menu_open Columnists
Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews

Shropshire Star

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Mark Andrews: Ghanaian drunkards get my vote, and why Marks & Spencer closure should serve as a wake-up call for our dying town centres

Mark Andrews: Ghanaian drunkards get my vote, and why Marks & Spencer closure should serve as a wake-up call for our dying town centres

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news I'm not normally a fan of protest movements, at least not in free, liberal democracies where the...

sunday 3

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Ghanaian drunkards get my vote, and why Marks & Spencer closure should serve as a wake-up call for our dying town centres

Mark Andrews: Ghanaian drunkards get my vote, and why Marks & Spencer closure should serve as a wake-up call for our dying town centres

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news I'm not normally a fan of protest movements, at least not in free, liberal democracies where the...

sunday 4

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: 'Daddy' Trump, Kemi's secret hope, and the scandal of Michael Gove's pyjamas

Mark Andrews: 'Daddy' Trump, Kemi's secret hope, and the scandal of Michael Gove's pyjamas

After days of speculation about how much damage the US airstrikes actually caused to Iran's nuclear capabilities, Iran has now 'admitted' it was...

28.06.2025 5

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: 'Daddy' Trump, Kemi's secret hope, and the scandal of Michael Gove's pyjamas

Mark Andrews: 'Daddy' Trump, Kemi's secret hope, and the scandal of Michael Gove's pyjamas

After days of speculation about how much damage the US airstrikes actually caused to Iran's nuclear capabilities, Iran has now 'admitted' it was...

28.06.2025 6

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: A refreshing waste of public money, and crowds swarm to noodle bar

Mark Andrews: A refreshing waste of public money, and crowds swarm to noodle bar

Don't get too excited, but something very special is going to happen. Sometime this month - so presumably between now and Tuesday - the new-look...

27.06.2025 2

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: A refreshing waste of public money, and crowds swarm to noodle bar

Mark Andrews: A refreshing waste of public money, and crowds swarm to noodle bar

Don't get too excited, but something very special is going to happen. Sometime this month - so presumably between now and Tuesday - the new-look...

27.06.2025 2

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Naked bike rides, and why Palestine Action are idiots but not terrorists

Mark Andrews: Naked bike rides, and why Palestine Action are idiots but not terrorists

There are plenty of names I can think of for the idiots who broke into RAF Brize Norton and daubed paint over two RAF planes. Watch more of our videos...

26.06.2025 3

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Naked bike rides, and why Palestine Action are idiots but not terrorists

Mark Andrews: Naked bike rides, and why Palestine Action are idiots but not terrorists

There are plenty of names I can think of for the idiots who broke into RAF Brize Norton and daubed paint over two RAF planes. Watch more of our videos...

26.06.2025 2

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Time running out for 'supreme leader', barking-mad doggy treats, and why bombing political prisoners is reprehensible

Mark Andrews: Time running out for 'supreme leader', barking-mad doggy treats, and why bombing political prisoners is reprehensible

Almost two thirds of Britain’s 22 million pet owners celebrate their animal’s birthday, a study found, spending an average of £121 a time.. Watch...

25.06.2025 3

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Time running out for 'supreme leader', barking-mad doggy treats, and why bombing political prisoners is reprehensible

Mark Andrews: Time running out for 'supreme leader', barking-mad doggy treats, and why bombing political prisoners is reprehensible

Almost two thirds of Britain’s 22 million pet owners celebrate their animal’s birthday, a study found, spending an average of £121 a time.. Watch...

25.06.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Inappropriate emails, mobile phone etiquette, and why John Steed may not have been such a gent after all

Mark Andrews: Inappropriate emails, mobile phone etiquette, and why John Steed may not have been such a gent after all

Addressing male co-workers as 'gents' is 'old fashioned' and inappropriate in the workplace, according to judge Dawn Shotter, who presided over an...

24.06.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews::The Donald goes soft, dark times in the Middle East, and enjoy the sunshine - because it's downhill all the way from here

Mark Andrews::The Donald goes soft, dark times in the Middle East, and enjoy the sunshine - because it's downhill all the way from here

"We know exactly where the so-called ‘supreme leader’ is hiding," said Donald Trump, when asked about his plan to bring peace in Iran. Watch more...

24.06.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Inappropriate emails, mobile phone etiquette, and why John Steed may not have been such a gent after all

Mark Andrews: Inappropriate emails, mobile phone etiquette, and why John Steed may not have been such a gent after all

Addressing male co-workers as 'gents' is 'old fashioned' and inappropriate in the workplace, according to judge Dawn Shotter, who presided over an...

24.06.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews::The Donald goes soft, dark times in the Middle East, and enjoy the sunshine - because it's downhill all the way from here

Mark Andrews::The Donald goes soft, dark times in the Middle East, and enjoy the sunshine - because it's downhill all the way from here

"We know exactly where the so-called ‘supreme leader’ is hiding," said Donald Trump, when asked about his plan to bring peace in Iran. Watch more...

22.06.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Greta spreads the joy in the Middle East, Lammy's futile gesture, and why banning the burka is not very British

Mark Andrews: Greta spreads the joy in the Middle East, Lammy's futile gesture, and why banning the burka is not very British

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Imagine being one of the displaced people of Gaza. You have been forced to move probably two or three...

15.06.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Greta spreads the joy in the Middle East, Lammy's futile gesture, and why banning the burka is not very British

Mark Andrews: Greta spreads the joy in the Middle East, Lammy's futile gesture, and why banning the burka is not very British

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Imagine being one of the displaced people of Gaza. You have been forced to move probably two or three...

15.06.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: How much 'courtesy or respect' do people who carry knives deserve?

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news "The panel found that PC Castle failed to act with self-control, did not treat the boy with courtesy...

08.06.2025 3

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: How much 'courtesy or respect' do people who carry knives deserve?

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news "The panel found that PC Castle failed to act with self-control, did not treat the boy with courtesy...

08.06.2025 5

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews on how to humiliate fare dodgers, cracking down on shoplifting, and a lawyer who's all talk and no trousers

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 The shy and retiring...

02.06.2025 5

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews on how to humiliate fare dodgers, cracking down on shoplifting, and a lawyer who's all talk and no trousers

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 The shy and retiring...

01.06.2025 5

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Darth Vader in the NHS, unpacking the BBC buzzwords, and safe standing on aeroplanes

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Lorna Rooke was working in the NHS Blood and Transplant service when she was sent on a stupid...

25.05.2025 9

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Darth Vader in the NHS, unpacking the BBC buzzwords, and safe standing on aeroplanes

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Lorna Rooke was working in the NHS Blood and Transplant service when she was sent on a stupid...

25.05.2025 5

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews:The rise of the lanyard class is ruining everything

Mark Andrews takes a wry look a the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Halfway through my student...

18.05.2025 6

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews:The rise of the lanyard class is ruining everything

Mark Andrews takes a wry look a the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Halfway through my student...

18.05.2025 3

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

VE Day memories of Shropshire folk

There weren't many British servicemen who were able to say they spent VE Day aboard a German U-boat. Roy Jones was one of them.  For the Special Boat...

16.05.2025 7

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: The Trump trade deal in a nutshell, Reform declares war on green energy, and a generation that thinks VE Day is something to do with Rishi Sunak

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news The US trade deal for beginners. 1. Donald Trump imposes eye-watering tariffs on British exports to...

11.05.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: The Trump trade deal in a nutshell, Reform declares war on green energy, and a generation that thinks VE Day is something to do with Rishi Sunak

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news The US trade deal for beginners. 1. Donald Trump imposes eye-watering tariffs on British exports to...

11.05.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

'The moment a Nazi U-boat met us to surrender' - vivid VE Day memories from veterans in the West Midlands and Shropshire

There weren't many British servicemen who were able to say they spent VE Day aboard a German U-boat. Roy Jones was one of them.  Watch more of our...

07.05.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: 'I'll have a wee beer, please', cancel culture, and why Kneecap sound more Val Doonican than Bobby Sands

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Sounds irresistible doesn't...

04.05.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: 'I'll have a wee beer, please', cancel culture, and why Kneecap sound more Val Doonican than Bobby Sands

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Sounds irresistible doesn't...

04.05.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

What do the election results mean

Shropshire turns yellow, Staffordshire goes turquoise. But what next? Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Some...

04.05.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

The rise of Reform - Could Nigel Farage become Britain's next Prime Minister?

Shropshire turns yellow, Staffordshire and Worcestershire go turquoise. But what next? Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or...

03.05.2025 20

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Cons go to Iceland, mad Steve's Maga comeback, and what will our towns do with their £2 million windfall?

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news The jailbirds are going to Iceland, then. Personally, I'd rather send them to Siberia - or Gaza City,...

27.04.2025 7

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Cons go to Iceland, mad Steve's Maga comeback, and what will our towns do with their £2 million windfall?

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news The jailbirds are going to Iceland, then. Personally, I'd rather send them to Siberia - or Gaza City,...

27.04.2025 20

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

'It's time to spread the love for England's patron saint!' Why the West Midlands should all be putting out the flags for St George's Day

What are you doing for St George's Day, then? Nothing much? Well I don't suppose you will be alone. One of the things that has made me increasingly...

24.04.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Ditch the hair-shirt and spread the love - why we should all be putting out the flags for St George's Day

What are you doing for St George's Day, then? Nothing much? Well I don't suppose you will be alone. One of the things that has made me increasingly...

24.04.2025 10

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

"It's time to spread the love for England's patron saint" - why the West Midlands should all be putting out the flags for St George's Day

What are you doing for St George's Day, then? Nothing much? Well I don't suppose you will be alone. One of the things that has made me increasingly...

24.04.2025 8

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

How battery farms and solar farms could reshape our countryside

Dan Levy is keen to talk about the benefits of the new battery farm, about to be built on the Black Country green belt. Watch more of our videos on...

22.04.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: British Steel - the next chapter, philistines at Toby Carvery, and the latest brainwave from the human-rights lobby

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Here's my hunch about how the Government's plan to rescue British Steel will pan out.  1. Billions...

20.04.2025 4

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: British Steel - the next chapter, philistines at Toby Carvery, and the latest brainwave from the human-rights lobby

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Here's my hunch about how the Government's plan to rescue British Steel will pan out.  1. Billions...

20.04.2025 20

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Rover regrets, Harry's travels, and mis-spelled brand names

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Twenty years ago this week, the administrators were called in at the end of the MG Rover group,...

13.04.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: A 'major incident', rats the size of cats, and how to put equal pay claim to the test

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 It's now a major incident....

06.04.2025 20

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: A 'major incident', rats the size of cats, and how to put equal pay claim to the test

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 It's now a major incident....

06.04.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

We went on a 'pothole safari' around the Black Country - I lost count how many I saw on one street

Spring is in the air. The sky is blue, the blazing sun is licking the glistening paintwork of the brown Kia. What glorious weather for a drive out....

02.04.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: Raging against the machines and Rachel Reeves the flower-power queen

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 While using a self-scanning...

30.03.2025 5

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: How to survive a nuclear strike, super-councils, NHS rules, and the dilemma facing Tesla owners

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Got your emergency kit...

23.03.2025 9

Express & Star

Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews: How to survive a nuclear strike, super-councils, NHS rules, and the dilemma facing Tesla owners

Mark Andrews takes a wry look at the week's news Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Got your emergency kit...

23.03.2025 20

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

How Covid brought down the curtain on our theatres - but the show still went on

Adrian Jackson sounded a defiant tone. As theatres across the country were ordered to close their doors indefinitely, the boss of Wolverhampton Grand...

23.03.2025 20

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

'I saw so much care and compassion' - minister Kinnock hints at extra funding for hospice sector during visit to Stafford's Katharine House

Stephen Kinnock speaks of his admiration for the work of hospice staff. Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 "I...

20.03.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews

Hospice

Stephen Kinnock speaks of his admiration for the work of hospice staff. Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 "I...

20.03.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Mark Andrews