Clive Williams

2 days ago | sidmouthherald.co.uk | Clive Williams

The old toilet block and sitting area at Port Royal had been part of Sidmouth for around 100 years. It was not a grand building, but it was part of the Sidmouth scene and a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by. It has now been replaced by a Besser block extension to the old drill hall, being redeveloped by Rockfish as a restaurant. Demolition of the toilet block was not included in the 2019 lease agreement but was apparently approved by the council in a September 2024 addendum.

1 week ago | citynews.com.au | Clive Williams

“Hands often carry deep symbolic meaning in art, representing themes such as power, creation, healing, spirituality, and human connection,” but less so with palms, says Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS. I told my doctor: “It hurts when I do this.” He said: “Don’t do that.” –Henny YoungmanHands have always featured prominently in art. Sculptor Auguste Rodin made them oversize to draw attention to them – as can be seen in his works at the Australian National Gallery.

3 weeks ago | citynews.com.au | Clive Williams

“Across human cultures, head movements convey a wide variety of messages,” writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS. “Penguins mate for life. Which doesn’t exactly surprise me that much cause they all look alike – it’s not like they’re gonna meet a better-looking penguin someday.” –Ellen DeGeneresOn the matter of birds, I was recently observing punk pigeons (Crested Pigeons) walking, and it seemed oddly uncomfortable for them to be moving their heads back and forth so rapidly.

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Clive Williams

“Olympic athletes generally live an average of 2.8 to 5.3 years longer than the general population in which they live.,” writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS. “If I knew I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself.” – Mickey Mantle (baseball player)The conventional wisdom seems to be that top athletes have so stressed their bodies to achieve elite outcomes that their bodies wear out sooner and they die young. I thought I’d explore this thesis to see if it’s true.

1 month ago | citynews.com.au | Clive Williams

“Many of those who started jogging when it became trendy in the 1970s, now have knee and hip problems,” writes Whimsy columnist CLIVE WILLIAMS, who looks at the pros and cons of running. “The trouble with jogging is that the ice falls out of your glass.” –Martin Mull (American actor)Jogging undoubtedly provides short-term health benefits, but whether it’s good for you in the long term is less certain.