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Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes

Shropshire Star

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Peter Rhodes on bicycles, bifocals and the passing of a veteran actor

Peter Rhodes on bicycles, bifocals and the passing of a veteran actor

Pub-quiz question guaranteed to start a fight: Who is the prime minister of France? BBC4 marked the passing of Robert Redford with a screening of the...

11.10.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on banners, bands - and have street protests had their day?

Peter Rhodes on banners, bands - and have street protests had their day?

Quote of the week? This, from Katharine Birbalsingh, one of Britain's most successful head teachers, forensically demolishing Education Secretary...

10.10.2025 3

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on a Green star, Blue Lights and the dangers of letting kids choose their own books

Peter Rhodes on a Green star, Blue Lights and the dangers of letting kids choose their own books

Is Blue Lights (BBC) the best cop drama ever? It's not only the superb casting, matchless scripts, endless tension and sudden deaths that glue you to...

09.10.2025 10

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on banners, bands - and have street protests had their day?

Peter Rhodes on banners, bands - and have street protests had their day?

Quote of the week? This, from Katharine Birbalsingh, one of Britain's most successful head teachers, forensically demolishing Education Secretary...

09.10.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on a Green star, Blue Lights and the dangers of letting kids choose their own books

Peter Rhodes on a Green star, Blue Lights and the dangers of letting kids choose their own books

Is Blue Lights (BBC) the best cop drama ever? It's not only the superb casting, matchless scripts, endless tension and sudden deaths that glue you to...

08.10.2025 6

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on boats, computers and the lure of becoming a global leader

Peter Rhodes on boats, computers and the lure of becoming a global leader

The BBC is to give up covering the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race amid allegations that it is regarded by Beeb bosses as “haughty, pompous, and...

08.10.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on building ships, getting fit and the mysteries of the human brain

Peter Rhodes on building ships, getting fit and the mysteries of the human brain

A worrying case of premature congratulation? The Prime Minister was cheered this week when he talked about Scottish shipyards building new frigates...

05.10.2025 3

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on hacking, headwinds and shedding no tears for Downton

Peter Rhodes on hacking, headwinds and shedding no tears for Downton

If one good thing comes out of this latest rash of computer hacking, it may be a re-think of that divisive little term of our times: key workers....

04.10.2025 9

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on building ships, getting fit and the mysteries of the human brain

Peter Rhodes on building ships, getting fit and the mysteries of the human brain

A worrying case of premature congratulation? The Prime Minister was cheered this week when he talked about Scottish shipyards building new frigates...

04.10.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on heaters, waiters and what created a new political party

Peter Rhodes on heaters, waiters and what created a new political party

Keir Starmer has unveiled an “ambitious” youth-mobility scheme which would allow thousands of young Europeans to temporarily live and work in...

03.10.2025 8

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on hacking, headwinds and shedding no tears for Downton

Peter Rhodes on hacking, headwinds and shedding no tears for Downton

If one good thing comes out of this latest rash of computer hacking, it may be a re-think of that divisive little term of our times: key workers....

03.10.2025 7

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on cows, cards and a new job vacancy in Gaza

Peter Rhodes on cows, cards and a new job vacancy in Gaza

Keir Starmer sings the praises of digital identity cards. He declares: “Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK.” Well, if it's such an...

02.10.2025 3

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on heaters, waiters and what created a new political party

Peter Rhodes on heaters, waiters and what created a new political party

Keir Starmer has unveiled an “ambitious” youth-mobility scheme which would allow thousands of young Europeans to temporarily live and work in...

02.10.2025 4

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on nicknames, parking fines and two signs of a nation in decline

Peter Rhodes on nicknames, parking fines and two signs of a nation in decline

Now it can be told. Donald “I know what I'm doing” Trump says that during his state visit to the UK, he suggested the King might adopt a new...

01.10.2025 8

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on cows, cards and a new job vacancy in Gaza

Peter Rhodes on cows, cards and a new job vacancy in Gaza

Keir Starmer sings the praises of digital identity cards. He declares: “Digital ID is an enormous opportunity for the UK.” Well, if it's such an...

01.10.2025 8

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on nicknames, parking fines and two signs of a nation in decline

Peter Rhodes on nicknames, parking fines and two signs of a nation in decline

Now it can be told. Donald “I know what I'm doing” Trump says that during his state visit to the UK, he suggested the King might adopt a new...

30.09.2025 7

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on lifeboats, bullies and the best place to buy a house

Peter Rhodes on lifeboats, bullies and the best place to buy a house

Nationwide Building Society reported this week that house buyers are paying up to £43,000 extra in order to have a home close to a railway station. I...

27.09.2025 9

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on lifeboats, bullies and the best place to buy a house

Peter Rhodes on lifeboats, bullies and the best place to buy a house

Nationwide Building Society reported this week that house buyers are paying up to £43,000 extra in order to have a home close to a railway station. I...

27.09.2025 7

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on cuckoo clocks, a vision of peace and ridding English schools of French

“Let's be more like Switzerland!” exclaimed one excited activist at the Lib-Dem conference this week. I had a momentary mental flash of the...

26.09.2025 5

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on cuckoo clocks, a vision of peace and ridding English schools of French

“Let's be more like Switzerland!” exclaimed one excited activist at the Lib-Dem conference this week. I had a momentary mental flash of the...

26.09.2025 3

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on being unflappable, a seaside cartoon and the importance of correct engraving

One of the front runners for the new job of UK ambassador to the US is described as “unflappable.” Interesting word. Why, we might ask, is he not...

25.09.2025 3

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on being unflappable, a seaside cartoon and the importance of correct engraving

One of the front runners for the new job of UK ambassador to the US is described as “unflappable.” Interesting word. Why, we might ask, is he not...

25.09.2025 3

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on pride, prejudice and the best way to welcome Russian warplanes

Speaking at a literary festival, Queen Camilla praises the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, declaring: “Who can forget the infamous...

24.09.2025 9

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on books, taxes and the small print of a £150 billion offer

How new words are born. A Daily Telegraph reader suggests the 2012-coined word “omnishambles” to describe government chaos ought to be replaced by...

23.09.2025 7

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on books, taxes and the small print of a £150 billion offer

How new words are born. A Daily Telegraph reader suggests the 2012-coined word “omnishambles” to describe government chaos ought to be replaced by...

23.09.2025 8

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on Proms, driving tests and the passing of a screen giant

Last words on the Last Night of the Proms. Does anyone understand how some people, having bought their tickets, chosen a little flag to wave and...

20.09.2025 10

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on Proms, driving tests and the passing of a screen giant

Last words on the Last Night of the Proms. Does anyone understand how some people, having bought their tickets, chosen a little flag to wave and...

20.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on coconuts, the Battle of Britain and the downside of arming bobbies

Thank you for the many comments on coconuts, following an item this week. I'm surprised no-one mentioned the ultimate coconut treat. You take one...

19.09.2025 7

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on coconuts, the Battle of Britain and the downside of arming bobbies

Thank you for the many comments on coconuts, following an item this week. I'm surprised no-one mentioned the ultimate coconut treat. You take one...

19.09.2025 8

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on hospitals, civil war and what to do when the magic money tree runs out

You cannot help noticing two things during this wild and thundery autumn. Firstly, Chancellor Rachel Reeves seems to have done a pre-Budget vanishing...

18.09.2025 10

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on hospitals, civil war and what to do when the magic money tree runs out

You cannot help noticing two things during this wild and thundery autumn. Firstly, Chancellor Rachel Reeves seems to have done a pre-Budget vanishing...

18.09.2025 6

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on mayhem, terrorism and the pure brilliance of Shooting the Past

After the mayhem in London, I don't care if the thugs come from the Left or the Right. If you really love England, you don't put English bobbies in...

17.09.2025 9

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on mayhem, terrorism and the pure brilliance of Shooting the Past

After the mayhem in London, I don't care if the thugs come from the Left or the Right. If you really love England, you don't put English bobbies in...

17.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on a village fete, a doomed politician and a regrettable lack of Irish blood

Predictions I wish I hadn't made. This, based on a single encounter with Peter Mandelson: “He charmed us that day and I wouldn't be surprised if he...

16.09.2025 10

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on a village fete, a doomed politician and a regrettable lack of Irish blood

Predictions I wish I hadn't made. This, based on a single encounter with Peter Mandelson: “He charmed us that day and I wouldn't be surprised if he...

16.09.2025 8

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on celebrities, fame and imaginary friends in a crowd

Trawling through the coverage of the Reform UK conference in Brum, my eye fell on a reference to politicians greeting the audience with “thumbs-ups...

13.09.2025 6

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on celebrities, fame and imaginary friends in a crowd

Trawling through the coverage of the Reform UK conference in Brum, my eye fell on a reference to politicians greeting the audience with “thumbs-ups...

13.09.2025 7

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on a change of name, forgotten history and a friendly kinda Creek

The Yanks are changing the name of their Department of Defense (they never could get the spelling right, could they?) to the Department of War....

11.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on presidential power, insurance premiums and two vacancies in the body politic

Behold, a great social revolution (and possibly the chance for a small bet or two) is upon us. Let us see which appointment our nation can manage...

10.09.2025 7

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on presidential power, insurance premiums and two vacancies in the body politic

Behold, a great social revolution (and possibly the chance for a small bet or two) is upon us. Let us see which appointment our nation can manage...

10.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on succession, speeding and breaking the rules on boozing

According to a new book, the late Queen Elizabeth had “no great enthusiasm” for changing the law on succession of the monarchy. Historically, the...

09.09.2025 10

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on succession, speeding and breaking the rules on boozing

According to a new book, the late Queen Elizabeth had “no great enthusiasm” for changing the law on succession of the monarchy. Historically, the...

09.09.2025 7

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on deadly eagles, armed police – and the end of warfare as we know it?

Some farmers in the Hebrides blame huge sea eagles, reintroduced under a rewilding programme, for snatching and eating Shetland pony foals. Sea eagles...

07.09.2025 9

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on deadly eagles, armed police – and the end of warfare as we know it?

Some farmers in the Hebrides blame huge sea eagles, reintroduced under a rewilding programme, for snatching and eating Shetland pony foals. Sea eagles...

06.09.2025 5

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on storms, birthrates and sex attackers who come off worse

Meteorologists have announced this year’s north Atlantic winter storm names, chosen from thousands of suggestions submitted by the public. The names...

05.09.2025 6

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on storms, birthrates and sex attackers who come off worse

Meteorologists have announced this year’s north Atlantic winter storm names, chosen from thousands of suggestions submitted by the public. The names...

05.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on ponds, bricks and new thoughts on how King Harold perished at Hastings

Thanks to the comical monologues of Marriott Edgar (1880-1951), we Brits know exactly how the Battle of Hastings ended in 1066: “And after the...

04.09.2025 10

Express & Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on ponds, bricks and new thoughts on how King Harold perished at Hastings

Thanks to the comical monologues of Marriott Edgar (1880-1951), we Brits know exactly how the Battle of Hastings ended in 1066: “And after the...

04.09.2025 20

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on prayer, taxation and the decline of the USA

Star columnist Peter Rhodes gives his views about Ed Davey's divine guidance, taxation, the USA and more The Lib-Dem leader Sir Ed Davey says he is...

03.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes

Peter Rhodes on Blair, Farage and how relevant is a killer's gender?

Tony Blair has been hob-nobbing at the White House as the future of Gaza is debated. But if Blair is the answer to the Gaza crisis, what on earth is...

02.09.2025 10

Shropshire Star

Peter Rhodes