Anne Pickles

Baby P: He knew no love, peace, dignity or hope

Published 18 November 2008

babypbig If Baby P knew anything at all in the last few tortured months of his tormented little life, it must have been that his was not a good time to be a child.

Birthday-boy Charles revels in his age of enlightenment

Published 15 November 2008

Marking Prince Charles’s 60th birthday with unhindered celebrations would probably be inappropriate. At a time of life when most men are thinking of happy retirement, he still hasn’t got the job he was meant for.

A sad end to a touching series

Published 15 November 2008

WHEN Rolf Harris recorded Two Little Boys in 1969, he had no idea how the words would later haunt him with personal poignancy.

It’s good to know that nobbly veg is allowed to retake its place in society

Published 14 November 2008

The first time in a long time that I came across a wonky vegetable it had pride of place in a sensationally impressive church. And it wasn’t even harvest festival.

Shaken by the detail of ancestors’ sacrifice

Published 8 November 2008

The Great War was supposed to have been the war to end all wars. Needless to say, it couldn’t live up to its promise.

Richard and Judy, make way please

Published 8 November 2008

SHE’S an impressive woman and no mistake. Say what you like about John Prescott – and Pauline surely does – his missus is in a class of her own.

Disturbing truths

Published 8 November 2008

She’s taken some flak for storming in where blind-eyed politicians fear to tread but the Duchess of York has never promised to be anything other than her own woman.

Still as Sharpe as ever, 15 years on

Published 8 November 2008

SO THAT’S where he’s been...

Let us not forget the high price they paid for us to be free

Published 7 November 2008

A busy old week, one way or another. Singing witches at the door, bearded ghouls looking for sweets; bonfires, bangers and a penny for the Guy who asked to use my toilet... life’s never boring in crackpot corner.

The reason dresses and diets can dominate our days is because of the sacrifice of others’ lives

Published 7 November 2008

Aunty Beeb doesn’t care what we think

Published 4 November 2008

They were absolutely right at the BBC. The last week has indeed seen a voracious, ugly, self-seeking media feeding frenzy.

A class of his own

Published 1 November 2008

He knows and admits the flaws that make him objectionable. Chips on his shoulder – boulders, Stonehenge! John Prescott carries many weighty burdens.

Lessons from fame academy

Published 1 November 2008

IT WAS a heaving-sigh kind of mood that greeted another Ulster retrospective, until realisation struck that by now there’d probably be a whole generation unaware of how atrocious Ireland’s troubles have been.

Hit and run is a ratings miss

Published 1 November 2008

MAX got what was coming to him, then. Terrorised by his brother, despised by his son, ridiculed by his wife and flattened by a hit and run driver... not his best day.

Every cloud has a silver lining...

Published 1 November 2008

DARK, bitterly cold, the weary end of a long hard week. But things are looking up.

Beautiful red patent shoes with stylish matching bag? Glad to see my taxes are being spent wisely

Published 31 October 2008

Two beautiful girls. One a pretty, slender blonde, the other a slim and bright eyed brunette. But – surprisingly – twins for all that.How times have changed. When I entered the sixth form for A-level study, I worked as a shampoo girl at a local hairdressing salon – £2 for Friday night, after school until 10pm; £4 for Saturday 8am to 5.30pm and if a new Beatles album was due for release I topped up with another pound, helping my fishmonger grandad with his skinning and filleting.