Sorted Magazine

Blog

  • From the archive: How my Dad guided me…

    From the archive: How my Dad guided me…

    Dave Hopwood reflects on being a father and a son

    There is a great moment in the movie Cinderella Man when boxer Jim Braddock tells his son Jay not to steal, while assuring him that he is totally loved by his parents. I really like that scene because it seems to say so much about being a dad, loving your children and guiding them. When I look back on my own dad, I have many great memories of his love and guidance. When I confided in him about having a crafty smoke to calm my nerves before performing in a school play, he came straight back with the advice that it wasn’t a good idea to make it a regular thing. I remember him being moved to tears when he read a letter about folk in another country being so hungry they had to eat rats to survive. And I remember many happy times watching old cowboy movies and war films together. We talked, laughed and bantered about so much over the years, and I hope his faith, gentleness, compassion and sense of justice have leaked into me a little bit.

    I now have two gorgeous daughters and am muddling along doing my best to be a good father to them. I became a dad at 39, and then again at 50. There are no rules about timing really, are there? Mind you, bouncing around on a trampoline at my age is no mean feat! When our first child was born, I was so ecstatic, I ran out of the hospital, banged on a stranger’s car window and announced, ‘I’ve just had a daughter!’ I was so overjoyed I didn’t care what people thought of me.

    However, you don’t have to go far into dadland to discover its challenges. I’ve found myself stretched and shaped in so many ways. I’ve felt clumsy, proud, amazed, frustrated, lost, found, bewildered and chuffed. Every day’s a learning curve. One of the things I try to stick to is this – when things go wrong and the rhubarb hits the fan again, let’s do our best to sort it out and move on. No moods left bubbling away for extended periods. Our faith in Jesus is vital to us, and we do our best to pass that on to our girls, but we’re realists, and want to earth that faith in the muddling and bumbling of normal life. I love the way that young children have no separation between God and Scooby Doo. We created a poster in lockdown with this title in the middle – God is… It features the phrases …bigger and stronger than anything else…helpful and kind…cake and ice cream…joy not religion…Barbie in the Dreamhouse…a walk on the wild side. That sums us up really. Dadland continues to be a country littered with the mundane, the wondrous, the emotional and the unexpected. And I’d say one of life’s finest things is dancing with your five-year-old daughter to old tunes in the kitchen.

    Actor, writer and Artistic Director of Searchlight Theatre Company, David Robinson reflects on his father, Ken

    As late spring turns to summer, I can begin to reflect on my Dad’s favourite time of the year. The painful recollections of yet another disappointing season supporting Bolton Wanderers Football Club can be thankfully forgotten again for a few months, and thoughts can turn to a day he always eagerly anticipated, the commencement of the cricket season. As a lad in the suburbs of Manchester he had successful trials for Lancashire County Cricket Club. Alas, back then young hopefuls didn’t get paid in the winter, so he pursued a career with Her Majesty’s Inspector of Taxes instead, and there he remained for over forty years. The bragging rights for me in the playground talking about a county cricket player would have been considerable, a little less so for a renowned tax inspector from the Inland Revenue. He was able to carve out many years as a keen and very accomplished club cricketer, and I enjoyed watching and eventually playing alongside him.

    I also followed in his footsteps when it came to his enthusiasm for amateur theatre. He trod the boards in many a local drama company spectacular as a young man, and then, many years, later we acted together in a few creaking Agatha Christie favourites and other similar masterpieces. Thankfully, no reviews have been made available for this article.

    In later years he became a keen and regular member of the audience, whenever and wherever I was performing. Alongside my Mum, they would be selling merchandise and promoting my company for me in the interval. And then there would come his preferred time in the evening, the post show party: he would greet everyone and ensure that all glasses were filled with a chilled chardonnay or similar libation. Hospitality and the gift of welcoming came naturally to him, and many of my friends benefited from it.* No one was left out on the sidelines: he always took a genuine interest in everyone.

    I observed and learnt the strength of teamwork from him, and how no team member is less important than another, essential for any successful cricket eleven, or the rising stars of the Royal Shakespeare Company. It was being there and feeling part of a team which was key for him, whether it was the Lord’s Cricket Ground or the local village green. As long as we could retire to the the Bull public house afterwards and discuss where it all went wrong, it all didn’t really matter, and we could all try again next week.

    His hospitality was matched by his encouragement and I miss hearing his mobility scooter manoeuvring into position at Palmerston Place Church in Edinburgh for our first night at the Fringe; a week and indeed a city he always loved. My first year at the Fringe without him was 2016, and I had written and performed a comedy piece on Laurel and Hardy, something he would have without any doubt enjoyed and insisted on seeing countless times. But this was ‘Another fine mess’ he didn’t get to see.

    His funeral was in the summer of that year, we played Smile by Nat King Cole in the crematorium, and then everyone gathered in a country hotel where the chardonnay flowed, and the smiles of reflection and appreciation continued. Many spoke of his optimistic spirit, but as he often observed, ‘You can’t support Bolton Wanderers for over 50 years and not be an optimist.’ Outside the large patio windows to the hotel, we could see the village green, where they were preparing with great care the cricket square for the forthcoming game at the weekend. He would have certainly approved.

    He had declared after an innings well played.

    Gethin Russell-Jones is a writer and church leader. In order to understand his father better, he wrote a book about him…

    I wrote a book about a man I love. He’s been dead for 10 years but my affection for him is very alive. I think of him every day; his face drifts in and out of my consciousness and occasionally my dreams. I can’t tell you how many times and in how many situations I’ve asked the question, “what would he do now?”

    My father wasn’t the touchy feely type, neither was my mother really, so I must have inherited this blasted quality from another part of the gene pool. But he remains the biggest male influence on my life by a country mile. Not that I agree with him on everything. You’ll have noted that I’m writing in the present tense. Even though he’s resting in peace ahead of rising in glory, he’s alive in my memories. I would never admit to speaking to him but there is a strange conversation that goes on. And in many ways, it’s a more equal relationship now. Less deferential and more human, which strikes me as strange even as I’m writing it.

    More equal because I can ask questions and disagree with him in a way that I found difficult in the days of his flesh. The biggest sign of this shift in our relationship came in the form of the book I referred to in my opening line. Conchie, what my father didn’t do in the war, is my critique of one of the biggest periods in my dad’s life. In 1939, at the age of 21, he took a decision that made him different to many other men. He became part of a minority; a tradition of dissent that has a long, and often vilified, history. He refused to register for military service and instead became a conscientious objector. This choice sprang directly from his Christian faith. In fact, I don’t think he would even have used that kind of language. For him it was a matter of obedience to the Bible’s general command against taking another human life and to Jesus’ call to love and not hate. No exceptions and no wriggle room.

    And for much of my life I have asked two questions about this choice. What were the precise reasons for his refusal to fight, and would I behave differently in the same circumstances? That’s why I wrote the book, five years after he passed away. I wanted to interrogate him, cross examine his motives and beliefs. More than anything else, I wanted to understand the young man who bravely swam against current of the time. I went in search of answers, but life (and indeed death), is not so binary. I found the I man knew, but also the one I didn’t.

    I’m not sure how he feels about my questions or indeed the book. But I do know that I was loved. And he showed me that character, faithful living and dissent make very good companions.

    This article was first published in the May/June 2021 issue of Sorted magazine.

    Main Photo Credit: Mari Lezhava via Unsplash

  • Motoring: The Honda Jazz is the best yet

    Motoring: The Honda Jazz is the best yet

     

    The Honda Jazz has been around for donkey’s years – in fact, it’s been on the UK’s roads since 1982.

    That has given the Japanese giant some serious time to perfect it – and the latest one is the best yet.

    It is not the best-looking car ever made, with its boxy bonnet and protruding front bumpers, but it’s cutesy-cuddly and looks like the sort of car you’d just like to give a big hug.

    There is no choice when it comes to powertrains. Indeed, there’s only one: a self-charging hybrid with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which, when combined with its electric motor, produces 109PS.

    There is no shortage of choice regarding trims, though, with five to choose from.

    I tested the high-up-the-range EX Style. Zero to 62mph takes 9.5 seconds, which isn’t amazing, but then for a fairly small family car, you don’t need much more.

    The engine cuts in and out automatically as and when needed, maximising all-electric driving and therefore helping the fuel economy figures, which sit at 61.4mpg. Just 105g/km of CO2 is emitted in the process.

    REFRESHED JAZZ e:HEV LINE-UP GAINS NEW ADVANCE SPORT VARIANT

    The Jazz is supremely comfortable, too, boasting one of the best rides in its class. But that does mean the handling is a little bit dumbed-down.

    For most people’s needs, it’s fine, but thrill-seekers won’t find it memorable. Plus, it’s pretty tall compared with its competitors, which doesn’t help with the body roll in the bends. As a result, you’ll likely get more out of it around a town centre than testing its limits on a B-road.

    Inside, the Jazz is very nice. Granted, the cabin is nothing special, but the odd touch of silver trim in places, such as on the steering wheel and around the gear lever, brightens things up sufficiently to make all the difference. The materials don’t feel cheap, either.

    The infotainment system isn’t great, lacking the sharp, high-resolution graphics you’d expect nowadays. I have used worse, but most of its rivals have superior systems.

    At least in this test car, plus the lower EX trim, you get additional USB sockets to charge your phones and tablets.

    REFRESHED JAZZ e:HEV LINE-UP GAINS NEW ADVANCE SPORT VARIANT

    As already mentioned, the Jazz’s body is relatively high up, so the driving position is too, which helps with visibility.

    There is a lot of space, so even the tallest of drivers won’t struggle for comfort, while the rear impresses, too, offering decent leg and headroom.

    The Jazz also feels quite broad, so three passengers in the rear are doable, plus there’s plenty of storage space inside, including two glove compartments.

    The boot is reasonably spacious for a small car, offering 304 litres of room, expanding to 1,205 litres with the rear seats folded away. Meanwhile, the Jazz provides considerable flexibility regarding the seat arrangements, which you won’t find in its rivals.

    Honda has a decent reputation for reliability, too, offering a three-year warranty, although the hybrid system gets a separate five-year, 90,000-mile guarantee.

    The Jazz was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and comes with automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition on all models.

    Overall, the Honda Jazz is top of the tree when it comes to practicality, helped further still by its versatile seating arrangements.

    It is not much of a driver’s car, and the infotainment system is a bit basic, but the flip side is a comfortable ride, along with excellent fuel economy and emissions figures.

    Fast Facts – Honda Jazz (1.5i-MMD in EX Style trim) as tested:

    Max speed: 109 mph

    0-62 mph: 9.5 secs

    Fuel economy: 61.4 mpg (WLTP)

    Engine layout: 1.5-litre four-cylinder with electric motor

    Max. power (PS): 109

    CO2: 105 g/km

    Price: £27,050

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Honda Jazz

  • Comment: Failing and falling

    Comment: Failing and falling

    Crunching across the pebbled shore line, kayak instructor Gary, gathers up four paddles and shares them out among our group of nervous newbies. Clueless, we form a loose semi-circle around him and attempt to mimic his arms-outstretched, water-less, air-paddling techniques. In the event we fall out of the kayak and into the chilly water, Gary tells us we should simply grab the side of the boat and: “do our best impression of a seal going from sea to land”. This mental image fails to reassure me, however, his insistence that the life jackets will keep us afloat until help arrives is empowering.

    Scattered across the broad body of water, little blobs of blue, white, orange, and red bob along in a seemingly random fashion. The colourful distant blobs are occupied by one, sometimes two, tiny paddling passengers. Suddenly one of the white blobs takes off and flies majestically across the flash, Gary tells us that “up to seventy” white swans frequent this spot. They cluster together along the most sheltered water which is close to a long stone embankment. Mature woodland occupies about two thirds of the shore line, the remainder has a gradual sloping pebbled beach where the brightly coloured kayaks and paddle boards are moored. This is where we will launch from.

    Sit-on kayaks are shallow, flimsy bits of banana shaped plastic not much bigger than a baby’s bath tub. Uncoordinated paddling in tandem creates an alarming rocking motion which laps the water into the boat. The majority of it drains out of the kayak through little holes but some forms a worrying wet puddle in the seat. As the shore line gets farther and farther away the deep water grows rough and menacing and a sense of vulnerability grows with it.

    Suddenly two members of our party accidentally capsize their boat and plunge into the inky black water. Lifeless, the upside down kayak drifts aimlessly. We gasp and hold our breath for an age until two familiar heads pop up to the surface. We raise the alarm and soon a rescue craft zooms to help them upturn the boat and clamber back aboard. Their peels of laughter bounce over the water, the relief is palpable. They paddle towards the shore, but take a second tumble in the shallows. Scrambling up to the water’s edge, back on to dry land, and still giggling, they declare that: “falling in was the best part, the water is lovely!”

    Main Photo Credit: Filip Mroz via Unsplash

  • Sport: The speed, thrills and spills of Oxford Speedway

    Sport: The speed, thrills and spills of Oxford Speedway

    Live entertainment is unparalleled. By being there, for instance at it a concert, sporting event, theatre or air show, you are part of the unfolding history. There is an explicit emotional link between you and the main event that can often have a magical and lasting effect. Seeing Queen at Wembley in 1986 and watching Notts County’s return to the English Football League at the same venue thirty seven years later are, I am convinced, engrained within my DNA. But these experiences can come at a cost and aren’t necessarily always that convenient.

    Partisan supporters, allocated seats, and a sense of extravagant expenditure, can be the dominant reflection if the main event doesn’t match the anticipated outcome.

    Of the many choices on offer it takes a lot to beat an experience that represents value for money, accessibility, friendliness and excitement. The secret is speed and this is on offer in heaps at Oxford Speedway, the home of the Cheetahs.

    If you haven’t been for a while, or never at all, get along and check it out. Mingle with the crowd, there is no segregation, and whatever your age or background you will be made to feel instantly welcome. Choose your viewpoint, from the luxurious glass fronted grandstand to the ample terraces, or move effortlessly between the two. You will always be able to see all of the action.

    This magnificent stadium has bounced back from a fifteen year period of abandoned oblivion to be dramatically brought back to life by promoter Jamie Courtney and the many volunteers drawn from the local community. A real phoenix-from-the-fire story and in their second season back in the Championship the Cheetahs senior side are top of the league as are their junior Chargers team too.

    If you are unfamiliar with this mesmerising motor sport buckle up and take in the following extraordinary statistics: Speedway bikes, with four riders in each heat, can accelerate to 60 mph faster than a Formula One racing car. 500cc engines with one fixed gear running on methanol, a speedway bike has another astonishing attribute: they have no brakes. Let me repeat that – no brakes.

    I was at the league encounter with the Bandits of Berwick who sensed an upset from the outset. Virtually neck and neck for twelve of the fifteen heats the Cheetahs form for the remaining three races was akin to scoring three goals in the last ten minutes of a pulsating Premiership football match. Three five-ones were the perfect successive holes in one with heat thirteen being the pinnacle of passion.

    Embracing a couple of majestic manoeuvres that defied Newton’s laws of motion, executed by the scintillating Sam Masters on the inside, and the sensational Scott Nicholls on the outside, sweeping past a stunned Rory Schlein was the Speedway equivalent of the climax to the 2017 Epsom Derby when Wings of Eagles blitzed to victory in the last fifty yards.

    For a night to remember I recommend you check out the fixture list, clear your Wednesday evenings, and connect with the Cheetahs and Chargers as they create sporting drama and represent the best bang for your buck you will ever get over a couple of hours.

    https://oxfordspeedway.club/

    © Ian Kirke 2023

    @ianjkirke

    Photos: Courtesy of Ian Kirke and Scott Nicholls

  • Book Review: Manhood by Steve Biddulph

    Book Review: Manhood by Steve Biddulph

    As the revitalised England cricket team slog it out with Australia for the Ashes again, I’m reviewing a book I bought when I visited Australia nearly twenty years ago. Steve Biddulph has the reputation as Australia’s best known family therapist and parenting author. In his book Manhood he examines two crucial issues: Creating a healthy masculinity and how men can free themselves from crippling and outdated roles. I read the book when I came back to England and have continued to dip into it ever since.

    He hits the mark for many of us in relation to who has taught us about our masculinity by stating: “It takes the help of many men to turn a boy into a man. School doesn’t do it; watching TV doesn’t do it; Mum, however hard she tries, can’t do it on her own. Boys need exposure to healthy men and this need continues into adult life”.

    And he sites the enemies or prisons from which men need to escape as loneliness, compulsive competition and lifelong emotional timidity. There’s a whole chapter devoted to ‘You and your father’ and another discusses ‘Being a real father’.

    I met with a group of blokes this week and as we shared honestly both the joys and challenges of the things we are involved in, one said “I come alive when I do that!” It reminded me of something Steve Biddulph says about finding a job with heart.

    As I reflect back on the various chapter headings I realise that, since I first read it, I have (surprisingly) made some progress. I understand more about where I am coming from and I feel more engaged with my kids despite them having grown up and left home. I am rediscovering more of my adventurous spirit, and I am less passive. I try to initiate rather than wait for an invitation that never comes. I have found a sacredness and depth in my primary relationship, and I am pursuing authentic male friendship via small groups and vulnerable friendships. Whatever point you are on your masculine journey, this is a really helpful book and I heartily recommend it.

    Manhood by Steve Biddulph is available here and there’s further information about Steve here

    Main photo credit: Glenn Carstens-Peters via Unsplash

  • Motoring: Company car users will rejoice over the Volvo XC60

    Motoring: Company car users will rejoice over the Volvo XC60

    Although it’s technically a crossover, Volvo’s XC60 is at the larger end of the scale.

    Based on the same platform as the excellent full-fat SUV, the XC90, it promises superb refinement and a high driving position.

    It also promises good fuel economy, as it’s the Recharge plug-in hybrid version tested here.

    You won’t be complaining about the choice of powertrain, as it’s the T6 – packed with 350PS from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, combined with an electric motor fed by an 18.8kWh battery.

    If that’s not enough, there’s an even more powerful T8, based on the same engine, which produces 455PS.

    XC60 Recharge T8, Silver Dawn

    Up to 49 miles of engineless driving is possible, while a full charge at a maximum charging speed of 3.7kW will take around five hours.

    Company car users will rejoice, too, thanks to CO2 emissions of just 23g/km, while it achieves as much as 282.1mpg.

    Zero to 62mph is over in 5.7 seconds. Indeed, the Volvo delivers propulsion effortlessly, making it ideal (if a bit of overkill, given its power and size) for tackling ring roads and eating up motorway miles.

    The mid-range Plus-trimmed car has standard suspension, providing a comfortable ride. However, the adaptive air suspension in the Ultimate trim, which you can adjust yourself, offers an even smoother journey.

    There is plenty of grip in the bends, but, being a reasonably high vehicle, the XC60 isn’t one for driving enthusiasts, as there’s quite a lot of body roll.

    XC60 Recharge, interior

    The interior is lovely, with a distinctly premium feel, while the touchscreen sits unusually portrait rather than landscape, flanked on either side by a vertical air vent.

    The infotainment system is easy to use, with the screen being very responsive and crystal clear, as you’d expect, given it’s a Google-designed system. However, I’d rather not have to use the screen to adjust the temperature, which is fiddly to do on the move.

    At least voice control is included as standard, which helps, while the digital instrument cluster is informative with sharp graphics.

    Volvo’s seats are very comfortable and sit you high up, providing a decent view of the outside world.

    The interior is spacious in terms of headroom and legroom, while there’s plenty of storage space, even though you lose some in the plug-in versions of the XC60 to accommodate the batteries. It loses a fraction of boot space, too, for the same reason – 468 litres versus 483 litres on the non-PHEV XC60s, but it’s not much of a loss.

    The rear seats only fold in a 60/40 split, rather than the more convenient 40/20/40 found on several competitors’ cars, which expands the boot space to 1,395 litres in the Recharge versions (1,410 litres in non-Recharge models).

    Safety-wise, the XC60 earned a five-star rating from Euro NCAP. Protective kit includes automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and adaptive cruise control, all as standard.

    XC60 Recharge

    The Plus trim and above gets blind-spot monitoring and semi-autonomous steering through its Pilot Assist function, in addition to a 360-degree camera.

    The Volvo XC60 Recharge is impressive, arriving well-equipped as standard, with brilliant safety, decent practicality and refined performance while retaining excellent fuel economy. The interior is lovely, too.

    But, despite its impressive array of offerings, it has several rivals that can match it for all the above – and beat it when it comes to the driving experience.

    Fast Facts – Volvo XC60 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid T6 AWD as tested:

    Max speed: 112 mph

    0-62 mph: 5.7 secs

    Fuel economy: 282.1 mpg (WLTP)

    Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with electric motor, all-wheel drive

    Max. power (PS): 350

    CO2: 23 g/km

    Price: £54,975

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Volvo

  • Film: Jesus Revolution movie is a box office hit

    Film: Jesus Revolution movie is a box office hit

    The faith film Jesus Revolution, distributed by Kova International in 157 cinemas across the UK and Ireland, has reached over £100,000 in its first week. Making £56,243 on opening weekend (23rd-25th June), this film has nearly doubled its revenue since then, with church groups selling out cinema screens at weekday showings.

    While headlines often tell us that the Church in the UK and Ireland is in decline, this clearly tells a different story. The Church is engaged and interested in good faith content and there is a demand for it in mainstream cinema. The KOVA team have been inundated with requests for new locations, group bookings and permission to share and publicise local screenings. 

    All Photos: Courtesy of the Jesus Revolution Movie
  • Motoring: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has upped its game

    Motoring: The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has upped its game

    The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has always been a decent car, but it’s spent most of its life in the shadows on the BMW 5 Series.

    Mercedes has upped its game in recent years, though, with more dynamism in its designs, consigning to the history bin its reputation of making big saloons for older people.

    It has also introduced some plug-in hybrid versions, including the one driven here, the E300e.

    While traditional petrol and diesels are offered with some mild-hybrid tech, the E300e comes with a 2.0-litre petrol mated to an electric motor. It is good enough for 320PS and a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds. That is not bad for a big saloon car.

    And the Mercedes-Benz does this while emitting a ridiculously low 35g/km of CO2, managing as much as 188mpg – figures the mild-hybrids can’t even dream of.

    It will even do 34 miles of all-electric driving at motorway speeds, and a full charge takes 90 minutes from a 7.4kW home wall box.

    In AMG Line trim, as tested, you get some sporty bodywork, along with 18-inch alloys, a wireless phone charger, adaptive LED headlights and heated leather seats. The model also houses dual-zone climate control, a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system that includes navigation as well as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

    The engine is smooth and quiet, only producing any noise when you rev hard. And, pulling off the line, the extra torque provided by the electric motor makes a noticeable difference to the pace.

    While big saloons don’t make for the best handling cars, Mercedes has done an excellent job. But the excitement is to be found in the rival 5 Series, with Mercedes tuning the E-Class more for comfort over cornering prowess, despite the AMG Line moniker.

    The plug-in E-Classes have even softer suspension, so there’s more lean in the bends. An equivalent 5 Series handles more keenly, but if you want to buy a driving experience, a sporty-trimmed C-Class or 3 Series may be a better fit.

    Don’t get me wrong, there’s plenty of grip and the steering is precise, although feedback through the wheel could be better.

    Around town, the ride can be a little bouncy, but it soon settles at anything over 40mph, making the E-Class a sublime motorway cruiser.

    The interior is lovely, with very comfortable seats, helped by adjustable lumbar support.

    The infotainment system is impressive, too, with a responsive screen and intuitive menu options. Voice control is included as well, making things even simpler.

    The Merc’s digital instrument cluster provides all the information you could want to know, including the remaining battery levels.

    There is a decent amount of space inside, especially in the front, and there’s a lot of storage room in the cabin.

    The boot capacity is only 370 litres, reduced from 540 litres in the mild hybrids, as the E300e loses underfloor storage due to the batteries.

    Safety equipment is packed into the E-Class as standard, featuring semi-autonomous parking, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and blind spot assist.

    Unsurprisingly, the E-Class has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and you get a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

    Overall, the E-Class is comfy, full of equipment and offers excellent economy in plug-in hybrid form. But is the plug-in version worth it? Indeed – the Benefit in Kind saving is especially significant if you’re a company car driver.

    Fast Facts – Mercedes-Benz E-Class [E300e AMG Line] as tested:

    Max speed: 155 mph

    0-62 mph: 5.8 secs

    Fuel economy: 188 mpg (WLTP)

    Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with electric motor

    Max. power (PS): 320

    CO2: 35 g/km

    Price: £57,225

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz E-Class

  • Review: Billy No-Mates

    Review: Billy No-Mates

    Max Dickens describes himself as an author, a playwright and a recovering stand-up comedian. But he has a problem. He’s thinking of getting married, but not sure which of his friends he should choose as his best man. His book Billy No-Mates is an in-depth, honest and humorous investigation of male friendship and the story of how he figured out who the most appropriate friend was.

    Dickens unpacks an account of how he struggled to compile a list of ten men friends from which to choose his best man. He googles the phrase ‘getting married, no best man’. He’s surprised to find 994 million results. He is hit with the bombshell realisation that he isn’t alone in his isolation.

    He investigates the many factors which can affect our ability to make and maintain friendships. He talks about the risk of loneliness due to moving away from where your friends are, or having poor health which cuts you off from others. Divorce, bereavement, unemployment, or retirement can reduce and sometimes sever our connections with friends. Dickens refers to a 2019 YouGov survey suggesting that one in five men have no close friends, and, according to sociologists, men face ‘network shrinkage’ as regular contact with friends dwindles after the peak of connection around the mid-twenties.

    Photo: Max Dickins

    At one point Dickens says that with increasing regularity he found himself experiencing ‘a peculiar form of grief: the discombobulating experience of hearing about his male friends’ engagements, marriages, health scares and other massive life changes through social media’ rather than face to face contact.

    I can relate to many of the scenarios he presents and have often wondered what would be a normal number of men friends to have. How many blokes do you need in your life who can be there when you are in a crisis or who you can trust with confidential information? Yet in our culture there are many who feel isolated, disconnected and lonely, with no context for meaningful connection and friendship.

    Billy No-Mates has an interesting section on male banter, which has gained a bad reputation in recent years as it has transitioned from blokes having a laugh to some men taking the opportunity to put others down. I liked his point about how cruel men can be in giving their mates nick names and how the Best Man’s speech often is an opportunity to deride and embarrass the groom for all sorts of youthful misdemeanors.

    Men have the reputation of being closed books when it comes to emotions, preferring to tough things out rather than appear needy. His research revealed that hanging out with male friends was considered by many men as an escape from the emotional intensity and expectations of their home and work life rather than an opportunity for close connection.

    The popularity of men’s groups and men’s sheds is discussed. Some may provide a sense of belonging and purpose as men work shoulder to shoulder fixing stuff, while other groups are aimed more at improving mental health and wellbeing as men enjoy chat and friendly banter over a brew.

    Clearly, making and maintaining male friendship is not something which happens automatically. It needs to be intentional, and that requires effort. Billy No-Mates is a good read with plenty of humour alongside the more serious findings of Dickens’ research, which included him trying out renting a friend. Who knew that was an option?

    Billy No-Mates – How I Realised Men Have a Friendship Problem by Max Dickins – Canongate Books

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Max Dickins

  • Integrity Music Reaches One Million YouTube Subscribers

    Integrity Music Reaches One Million YouTube Subscribers

    Integrity Music recently celebrated surpassing one million subscribers on the label’s YouTube channel – putting it in the top one percent of all channels on the platform. Integrity Music’s writers and artists produce some of the most familiar worship songs sung in churches around the world today, including Way Maker and 10,000 Reasons.

    Integrity Music is part of David C Cook, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Integrity Music’s President, Jonathan Brown, said: “When you look in Scriptures, milestones are always marked so we can look back in wonder at what God did. Here at Integrity Music, milestones like this are not about building our reputation or getting glory for ourselves. It’s about the fact that over 300 million worshippers have viewed the videos on this channel to worship with us, representing 237 countries around the world. That’s a huge milestone for which God gets all the glory.”

    Integrity Music’s YouTube channel features engaging music videos that showcase the authentic, groundbreaking worship projects and songs written and sung by the likes of Matt Redman, Leeland, Darlene Zschech, Mitch Wong, and Citizens. Being active on YouTube is a part of Integrity’s larger desire to help people world-wide experience the manifest presence of God and resource the church with songs of substance. The Integrity Music team celebrated the milestone accomplishment by giving glory and credit to God and recorded a special video that includes several messages of thanks to their subscribers, including from Integrity artists Paul Baloche and Leeland. Watch it here.

    Main Photo Credit: Courtesy of Integrity Music