They took their time: much more than they should. But at long last, the trustees of the National Trust have accepted the resignation of chairman Tim Parker. Or was he pushed as the person ostensibly overseeing a succession of decisions that have alienated many loyal members and seen the dismissal of hundreds of dedicated staff, paid and volunteers?  Parker, he of the shockwave hair, had the gall to ‘thank everyone, not least the many thousands of volunteers …’

Meanwhile, the trust remained in denial that Parker was also chair of the Post Office when it sent so many of its sub-postmasters into bankruptcy, even suicide,  for crimes they never committed. Trust director-general Hilary McGrady said it was “deeply grateful for the time, energy and passion” that Postman Tim had brought to his role of chair. Doubtless members will also be “deeply grateful” if the trust got back to doing what it is meant to be doing.

Lockdown lessons to note: Australia’s second biggest city is back under an almost total seven-day lockdown. A fact almost totally ignored by British media. Covid-19 outbreaks everywhere across Melbourne. Panic buying; massive queues to be vaccinated; and not a loo roll in sight. And mainly because when bars, pubs and nightclubs reopened caution was thrown to the winds. Masks were abandoned. As was any form of social distancing. And QR code check-ins. Supermarkets also became hot spots for outbreaks. Seems great care is needed when opening the asylum gates; the inmates tend to rush out and go crazy.

Seems my old tees and sweats won’t cut it anymore: Topical advice for the fashion conscious runs thus, When you buy a pair of shoes you have to be able to envisages at least fifteen outfits you’ll wear them with, otherwise you don’t buy them. So says the ubiquitous Nadiya Hussain, the Great British Bake Off champ.

Surely this is not how it should be. Staff sent by a local council to erase graffiti despoiling an ancient and historically important wall were stopped from doing the job. They didn’t have the appropriate permits! Permission had to be granted by Historic England because of the wall’s significance. And nothing so simple as a quick phone call to get the go-ahead.  The relevant application forms had to be completed and submitted. And, of course, discussed and considered. Vandalise the landscape at will, but go through bureaucratic hopes to get it cleaned up. Isn’t there something arse-about going on here?