Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 4hwww.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comReform MP raises concerns about second homes – then buys one for £800,000Sarah Pochin bought Anglesey property two days after writing to minister about impact of second homes on rural communities 021
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 02/10/2026After the River Turia in Valencia flooded in 1957, killing more than 60 people, its course was diverted and the city created the wonderful Turia Gardens in its original space. Later the awe-inspiring Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias was built. What imaginative, visionary civic leadership. 030
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 30/09/2026A chalice that is reputedly the Holy Grail lies behind the reflection of light on glass in a chapel at Valencia Cathedral. I guess what matters isn't the accuracy of the claim but the sense of awe and reverence that the object inspires in believers. 020
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Cafe de las Horas in Valencia - probably the most ornate place in which I've eaten a breakfast of tomatoes on toast. 030
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 27/09/2026A salad of scarcely ripe mango, heritage tomatoes, carrot, rocket, dessicated coconut, chilli flakes and walnuts dressed with lime, honey and evoo. 051
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Two wonderful dishes at the hospitable, charming and technically accomplished Vieni in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter - a magnificent barbecued sea bass with shrimps, samphire and spinach beurre blanc and a plate of buratta with peaches and tomatoes. 030
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Fabulous service, great drinks and an absolutely majestic Gloucester Old Spot pork chop with borlotti beans and salsa verde at the wonderful Burro restaurant near Covent Garden. 030
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 13/09/2026Exquisite food, service and drinks last night at Opheem, Birmingham's only two Michelin star restaurant. Aktar Islam's and his kitchen brigade have an uncanny ability to balance delicacy and boldness while the front-of-house team deliver flawless, charming service. 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 03/09/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Crookstheguardian.comReform officials ‘plotted to break law on foreign donations’ in undercover filmInvestigation broadcast by Channel 4 shows man posing as ‘impermissible donor’ paying for polling that helped Reform 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Show me prawn toast better than the thick, succulent slices at Soi 1268 - Buddha Belly's restaurant in Stirchley. Bet you can't. Nor many rivals to the fragrant pork pa lo or the mochi ice cream. The place is an absolute gem. 020
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Roast tomato and basil risotto. Packed an umami punch. 020
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 26/08/2026www.theguardian.com/environment/... But wildfire enthusiast Richard Tice says we should enjoy the climate crisis.theguardian.com‘National scandal’: extreme heat linked to 40,000 deaths in England between 1988 and 2025ONS data shows rising toll of climate crisis, with officials warning this summer on track to set further records 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 23/08/2026A big shout for Haweli on Hagley Road on the Edgbaston/Bearwood border. It's one of those welcoming neighbourhood curry houses that doesn't follow trends but concentrates on serving really high quality food at very affordable prices. 060
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 18/08/2026I wonder if wildfire enthusiast Richard Tice has investments in oil companies, airlines or any other companies that are fueling the climate crisis. 011
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 18/08/2026A herb omelette and salad at Maison Mayci in Moseley - a place that does simple things very well indeed. 030
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 17/08/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Feckin' cretin.theguardian.comReform’s Tice says people should stop fighting climate crisis and ‘enjoy’ heatDeputy leader says it is ‘arrogant’ to try to halt global heating, despite UK being left reeling by summer firewave 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 15/08/2026Beetroot, radish, pomegranate, walnut and rocket salad seasoned with sumac and sherry vinegar. 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 07/08/2026Angels can be found in the most unlikely places. This one was taking a nap in the hollow of a tree opposite Dads Lane chip shop. 020
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 03/08/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Farage: spiv, liar, scrounger and crook.theguardian.comFarage admits he discussed returning as Reform leader months earlier than previously statedAdmission may undermine Farage’s account of circumstances surrounding £5m gift from crypto billionaire 020
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Now here's an intriguing Alsace wine - Rien ne Bouge, a blend of pinot noir and gerwurztraminer that's a beautiful shade of pale red with layers of summer fruit, lychee and elderflower. Thanks to the Wine Society for listing it! 130
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Excellent lamb souvlaki in the sunshine in the fabulous new garden at Greek Aura in Moseley - a lovely way to spend a summer evening with family. 042
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 29/07/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Spivs and crookstheguardian.comRevealed: George Cottrell transferred $2m to his mother days before her donations to Reform UKExclusive: Sources say Fiona Cottrell told bankers the transfers, received 24-72 hours before her donations to Reform, came from her son 043
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 25/07/2026www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukPolice investigate donations by Richard Tice company to Reform UKBritain Means Business, owned by the party’s deputy leader Richard Tice, made two donations of £250,000 in the run-up to the 2024 general election. 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 24/07/2026www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...theguardian.comMost people arrested during Henry Nowak protests had been reported for domestic abuseExclusive: Hampshire police data reveals 22 of 37 detained had been accused or convicted of intimate partner violence 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 23/07/2026Interesting approach from the Tories to Andy Burnham's announcements. Yesterday: we can't afford it! Today: he's not spending enough! It's almost like they're rattled by the PM's measures to help ordinary working people because they have no strategy of their own. 180
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 21/07/2026The Odyssey: enjoyable in parts, overlong, few engaging performances and largely emotionally sterile, apart from the death of Odysseus's faithful dog Argos. Certainly not worthy of so many rave reviews. 001
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 15/07/2026The thistles in Highbury Park looking magnificent today. 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 11/07/2026Perfect heatwave breakfast at The Den in Stirchley, Birmingham - a BLT sharpened with lightly pickled onions and grapes washed down with a refreshing pint of orange radler. 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 09/07/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202... And more sleaze....theguardian.comPolice investigate £500,000 Reform donations from mother of fraudster who backed FarageGeorge Cottrell’s mother Fiona at the centre of criminal inquiry over potential evasion of restrictions on donations 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 09/07/2026www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... As a journalist, I collated copy from news agencies for the Birmingham Mail in the aftermath of Dunblane. Hacks can become hardened to tragedy but I was moved to tears by accounts that I read. The lack of knowledge and empathy shown by this staggering oaf is shocking.bbc.co.ukRestore Britain leader describes Dunblane tragedy as 'one murder'Rupert Lowe criticised the ban of handguns in the UK, saying it was "because there was a murder in Dunblane". 0123
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 09/07/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comConvicted fraudster was introduced as Farage’s chief of staff, says ex-Reform candidateExclusive: Questions grow over George Cottrell’s role as party says he has never held an official position 021
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 09/07/2026Chilled melon soup sharpened with Minus 8 Vinegar and garnished with oregano, feta, black olives and evoo - perfect in this heat. 021
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 08/07/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202... Reform: a party of spivs and crooks.theguardian.comPolice investigate £37,500 donation to Jenrick leadership campaignMet confirms inquiry after elections watchdog referred allegations that donations in 2024 were from foreign source 041
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 08/07/2026www.theguardian.com/politics/202...theguardian.comMore Reform UK transactions worth millions reported to National Crime AgencyExclusive: Bankers have raised potential money-laundering concerns over loans and donations involving senior party figures 021
Reposted by Paul Fulford Matthew Sweet @drmatthewsweet.bsky.social · 04/07/2026Quite the detail www.thetimes.com/article/aa2f... 716746
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Just the second day of July and already the blackberries in Highbury Park are ripening. 000
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 26/06/2026www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Interesting breakdown of how tight restaurant margins are.theguardian.comHow much? The hidden costs of restaurant dishesTwo chefs lift the lid on the expensive business of creating menus they love 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Need some advice on PR and common decency, guys? "An email sent to Wowcher customers on Saturday featured a list of getaways and activities under the subject line: "Snap up these deals quicker than a croc can catch a kid!" 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 18/06/2026www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju... Thanks, Guardian. I needed a recipe telling me how to put stuff between two slices of bread.theguardian.comRachel Roddy’s recipe for focaccia sandwiches with mortadella and parmesan cream | A kitchen in RomeA family favourite transforms TV dinners into a summery event 110
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 09/06/2026www.theguardian.com/food/2026/ju...theguardian.comThe British food scene was booming. Why has it suddenly gone bust?Once mocked internationally, the UK became a gastronomic hotspot in recent decades – London was hailed as the foodie capital of the world. Now many Michelin-starred restaurants have closed and the rot... 020
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 08/06/2026www.theguardian.com/business/202...theguardian.comTop chefs back Andy Burnham for prime minister to cut VAT on hospitalityTom Kerridge says ‘whole of hospitality’ should get behind Burnham who has called for VAT cut from 20% to 10% 011
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 06/06/2026Top marks to the excellent Wine Society for stocking this absolute bargain - £7.95 for a South African shiraz that's uncomplicated but bursting with black fruit and spices. Went beautifully well with bangers and mash. 130
Reposted by Paul Fulford Farrukh @implausibleblog.bsky.social · 03/06/2026After Nigel Farage claims we're living under two tier policing Keir Starmer slams him at #PMQs "His response has been to call for rage, rage, that's his response to a father that lost his son" "Exploiting this tragedy to creating grievance and division is wrong" "It shows exactly who he is" 97907279
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 01/06/2026After today's release of the Mandelson files, I can't see Pat McFadden remaining a minister once Starmer goes. Or maybe not even as long as that. 110
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 31/05/2026I'm old enough to remember when Warwickshire Bears last won a T20 match. 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 29/05/2026www.thetimes.com/travel/desti... A reminder of the days when Birmingham's hospitality scene wasn't under siege from rising prices, empty wallets and crippling taxation.thetimes.comThe foodie revolution in BirminghamThere is something happening in food in Birmingham. Wandering through the grey winter streets and underpasses, this is not immediately obvious to me: at the moment, recession bargains are the 010
Paul Fulford @paulfulford.bsky.social · 29/05/2026www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTop UK chefs call for 10% VAT cut on hospitalityTom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT should be slashed to 10% to ease mounting pressure on the hospitality industry. 000
