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Richard Hearn immerses himself in local culture

As parents, we don’t get out much. So when it does happen, I may as well write about it, to make a change from the usual mixture of Lego, Star Wars, and sleep-deprivation. To be fair, getting to see any culture is so rare I’d be grateful to be seeing a blank piece of paper pegged to a wall – in fact, I think that was at last year’s Fringe – but yes, I did enjoy each thing I saw. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn does the maths

The Boy enjoys counting. He finds addition addictive and multiplication has the X-factor. He’s not really got the hang of division yet, except to know that to cut his piece of cake in two to share is bad news. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn likens football to politics

I don’t think enough has been written about the election. P.S: I am mad. (*This is a variation on an old Spitting Image joke, and it made me think they should bring it back.)

I lapped up the election, couldn’t get enough of it. At the time of starting this column, we’d had the bit where everyone votes, but were still awaiting who the government would be. Gordon Brown had just offered to step down as leader. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn on over-branded electricals

I’am fully immersed in the world of consumer jargon. Last month we had to buy a kettle. This month we bought a new bed. Now our TV has given up the ghost – it had been deteriorating for a while, but suddenly it was taking 20 minutes for the picture to appear. This involves far too much planning in advance, so we needed to get one of those too. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn tries to find the right words

It’s feeding time with Youngest™, AKA sword fighting a seven month old. That sounds dangerous and competitive but, in fact, it’s necessary and involves plastic spoons. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn pledge to get fit and run a marathon

The Brighton marathon has shamed me into getting fit. I didn’t get to see it, but people I’ve spoken to all said what a great atmosphere it was. It also – if I’m going to make this all about me, which my column normally is – shone a light on my own physical state. So it’s time to take action. (I write this bit with a glass of wine next to the computer.) Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn and the family get green-fingered

I’m enjoying the fact that it’s warmer and sunnier. At the weekend we were all in the garden, sorting out stuff. I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing when it comes to gardening, but I probably look convincing from a distance. A bit like an actor playing one of the surgeons in ER. But you wouldn’t want them operating on you. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn finds a different kind of paradise

Last Saturday, we went to Paradise Park. This is not to be confused with paradise. To be honest, it’s not exactly a park either. Paradise Park, near Newhaven, is a garden centre, mixed with a dinosaur museum, mixed with a children’s play area, plus there‘s crazy golf, oh and a little train too. And I’ve missed out loads. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn imagines if The Boy was Chancellor

I was born on exactly the same day as the shadow Chancellor, George Osborne. I find this unnerving. Since I discovered it, I think of him as my evil twin. Moving on, but staying on politics, watching the Budget on TV recently led me to wonder what would happen if The Boy was Chancellor (with perhaps Youngest™ as Chief Secretary to the Treasury). Here’s some highlights from his Budget speech. Read the rest of this article »

Richard Hearn has ideas worthy of Dragons’ Den

I’ve decided to become a millionaire. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. It seems the perfect answer. I just need to iron out a few details, then if any Latest Homes readers want to invest in any of the following ventures, contact via the usual address. Read the rest of this article »