Lord Bonkers' Diary: For the Fallen

And so another week with Rutland's most popular fictional peer draws to a close.

Sunday

After every general election, it behoves us to remember those among our colleagues who fell in action: we say a prayer for them at St Asquith's this morning. In the ensuing silence - and before the enthusiastic rendering of 'The Last Post' by a member of the Rutland Army Cadet Force - I think of Richard Younger-Ross and Julia Goldsworthy, victims both of unfortunate misunderstandings over household furnishings, of Paul Rowen in Rochdale and of Sandra Gidley in Romsey.

Some of our chaps, of course, stood down of their own volition. Notable amongst them was that scourge of the “two-tier service”, Phil Willis. Willis, you may recall, had been a headmaster before entering Parliament and, when asked what he most regretted in life, was wont to reply that it was using the cane in that earlier career. This always won applause from the audience, but it struck me as trying to have your cake and eat it.

Earlier this week

Monday: Minister for Outer Space
Tuesday: Coalition in the balance
Wednesday: David Laws in his pomp
Thursday: Send for Harpo Miliband
Friday: A day on the Estate
Saturday: Avoiding George IV

Lord Bonkers' Diary: Sandra Gidley wrapped in baking foil

Wednesday

Sprits run high at today’s Future Fair – an event I have organised for many years now to interest the young people of Rutland in science and technology.

This time I have arranged a varied programme: Alan Beith gives a talk on Bakelite; the principles of robotics are demonstrated by Sandra Gidley (wrapped from head to foot in silver baking foil for the purpose); and there is a display of chemical reactions by a fellow with wild hair and a white coat from the University of Rutland at Belvoir. (I should like to thank the men of Uppingham Fire Brigade for their prompt response.)

Later this afternoon, as I walk my spaniels and look out on the oil wells on Rutland Water, I can only congratulate myself on my foresight in acting as the patron of this worthwhile event.

Earlier this week

• Monday: Living with Mark Oaten
• Tuesday: Sarah Teather's sense of humour

You may also be interested in part 1 and part 2 of Twenty Years of Lord Bonkers.

Sandra Gidley found alive!

Good news.

Sandra Gidley, the Lib Dem MP for Romsey and one of the pioneers of blogging at Westminster, has revived her blog Romsey Redhead.