No CCTV on William Blake's pleasant pastures seen
Philip Hoare was lucky in not finding William Blake's grave crowded (Butt-naked Milton and a spot of fellatio: why William Blake became a queer icon, 2 June). It is the favoured meeting place of Jackson Lamb's crew in the Slow Horses novels and TV series, as it doesn't have CCTV surveillance; as much under the radar as the artist himself, and his wife.John StarbuckLepton, West Yorkshire
Philip Hoare's article made me wish someone would revive Adrian Mitchell's musical Tyger, performed by the National Theatre in the early 70s. The music alone deserves a wider audience.Cecil HeatleyBromley, London
I so feel for John Crace's grief over the loss of Herbie (Digested week, 30 May). It took us eight years to contemplate getting our next dog and so on until our current pooch. But, if you're a dog person, you've just got to get that next one.Jeanette HamiltonBuxton, Derbyshire
Re 'unwanted Americanisms' (Letters, 3 June), I bet there is no respectable Shakespearean ancestry for my pet hate: 'train station'. And I do hope that I have used the colon correctly.Lynda MountfordSt Albans
'You may not use foreign words,' say the instructions for the Word Wheel puzzle in the print edition. The nine-letter solution for 4 June: imbroglio. This is a scherzo, right?Canon Robert TitleyLondon
Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Award-winning bar & restaurant in UK seaside town to close after 10 years as owner teases ‘it's just the beginning'
Nawal Abdisamad Published: Invalid Date, A MUCH-LOVED bar and restaurant is set to close its doors after almost a decade in the heart of the seaside town. Ojo Rojo, located in the Bournemouth Triangle, has announced it will be leaving the area after ten years of serving up tacos, cocktails, and a lively Mexican atmosphere. 4 4 4 Founded in Bournemouth, Dorset, by Trevor Hill and JJ Adams, Ojo Rojo made a name for itself with its bold flavours, mezcal-based drinks, and vibrant setting. It even earned a spot in the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars for three years running. The news was first reported by the Bournemouth Echo, who spoke with co-founders Trevor Hill and JJ Adams, confirming the closure is a 'strategic move' shaped by 'national industry pressure and local challenges.' But they've made it clear – this isn't the end. 'After nearly ten years of tacos, mezcal, music and magic, it's time for a new chapter,' they said. 'Ojo Rojo is moving on. Not because we've lost what makes us special but because we're ready to take everything that we've learnt and shape it into something stronger.' Locals have responded with an outpouring of emotion, sharing memories and messages of support on social media. Rachel Grant posted: 'Our first date venue, where will we go for our anniversary now.' Kelly Marie Young added: 'Such a shame! We love this restaurant.' Others praised the team's effort. There's also been frustration about the wider town centre. Ojo Rojo is well known for its dedication to authentic Mexican culture. From its diverse cocktail menu featuring house-made syrups and infusions, to its proud selection of agave spirits, the bar has drawn fans from across the South Coast. 'Our ambition is to revolutionise the well-known taco, while educating people about the deep-rooted Mexican culture,' reads a statement on their website. 'We are passionate that everyone who comes into contact with us feels refreshed.' The venue, which includes a downstairs bar, upstairs dining, and an outdoor hacienda, will continue to operate for a short while longer. Its sister site, Hacienda Harden, is also set to close. The owners remain hopeful and committed to the future. 'You reminded us what this place means to people and why this next chapter matters so much, from me, Jayjay and the whole office thank you so much for all the love,' they said. 'We're here for a little bit longer. Remember we are not done yet… This is just the beginning. "We want to build what comes next with you. Because whatever that next version looks like, it's going to have the same soul – yours.' Ojo Rojo's closure adds to a growing list of businesses shutting their doors in Bournemouth and across the UK. In Bournemouth, the Winton branch of WHSmith closed earlier this year, and the town has seen other high street names disappear amid rising costs and shifting shopping habits. Nationally, the retail and hospitality sectors are facing significant challenges. Department store Beales, which first opened in Bournemouth in 1881, closed its last remaining store in Poole in May 2025, citing increased operational costs and tax burdens. Other notable closures include Karen's Diner in Islington, which shut its final UK branch in June 2025 after its parent company went into liquidation with £400,000 in debt. Fashion retailer River Island is reportedly developing a radical rescue plan amid financial struggles, with store closures and job losses being potential outcomes. The Original Factory Shop is undergoing significant restructuring, with several stores across regions such as Worcestershire, Durham, and Cumbria slated to shut down this month. These closures highlight the broader economic pressures facing UK businesses, including rising operational costs, changing consumer behaviours, and increased competition from online retailers. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans 4
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Jack Reacher author Lee Child: ‘More sex is medically implausible and I'm as rich and famous as I need to be'
Born in the West Midlands, Lee Child, 70, studied law before working in television. After losing his job following a corporate restructuring, he published Killing Floor, the first in the Jack Reacher series, in 1997. His novels have been adapted into two films, starring Tom Cruise, and an Amazon Prime series. He now writes with his brother Andrew and they headline Theakston Old Peculier crime writing festival in Harrogate next month. The 30th Reacher thriller, Exit Strategy, is out in November. He is married with a daughter, and lives in the north of England. When were you happiest? In 1993, making love on the beach of a deserted island in the Bahamas. What is your greatest fear? I'm from Birmingham. I'm not afraid of things. Things are afraid of me. Which living person do you most admire, and why? The exact median middle-aged black woman in the US. If hard work guaranteed success, she'd be the most successful person on the planet. But she isn't, yet she keeps on going. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Always saying yes to people. For example, I'm doing this. What was your most embarrassing moment? Appearing on US breakfast radio. I heard the DJ say that after the news we would hear from the author Lincoln Child. I had to choose between making a guy with a mixed-up PR release look like an idiot or pretending to be Lincoln. I pretended. Aside from a property, what's the most expensive thing you've bought? A painting by Renoir, paid for by demanding a huge fee for a screenwriting deal with a producer I didn't want to work for. The movie was never made. What makes you unhappy? That people my age honestly believed the arc of the universe bent towards justice. Oops. A lot to rethink, at this late stage. What do you most dislike about your appearance? My chin. You could hang a kettle off it. What is your most unappealing habit? This year I'll have been a smoker for 60 years. I started when I was 11. I really enjoyed it then, and I really enjoy it now. Who is your celebrity crush? Has to be either Alice Roberts or Lucy Worsley. Can it be a threesome crush? What did you want to be when you were growing up? First loved, then laid, then paid. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What's the worst thing anyone has said to you? 'Try this, you'll love it.' What do you owe your parents? They made sure we got the best education available. They encouraged books. Otherwise, very little. What would you like to leave your children? More than I can, sadly. I led the softest of lives in the softest of times, and my daughter will face sterner challenges. What keeps you awake at night? Nothing. If I'm worried or upset or tormented, I go to sleep quickly and easily, to find welcome oblivion. Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? More sex is medically implausible, I have plenty of money, and I'm as famous as I need to be. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Do the secret thing you know you were born to do. Tell us a secret I love ironing.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Major mobile network is giving customers FREE access to Disney+ – check your account now before it's gone
DISNEY+ fans can now bag three months of the streaming service completely free – but the deal won't be around for long. The offer is being handed out by Vodafone to eligible customers across the UK via the VeryMe Rewards app. 2 It runs from 5 June 2025 until 8 June 2025, so you've only got a short window to grab it. To claim it, open the My Vodafone app on your smartphone, head to the VeryMe Rewards section, and tap on the Disney+ banner if it's available to you. Hit 'Claim' and follow the steps to activate your free 3-month subscription to Disney+ Standard with Ads. The offer is open to new and returning Disney+ subscribers aged 18 or over. There's no catch – you'll get full access to Disney+ content with ads, and you can cancel at any time. If you don't cancel after three months, you'll be charged £4.99 per month starting automatically. The Disney+ Standard with Ads plan includes everything from classic Disney favourites to Marvel blockbusters and exclusive original series. You can stream on up to two devices at once in Full HD quality. Featured on the platform is The Stolen Girl, a gripping mystery about the kidnapping of nine-year-old Lucia following a sleepover at her friend's house. Other titles available include Flintoff, the raw documentary on the sporting icon, Good American Family, a chilling true-life adoption tale, and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Also on offer is Dying for Sex, a heartbreakingly funny FX series that's been getting rave reviews. All are included in the standard plan, so you won't miss out on any content. Only one subscription can be claimed per user, and you'll need to check your VeryMe Rewards to see if you qualify. If you're already paying for Disney+, you'll need to cancel and wait until your billing period ends before you can resubscribe and use the offer – if eligible. This comes just as Disney+ prepares to raise its prices. From 24 March, the Premium annual plan went from £79.90 to £109.90, and monthly Premium jumped from £7.99 to £10.99. The cheaper ad-supported tier now costs £4.99 a month – the same as Vodafone's offer once the trial ends. But Vodafone isn't the only way to watch without paying. Selected Samsung phones, tablets and laptops come with either six or twelve months of Disney+ Standard. The perk applies to devices bought recently and some older models too. Check your eligibility on Samsung's Boost page. Join or upgrade to Uber One's annual subscription, and you may receive an email offering 12 months of Disney+ Standard. It's worth checking your inbox or app notifications if you're a subscriber. If you bank with Lloyds and have a Club Lloyds account, you can choose a Disney+ subscription as your free yearly lifestyle benefit. It's easy to activate through your online banking or app. With rising streaming costs, these hidden perks could save you more than £100 a year. If you're already paying for Disney+, it might be time to cancel, check your subscriptions, and claim a free one through your network, bank or tech provider. SUBSCRIPTION TRICK – SAVE HUNDREDS! Once you've checked your subscription renewals, try the swap trick too... Here's a clever method from The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach: Look, streaming bills are a nightmare. Especially when it comes to TV. There are loads of services – all packed with top telly – that demand your cash. So consider rotating them instead. Cancel all of them but, say, Disney+, then watch that for a month. Now bin it, and move on to Netflix, and enjoy that content library. Then scrap that, and swap to Amazon's Prime Video for the third month. Once you're done (or you've added a fourth service to your mix), start over from the beginning. It means you get to watch all of the top TV shows and movies on these services without paying for a full 12 months for each. You'll save hundreds over a year. Picture Credit: Sean Keach 2
