Home | About A Week

May 09, 2008

Easy Chair Gardening

Peter Hinchliffe admits that he would much rather admire a garden, rather than tend one.

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May 02, 2008

English Villages Are Dying

Shops, post offices, schools and pubs are closing. Peter Hinchliffe reports on the death of the English village.

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April 25, 2008

38th Parallel

University lecturer Katie Davies has made a film which illustrates the bizarre military rituals in the zone between North and South Korea. Peter Hinchliffe interviews the talented young artist.

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April 18, 2008

Citizen Journalists Can Change The World

Peter Hinchliffe, who edits Open Writing and is also a citizen reporter working for OhmyNews International, a Web-based newspaper based in Seoul, South Korea, is convinced that good journalism can help to make the world a better place.

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April 11, 2008

Citizen Journalists Can Change the World

Peter Hinchliffe, who edits Open Writing and is also a citizen reporter working for OhmyNews International, a web newspaper based in Seoul, South Korea, remains convinced that good journailsm can help to make the world a better place.

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April 04, 2008

Plants With Headaches

Oh dear! It's time to get into the garden again. Peter Hinchliffe is happier looking out onto a garden, rather than tending to its needs.

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March 28, 2008

A Wi-Fi World

Peter Hinchliffe tells of the birth of the modern computer age.

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March 21, 2008

A Very Full Empty Moment

Katie Davies has made a haunting four-minute film of the extraordinary military rituals which prevail in the demilitarised zone between South and North Korea.

Peter Hinchliffe tells of an extraordinarily talented young film maker.

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March 14, 2008

One England, Or Two?

Northerner Peter Hinchliffe muses on England’s great divide.

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March 07, 2008

The Madness And Badness Of Bottled Water

Peter Hinchliffe highlights the planet-damaging effrects of the bottled water industry.

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February 29, 2008

Bottom Of The Happiness League

Peter Hinchliffe finds it hard to accept that British children are unhappier than those in any of the other 21 richest nations in the world.

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February 22, 2008

Old Sweet Tooth

Peter Hincliffe confesses to the ownership of a sweet tooth.

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February 15, 2008

Penned Up In Cattle Class

Peter Hinchliffe tells of the irritants which turn flying into a test of endurance.

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February 08, 2008

Could We Have Two More Earths Please?

British green guru Jonathon Porritt has warned that two more Earths will be needed to make everyone rich, Peter Hinchliffe reports.

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February 01, 2008

Speedy Walkers

City dwellers are in a hurry the world over, as Peter Hinchliffe reports.

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January 25, 2008

Swallows And Amazons For Ever!

Peter Hinchliffe enthuses about Arthur Ransome, an author whose books have engaged his imagination for the past 65 years.

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January 18, 2008

Chad Varah - A Man Born To Serve

Peter Hinchliffe pays tribute to an outstanding humanitarian.

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January 11, 2008

My Knickers Flew Away

Children delight in mocking the adult world in their playground rhymes, as Peter Hinchliffe reveals.

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December 28, 2007

Fat And Fit After Christmas

After an abundance of Christmas feasting Peter Hinchliffe contemplates the year ahead.

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December 21, 2007

Lust At First Sight

University researchers have poured cold water on the love-at-first-sight concept, Peter Hinchliffe reports.

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December 14, 2007

Please Turn It Off

"Those who foist unrefusable chunks of music upon us probably retire to lead-lined rooms to chuckle softly at the annoyance they cause,'' says Peter Hinchliffe.

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December 07, 2007

Caged Kings

"Creatures born to be free should never be caged,'' says Peter Hinchliffe.

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November 30, 2007

Voices In Harmony

Peter Hinchliffe home town is noted for its choral singing.

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November 23, 2007

A Journey To Shame Car Drivers

Peter Hinchliffe feels guilty as he sits in his "metal box'' in a traffic jam.

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November 16, 2007

Dining With Tarzan

It isn’t every day of the week that you get the chance to sit down and dine with Tarzan of the Apes.

Peter Hinchliffe recalls a heady night in Guaymas, Mexico.

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November 09, 2007

A Warming Warning

Peter Hinchliffe feels guilty for buying a new leather jacket.

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November 02, 2007

Remember Robin Hood - Plant A Tree

Peter Hinchliffe calls for a tree-planting campaign.

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October 26, 2007

Sunshine - At A Price

Days flooded with sunshine are all very well, says Peter Hinchliffe, but there are snags.

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October 19, 2007

The Magic Elixir

Peter Hinchliffe tells of mustard plasters, bread poultices and elderberry syrup.

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October 12, 2007

Newspapers In Decline

Readers in search of news are increasingly unlikely to buy a newspaper in the UK, as Peter Hinchliffe reveals.

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October 05, 2007

Gone Abroad

Peter Hinchliffe tells of British folk who have chosen to leave the land of their birth.

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September 28, 2007

A Search For The Secret Of The Universe

In the bowels of the deepest pit in England a search is going on for the secret of the universe, as Peter Hinchliffe reveals.

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September 21, 2007

Viking Treasure

Peter Hinchliffe reflects on Yorkshire's Viking heritage.

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September 14, 2007

Crush The Scots? - I Don't Think So

Peter Hinchliffe thinks the time for a new British national anthem is long overdue.

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August 31, 2007

England Should Be A National Park

Peter Hinchliffe supports author Bill Bryson's call for England's green spaces to remain green.

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August 24, 2007

Into Exile

Peter Hinchliffe presents the sad and shocking story of an Iraqi family who have had to seek refuge in Syria.

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August 17, 2007

A Trustworthy Trust

Peter Hinchliffe celebrates the work of the National Trust, keepers of some of Britain’s finest houses and landscapes.

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August 10, 2007

I Will Do My Best

Peter Hinchliffe tells of a Jamboree which celebrated 100 years of Scouting.

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August 03, 2007

Don't Call Me British

Don't call me British, says Englishman Peter Hinchliffe.

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July 27, 2007

Striped Invaders

The Hinchliffes go into battle against an army of wasps.

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July 20, 2007

Four-Legged Friends?

Peter Hinchliffe respects urban foxes - but not all of his neighbours share his affection for the four-footed hunters who now share life with humans in England's towns and cities.

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July 13, 2007

Where Is Kirklees?

Peter Hinchliffe is still unimpressed with the name chosen more than 30 years ago for the local government area in which he lives.

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July 06, 2007

Card-Sharps

Peter Hinchliffe advises you to watch out when you wave the plastic about.

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June 29, 2007

The Brontes' Dad

Peter Hinchliffe tells tales about Patrick Bronte, father of the famous literary Bronte sisters.

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June 22, 2007

Texas - Biggest And Best

Peter Hinchliffe sings the praises of the Lone Star State.

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June 15, 2007

Ghosts On The Net?

Some folk believe that ghosts and demons haunt the Internet, as Peter Hinchliffe reveals.

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June 08, 2007

Apple Heaven

Peter Hinchliffe enjoys the glory of autumn, gathered into a single deliciously-satisfying sphere.

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June 01, 2007

Let's All Meet At The Slug And Lettuce

Peter Hinchliffe is not amused by fanciful pub names.

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May 25, 2007

Toss O't Coin

Peter Hinchliffe tells of a gambling game that used to be regularly played in the Yorkshire Pennine hills where he lives.

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May 18, 2007

Dig For Victory

Peter Hinchliffe recalls the days when he was digging for victory.

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May 11, 2007

Among The Geordies

Peter Hinchliffe tells of his stay in the land of stottie cake and pease pudding.

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May 04, 2007

Old Rockers

Old rock 'n rollers don't fade away, says Peter Hinchliffe. They simply turn up the volume.

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April 30, 2007

Out Of The Mouths Of Infants

In this wonderful column Steve Harrison tells of the loving advice he receives from his six-months-old daughter.

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April 27, 2007

Dracula

Thousands of visitors to Whitby, the Yorkshire coastal town, still choose to believe that Dracula was a historical character and is buried in St Mary's churchyard.

Peter Hinchliffe tells of Bram Stoker's famous novel.

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April 20, 2007

Tiggywinkle

Peter Hinchliffe tells of an encounter of the prickly kind on a dark autumn night.

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April 13, 2007

Sweet Treats

Peter Hinchliffe recalls boyhood visits to the sweets shop.

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April 06, 2007

Rhubarb

Peter Hinchliffe thrives on home-grown rhubarb.

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March 30, 2007

Happy To Live In Huddersfield

Peter Hinchliffe reports that his home town, Huddersfield in Yorkshire, has just been designated the happiest town in the north of England.

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March 23, 2007

If Only They Could Read

Peter Hinchliffe brings some depressing statistics for those who seek to entertain and inform by means of the written word.

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March 16, 2007

New Car Brings Global Warming Guilt

The acquisition of a new car makes Peter Hinchliffe feel guilty rather than joyful.

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March 09, 2007

Lawn Mowing

The evenings are lengthening in England now, and Peter Hinchliffe’s lawn is summoning him to give it a short-back-and-sides.

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March 02, 2007

Feasts And Fairs

Peter Hinchliffe recalls happy fairground days - and an encounter with the world's champion eater.

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February 23, 2007

Eric Shackle - A Very Special Journalist

Eric Shackle is probably the oldest reporter at work in the electronic media. At the age of 87 he's chasing stories with the enthusiasm of someone 50 years his junior then writing them in an easy-to-read style honed by six decades of journalistic experience.

Eric, who has written for some of the world's greatest newspapers, is now a pioneer of electronic journalism. He was born in Chingford, which was formerly in Essex, England, but is now part of Greater London.

He attended South Chingford School before winning a scholarship to Bancroft's School, Woodford Green, but soon after taking it up, migrated Down Under in 1929 with his parents and younger sister, who now lives in New Zealand.

Eric began a long career in journalism and public relations as a copyboy on the Christchurch (New Zealand) Press in 1935, and two years later, aged 17, left the family home for Australia, where he has lived ever since.

Besides regularly writing stories for one of the Web’s leading on-line newspapers, OhmyNews International and writing and producing his widely read e-book www.bdb.co.za/shackle/, Eric contributes a weekly column to Open Writing. Here he is interviwed by Open Writing editor Peter Hinchliffe.

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February 16, 2007

A Happy War

Peter Hinchliffe appreciates gallantry on the home front during World War Two.

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February 09, 2007

The Spice Of Life

Peter Hinchliffe pays tribute to Mt Heinz's taste-enhancing sauce.

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February 02, 2007

Dwarfed In The Valley Of The Giants

Peter Hinchliffe finds himself in high places while touring in Western Australia.

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January 26, 2007

Watch Your Language

Peter Hinchliffe deplores the misuse of his native language.

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January 19, 2007

Broad Yorkshire

Peter Hinchliffe delights in his mother tongue- broad Yorkshire.

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January 12, 2007

Have You Heard Of Chongquin?

Peter Hinchliffe notes that while millions of Chinese folk are rushing from the countryside to live and work in cities, in post-industrial England many long for the rural life.

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January 05, 2007

See Here, I Shop At Sainsburys

Peter Hinchliffe objects to being turned into a walking advert.

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December 29, 2006

Avoid All Sweetmeats

Feeling health conscious after Christmas over-indulgence? Then harken to the advice of Joseph Harker. Peter Hinchliffe tells of a concertina-playing man who was devoted to good eating, good drinking and good health.

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December 22, 2006

Noisy Polly

Peter Hinchliffe tells of a retired librarian who has to wear a sun hat indoors - and all because of the fact that she shares her home with a parrot that loves to peck human heads.

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December 15, 2006

Trams And Cricket

Bring back our trams, Peter Hinchliffe pleads.

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December 08, 2006

Cotton Drill Trousers With An Ouch!

…There was a pair of cotton drill trousers. I still wince at the thought of the pain. The material was fine. Sandy-coloured. Hard-wearing. Just the thing for an East African safari. Unfortunately, the trousers didn't match my measurements. They pinched me where no man should be pinched…

Peter Hinchliffe admits to falling victim to the lures of odd adverts in certain Saturday newspapers.

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December 01, 2006

St Bavo's

Peter Hinchliffe spends a magical afternoon in a Dutch cathedral.

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November 24, 2006

Watching The Pennies

Peter Hinchliffe lives in Yorkshire, the English county where older folk still think that it is better to save than to spend.

"Scotsmen have nothing on us when it comes to meanness,'' he says.

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November 17, 2006

So Why Don't You Understand Me?

The English expect the world to conduct it's business in English, says Peter Hinchliffe. And by jingo, for the most part it does!

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November 10, 2006

A Boiled Onion - And Other Important Things In Life

Blustery dark November. Time to think of the serious things in life, says Peter Hinchliffe. The important things, such as bacon sandwiches and boiled onions.

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November 03, 2006

Lowry

Peter Hinchliffe suggests that one of his favourite artists, L S Lowry, was not as dour and gloomy as some folk would have us believe.

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October 27, 2006

Chumping

Peter Hinchliffe recalls the fun of bonfire nights way back then – and deplores the vandalism which has become part of today’s bonfire night scene.

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October 20, 2006

Trees

“Trees were our own personal Everests, with green on their tops instead of snow. As we triumphantly surveyed the surrounding scenery from the highest branches of a stout old oak we felt we were capable of conquering the world,’’ says Peter Hinchliffe, recalling his boyhood.

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October 13, 2006

Hedgehogs - And Other Friends

Peter Hinchliffe writes of an encounter of the prickly kind.

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October 06, 2006

Stepping Into American History

Peter Hinchliffe visits a Dutch town and unexpectedly finds himself stepping into American history.

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September 29, 2006

Sunday, Sweet Sunday

Peter Hinchliffe pines for quiet Sundays.

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September 22, 2006

Joyce Worsfold

Peter Hinchliffe introduces Joyce Worsfold, a retired teacher who writes warm-hearted poetry that makes you aware of the best things in life.

To read more of Joyce’s poems type her name in the search box on this page.

Continue reading "Joyce Worsfold" »

September 15, 2006

The Famous Peter Hinchliffe

Peter Hinchliffe introduces the rightfully famous Peter Hinchliffe.

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September 08, 2006

Blackberries

Peter Hinchliffe welcomes the season of blackberrying – and tells of a sandwich fit for the gods.

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September 01, 2006

White Rabbits

Peter Hinchliffe delves into some old superstitions before revealing his own magical talisman.

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August 25, 2006

Eating All Over The World

Peter Hinchliffe's appetite spans the globe.

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