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Dan Snow

Some of us may find his presentation of history programmes more than vaguely annoying, and bemoan the rise of another broadcasting dynasty to join the Lawsons, Dimblebys and Corens, but two cheers for Dan Snow’s attempt this week to rescue British travellers stuck in the Calais ferryport – a boring boil on the face of France. Snow attempted to take stranded tourists across La Manche in borrowed high-speed inflatable boats for no charge, but quickly ran into Monsieur Rond-de-Cuir (that’s French for Pen-Pusher). He was, it seems, providing unfair competition to the ships unable to cope with demand and enjoying huge queues for their services. “C’est plus que vaut mon boulot, mec,” (“It’s more than me job’s worth mate”). Dunkirk heroism foiled by paperwork.

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Brit Quote:
Great literature should do some good to the reader: must quicken his perception though dull, and sharpen his discrimination though blunt, and mellow the rawness of his personal opinions - A E Housman
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On this day:
Normans Invade Ireland - 1169, Great Exhibition opens - 1851, TUC meets to agree on a General Strike - 1926, Sutton Hoo Dig Begins - 1939, Betting Shops Legal - 1961, Last UK Concert by Beatles - 1966, Tony Blairs 'New Labour' sweeps to power - 1997, Millennium May Day Protests - 2000
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