So farewell Ascot. Rock on Goodwood
So that’s that. Overheated young men have beaten each other up over the etymological background to the word Slapper; some have been thrown into side rooms and made to fork out for plastic socks, after failing to wear any with their £19 Primart loafers; women have fainted at the sight of so much sun, ice cream and botox; trainers have publicly declared that they’ve just seen… “The worst ride ever given to one of my horses”; people called Cecil took photographs from the Royal Carriage; people called Chapman never removed their Co-respondent shoes all week; and I had a wonderful Wednesday and a financial shocker for the rest of the time.
Throughout it all, I found it hard not to feel as though we were all living through some sort of Isherwood’esque book. A “Goodbye to Ascot” perhaps, as the author highlights the hedonism of the new Village, the massive consumption, the monies involved, the Royal Enclosure struggling to maintain appearances; everything appearing to conflict with the new order and the new realities of Q2 21stC Britain.
This week alone, our realities have included a grudging acceptance that there was a need for a Child Grooming enquiry. That HS2 might not work. That we might need nuclear. That we might need oil. That we’re not actually bombing Iran, but only supporting America. That losing 3,830 MOD Security passes as compared to “just” 2,043 in 2020 was somehow OK. That AI is brilliant - but possibly not.
On the AI front, it was hard not to see that Procter & Gamble is cutting 7,000 jobs – or 15% of its non-manufacturing workforce – to create “broader roles and smaller teams”. Estée Lauder and dating-app operator Match Group each recently jettisoned around 20% of their managers. Microsoft plans to lay off thousands of employees in its sales department and other teams in the coming weeks. The main reason for all this, as Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told his own soon-to-be-sacked employees on Tuesday: the “once-in-a-lifetime” rise of AI.
Huzzah.
At some point in the future, might anyone notice the increasingly desperate machinations of this Government not to look even more corrupt, venal and ineffective as the last… and failing? Will anyone ask them to stop, or will they be cancelled before they open their mouth?
I am reminded of Sarah Champion MP, the former Labour MP for Rotherham, who was forced to resign as Shadow Equalities Minister in 2017 after writing an article linking grooming to “Pakistani heritage men.” I am reminded of Simon Danczuk, the former Labour MP for Rochdale, who has repeatedly claimed that “…senior Labour politicians warned me not to mention the ethnicity of the perpetrators, for fear of losing votes, when I tried shining a light on the Rochdale grooming gangs.” I am reminded that Shaun Davies remains the Labour MP for Telford, after he initially rejected calls for an enquiry into grooming gangs operating in the town when he was leader of Telford and Wrekin Council.
On that subject of stopping, and in light of recent votes, (and to cheer me up at least), I share a press release from the Dignity in Dying campaign this week, that had an unfortunate first line.
“We've just gone live!”
Also, I have been remiss in giving you recipes recently, so for this heatwave allow me to suggest:
Barbecued Baby Gem lettuce with lemon, pecorino and toasted hazelnuts
INGREDIENTS
I’m treating this - portion-wise - as a side for a party of 4-8. Or a dish for lunch. You’ll get the gist. It’s delicious with a quality Chicken Kiev a la M&S or Waitrose, if you haven’t had the time or inclination to make them yourself.
50g blanched hazelnuts
4 heads of Baby Gem lettuce, halved
2 preserved lemons
50 gms shaved pecorino (or more if you prefer)
Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
FOR THE DRESSING
60 gms of dill, parsley, basil, chives
90 gms thick Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1–2 tablespoons cold water
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan), Gas Mark 7
Spread the hazelnuts out on a baking tray and toast in the oven for 6–7 minutes until darkly toasted.
While that is happening, quarter the preserved lemons and then remove the pulp and pips, leaving the skin. Slice the lemon skins into very thin shreds. Put aside
Remove the hazelnuts from the oven if they’re a toasted colour. Put aside.
Put all the dressing ingredients, except the water, into a blender. Season with salt and pepper and blitz until smooth and vibrant green.
Add the cold water if needed to thin down to a pouring consistency.
Brush the lettuce halves with a little oil and season
Place on pre-heated large griddle pan or on a barbecue griddle plate or on wire over coals and cook for about 2 minutes either side until they have nice deep char marks but still hold their shape. Do not keep turning, as the lettuces will quickly lose shape.
Allow to cool.
Season well with pepper, sprinkle with the toasted hazelnuts, the preserved lemon shreds and the slivers of pecorino cheese.
Serve immediately