Barrie's Podcast

We remember and celebrate the foundation of the National Health Service by the Labour Government on 5 July 1948. The NHS, despite its current difficulties with funding, staffing levels and retention of staff, is one of the very few areas that unites most of the country. It is often described as the country’s national religion and supported by most people. Despite current difficulties in accessing treatment, long waiting lists and lack of follow up care, surveys indicate that the founding principles of the NHS, which was to be universal, equitable, comprehensive, high quality, free at the point of delivery and centrally funded, are still supported by most people.

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

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To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

For me, peace and meditation is often best achieved within the tranquillity of an old building: a church or chapel, or maybe a quiet National Trust property. When we enter a building for the first time, we often immediately sense if it is welcoming or not, and whether we would feel comfortable there. The reasons are unclear, and we may not know why we feel this way, but it is real. This feeling is often described as our ‘inner eye’, which in generations gone by would connect to the unseen world. It is a powerful sense, which has become more acute within me as I get older.

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

Looking at the broader issues. Is it right for aircraft to be joyriding the skies in a show of machismo during the climate crisis? Given the huge costs of energy and fuel poverty in the country, is it right to be casually flouting an endless supply of aircraft fuel for joy riding? What about pollution of both the atmosphere and noise? Yes, the pilots are well trained, gifted, and clever individuals, but hopefully the public are aware that such displays are basically another recruitment tool, along with Armed Services Day, for military service? Air shows are generously promoted and encouraged by the military in the hope that more young people will be encouraged to sign up to protect our country or, in other words, to be used as possible cannon fodder in a war that the Government chooses to participate in.

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

Once upon a time there was a Spanish civil servant, an engineer, who was asked to collect an award after 20 years of loyal service to the Spanish state. On further investigation by his superiors, it turned out that he had not appeared for work for the last six years, although this could possibly be as many as fourteen years, no one is quite sure. Someone seemed to remember him popping out for lunch one day, but then all recollections of him after his siesta appear rather hazy...

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

My first encounter with a squirrel was not a happy one. I was about five years old, and we had just arrived for my first holiday in Bournemouth, staying with my elderly great aunt in her Victorian home. I still remember entering the old house through a small conservatory that housed many glass cases in which were collections of stuffed birds and animals. I clearly remember several small birds trapped in a frozen, lifeless state behind glass walls; a beautiful fox with its mouth open ready to devour whatever the taxidermist had imagined when preparing the poor creature for display. To me, this later became the stuff of nightmares.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

Those of a certain age will know just how important tea is to the psyche and general well-being of most Brits. Most of us were weaned on the stuff and it runs through our veins in copious amounts. It is what makes Britain great; it is the stuff of Empire, Winston Churchill, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Hugh Grant and cream teas. Indeed, it is a well-known truism that you are not a real Brit unless you drink at least ten cups of the stuff each day. Any less than this and you are regarded as a fraud and imposter, or maybe even a European, no argument.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

Islands have always fascinated me, and I also love a good story, which is probably why one in particular sticks in my mind. That book is Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, which was first published in 1719. It is the story of a castaway who spends thirty years on a remote tropical island. It is hardly a carefree holiday for the poor man, since Crusoe has to contend with mutineers, captives and cannibals before he is finally rescued.

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

It is Europe Day tomorrow, which I will of course toast with a glass of my favourite rioja, and it seems appropriate that I write about bananas. Why bananas, and what’s the link with Europe you may be asking. Well, I often write about bananas, because I like bananas, I like eating them and we also have a very large banana tree growing and fruiting in our garden, which provides endless entertainment and annoyance for our dog, Bella. Bananas, and similar crops, have in the past been the lifeblood of the economy of the Canary Islands and the links that these islands have with the UK are symbolised by the creation of Canary Wharf, which was the original recipient of bananas from these islands.
© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

I am often told that Brits on holiday like nothing better than to get out of bed long before their all-inclusive breakfast has even hit the frying pan, and to chase outside to the swimming pool in their boxer shorts or bras (or possibly both) to place a vivid Union flag towel on the sunbed of their choice. It is even more exciting if there is a mad competitive dash with the Germans, with Brits gaining immense satisfaction if they reach their prized position first. 

© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/

I don’t want to be too depressing as summer approaches, but we will soon be heading into the season of coughs, colds and flu once again, together with the misery that such conditions bring. In most cases, these illnesses are relatively short-lived, but can be unpleasant, inconvenient, and annoying, and also serious in cases where there are underlying health conditions. 
© Barrie Mahoney 2023

Join me on Facebook: @barrie.mahoney

To find out more about Barrie and his books, go to: http://barriemahoney.com/