Our Loose Canon...
with Canon Eric Woods DL
This cancel culture is a slippery slope In August 1949, Winston Churchill addressed the first reunion of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe with these famous words: “Prenez garde, je vais parler français. I am going to borrow his warning for this article: “Prenez garde, je vais parler à propos de pleurnicherie” which, being translated, means “Take care, I’m going to talk about whingeing.” A whinge about whingeing? It sounds contradictory. But everywhere you turn these days, there is far too much whingeing going on. Some famous and notable people have turned it into their stockin-trade. Although claiming to be in search of a quiet and private life, they seem to thrive
on whingeing at every opportunity. But, like the covid pandemic, it’s everywhere. In Kenton, a village outside Exeter, the chiming of the church clock in the tower of the fine 15th century parish church has been silenced by Teignbridge Council following receipt of a complaint from just one parishioner. As a village bellringer put it, “Remember, the complainant has moved to be near the church. The church hasn’t moved to them!” Meanwhile at my old Oxford college, Magdalen, a photograph of The Queen has been removed from the Middle Common Room at the instigation of just one of the graduate members of the MCR – an American. And also in
Oxford, there is a campaign to boycott the lectures of all the Fellows of Oriel College because they have voted to retain the statue of Cecil Rhodes. Some academics in other colleges are even refusing to teach Oriel undergraduates. And who is running this pathetic and puerile campaign? None other than the Provost (Head) of Worcester College, Professor Kate Tunstall – known in her own college as “Red Kate” (she steps down from her interim position at the end of this month). Now I do not dispute for a minute the right of anyone to have views about anything – from bells to statues. But I do dispute their right to attempt to impose their views on others or, to use the modern parlance,
to attempt to “cancel the culture” of those with whom they do not agree. Where is all this intolerance coming from? It is far too simplistic to blame the lockdown, though that has undoubtedly given some people a shorter fuse than is good for them. No, something deeper and more profound is going on. When people try to silence, overrule, or “cancel” others (who may well be in the majority) simply because they have different opinions, then we need to be very much on the alert. That way danger lies. It is a slippery slope to the loss of our hard-won freedoms, and to the rule of those I call the “Thought Police”. Think about it, whilst you still can.
Golf trolley with battery, charger & instruction book. £100 cash only 01935 872269 Garden spreader for seeds/ fertiliser, rotary £35.00 07523 564678 Kings Stag. Injured jockey fund calendars (35) from 1980 in good condition with envelopes plus 11 others including 2007 wi £35 01722 711456. Galv. feed bin with hinged lid 5cwt size vermin proof £30. 01722 711456. Cast iron wheels x 2 size 12" x2" 5 spokes with stub axles £40 01722 711456. Hotpoint tumble dryer 8kg model tom580 b energy Aquarius £45 01722 711456. Ladies Raleigh Chiltern Cycle with stand. In good condition £50. 07817 853224. JBL bar/studio sound bar with Bluetooth, width 614mm x height 58mm x depth 86mm, brand new,
sealed £40. 01963 362561. RST TracTech motorbike all-in-one leather race suit. Blue, white and black. UK size 44. Little used, £100. 01963 362561. One year old Jacob Sheep Ram very handsome. Hand reared and easy to handle. £75. Bishopstone Please ring Olivia 07903 314523. 54 med & lg strong packing boxes. VGC. £20 01963 23922. Free-standing and wall fitting unused bird tables POA. Tel 01747 820392 7 lengths of 12 foot timber 4x2 treated - £40 01258 268810. Run with house attached for Bantams or Rabbits £40 01258 268810. Small duck house suitable for 4-5 ducks - £45 01258 268810 Baby Weaver wooden highchair, excellent condition, hardly used £50. 01747 854983.
Pelham puppet witch + frog puppet, good condition. £30 for both. 01747 852408. Constantine bone buttons, steel reeds, no wrist straps, in original case. Good condition, £70. 01747 852408. Florabest electric, long reach hedge cutter, excellent condition. £30 cash, buyer collects. 01747 822772. Almost new walking aid including shopping bag £35 ono. 01935 412892. Grundig radio/tape deck/6 auto CD changer plus users manual £45ono 01935 412892 Flymo glider mower like new still have box and instructions, electric £40. 07523 564668. 2 pairs men’s jeans (New) straight leg 342 waist, 302 leg £7.50 each. Shaftesbury 07773 657363. Two quality 2 drawer 52(W)x52(D)x58(H)cm
Items for Sale Pop up gazebo with side panels 300cm x 300cm x 270cm £30 Tel 01963 363660. Singer sewing machine model 2263 new £55 Tel 01963 363660 Bestway Comfort Camp bed £19cmm x 64cm x 42cm, easy fold aluminium frame £20 01963 363660. Beauclaire Gas BBQ in carrying bag with burner legs, cast iron griddle ideal for home/camping £20 01963 363660. Metal filing cabinet 2 draw £15 Tel 01963 363660. Hexagonal Gazebo 2mx2mx 2m, windows & zip door - to be collected. Tel 01963 364632. Small dog cage, £10. Two single blow up beds and pump, £15ono. 01747861044 1 electric strimmer, 2 electric hedge cutters, 1 electric chainsaw £10 each 01747 861044. Motocaddy S1 Electric 30
