OPINION: All change in Westminster - and in educational qualifications
August, the so called silly season. It’s all change in Westminster apparently. Well, actually not quite. Larry the cat remains in situ and embarking on serving his seventh Prime Minister.
On his official website Larry is described as a civil servant with the role of Chief Mouser. A role he has apparently filled for the past 15 years, although he is rumoured to be 19 years old.
In a supposed confrontation with Axel the new PM’s dog, there could be only one winner. Axel, a pet bichon-poo, whatever that is, has had to remain in Manchester. Talking of Manchester, as I suspect we will be doing for some time to come, the Mbacc education qualification has been launched there.
What is it anyway? In short, it feels like the 45th attempt to break down the great divide between academic and technical education in the eyes of the public. It has a snappy slogan this time. Let’s make the hard hat and overalls as popular as the cap and gown. Could this be the moment? Plumbers, electricians, joiners and construction workers are in demand as never before. Perhaps they’ve already beaten Andy to it.
Baccalaureat is a French word right on cue for me to bring you good news from France. On a national level, great news for all veterans. The D Day Normandy landing beaches have, rightly, just achieved UNESCO World Heritage status, protected for the rest of time. And just a few miles inland is the town of Bayeux and its famous tapestry, also UNESCO designated.
Although the tapestry is not in Bayeux for the moment. It’s in the British Museum. It is amazing but do beware if you are going with teenagers. There are a phenomenal number of male appendages, both human and equine. Although if you really want to get their rapt attention, set them the task of counting.
From Harrogate’s point of view congratulations to the team of five intrepid fell runners who participated in twin town Luchon’s ANETO Trail 42kms fell race in searing heat and at very high altitude. Fantastic ambassadors for Harrogate. Not least of whom was Ted Welton, well known to all Harrogate park runners.
No English summer would be complete without cricket. Not to be left out of football World Cup type shenanigans, Saltburn 2nd XI’s “Clicky”, their first slip fielder, has gone viral on worldwide social media for secretly clicking his fingers as the ball passes the bat and conning the umpire into thinking the batsman has hit it.
In one match the Saltburn wicket keeper took eight catches! Next stop for Clicky the International Criminal Court. Verdict? That’s easy. It’s just not cricket.
My annual pilgrimage to Scarborough’s wonderful North Marine Road Cricket Ground had a target in mind. Word had come to my attention that the Castle, Ann Bronte’s grave, Peasholm Park and the rest have all been overshadowed by what you can find at Scarborough railway station. Okay not a marathon, an Iron Man race, or even climbing Everest, but I met the challenge. I sat on the longest train station bench in the world. A UNESCO accolade can’t be long in coming.