph of. Innocent enough? Perhaps trespassing shouldn’t be near the top of Boris’ or George Eustice’s … Continue reading Boris, Look Again at Trespass
VICAR Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You and Your families are well and prosperous. It’s another Sunday. How many Sundays do You have left? It is unlikely that You know the answer to that question. Perhaps some patients on cancer wards across Britain know? Perhaps soldiers seventy five years ago had a good idea as they piled into Normandy. In short … Continue reading A Prayer for Those Who Fear Death
BY MAC LOGAN The day dank dawns and drizzle drips. Lank-branched leaves hold waiting drops To splash an eye, a cheek, my lips. Grey heaven cries and cannot stop. I walk the last few yards to … Dad Heart braced, alone I take the door And standing there, his other lad, I push the bell and wait some more. The minutes pass till brisk strides … Continue reading Dad’s Farewell
VICAR Dear Readers of Country Squire Magazine, I trust that You and Your families are well. I write to You on the day after Glen Hoddle collapsed in the BT Sport studios and the helicopter of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed shortly after leaving the football club he owned. Death comes like a thief in the night. It’s true. And we should all try … Continue reading A Prayer for Daily Facing Death
