Thomas J Bevan

1 week ago | terryfreedman.substack.com | Terry Freedman |Matthew Long |Thomas J Bevan |Rebecca Holden

Greetings!Sorry this is a bit late. Better late than never though, eh? But enough of this persiflage! On with the newsletter. TerryLast week I had an accident. I thought that while Lady Elaine was out with a group of friends, I’d cycle to a local park, there to read, relax and quaff coffee. However, Fate had other ideas. Here is a depiction of what happened:That is a bit of an exaggeration: what happened was far less dramatic. I was waiting for a gap in the traffic at a junction, perfectly still.

1 month ago | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedContended we carve through countryside-Bound for town, for reality, for bed. Beyond the window now a mellow unfolding:Patchwork hedgerows- artichoke barriers around kelly-green grass,Steady slow turn of white windmills,Horizon haze, heat shimmering,Steep valley drops beyond brick bridges. Delays in departure no issue,Each station a saint and we draw patience from them.

1 month ago | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

As I draw closer to the end of this Commonplace Newsletter project, I am forced to ask myself what else is there left to say? What topics or ideas or themes have I not yet covered that I would regret leaving untouched? It’s a question I have been turning over in my mind for a couple of weeks now; while on the commuter train to work, while scanning groceries, while queuing at the post office ideas will come to me and I will rapidly realise that I have already written about them.

Jan 24, 2025 | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

The experiment continues…A year ago today (which also happens to be my birthday) I announced a new policy. I would only directly hit my readers with a call to action once a year. January 24th would be the one day each year where I would pass the hat. And only on this one day each year would I approach my readers directly with a reminder that I offer paid subscriptions- both monthly and annually- as well as an option for a one off donation (via ‘Buy Me a Coffee’) if preferred.

Jan 23, 2025 | thomasjbevan.substack.com | Thomas J Bevan

Speed is modernity and modernity is speed. Everything’s moving so fast and yet little seems to get better. Everyone’s working so hard- or at least exerting so much energy- but little seems to get improve. The hands race around the clock face, the pages fly off the calendar, the speedometer quivers dangerously in the red zone. But to what end?