Archive for March, 2018


What proportion of Americans have a passport?

March 30th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

We know that it is low compared to most other developed countries – but how low? and is it still that low? I found myself asking these questions when, earlier this week, the actor and activist Sean Penn was interviewed by Trevor Noah on “The Daily Show”. He quoted a figure of 28% for the […]

Posted in American current affairs | Comments (0)


What is it like to be the oldest man in Britain?

March 29th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

Bob Weighton is 11o today (as is Alf Smith) and he had given this interview to mark the occasion. Happy birthday and long life, Bob (and Alf).

Posted in Miscellaneous | Comments (0)


A review of the delightful new film “Lady Bird”

March 27th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

It is such a rarity – but a delight – to see a maintstream movie both written and directed by a woman. As well as being a fine actress, Greta Gerwig has written before (notably “Frances Ha” and “Mistress America”) but this is her directorial début. Astonishingly (but deservedly), at the age of just 34 […]

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While I remember, let me talk to you about dementia

March 23rd, 2018 by Roger Darlington

It’s over six months ago that I did a blog posting explaining that I have been invited to volunteer for a study examining the risk factors for dementia. For various reasons, it was only today that I had my first hospital visit connected with the study. I spent almost four hours at the Imperial Research […]

Posted in My life & thoughts | Comments (6)


It’s World Water Day

March 22nd, 2018 by Roger Darlington

I spent five years as Chair of the Customer Challenge Group at South East Water and this experience underlined my view that water plays an absolutely crucial role in life and all our lives. So, what is the United Nations World Water Day? “World Water Day, on 22 March every year, is about focusing attention […]

Posted in Environment | Comments (0)


How consumers can obtain a voice in the regulatory system

March 21st, 2018 by Roger Darlington

This week, I gave a presentation to a course on “Economic Regulation Of Utilities” for regulators from five countries: Bulgaria, Botswana, Malaysia, Singapore and Afghanistan. My presentation was entitled “How consumers can obtain a voice in the regulatory system“. After discussing the purpose of regulation, I looked at different models for an institutional consumer voice […]

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A review of the new movie “Tomb Raider”

March 20th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

I’m not sure that the world needed another Tomb Raider movie, following the Angelina Jolie outings of 2001 and 2003, but I suppose that there are too few films with women in leading action roles and I’m a big fan of Swedish actress Alicia Vikander who has now taken over the Lara Croft role and […]

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Congratulations to Andria Zafirakou, the best teacher in the world

March 19th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

I am delighted by the news that Andria Zafirakou has become the first British winner of the Global Teacher Prize, beating teachers nominated from more than 170 countries. The prize of $1million (£720,000), launched in 2015 by an education charity, the Varkey Foundation, was created to give more status to the teaching profession, with an Oscars-style awards […]

Posted in World current affairs | Comments (0)


It’s been a long time since I went to the ballet …

March 18th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

… but this weekend I had the opportunity to spend an evening at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden viewing three short modern ballets. I found the experience magical and mesmerising. Each dance was performed by the Royal Ballet and set to a piece of music by the American composer Leonard Bertsein and […]

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How to read a film

March 17th, 2018 by Roger Darlington

I spent this cold Saturday in London attending a course at the City Literary Institute. It was called “How to read a film”and delivered by Nick Scudamore. He introduced us to the term “mise-en-scene” which essential,y is everything the director chooses to put in the scene or shot on the day of shooting as contrasted […]

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