Mark Cantrell's Blog, page 34

News: Jodrell Bank tipped for World Heritage status

Star prize for radio astronomy pioneer? It’s been looking up at the stars for 73 years and has helped revolutionise our understanding of the cosmos. Now Jodrell Bank Observatory could itself become a star – of world heritage By Mark Cantrell STICK around long enough and you not only become part of the scenery – […]

Update: Novel extract teases readers in Worlds Magazine debut

Worlds publishes a slice of Workers’ Paradise  THE debut edition of Worlds Magazine contains an exclusive extract of Mark Cantrell’s unpublished novel, “In Workers’ Paradise”. Completed in 2008, the novel is a story of idealism twisted by ambition, or is it the other way around? Presented as a memoir, told by the protagonist Conrad Gant, […]

Society: The UK Government is making a feast out of poverty

Let them eat hardship If a rising level of poverty was a sign of success, then the UK Government would be flying high on its policies. As it is, a number of reports recently show that more people than ever are struggling to make ends meet – with even more to come By Mark Cantrell  […]

Film: Horror short serves up some tea, cake and geriatric serial killers

Doris is a recipe for bloody murder A horror short from Darkest Day Films promises to make a meal out of the macabre in this quirky tale of blood and gore, writes Mark Cantrell YOU might think you’re having a bad day at the office, but at least you’re not having tea with a bunch […]

Culture: British Library offers readers 1,000 years of literary history

There’s life in these old books yet The British Library is using digital technology to give our rich literary history a new lease of life online, but the general reader might want to brush up on their Old English first By Mark Cantrell SOME of the works in the British Library’s latest endeavour are over […]

Health: We’re losing the evolutionary arms race

So meet our coming microbial overlords If we fail to tackle antibiotic resistance, then by 2050 it is estimated that superbug infections will kill 10 million people worldwide. Little wonder that the Science Museum’s current exhibition warns we face a Fight For Our Lives By Mark Cantrell WE might as well be Martians, the way […]

Film: Theatrical first for Monkman’s ‘Death Star’ Macbeth movie adaptation

Digital and live action combine to create ‘world stage’ Digital cinematography is treading the boards this month, offering a melding of theatre and cinema that is claimed will offer audiences a unique re-imagining of Shakespeare’s classic play, Macbeth By Mark Cantrell THERE can’t be many of us who haven’t encountered Macbeth in one shape or […]

Blog: Welcome to the new world of Mark

Mothballs no more Out with old, in with the new: a fresh chapter begins, suitably spiced with the best of what was written before… THIS is it, then, my brand new platform so let me formally welcome you to my little world of words. Actually, it’s not all that new. I originally set this place […]

History: Southampton brings Titanic memorial home

Plaques will honour city’s crew Southampton residents who crewed on the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage are to be honoured with plaques mounted on their former homes, writes Mark Cantrell OVER a century since the Titanic plunged to its watery grave in 1912, a council is planning to honour those of its crew who called Southampton […]

Theatre: Go on, be a luvvie

British Library seeks public’s help to catalogue historic playbills  The British Library is looking to enlist the help of the public to complete its catalogue of historic theatre playbills through a new crowdsourcing venture, writes Mark Cantrell IF advertisements for theatrical productions are your thing, then the British Library is opening up a treasure trove […]