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An end to “soft skills”?
ByJohn May“Soft skills” are in the news at the moment. A quick Google search for media articles on the subject comes up with about 164,000 results. LinkedIn defines them as the skills that are “less tangible and harder to quantify, such as etiquette, getting along with others, listening and engaging in small talk.” Soft skills are…
A Joyful Service in Buckinghamshire
ByJohn MayWhat a joyful law service it was today, just over the border in Buckinghamshire, supporting their High Sheriff, Pippa Kirkbride. It was a true celebration of community, song, and reflection – and all the more special for being shared with fellow High Sheriffs from neighbouring counties: Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Leicestershire, and Hertfordshire. The music was simply…
Lessons from Australia
ByJohn MayYesterday, when my cousin, Professor Rory Medcalf, delivered the 2025 Sir James Plimsoll Lecture in Hobart, Tasmania, he discussed a compelling idea that has immediately resonated with me: progressive patriotism. Rory—who heads the Australian National University’s National Security College—spoke not just with academic insight, but with a real sense of civic purpose. His reflections, though…
So, am I grown up yet? Part 2
ByJohn MayI went to see the RSC’s production of Matilda this evening at the Cambridge Theatre. I know I’m not the first to say it, but I think the show might just be one of those ‘once in a generation’ theatrical events. Tim Minchin’s score is inspired. And Dennis Kelly’s book perfectly captures Roald Dahl’s curious combination of…
A day of new resolutions
ByJohn MayThe last day of any Scout World Conference is always spent dealing with the very many resolutions that are created over the course of the week and today was no exception. I sat at the back of the conference hall and listened to our various delegations from around the world set the priorities for World…
Birthdays and punctuation
ByJohn MayHappy Founders’ Day and Thinking Day! It’s all about the apostrophe. Some would like one between the “r” and the “s”, to show possession by Robert BP alone. Others put it after the “s” to show possession by both Robert and Olave – which I prefer. Others leave it out completely, but the punctuation pedant…
