I write on a Saturday morning at 10:20, with storm Dennis battering the UK. My mind drifted back to such days at school. Somewhere in the region we would be smothering Vaseline on our legs to try and keep the cold out before heading onto a windswept rugby pitch. More

Today I read a few interesting facts. At the weekend Man United will play their 4000th consecutive game with a home-grown talent in their match day squad, a record dating back to 1937. A Conservative MP will represent Leigh (in Greater Manchester) for the first time since the constituency was formed in 1887. More