Phil Banting
@philbanting.bsky.social
Christian, married to Miriam, #LibDems, #Remain. Active in Christ Church Selly Park, #Stirchley and beyond. Twitter @philbanting Instagram @philbantingbrum https://www.banting-family.org.uk
When it comes to BrE vs. AmE @lynneguist.bsky.social is absolutely your go-to person
December 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
When it comes to BrE vs. AmE @lynneguist.bsky.social is absolutely your go-to person
Actually I did once come across a copy of Mein Kampf in the school library, but hey, this was before the days of cancel culture
December 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Actually I did once come across a copy of Mein Kampf in the school library, but hey, this was before the days of cancel culture
I attended a public school in the 1970's (more like a town grammar school really, the vast majority of us being day pupils). I can't remember a hint of pro-Nazi sentiment, nor racism. Indeed, one of the masters had flown in RAF bombing missions during the war, and another was reputedly a Communist.
December 10, 2025 at 4:35 PM
I attended a public school in the 1970's (more like a town grammar school really, the vast majority of us being day pupils). I can't remember a hint of pro-Nazi sentiment, nor racism. Indeed, one of the masters had flown in RAF bombing missions during the war, and another was reputedly a Communist.
The ability to use language in creative, high-impact ways is surely darned useful to a victim advocate, and understanding rhythm and structure is an important part of that
December 9, 2025 at 11:41 PM
The ability to use language in creative, high-impact ways is surely darned useful to a victim advocate, and understanding rhythm and structure is an important part of that
I haven't heard of Richard. I'm so out of touch with modern culture 🙂
December 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I haven't heard of Richard. I'm so out of touch with modern culture 🙂
Yes, timeless! Originally "worked" by Harry Corbett, which is how I remember them, then later by his son Matthew. Sweep was my favourite
December 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Yes, timeless! Originally "worked" by Harry Corbett, which is how I remember them, then later by his son Matthew. Sweep was my favourite
Go Liechtenstein! All the way down the Rhine to the North Sea
December 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Go Liechtenstein! All the way down the Rhine to the North Sea
We used to have a satnav that attempted to speak the names of roads and places, resorting to phonetic English pronunciation for words not in its dictionary. It struggled with names like Bicester, but really fell over in Germany where it totally mangled the likes of Beethovenstrasse
December 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
We used to have a satnav that attempted to speak the names of roads and places, resorting to phonetic English pronunciation for words not in its dictionary. It struggled with names like Bicester, but really fell over in Germany where it totally mangled the likes of Beethovenstrasse
I always have a snigger at the way (many) Americans pronounce "van Gogh" - van Go. Not that Brits are great at imitating Dutch pronunciation either
December 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I always have a snigger at the way (many) Americans pronounce "van Gogh" - van Go. Not that Brits are great at imitating Dutch pronunciation either
Skegness is SO bracing. The wind doesn't half whistle between those skyscrapers
December 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Skegness is SO bracing. The wind doesn't half whistle between those skyscrapers
It's harder to run between the wickets when you're held back by fiscal drag
December 7, 2025 at 10:27 PM
It's harder to run between the wickets when you're held back by fiscal drag
I have learned to avoid using "next" in this context because it generates ambuguity. Today being Sunday 7 December, when is "next Wednesday"? Logically (to me) it must be 10 December - the next time it will be Wednesday - but I have found that many people interpret it as 17 December
December 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I have learned to avoid using "next" in this context because it generates ambuguity. Today being Sunday 7 December, when is "next Wednesday"? Logically (to me) it must be 10 December - the next time it will be Wednesday - but I have found that many people interpret it as 17 December
The hard left activists who subjected Jess Phillips to constant abuse during the 2024 GE campaign, and then heckled her with vile chanting even during the declaration of the result (I was in the hall), are hardly likely to be part of any "unite the left" movement
December 7, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The hard left activists who subjected Jess Phillips to constant abuse during the 2024 GE campaign, and then heckled her with vile chanting even during the declaration of the result (I was in the hall), are hardly likely to be part of any "unite the left" movement
I have the photo but I can't message you
December 6, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I have the photo but I can't message you
"I only read it. You are in it!"
December 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
"I only read it. You are in it!"
Disaster! It wasn't left at the Market as far as I know
December 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Disaster! It wasn't left at the Market as far as I know
They can't vote for themselves, so surely it's nul points
December 5, 2025 at 10:17 PM
They can't vote for themselves, so surely it's nul points
Indeed - there were only 3 people called Philip when I visited, evidently all of non-Icelandic origin. The phone book is also notable for its reassuring advice on what to do during an earthquake or volcanic eruption
December 5, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Indeed - there were only 3 people called Philip when I visited, evidently all of non-Icelandic origin. The phone book is also notable for its reassuring advice on what to do during an earthquake or volcanic eruption
I'm so looking forward to this "I Love Lizzie" sitcom. Set in a pork market in China, perhaps, or even in a low-tax Special Economic Zone? Which Margaret Thatcher outfit will she wear this week? Will the opening credits show her sliding down a Laffer curve? Can't wait to find out!
December 5, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I'm so looking forward to this "I Love Lizzie" sitcom. Set in a pork market in China, perhaps, or even in a low-tax Special Economic Zone? Which Margaret Thatcher outfit will she wear this week? Will the opening credits show her sliding down a Laffer curve? Can't wait to find out!
When I was born, no human had ever been into space. For anyone under the age of 25, space has been continuously inhabited throughout your lifetime. (Actually that's more about technological progress than the passage of time, but it's still something to bore younger listeners with)
December 5, 2025 at 3:23 PM
When I was born, no human had ever been into space. For anyone under the age of 25, space has been continuously inhabited throughout your lifetime. (Actually that's more about technological progress than the passage of time, but it's still something to bore younger listeners with)