Neil Mackwood

Writer/journalist/commentator

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

@toadmeister @AllisonPearson If you think we live in a free country please read @allisonpearson in the Telegraph about a visit from Essex police informing her that a non crime hate incident had been lodged against her. The boys in blue would not tell her the name of her accuser or even the content tweet.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

Don't let the rain get you down. The sun shone today and the autumnal colours glittered as the poor buck threw back his head and roared. The rut is well under way.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

Offered a round of golf today. Not played for a year. Retrieved golf shoes from garage. A mouse had made a next in one of my shoes. Evicted.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

Spring is sprouting. Buds everywhere, blackthorn out, bluebells showing their heads - nature recovering from a wet winter. How I wish the economy would follow suit.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

It's raining non stop but there are reasons to be cheerful. As the snowdrops die off the daffodils are leaping into life. The blackthorn's starry white blossom is appearing and they will become sloes in the Autumn. Whatever the weather nature progresses.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

“Can’t fill holes full of water”
I see. Pity it’s been raining all week if not all month. That could be why they are full of water.
Perplexed look at this master of meterology.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

Pot holes have replaced schools as the major topic of conversation. However I had to tell that I was delighted to see a pot hole repair person down our way. “Great to see you,” I said. “Come to fill in the graves of tyres and wheels”.
“No can do they are full of water.”

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

@MerrynSW Merryn The big question is w hy. Any thoughts.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

@RosannaForte I must catch this one! I have just finished a middle grade story that revolves around a bullied teenager who is healed when a ghost of a Victorian boy appears in his bedroom. It's up for grabs!

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

What is the most intelligent bird? A parrot? A gull? A starling? No. It has to be crow. I threw out some stale bread. A crow immediately picked it up but it was too hard to eat. It dropped the morsel into the birdbath and then swallowed the softened bread. Genius.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

The sad demise of Ventorros Press covered in today's @thebookseller. My story of an African elephant and his transformative friendship with a boy is now seeking a new home #AskAgent #AskEditor

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

So very sad that Graham Mulvein founder of children's book publisher Ventorros Press has had to close the business due to ill-health. It has left my book, about an elephant's life changing friendship with a boy, seeking a new home. Commiserations to Graham and we wish him well.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

Reasons to be optimistic: sun shining, birds singing, spring's around the corner, house price falls static (Halifax)

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

UK Parliament: Make daily storytime compulsory for all primary school children https://t.co/ZIjF3pF6lQ via @UKChange
A great idea - please sign up if you think so.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

UK Parliament: Make daily storytime compulsory for all primary school children - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/QREpWtqk4j via @UKChange

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

David Cameron - where are you? Your mates are coming back to office.

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

@bbcnickrobinson @JamesCleverly @trussliz To keep you on your toes Nick

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

@ShehanKaru - just wanted to say as a Sri Lankan born Brit that I am thrilled with your win. I have your first book on my shelf which will be joined by your Booker winner. Congratulations and big clap for Sort of Books. Neil Mackwood

[Neil Mackwood @Neilmackwood]

#writingcommunity thrilled for Sort of Books who backed Shehan Karunatilaka for his second book which yesterday won the Booker Prize. Poor show Jonathan Cape who published his first book. Why not the second?

[Julia Hartley-Brewer @JuliaHB1]

Greta Thunberg: I don't want to go into politics because it's too "toxic".

No @GretaThunberg⁩, you just want to be able to spout your hysterical, catastrophising eco-babble without being held accountable for the terrible costs of what you propose. https://t.co/leYxSO1PxE