The Other News From England.

23 April 2001.

Index of earlier issues - click here.

(Those who like digging about will find that there are hundreds of articles on many subjects to be found on this site.)

Old issues.

There are some much earlier Other News on this site. Click below.

early Othernews - 1992, 93, 94.

Bonnington Cafe and Bonnington Square.

This Saturday, Gabriele Gad piano and Hugh Harris saxophone - old-fashioned melodic jazz both old and new. No charge, but the hat goes round.

Bonnington cafe is a communally owned cafe in Vauxhall, Central London. The atmosphere is somewhat Bohemian, international, friendly, educated, and much wine (bought from the corner shop across the road) gets drunk. Good quality vegetarian. Cheap. The only lighting is usually candles stuck in wine bottles, and the furniture is a collection of odds and sods that people have thrown out. The overall result is relaxed and pleasing. People tend to spend the whole evening over their meal, and engage in discussion with those on other tables, the caterer, the band, passers through......

Bonnington Cafe, Vauxhall Grove, London SW8 UK. Near Vauxhall underground and mainline station, buses 185, 36, 2, 88, 322 and others. Booking is difficult.

Freemasons.

Never let it be said that this site never acknowledge it's mistakes. (however, I suggest caution. Get material from Grand Lodge yourself and make your own judgment).

Recent research (a telephone interview or two) caused an interview with somebody at Grand Lodge of England, and Sarah Heywood of the MOD. The original article entitled:

FREEMASONS CAN ENROL MEMBERSHIP FROM WITHIN ARMED FORCES.

has been modified in the light of all the information made available by the Grand Lodge. Here is the new text:

JOHN SPELLAR, the minister for the Armed Forces, withdrew from trying to establish a ruling that Freemasons could not enrol membership within the armed forces this week when Freemasons threatened to go the European Court of Human Rights to claim that their freedom of privacy and the right to join any legal organisation was being restricted. The Independent newspaper reported John Spellar as having said that he had authorised the temporary withdrawal of the order pending a review "as a result of concerns that the MOD's policy towards membership of societies such as Freemasons might not be fully compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights."

Sarah Heywood, a spokeswoman for the MOD, said there had been a legal challenge from the organisation, which she suggested had caused a temporary withdrawal, and a number of people had expressed concern that freemasons might be able to use MOD premises for meetings. She went on to slightly redefine the area of contention when she said: " When on duty, you are not allowed to enlist to any organisation, but that is not what they have challenged. The DCI ruling they have challenged is one about holding meetings on MOD property. This is what they have challenged." She also stated that no organisation would be allowed to hold meetings on MOD property, and that therefore Freemasons would also be disallowed from such activities regardless of any other considerations, and that enrolment to any organisation whilst on duty would be disallowed regardless of the nature or title of the organisation.

Another spokesman pointed out that 'masonic preference' - the process by which (it is alleged) freemasons have an obligation to help members of the 'brotherhood', who can be identified by secret signs and handshakes, above other persons (possibly regardless of whether this is appropriate in the circumstances) - could dangerously undermine the chain of command. Many people think this happens in law, administration and commerce on a fairly regular basis, and with these people it has often been a cause for concern. Despite being perceived in some circles as a 'society with secrets', Freemasons are not currently an illegal organisation in Britain.

A masonic spokesman (who did not give his name), speaking from the United Grand Lodge of England (English masonic headquarters) said Freemasons were "fed up with being picked upon" when there were many organisations similar to Freemasons with no more or less secrets who were not discriminated against in this way, and Freemasons, he said, were now 'fighting back'.

"We resent being singled out. The only secrets we have are the 'modes of recognition' by which masons can tell each other's rank within the organisation. Membership of Freemasons is no secret and we try to encourage members to make their membership known. To use the modes of recognition outside of a Masonic context would be against the rules, and could get a member thrown out." He denied the existence of 'masonic preference'.

Article 10.1 of the European Convention covers freedom of expression, and he pointed out that such organisations as the Orange Order and certain other organisations whose declared main aims were those of helping each other (as opposed to the Freemason declared aim of serving the community) were not mentioned in the context of this order.

The present government when they first came to power tried to persuade judges, police and other persons in key positions within society to reveal whether or not they were Freemasons, but with little success, although the Lord Chief Justice stated that there were only 94 judges who were Freemasons.

The government set up a voluntary register when they came up against problems with getting legislation through Parliament requiring registration, but so far less than 40% of those concerned have registered, and only 1.1% of those who registered stated they were Freemasons.

End of Article

Joe Punter's Shakespeare.

King Henry the 6th. part 3.

ACT 4 .

Scene 1.

London. The palace.

Enter gloster, Clarence, Somerset, and Montague.

GLOSTER:

Tell me, brother Clarence, what you think of this new marriage with the Lady Grey? Has he not made a worthy choice?

CLARENCE:

It's a long way from here to France. How could he have held off til Warwick returned?

SOMERSET:

My Lords, stop this talk. Here comes the king.

GLOSTER:

And his well-chosen bride.

CLARENCE:

I've a good mind to tell him plainly what I think.

Flourish. Enter king and Jane Grey as queen, Pembroke, Stafford, and Hastings. Four stand on one side and four on the other.

KING EDWARD:

Now, brother Clarence, how do you like my choice? You stand so pensive, as though you are not quite content.

CLARENCE:

I like it about as well as Louis of France or Warwick, who are so weak that they'll take no offence at our abuse.

KING:

Suppose they do, then, without a cause? They are just Louis and Warwick. I am Edward, your king and Warwick's, and must have my will.

GLOSTER:

Aye, and because you are our king you shall have your will. Yet hasty marriages seldom turn out well.

KING:

Brother Richard, are you offended also?

GLOSTER:

No. Not I. God forbid that I should wish them parted whom god has joined together - and it would be a pity to part those who yoke so well together.

KING:

Setting your scorn and dislike aside, tell me some reason why the lady Grey should not become my wife and England's queen - and you too, somerset and Montague. Speak freely.

CLARENCE:

then this is my opinion. King Louis becomes your enemy for mocking him about the marriage of the lady Bona.

GLOSTER:

And Warwick, having done what you asked him, is now dishonoured by this new marriage.

KING:

What if I can devise something to appease the pair of them?

MONTAGUE:

Yes, but it would be safer if it were something backed by France.

LORD HASTINGS:

'tis better using France than trusting France. Let us be backed with God, and the seas which He has given us to protect us with only our own resources. Our safety lies in the sea and ourselves only.

CLARENCE:

For this one speech Lord Hastings well deserves to have the heir of the Lord Hungerford.

KING:

What of that? It was my will and my grant. And for this once my will shall stand as law.

GLOSTER:

And yet methinks your grace has not done well to give the heir and daughter of Lord Scales to the brother of your loving bride. she would have been more suitable for me or Clarence. But in your bride you bury brotherhood.

CLARENCE:

Or you would not have bestowed the heir of the Lord Bonville on your new wife's son, and leave your brothers to go speedily elsewhere.

KING:

Alas, poor Clarence!. Is it for a wife you crave? I will provide thee.

CLARENCE:

In choosing for yourself you showed your judgment to be somewhat lacking, therefore give me leave to be mine own broker. To that end I would like shortly to leave you.

KING:

Leave me or hang about, Edward will be king, and not tied to his brother's will.

QUEEN ELIZABETH:

My lords, before it pleased his majesty to call me queen. Now do me right and you must all confess that I was not of ignoble descent. Meaner people than I have had similar luck, but as this title honours myself and my family, so your dislikes - when I would like to please you - clouds my joy with danger and sorrow.

KING:

My love, forbear to fawn upon their frowns. What harm can come to you as long as Edward is your firend and their true sovereign whom they must obey? No - whom they shall obey, and love you, too, unless they seek to fall out with me, which, even if they do I will keep you safe and they shall feel the vengeance of my wrath.

GLOSTER (aside):

I hear, yet say very little, but think more.

(Enter a post.)

KING: POST:

My sovereign liege, no letters, and few words - but such words as I dare not relate without your special pardon.

KING:

Go to it. You are pardonned. therefore briefly tell me their words as near as you can guess them. What answer does King Louis give to our letters?

POST:

At my depart, these were his very words: 'Go tell false Edward, thy supposed king, that Louis of France is sending over maskers to revel it with him and his new bride.'

KING:

Is Louis so brave? Perhaps he thinks I am Henry. But what did Lady Bona say to my marriage?

POST:

These were her words, uttered with kild disdain: 'tell him, in hope he'll prove a widower shortly. I'll wear a willow-garland for his sake'.

KING:

I don't blame her. She could say little else. She had been wronged. But what did Henry's queen say? For I have heard she was there too.

POST:

'Tell him', quoth she, 'my mounring-weeds are done and I am ready to put armour on'.

KING:

She has it in mind to play the Amazon. But what did Warwick say to these injuries?

POST:

He, more incensed against your majesty than all the rest, discharged me with these words: 'Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, and therefore I'll uncrown him ere long'.

KING:

Ha! Dare the traitor breathe out such proud words? Well, I will arm myself, having been forewarned. They shall have wars and pay for their presumption. But, say, is Warwick friends with Margaret?

POST:

Aye, gracious sovereign. They are so linked in friendship that young Prince Edward is to marry Warwick's daughter.

CLARENCE:

Belike the elder, Clarence will have the younger. Now, brother king, sit fast there, for I am going for Warwick's other daughter, so that, though I want a kingdom, I may prove equal to yourself. You that love me and Warwick, follow me.

(eixt Clarence, and Somerset follows.)

GLOSTER (aside):

Not I. My thoughts are on another matter. I stay not for the love of Edward, but for the crown.

KING:

Clarence and somerset have both gone to Warwick! Yet I am armed against the worst that can happen. Haste is needed in this desperate case. Pembroke and Stafford, go and levy men, and prepare for war. They are either already landed or shortly will be. I will follow you myself in person.

(enter Pembroke and Stafford)

But, ere I go, Hastings and Montague, resolve my doubt. You two, of all the rest are near Warwick by blood and alliance. Tell me if you love Warwick more than me? If that is so, then both depart to him. I would rather you were foes than hollow friends. But if you decide to continue to support me, give me you assurance with some friendly vow, so that I may never be suspicious of you.

MONTAGUE:

So God help Montague as he proves true!

HASTINGS:

And Hastings as he favours Edward's Cause!

KING:

Now, brother richard, will you stand by us?

GLOSTER:

Aye, despite all those who withstand you.

KING:

Why, so! Then I am sure of victory. Therefore, let us go and lose no time till we meet Warwick with his foreign power.

(all exit).

More next week.

POLITICS.

The Tory's have seemingly dropped one of their lines of campaign for the forthcoming election, and have left themselves only with the campaign that says: "You've paid you taxes, now where are the police/health service/etc.". The question, then, is how long it will be before they realise that dim though the public may be they are in the main not so dim as to be unable to work out that the current defects in these areas are largely the result of our recent Tory government and the fifteen years of Toryism before them, and that therefore at great cost they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Meanwhile, I got the story that suddenly there is a big effort going on to persuade over-sixties to go and get their £200 fuel allowance - which most of them did not know they could claim (in fact one I know tried, but it was no good). This, one must suppose, is intended to be a bribe for the pensioner age-group (who represent an awful lot of voters), and no doubt it is hoped that it will obscure the fact that nothing is being done to bring state pensions in line with those of, say, Germany, where a state pensioner can live a modest but respectable life. I don't think it'll do much, but as the other choice is those fools we will probably have a bit more of the same for a few more years.

Who knows? They might make some sort of effort if they get elected a second time.

...........................................................................................................................

The stuff that doesn`t often get changed now follows:

Alternet News.

Alternet News might appeal to some readers as a regular list of goings-on in the human rights/green areas of life. You can receive it by email. I have put one copy on this site so that you get an idea of what it is about and how to subscribe.

For sample Alternet email click here.

Biotechnology

Click here for an email that arrived in January 2000 concerning a proposed reasoned approach to this tricky subject

Goforth's social justice e-zine.

This interesting email magazine comes at fairly regular intervals and is of interest to almost anybody who is interested in human rights and green issues. In November 2000 it was going out to about 10,000 addresses. Try it. It won't cost you anything, and you can reproduce the contents without paying. You can subscribe by writing to them at: sjzine@netscape.net, or visit: Goforth's site

This website is about accounting investigations and fiddles. If you like to look at financial scandals (both hidden and public) this might be worth a look. I have not been there myself, but the books produced by these people, although difficult to follow, cover a lot of mysterious ground.

This website is about the destruction of countryside and agriculture. Worth a visit if you want to find out about how it is thought the British countryside will fair under the ongoing creep of the multinationals.

This website is one to do with monetary reform.The British Association for Monetary Reform. If you are interested in economics it is worth a look. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~bamr1

This is a website about alternative currencies.Might be worth a look to those who have realised that you don't necessarily have to have money as such to be prosperous.

This is a website for something called The Green Guide. I know nothing about it, but am hoping it is something worthy. Please let me know if it is questionable.

This is a site concerned with one of the most unpopular planning decisions ever made in Greater London, the Crystal Palace Complex. It is so stunningly awful that only a handful of people who do not live near it appear to approve, whilst the rest are not entirely uninclined to mention such things as payola, freemasons....you name it! The site belongs to the London Borough of Bromley, but the aggro generated by it and the destruction of amenity caused by it will be almost entirely suffered by residents of adjoining boroughs and not the people of Bromley themselves.

This is a recycling site based in London, and offering materials to anybody. The organisation is a charity seeking to link suppliers of surplus materials with users. Especially good for the more ingenious designers amongst us.

The email of the people who run the above site is cs@london-recycling.demon.co.uk. They are called Creative Supplies. Look them up for more info.

Here's an interesting education site - particularly for those who have young children and are not quite sure what to do to avoid the worst of what`s on offer in the mainstream of education.They are called www.edrev.org.

early Othernews - 1992, 93, 94.

Early Other News essays.

There were a few essays that went out with the early Other News as a freestanding item. You can read these by clicking below.

Essays.

The Soup Designer`s Handbook.

The Soup Designer`s Handbook.

London Journey - a trip from Docklands through Beckenham and back to Docklands.

Friday Woodworkers.

(Friday Woodworkers are suffering a temporary break due to some of the episodes not having been fully edited at the time of writing. It may take some timne to fix this problem.

Episode 17.

(These articles were written in 1988, and were my first attempt at writing. Some people when shown these fell about laughing, some smiled faintly - and some yawned. I thought I was going to write a technical book, but it soon became apparent that I was much more interested in the people than the technology - and that is the main reason there are no drawings - although it might be rather good to do a couple of caricatures sometime.)

Index of Friday Woodorker articles (and a means of access).

Index of earlier issues.

Gabriele Gad on alternative therapy.

A READER COMPLAINED that it was not possible to go back more than 6 articles in Gabriele`s area. Regrettably this is because there is no index, and I have not the time to organise one yet. However, for those determined enough to find the early ones, they should be accessible by going to an early Other News and clicking through from it. This will not be fast, but I think will do the job. They started about November 1997 I think.

editor@othernews.co.uk

Cartoons and graphics.

drawings click here.

sheet music click here.

Consumers.

LEXMARK 3200 PRINTER.

In an earlier issue I told you about my feelings regarding Tempo retailers and the Lexmark 3200 printer I bought from them.

The Lexmark 3200 printer I got from Tempo must surely be the most uneconomical printer I could possibly have bought. The black cartridge only does about 250 pages of ordinary type - for £28! That makes each sheet cost 11.2 pence plus the cost of the paper and probably another 11.2 pence more if any colour is used! - ABOUT 22.4 PENCE A SHEET! Nearly a pound for every four sheets!

I wouldn`t recommend you to buy it - but also look at my earlier article for an idea of Tempo`s service.

Wanted

A person to help make up a subject index for the growing numbers of articles on The Other News From England. Email editor@othernews.co.uk (this may now have been provided, but please email if you might like to join in in some way - ed.)

All material on this site is copyright. Contact me if you want to use it. I am quite flexible. Educational non-profit use is free - but ask for permission and print an acknowledgement. If you can`t think what to print, put:

From The Other News From England. http://www.othernews.co.uk

Even better if you print the date of the article.

editor@othernews.co.uk

That`s all this week folks