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Miscellaneous Notes

I keep random notes about the UK and Ireland on this page.

Emergencies

Dial 999.

Newspapers in England

There are several national newspapers in England and each one targets a political group and a social group. For example, The Guardian aims for the leftwing, highbrow reader. The Telegraph for the rightwing, highbrow reader. The Mirror targets the leftwing, low brow reader and The Sun (owned by Rupert Murdoch) the rightwing, low brow reader. The Guardian and the Telegraph are broadsheets; The Mirror and the Sun, tabloids. So, be careful which paper you pick because everyone will know your political leanings and your social standing. Or you could get both The Guardian and The Sun and keep everyone guessing.

Events

Hay-on-Wye Literary Festival, last bank holiday in May (Whitsun). Small town, now famous for used book stores. Started in 1960s when bibliophile Richard Booth bought the town cinema and made the world's largest second hand book store. For the festival, the famous stay at Llangoed Hall, 8 miles from town and owned by Laura Ashley's widower, Bernard.
www.hayfestival.co.uk