After all the talk, the rumours, the years of waiting and general angst, it happened. Pete(r) Doherty played again with The Libertines. Described here as the defining event of the summer, it clearly worked.

Is the title of a book (in the style of Jon Ronson’s Them) by Karl Pilkington, ex-crop circler. It’s also the name of a documentary by Pilkington’s former partner-in-crime, John Lundberg, the man I helped to make a crop circle in the eccentrics book. Here’s the blog they’ve set up.

for this month, of which there are a few. Such as: a Rushbearing Festival at Sowerby Bridge in Calderdale, Yorkshire, on 12 September a Horn Dance at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire, the World Black Pudding Championship – held, as ever, in Ramsbottom – and the International Bognor Birdman contest. Spoilt for choice, we are. Later this month there’s the English Open Chainsaw Championships, and on Saturday 18 September the World Gurning Championships in Egremont, Cumbria.

Was looking forward to this a lot. It’s a history of the Mizrahim – Jews of Middle Eastern origin. Now not so sure. Lukewarm reviews. Here’s one in the FT.

is called Boushra Al-Mutawakel. Greater Middle East Photo has a profile.