At London 2012, the eyes of a nation were on Jessica Ennis-Hill. She could not go for her weekly shop in Sheffield without seeing billboards of herself plastered all over the city. Her face was everywhere nationwide too.
When confronted with the shocking news that more than 3,000 police officers are being investigated for alleged assault, it is hard not to be nostalgic for the gentler era of law enforcement symbolised by the 1950s TV series Dixon of Dock Green.
Pity the poor commuter, paying thousands of pounds each year for the ordeal of travelling on Europe’s most congested rail network. Yesterday, the Overground line from London Euston to Watford Junction was closed to rush-hour travellers. Elsewhere, a scattering of broken-down trains, signalling problems and, tragically, suicide caused delays the length and breadth of the kingdom.
Last week this column took as its premise a report that 40 per cent of teachers leave after their first year. When we originally reported this story it was followed up by several other newspapers, created much heat on social media, and was mentioned on Radio 4’s Any Questions.
