Scarcely English - by Simon Heffer (this book is available in public libraries)

If you are not sure of the difference  between a colon and a semi-colon, or are confused about the use of the words compliment and complement, then this could be the book for you. Heffer is an English historian, journalist, author and political commentator. with a dry sense of humour, and in this surprisingly readable and witty volume he includes many examples of the misuse of English. While accepting that all languages change over time his insistence on clarity is perfectly understandable. Wars are started and ended with words, so it’s important that we do our best to use then correctly. All the examples are dealt with in alphabetical order - thus eliminating the need for an index.

GC 3 Sept 2025

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Con Mum - Netflix. 

It's the true story of how a happily married couple had their marriage ruined and their bank account emptied  by a con artist with a difference: an elderly lady who claimed to be the husband's mother. As this true story unfolds you may begin to think that you have seen this type of thing before and be tempted to press the stop button. But you haven’t. There seems to be no limit to what confidence tricksters will get up or what form they take. Well worth watching - but don’t read about it in advance as what you read may spoil the surprise ending. 

GC 3 Sep 2025

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The Weir - Olympia

Nearly 30 years since its debut in London, The Weir is currently running in The Olympia Theatre.  Written and directed by Conor McPherson, our local playwright, the play is set in a rural pub in Ireland. It’s a mix of bar-room banter and storytelling. It’s funny, eerie, sombre and hopeful at the end.

The cast includes Brendan Gleeson, Sean McGinley, Owen McDonnell, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Kate Phillips. Highly recommended. 

MM 19 Aug 2025

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