Here's hoping that this finds us all at the start of a bright new year. Every year, I resolve never to make any more resolutions, but for townies, there are some that we would do well to hold to. First of all, as the elections for the new London Mayor are looming, we would do well to carefully consider the candidates. Ken Livingstone, seven years in the job: pros would be the cheap bus fares, and, er...that's it. Cons would be embarrassing trips to Cuba, the failure of the congestion charge despite ever-increasing boundaries and well, one can't help remarking on it, a certain lack of charm. Winning the Olympics, the Oyster card and the new St Pancras International station are nothing to do with him, by the way.
On Boris Johnson's side: pros are the charm (perhaps a little too much) and enthusiasm. Cons are an unfortunate outburst featuring the word 'piccaninnies', an inability to say anything positive about London other than being able to buy mango juice in the corner shop, and a shambolic approach that doesn't bode well for the myriad responsibilities and challenges the city faces. Other resolutions? Be nice to your fellow townies. Please.
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You can’t always rely on the Great British summer — but you can rely on its watchesBritish watchmakers have excelled themselves in recent months — releasing bright and beautiful timepieces that you'll want on your wrist through summer, and beyond.
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Simon Jenkins: 50 years of saving Britain's buildings, from triumphs and disasters to the great country house we bought for £1In 1975, a new organisation was set up with the express aim of saving Britain's most beautiful and historic buildings from the wrecking ball. How has SAVE fared in the 50 years since then far? Simon Jenkins — who was involved as a trustee right from the very start — looks back on half a century of successes... and one or two painful failures.
