I think that's a fair criticism. Leopard face eating syndrome?

I don't know. The job seems something of a poisoned chalice. I think anyone would have a definite self-life in the role, prepared to let it take over their lives. Or to get in the gutter too...

I value the BBC, for all its miss-steps, and we shouldn't allow it to be pushed around by bad actors.

One POV I've seen is that the DG had just had enough. One thing after another. An impossible job in a febrile atmosphere, stoked by professional liars and grifters. Takes its toll. He's human and there's more to life than staring into the abyss and fighting monsters.

Could be worse. You could be buried up to your family jewels in wet sand on the banks of the tidal Mersey.

Yes. Fair, I think. I think the term "pensioner" is culturally loaded. The article plays on the idea of pensioners as "worthy poor".

I'm not sure we should be calling old people with such earnings "pensioners"...

Yes. Yorkshire Spoon Club is a lovely scene. There are quite a few round the country as wood crafts have undergone a bit of a resurgence in recent years.

There are spoon carving festivals, even.

Thanks. They're fun to make. I'm very glad I discovered green-woodworking as a creative outlet, never having previously thought of myself as good at crafts or artistic. Lots of forms to conjure with, improve at and a few nice tools to play with. Also a really generous community of amateur makers.

Cars, whether ICE or electric, are not the answer to problems of urban mobility. Emissions/pollution might be improved in some respects but tyre and brake particulates are still problematic; and congestion, damage to infrastructure/street furniture and collisions with other road-users won't go away.

I hope so. I'll let you know how I get on. Enjoyed "Local", by the way. A real encouragement to visit and revisit some neglected parts of my patch.

My Garmin watch did an update this morning. All seems fine now.

It's more ancient than that (I'd say essential and elemental to the human condition) but those sensibilities are important too. All part of our tapestry. Also channeling The Smiths in such circumstances is spot on.

Blimey, Garry. Is that your film library? That's amazing.