Mark Smith

Mar 17, 2025 | theguardian.com | Mark Smith

Our daughter is very much on board with the idea that, unlike her, many other five-year-olds don’t have two fathers and a mum. “Only has one dad,” she’ll remark in a confidential tone of a newly made friend at the trampoline park or the swimming pool. My husband and I live in Amsterdam, a short cycle from our daughter’s mum, who is a longstanding mutual friend. Our daughter’s time is split between the two households.

Mar 12, 2025 | northwichguardian.co.uk | Mark Smith

Cllr Ashley Farrall appeared remotely via video link at Chester Crown Court. (Image: PR) A Cheshire councillor accused of strangulation and trying to pervert the course of justice has appeared in court from prison via video link. Ashley Farrall, who represents Macclesfield Central on Cheshire East Council, appeared remotely at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday where he had been expected to enter a plea. But the hearing was adjourned until April 1 pending changes to his legal team.

Feb 9, 2025 | theguardian.com | Mark Smith

My name is Mark Smith. I am a former diplomat and policy adviser at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). I spent my career working in the Middle East directorate and serving in the Arab world. As a lead officer on arms sales policy, I was responsible for assessing whether the UK government’s arms sales adhered to legal and ethical standards under domestic and international law.

Dec 2, 2024 | baltimorefishbowl.com | Mark Smith

The area’s always-tight ice rink market recently got a double-whammy when Skate Frederick and the Bowie Ice Arena temporarily closed due to mechanical and compressor issues. In a market where demand for ice time is such that user groups, from hockey leagues to figure skaters to educators, often book time from extremely late at night to extremely early in the morning, management at both rinks looked to other facilities in the region to continue their programs.

Jul 18, 2024 | thetimes.com | Mark Smith |Jessica Sharkey

Lesley Christie is having her lunch break on a bench emblazoned with the phrase “I love Clarkston” when I tell her that the council, East Renfrewshire, has been named the best in Scotland. Her facial expression changes, suggesting her love of the local authority may not be strong. “It’s a nice place to live,” she says. “But I don’t have faith in councils.”Further up the street it’s a different story.