Jacob Gifford Head
@giffordhead.co.uk
Barrister & mediator.
Things I like: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port.
My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk
Please email rather than DM!
Forgive typos.
Things I like: legal history & legal oddities; music & musical instruments; Mesopotamian history; & Portuguese wine and Port.
My professional website is: http://www.giffordhead.co.uk
Please email rather than DM!
Forgive typos.
Interesting framing of this article. I thought Diageo might be famous enough to be named directly. Or characterised as more than “Guinness maker” since so many of their brands are popular in the UK (e.g. Johnny Walker, Smirnoff, Gordon’s etc.)
Guinness maker appoints former Tesco chief Dave Lewis as new boss
It is hoped the former Tesco boss can reignite sales at the biggest drinks-maker in the world, Diageo.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Interesting framing of this article. I thought Diageo might be famous enough to be named directly. Or characterised as more than “Guinness maker” since so many of their brands are popular in the UK (e.g. Johnny Walker, Smirnoff, Gordon’s etc.)
When I started secondary school, they made us do a future careers questionnaire with some DOS-based software (it asked you questions and you typed the answers).
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
November 10, 2025 at 9:18 AM
When I started secondary school, they made us do a future careers questionnaire with some DOS-based software (it asked you questions and you typed the answers).
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
The first suggestion for me was “musical instrument technician” which, to this day, terrifies me with its accuracy.
Ocarina collectors clearly have more money than the flageolet collecting crowd. Pity since I'd have quite like the French flageolet by Noblet, even though it is missing a beak (and the vendor has put the body section on the wrong way round; the holes are for your thumbs.)
November 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Ocarina collectors clearly have more money than the flageolet collecting crowd. Pity since I'd have quite like the French flageolet by Noblet, even though it is missing a beak (and the vendor has put the body section on the wrong way round; the holes are for your thumbs.)
Edenbridge Bonfire Night.
November 8, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Edenbridge Bonfire Night.
A belated Bonfire Night means I can finally open this year's smoking Bishop.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
November 8, 2025 at 4:32 PM
A belated Bonfire Night means I can finally open this year's smoking Bishop.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
Usually 5th November is accompanied by the last bottle of the previous December's batch, but I switched to making it in January this year so I could use Seville oranges instead of sweet ones.
I love the English of these old adverts. Particularly their choice of adjectives. "Perfect ventilation". "Careful attention". "Season tickets as a liberal reduction". "Invalids can go through a proper course of treatment. Terms moderate".
#onthisday, 8 November 1884, Alfred Butler Clarke is thought to have opened #TurkishBaths in Gladstone Road, Scotholme, #Nottingham. Men's & women's sessions. Physician attended daily. With medicated, vapour, electric & hot & cold slipper baths. Like many others, closed around start of WWI. 🗃️ #C19th
November 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I love the English of these old adverts. Particularly their choice of adjectives. "Perfect ventilation". "Careful attention". "Season tickets as a liberal reduction". "Invalids can go through a proper course of treatment. Terms moderate".
This is quite amusing. But also: another Scottish Judge presiding over a UK/GB-wide court. Really interesting how common this has become.
"Ailsa Jane Carmichael (commonly known as the Right Honourable Lady Carmichael)"
When your common name is more noble than your commoner name
www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4994174
When your common name is more noble than your commoner name
www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4994174
November 7, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This is quite amusing. But also: another Scottish Judge presiding over a UK/GB-wide court. Really interesting how common this has become.
Reposted by Jacob Gifford Head
It should be more widely known that the English judicial system decided that eternal damnation is not truly a part of the doctrine of the church.
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
The day the British state abolished Hell
The British state doesn’t just look after the material interests of its citizens. It looks after their spiritual destiny as well. With not one but two state churches – the Church of England a…
robindouglas.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:17 AM
It should be more widely known that the English judicial system decided that eternal damnation is not truly a part of the doctrine of the church.
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
robindouglas.org/2025/11/06/t...
/End
Every single time I open a bottle of this Port the cork explodes. Yet do I remember for next time? Never!
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
November 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Every single time I open a bottle of this Port the cork explodes. Yet do I remember for next time? Never!
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
Moral of the story—always use Port Tongs....
Interesting question. There must be quite a few English examples, in addition to the Lakin which I cited in reply.
The next post reports that the US district judge read the poem in full. Sandburg's "Chicago" is now therefore in the court record. Do we know how many other poems have become part of judicial history by being read aloud in court (aside from obscenity and IP cases)?
Ellis begins by quoting from Carl Sandburg's "Chicago": www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Interesting question. There must be quite a few English examples, in addition to the Lakin which I cited in reply.
I'm delighted that the BBC has live coverage of the flaming tar barrel rolling in Ottery St Mary...
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
Flaming tar barrels carried through streets of Ottery St Mary in Devon
Follow live as tar barrels are carried through Ottery St Mary in a centuries-old Bonfire Night tradition.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
I'm delighted that the BBC has live coverage of the flaming tar barrel rolling in Ottery St Mary...
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
The most remarkable revelation is that they apparently have public liability insurance for it.
This raises the age-old change-of-status drafting question: if the letters patent are the operative document shouldn't they declare that "Prince Andrew" is no longer entitled to hold and enjoy (etc.)?
“THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent…dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince’.” www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/4992102
Crown Office
www.thegazette.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
This raises the age-old change-of-status drafting question: if the letters patent are the operative document shouldn't they declare that "Prince Andrew" is no longer entitled to hold and enjoy (etc.)?
Reading about other jurisdiction’s legal systems are always interesting for the unexpected divergences. For example, the ingredients of the offence of common assault as so well settled over here that I can’t imagine ever having much disagreement over how the jury should be instructed on them.
Next! Parties spent the morning haggling over definitions — of “assault,” five other verbs the government can prove, and “forcibly.” On assault, defense wants more to be required than just “touching, offensive to a person of reasonable sensibility.”
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Reading about other jurisdiction’s legal systems are always interesting for the unexpected divergences. For example, the ingredients of the offence of common assault as so well settled over here that I can’t imagine ever having much disagreement over how the jury should be instructed on them.
“Repair and redevelopment costs are likely to be in the region of approximately £10 million or more, depending on intended use.”
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
Lots of midges and ticks on Rum, and quite a hike to the butcher and deli, so no thanks
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/1...
Check out this 20 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove
20 bedroom detached house for sale in Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum, PH43 for £750,000. Marketed by Savills Rural Sales, Edinburgh
www.rightmove.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
“Repair and redevelopment costs are likely to be in the region of approximately £10 million or more, depending on intended use.”
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
You know it is really bad when the Estate Agents say something like this!
This is an interesting article. I think we sometimes think tastes for wines & spirits are somehow timeless when, in fact, they change quite frequently & dramatically. The causes can vary: fashion & politics featuring heavily. But rarely does it have much to do with the quality of the product.
My blog is out: The strange story of British sherry drinking: It's Sherry Week: a time to enjoy Spain's greatest fortified #wine - and ponder its sad decline in popularity. Plus: some of the top festive-season wine tastings
aviewfrommytable.substack.com/p/the-strang...
aviewfrommytable.substack.com/p/the-strang...
The strange story of British sherry drinking
It's Sherry Week: a time to enjoy Spain's greatest fortified wine - and ponder its sad decline in popularity in this country. Plus: some of the top festive-season wine tastings
aviewfrommytable.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:21 AM
This is an interesting article. I think we sometimes think tastes for wines & spirits are somehow timeless when, in fact, they change quite frequently & dramatically. The causes can vary: fashion & politics featuring heavily. But rarely does it have much to do with the quality of the product.
Reminds me of defending in the Magistrates' Court where you'd sometimes ask questions like this just to point out how ridiculous the whole thing was.
Defense is now questioning Lairmore on cross-examination. They show a video still of the sandwich and wrapper on the ground, post-throw.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
"Do you recognize that sandwich?" the attorney asks.
Lairmore won't confirm.
"I did not go back to collect it," he says.
November 4, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reminds me of defending in the Magistrates' Court where you'd sometimes ask questions like this just to point out how ridiculous the whole thing was.
Despite this video first appearing muted in my feed, the helpful addition of the sheet music at the top now means there is only one thing that is going to be going through my head for the rest of the day...
Jeffrey Lang with his Conn 8D give us a taste of Sibelius for an upcoming concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra. 📯
#JeffreyLang #ConnFamily #ConnHorn #ConnSelmer #Horn #FrenchHorn #HornPlayer #PhiladelphiaOrchestra
#JeffreyLang #ConnFamily #ConnHorn #ConnSelmer #Horn #FrenchHorn #HornPlayer #PhiladelphiaOrchestra
November 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Despite this video first appearing muted in my feed, the helpful addition of the sheet music at the top now means there is only one thing that is going to be going through my head for the rest of the day...
This is a great thread of little bits of trivia. Especially if, like me, you don't know Bristol well.
Bristol Corn Exchange and its clock with two minute hands, one showing GMT, the other local Bristol time, ten minutes behind. The clock was installed in 1822, and a 2nd minute hand was added soon after when GMT was adopted by the railways to allow timetables to be consistent across Britain.
November 4, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This is a great thread of little bits of trivia. Especially if, like me, you don't know Bristol well.
I’m amazed that people have such a good memory of this sort of thing. I guess the first CD I bought with my own money would probably have been a Naxos one. I think they used to cost about £5 from the Royal Festival Hall music shop. But no idea what it was!
No lying or making yourself out to be a cool kid.
Post the first record you bought.
If you can remember the shop or circumstances add that too. Local color appreciated.
20p bin, Silver sounds, Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Dublin.
Post the first record you bought.
If you can remember the shop or circumstances add that too. Local color appreciated.
20p bin, Silver sounds, Donaghmede Shopping Centre, Dublin.
November 3, 2025 at 11:49 AM
I’m amazed that people have such a good memory of this sort of thing. I guess the first CD I bought with my own money would probably have been a Naxos one. I think they used to cost about £5 from the Royal Festival Hall music shop. But no idea what it was!
Since I am doing legal annoyances today, can anyone point me to where (and why) the custom has developed of the court referring to closed & open headings under the closed material procedures as “CLOSED” and “OPEN”, typed as such.
The Justice and Security Act 2013 doesn’t do it.
The Justice and Security Act 2013 doesn’t do it.
November 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Since I am doing legal annoyances today, can anyone point me to where (and why) the custom has developed of the court referring to closed & open headings under the closed material procedures as “CLOSED” and “OPEN”, typed as such.
The Justice and Security Act 2013 doesn’t do it.
The Justice and Security Act 2013 doesn’t do it.
It's a small niche in the field of public legal education but having seen one example here today & an offline example yesterday, is there any way we can stop people saying "if you do X you could go to prison for [the statutory maximum]" when sentencing guidelines mean you can't?
November 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
It's a small niche in the field of public legal education but having seen one example here today & an offline example yesterday, is there any way we can stop people saying "if you do X you could go to prison for [the statutory maximum]" when sentencing guidelines mean you can't?
Something unusual for me tonight: Pineau des Charentes. It's kind-of a fortified wine where Cognac is blended with grape juice: the inverse of most fortified wines where the spirit should be flavourless & the wine dominant. This is an aged one & is gorgeous with the grapes sweetening the spirit.
November 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Something unusual for me tonight: Pineau des Charentes. It's kind-of a fortified wine where Cognac is blended with grape juice: the inverse of most fortified wines where the spirit should be flavourless & the wine dominant. This is an aged one & is gorgeous with the grapes sweetening the spirit.
Excellent bit of 17th Century defamation here.
In his note on a defamation case from 1609, Bean v. Mutton (great, though non-spooky, name!) in which Mr Mutton had been found to have called Mr Bean a sorcerer and enchanter, top ruff-wearer E. Coke gives us his inimitable stylings on the exact meanings of soothsaying and enchanting...
October 31, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Excellent bit of 17th Century defamation here.
One question when it comes to the "censures" meted out by the King to his brother is what do with his coat of arms? Will we see a mark of disapproval in the from of an "abatement"? Perhaps some inverting arms, the emasculation of the lions or adding a shovelful of earth...
Abatement (heraldry) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
One question when it comes to the "censures" meted out by the King to his brother is what do with his coat of arms? Will we see a mark of disapproval in the from of an "abatement"? Perhaps some inverting arms, the emasculation of the lions or adding a shovelful of earth...
I regret that I can't remember who drew my attention to this but perhaps we might, in fact, get to see the full ceremony of the Degradation of a Garter Knight?
Degradation of a Garter Knight - College of St George
During the Tudor era members of the Order of the Garter found guilty of heresy or treason were degraded from the Order. A vivid description of the degradation in 1521 of Edward Stafford, Duke of Bucki...
www.stgeorges-windsor.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I regret that I can't remember who drew my attention to this but perhaps we might, in fact, get to see the full ceremony of the Degradation of a Garter Knight?