Lorne Jackson

6 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Lorne Jackson

Pupils in a classroom (Image: PA) Teachable moment A Scottish education is the finest in the world, it’s often claimed, though some naysayers believe the glory days are a thing of the past. Thankfully the 12-year-old grandson of Robin Howat from Bo’ness seems to be enjoying his learning experience. When Robin asked what his favourite subjects at school were, he replied without delay: “P.E. and lunch.” Talking bull The times they are a-changin’, as Bob Dylan once observed.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Lorne Jackson

Princes Street ... or Princess Street?! (Image: PA) Boozy badinage Falkirk reader Chris Glen was visiting his local boozer when he overheard an illuminating exchange between the chap dispensing the alcoholic beverages and a fellow quaffing them down his gullet at a ferocious rate. The barman was clearly concerned that his customer was rapidly becoming more pickled than your average supermarket gherkin.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Lorne Jackson

Phone-y operation Launching oneself into the world of high finance isn’t merely a matter of buying a tub of hair gel and a pair of red braces, then impersonating the lead character from The Wolf of Wall Street. Sometimes you have to (ugh) get up early in the morning and put in a shift. Paul Jenkins realised this years ago, after bagging a job in a Glasgow call centre.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Lorne Jackson

A field of rhubarb (Image: PA) Gut reaction SOME years ago John Howell from Cumbernauld worked with a UK organisation who taught English to newly arrived immigrants. These mature students were usually eager to learn and pretty quick on the uptake, with the occasional faux pas, as you might expect. On one occasion John informed his class that he would be discussing the different pronunciation of vowels in certain circumstances.

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Lorne Jackson

Not so 'wild' swimming (Image: Yui Mok) Mouthing off The following Diary yarn should be filed under the label: Things That Would Nowadays Get You Reported to the Company HR Department. When she left school many years ago, reader Pauline Hughes was considered for a junior office job in Dundee. The bloke interviewing her commenced proceedings by saying: “Would you stick out your tongue please, Miss Hughes.” “Pardon?” said Pauline.