Clare's Lair

2003-08-13T16:12:00.000Z

Aw. Just came across some very nice pictures of the baby Llama at Mudchute City Farm, and the other animals here.

2003-08-05T19:04:00.000Z

Shoutcast - lots of streaming radio stations

2003-07-22T11:04:00.000Z

It's time to start blogging again.

Not least because I face the prospect of unemployment in a matter of weeks.

I stopped properly blogging here because I was keen to get the London Student blog up and running, but as I finish there at the end of the month it will no longer be my baby.

So lot's has changed since I was here a year ago, trying to do my dissertation and failing. Later I might update my links, and I might rant about just how angry the BBC/Govt/Dr Kelly row has made me (I blame Labour).

Yay!

2003-05-13T21:51:00.000Z

Well, haven't been on a proper surf for some time now, amazing what you come across.

This is h2g2 - I vaguely remember reading a mention of it in Douglas Adams' fantastic pothumous collection The Salmon of Doubt. An edited stack of stuff put in by people just like you and me, the wonders within can only be imagined at this stage...

Also looked up the Wodehouse society who worship the great PG. Having thus far enjoyed four books, whose titles escape me at the moment but no doubt I shall add them in if I ever do concentrate on creating an online Amazon bookshop (does it make money for anyone?).

2003-04-20T19:04:00.000Z

Happy Easter

And even if you don't celebrate it in the Christian sense, you can still Save Sallies Bunnies. These rabbits in Watford are under threat by neighbourly and council meanness. Sign the petition now.

2003-04-09T17:45:00.000Z

See what Care Bear you are.

2003-04-02T21:55:00.000Z

Ooh, who has a new camera?

This is the evil potato.

Nearly as scary as the squid...

Scarier

2003-04-02T21:50:00.000Z

God! Meet the Collossal Squid!

The researchers say: "This animal, armed as it is with the hooks and the beak that it has, not only is colossal in size but is going to be a phenomenal predator and something you are not going to want to meet in the water." We're doomed!

I love giant squid stories...

2003-03-17T23:14:00.000Z

Sorry I haven't been on here for AGES. But I've been busy.

I've got a job now y'know.

Anyway, it looks like we're going to war tomorrow. And I really, really don't know why.

So I'll be at Parliament Square at 6pm. Be there too, if you're in London.

2003-01-13T21:53:00.000Z

crime watching
week 81
january 11th - 17th
Written for Bright by Annette White.
NB Schedules may be subject to change so it's worth checking a daily paper or www.radiotimes.com for up-to-date listings.

television programmes
classics, "Must See Films" on tv
None this week.

programmes worth watching out for, which don't make it to MSTV status
Tuesday January 14th, 22.30, C4 Buried
New prison drama in which Lee Kingley believes himself to be morally innocent of the crime for which he is serving ten years.
Directors: Kenny Glenaan, Morag McKinnon Producer: Kath Mattock

criminal justice programmes
Saturday January 11th, 19.00, C4 Abused and Catholic
[repeated Tuesday, 03.00]
Report on the incidents of child sex abuse by Catholic priests and their cover-up by the Church.
Director: Mark Dowd

Sunday January 12th, 23.15, C5 Murder Detectives

Sunday January 12th, 23.50, C5 Arrest and Trial

Monday January 13th and Wednesday 15th, 19.55, C4
Great Britain
Series of short films about the seamier aspects of contemporary life. The first programme featured here is about hit-and-run driving, while the second deals with people relieving themselves in the street and rejoices in the title of Uri-Nation.

Tuesday January 14th, 02.35, C4 Unreported World
Repeat of a documentary on gang culture in El Salvador.

Tuesday January 14th. 20.00, BBC2 Crooked Britain
The first in a series on crime in the UK concentrates on counterfeit cigarettes.
Producer: Ian Overton

Tuesday January 14th, 22.55, C5 Charles Bronson:
Britain's Hardest Man

Tuesday January 14th, 23.20, BBC2 Shayler's Secrets
Portrait of the man who is serving six months for breaking the Official Secrets Act.
Producer: Christopher Terrill

Wednesday January 15th, 19.30, BBC1 Kenyon Confronts
The investigative journalist goes undercover amongst the fugitive British criminals in Cyprus, where they have been forced to go after Spain's "Costa del Crime" was shut down.
Director: Derek Jones

Wednesday January 15th, 23.35, BBC1 Poison Pen
Documentary about a letter-writing campaign which terrorised a part of North Yorkshire for 20 years, until the culprit was finally caught by forensic methods.
Director: Norman Hull Producer: Claire Kavanagh

Thursday January 16th, 21.50, BBC2 Easy Money
Fraud and Corruption.
Directors: Rob Davis, Alastair Cook

real life documentaries/docusoaps
None this week.

social issues documentaries
None this week.

crime dramas/serials
Saturday January 11th, 14.10, BBC2 Ironside

Saturday January 11th, 15.00, BBC2 A Perry Mason Mystery

Saturday January 11th, 15.00, ITV Nash Bridges
Saturday January 11th, 16.25, BBC2 Columbo

Saturday January 11th and Sunday 12th, 21.00, BBC1
Messiah 2
Gory story of serial killings.
Director: David Richards Producer: Joshua St Johnston

Saturday January 11th, 21.00, ITV Taggart

Sunday January 12th, 20.00, ITV Heartbeat
Director: Paul Walker
Weekdays, 10.00, C5 Starsky and Hutch

Weekdays, 11.00, C5 Magnum PI

Weekdays, 14.25, C5 Columbo

Weekdays, 14.35, BBC1 Murder, She Wrote

Monday January 13th, 21.00, BBC1 Merseybeat

Tuesday January 14th, 21.00, BBC1 Red Cap

Tuesday January 14th, 21.00, C5 A Mind to Kill

Tuesday January 14th, 23.35, C4 NYPD Blue
Return of the excellent police drama.

Wednesday January 15th and Thursday 16th, 20.00, ITV The Bill
Director: Fraser MacDonald Producer: Susan Mather

Wednesday January 15th, 21.00, ITV Footballers' Wives
A body has been found in a swimming pool.
Director: Julie Edwards Producer: Claire Phillips

Thursday January 16th, 21.00, BBC1 Trust
Legal eagle series.
Director: John Strickland Producer: Jake Lushington

Thursday January 16th, 21.00, ITV Serious and Organised
The brothers discover a trade in human organs.

Friday January 17th, 20.30, ITV Midsomer Murders
Casting her eyes around for some crimson while indulging in a spot of watercolours in picturesque Midsomer Florey, Mrs Barnaby discovers a dead body.
Director: Peter Smith Producer: Brian True-May

0ther programmes of interest
Monday January 13th, 22.35, BBC1 Total Cops
Clip compilation from old cop shows such as The Sweeney and Prime Suspects.

criminal justice story lines in the main soaps during january
In Brookside, little Anthony is in a secure unit after admitting the murder of Imelda. His court hearing has begun. Tim the tearaway had been trading drugs in order to finance treatment for his wife who is in a coma, but then he thought better of it after seeing the effects of the drug on a victim. In Coronation Street, evil Richard carefully plans his next murder so that someone else will be blamed, and then dispatches his victim with a crowbar. Ken Barlow has pleaded guilty to thumping Aidan but allowed the sudden revelation of his wife's infidelity to influence his speech to the court, which came out all bitter and twisted. Nevertheless he received a conditional discharge. No crimes on Eastenders, but the Radio Times lists all the major crimes ever committed on that soap, to contrast with the present murder spree in Weatherfield. In Emmerdale, Louise's stalker turned out to be her very own obsessive boyfriend, who was a bounder and a gangster to boot. So far she has managed to conceal her guilt, but during the coroner's inquest the police begin to suspect her. Just as she is about to confess, an alibi materialises from an unexpected source. In The Archers, Caroline and Oliver return from holiday to find that there has been an intruder at Grange Farm.
www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders
www.corrie.net
www.brookside.com
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archers

radio programmes
must hear radio
None this week.

criminal justice programmes
Monday January 13th, 11.00, Radio 4 Within These Walls
A visit to Lancaster Castle where witches were imprisoned, Catholics tortured and lots of criminals sentenced to death, and which still has a working court and prison. Producer: Lindsay Leonard

social issues documentaries
None this week.

crime dramas/serials
Saturday January 11th, 14.30, Radio 4 The Saturday Play: His Dark Materials - The Subtle Knife
When a boy accidentally kills a man, he escapes into a parallel universe.
Director: Janet Whitaker

Tuesday January 14th, 23.00, Radio 4 I Think I've Got a Problem
A man who can't stop himself from singing incites a near-riot at a football match and is sentenced to community service.
Director: Chris Neill Producers: Torquil MacLeod, Julian Mayers

other programmes of interest
Friday January 17th, 16.30, Radio 4 The Message
Jenny Murray and guests engage in conversation about current media trends. Producer: Cecile Wright
Related website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/themessage.

annette's personal choice of the week
Thursday January 16th, 20.00, Radio 4 The Dark Origins of Britain
This programme promises to shed new light on the dark ages, revealing an even darker truth than previously thought. It challenges the current historical position that successive waves of Germanic invaders drove the Celtic natives to the fringes of Britain. (You know the Welsh? They were the Irish who could not swim.) Instead, it says, and backs this up with DNA evidence, the Celts were happy to remain here and adopt Anglo-Saxon culture. This would explain the prevalence of Welsh teachers in English schools, the Irish chappies who are always offering to re-tarmac our drives, and the fact that there is always a Scots piper at every wedding. They were here all along.

crime writing in the tv guides
A selection of deaths from Eastenders are featured, Alison Graham complains that NYPD Blue is on too late and Bad Girls gets a mention alongside a feature on Crossroads’ new attempt to bring in a gay audience with a host of glamorous new stars. This includes Linda Robson who goes from playing a criminals’ wife to a criminal herself.

daily listings
NB As schedules may be subject to change, it's worth checking a daily paper or www.radiotimes.com for up-to-date listings.
saturday january 11th
14.10 BBC2 Ironside
14.30 BBCR4 The Saturday Play: His Dark
Materials - The Subtle Knife
15.00 BBC2 A Perry Mason Mystery
15.00 ITV Nash Bridges
16.25 BBC2 Columbo
19.00 C4 Abused and Catholic
21.00 BBC1 Messiah 2
21.00 ITV Taggart

sunday january 12th
20.00 ITV Heartbeat
21.00 BBC1 Messiah 2
23.15 C5 Murder Detectives
23.50 C5 Arrest and Trial

monday january 13th
10.00 C5 Starsky and Hutch
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
11.00 BBCR4 Within These Walls
14.25 C5 Columbo
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
19.55 C4 Great Britain
21.00 BBC1 Merseybeat
22.35 BBC1 Total Cops

tuesday january 14th
02.35 C4 Unreported World
03.00 C4 Abused and Catholic
10.00 C5 Starsky and Hutch
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.25 C5 Columbo
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
20.00 BBC2 Crooked Britain
21.00 BBC1 Red Cap
21.00 C5 A Mind to Kill
22.30 C4 Buried
22.55 C5 Charles Bronson: Britain's
Hardest Man
23.00 BBCR4 I Think I've Got a Problem
23.20 BBC2 Shayler's Secrets
23.35 C4 NYPD Blue

wednesday january 15th
10.00 C5 Starsky and Hutch
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.25 C5 Columbo
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
19.30 BBC1 Kenyon Confronts
19.55 C4 Great Britain
20.00 ITV The Bill
21.00 ITV Footballers' Wives
23.35 BBC1 Poison Pen

thursday january 16th
10.00 C5 Starsky and Hutch
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.25 C5 Columbo
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
20.00 ITV The Bill
20.00 BBCR4 The Dark Origins of Britain
21.00 BBC1 Trust
21.00 ITV Serious and Organised
21.50 BBC2 Easy Money
friday january 17th
10.00 C5 Starsky and Hutch
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.25 C5 Columbo
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
16.30 BBCR4 The Message
20.30 ITV Midsomer Murders

2002-12-31T14:25:00.000Z

Happy New Year!

2002-12-31T14:19:00.000Z

2002-12-29T22:56:00.000Z

Are you looking for Crime programmes?

I'm still getting lots of searches for crime stuff. Well, it's not here any more but don't fear!

It's all here - the new Payback site, Bright.

Go now.

2002-12-29T15:17:00.000Z

**** JSA Training - private tuition in Stoke-on-Trent ****

2002-11-24T17:52:00.000Z

2002-11-13T18:23:00.000Z

This is fantastic!!!

2002-10-25T09:51:00.000Z

Continuing the tradition of just a few, select nuggets on this weblog for those who care to visit, here's one from our favourite pigeon-killer, Red Ken:

>>> KEN'S REPTILES THRIVE IN WARMER LONDON

Yesterday the papers warned that the next 3,000 years would be
predominantly rainy. Today the news is even worse - at least for
Londoners. Global warming will be exacerbated by an "urban heat
island" effect in the capital because of the number of buildings
packed closely together, a conference on climate change has warned.
Air quality will fall, the Tube will become unbearably hot, and
floods will afflict large parts of the city.

But London's mayor, Ken Livingstone, has some more cheerful news. The
warmer conditions have already allowed edible French frogs to breed
in his garden. "I shall soon have enough for a dinner party of four,"
he told the conference. "You are welcome to join me."

From The Guardian

Also this week, I recieved a funny press release from Ken's office all about how Trafalgar Square would be closed for New Year's Eve. Necessarily in the 'Notes to Editors' at the end, it said "The Norwegian Christmas Tree will not be affected." Phew.

2002-09-27T22:07:00.000Z

A happy ending

Finally, some pictures of Frank sans cast :)

2002-09-27T10:03:00.000Z

Goddammit!

If I'd only kept this up, I too could have been in the running for the Guardian's Best Blog competition.

Never mind... Scary Duck was indeed a deserving winner -

2002-09-04T17:37:00.000Z

crime watching
week 62
august 31st – september 6th
Written for Payback by Clare-Marie White.
NB Schedules may be subject to change so it's worth checking a daily paper or www.radiotimes.com for up-to-date listings.

television programmes
classics, "Must See Films" on tv
None this week.

programmes worth watching out for, which don't make it to MSTV status
None this week

criminal justice programmes
Sunday September 1st, 22.55, C5 The World’s Most Astounding Undercover Stings
Last week’s Caught in the Act was obviously not glamorous enough for Channel
5, who have felt the need to repackage it with what may turn out to be the
year’s silliest title. Expect not to be astounded.

Thursday September 5th, 20.00, C5 Murder Detectives

Thursday September 5th, 20.30, C5 Arrest and Trial

Thursday September 5th, 21.00, BBC1 Hot Pursuit
Looking at whether a change in Scottish policy can reduce the number of deaths during police car chases.
Director: Tom Porter

real life documentaries/docusoaps
Thursday September 5th, 23.35, C4 Hollywood Vice

social issues documentaries
Wednesday September 4th, 19.30, BBC2 East
Two months in the life of a 24-year old homeless man.
Producer: Sukhjinder
Takhar

crime dramas/serials
Saturday August 31st, 13.10, BBC2 Columbo

Saturday August 31st, 14.40, BBC2 Quincy

Saturday August 31st, 15.25, BBC2 Perry Mason

Saturday August 31st, 21.30, C5 CSI: Crime Scene
Investigation
Related website: www.channel5.co.uk/csi

Saturday August 31st, 22.20, C5 Law and Order
[repeated Monday September 2nd, 22.50]

Monday September 2nd, 12.50, Tuesday 3rd, 12.30, Wednesday 4th,
12.50 and 22.55, C4 Ally McBeal
If the scheduling doesn’t drive you up the wall, then surely the latest silly twist in
the Wednesday night plot will: Ally decides to DNA test her new daughter.

Weekdays, 11.00, C5 Magnum PI

Weekdays, 14.35, BBC1 Murder, She Wrote

Monday September 2nd and Tuesday 3rd, 21.00, BBC1
Waking the Dead
A serial killer is in jail, and for some reason someone is stalking his surviving victim.
Director: Edward Bennett Producer: Victoria Fea

Tuesday September 3rd, 14.05, BBC1 Doctors
Jude becomes a police surgeon, but soon runs into problems. Predictably.

Tuesday September 3rd, 22.00, BBC2 Porridge

Tuesday September 3rd and Wednesday 4th, 20.00, ITV
The Bill
Director: Jamie Payne Producer: Susan Mather
Related website: www.thebill.com

Wednesday September 4th, 00.10, C4 Oz
Grit your teeth as the horror continues.

Wednesday September 4th, 09.00, C4 Little House on the
Prairie
Lawyers come to the prairie, and are soon causing trouble, the scamps.

Friday September 6th, 21.00, C5 A Mind to Kill
Director: Euros Lyn Producers: Mike
Parker and Ed Thomas

0ther programmes of interest
Monday September 2nd, 20.00, C5 Ancient Murder
Mystery
‘Murder’ is clearly the word that brings in a million viewers, at least in the view of C5, because on closer inspection this documentary appears actually to be a study of an ancient skull that may provide the missing link between apes and humans.
Producer: William Hicklin

Thursday September 5th, 22.30, ITV The John Thaw Story
Biography of the actor with a penchant for crime drama.

clare's personal choice of the week
Sunday September 1st, 21.00, C4 Notting Hill
It’s that low point before the new season for schedulers, when there’s nothing to fill the airwaves but the dregs left in the back of the old season’s cupboard. But far be it from me to suggest that this explains the outrageous deluge of 9/11 documentaries over a week before the anniversary. So escape the depressing second by second raking over of misery with this film that won’t fail to charm you, no matter how hard you resist.
Director: Roger Mitchell

criminal justice story lines in the main soaps during august
In Brookside, the police find something in Marty’s garden… Meanwhile Little Mo continues to have a terrible life in Eastenders, whether or not she is in jail. Which, for now, she is not. And in Coronation Street, the opening of a bail hostel is threatening real estate value!
www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders
www.corrie.net
www.brookside.com
www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/archers

radio programmes

must hear radio
None this week

criminal justice programmes
None this week
social issues documentaries
Monday September 2nd, 20.00, Radio 4 Forging a Future
A look at the Kids Company in South-East London.
Producer: Angela Hind

crime dramas/serials
Saturday August 31st, 14.30, Radio 4 Afternoon Play:
Greyfriars
A policeman and his dog battle thieves in mid-19th century Edinburgh.
Director: David Ian Neville

Wednesday September 4th, 14.15, Radio 4 Afternoon Play:
An Oddbody
A respectable and healthy woman in her 70s dies under mysterious circumstances.
Director: Rosemary Watts

other programmes of interest
Sunday September 1st, 20.30, Radio 4 Word of Mouth
Hungerford’s Burden
Relevant in the wake of the events in Soham, this programme looks at the effect a tragedy has on a place when its name is forever associated with grief.
Producer: Laurence Grissell

Friday September 6th, 16.30, Radio 4 The Message
Jenny Murray and guests engage in conversation about current media trends. Producer: Cecile Wright
Related website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/themessage.

crime writing in the TV guides
None this week

daily listings
NB As schedules may be subject to change, it's worth checking a daily paper or www.radiotimes.com for up-to-date listings.

saturday august 31st
13.10 BBC2 Columbo
14.30 BBCR4 Afternoon Play: Greyfriars
14.40 BBC2 Quincy
15.25 BBC2 Perry Mason
21.30 C5 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
22.20 C5 Law and Order

sunday september 1st
15.00 ITV Nash Bridges
20.30 BBCR4 Word of Mouth
21.00 C4 Notting Hill
22.55 C5 The World’s Most Astounding
Undercover Stings

monday september 2nd
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
12.50 C4 Ally McBeal
20.00 C5 Ancient Murder Mystery
20.00 BBCR4 Forging a Future
21.00 BBC1 Waking the Dead
22.50 C5 Law and Order ®

tuesday september 3rd
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.05 BBC1 Doctors
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
12.30 C4 Ally McBeal
20.00 ITV The Bill
21.00 BBC1 Waking the Dead
22.00 BBC2 Porridge

wednesday september 4th
00.10 C4 Oz
09.00 C4 Little House on the Prairie
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
12.50 C4 Ally McBeal
14.15 BBCR4 Afternoon Play: An Oddbody
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
19.30 BBC2 East
20.00 ITV The Bill
22.55 C4 Ally McBeal

thursday september 5th
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
20.00 C5 Murder Detectives
20.30 C5 Arrest and Trial
21.00 BBC1 Hot Pursuit
22.30 ITV The John Thaw Story
23.35 C4 Hollywood Vice

friday september 6th
11.00 C5 Magnum PI
14.35 BBC1 Murder, She Wrote
16.30 BBCR4 The Message
21.00 C5 A Mind to Kill

2002-09-04T14:51:00.000Z

A Yorkshire woman is to recieve up to £100,000 after being mauled by a cheetah cited as "tame as a kitten" in a holiday brochure. As the creature was causing 22-stitches worth of injuries to the gullible Northerner, the park ranger said "look, he's playing with you".

This story has prompted website Roll on Friday to produce a handy 'Spot the Difference' guide.

2002-08-28T15:06:00.000Z

Good grief. What was I thinking? This is surely the best test site there is!

2002-08-28T15:04:00.000Z

But oh no! It's all gone wrong!

Life is fairly pointless to for me. It's a constant cycle of getting captured by Bowser, getting rescued by men who lust after me either due to my looks or wealth, and baking cakes. Any involvement I have in a game is fairly limited. I reinforce the bad stereotype that women are helpless beings. I am made of sugar and spice and everything nice, yet incapable of inteligent thought. Such is the life of Peach.

What Super Mario Bros character are you?

2002-08-28T14:57:00.000Z

Hooray. For my new job it seemed like a good idea to get people doing stupid tests. This site has a fairly good collection, though I suspect there are better. At least it has the classic Which Kind of Muppet Are You.

2002-08-27T10:37:00.000Z

It's back!

For two weeks only, your indispensible guide to TV's crime...