Palbinder Mann

Dad, Husband, working in Local Government, fan of football, cricket, history, books and a whole host of other things. Views are my own.

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP @TanDhesi]

Devastating to hear from friends and family about the death and destruction caused by #floods in the #Punjab and neighbouring areas in both #India and #Pakistan.

Many people have lost everything, so I hope central and state governments provide urgent relief - now and in future.

[Sky Sports News @SkySportsNews]

Morecambe have appointed Ashvir Singh Johal as their new manager to replace Derek Adams 🚨

He becomes the first British Asian manager in the top five leagues of English men's football.

[Preet Kaur Gill MP @PreetKGillMP]

Saddened to hear about the passing of #FaujaSingh

I had the honour of meeting him. A truly inspiring man. His discipline, simple living, and deep humility left a lasting mark on me.

A reminder that age is just a number, but attitude is everything.

Rest in power, legend. 🏃‍♂️

[Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP @TanDhesi]

40 years since Indira Gandhi ordered army attack on #GoldenTemple complex, leading to #SikhGenocide, destruction of historic structures and looting of artefacts.

Painful memories for #Sikh community continue unabated, with victims sadly still awaiting justice.
#NeverForget1984

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

@bbctms Utter nonsense. Root is world class and he has scored runs all across the world.

[Kevin Fernandes @kevinaraujof]

This isn't a journalism problem. It's a human decency problem. It's a lack of respect. It's blatant arrogance and ignorance. It's a false sense of superiority reeking of xenophobia. It's everything wrong with the English Premier League mentality. @gary_cotterill do better.

[Jasjit Singh @Jasjit4Sac]

40 years ago, armed mobs hunted and killed over 30,000 Sikhs across India. Woman raped. Children set ablaze. Politicians provided voter registration lists to the mob. Police stood by, some joined. ‘Til date there is no justice. But we will tell our story forever. #NeverForget1984

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

@hg1fcum Was hoping he would get close to Lara’s record but sadly wasn’t to be.

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

Absolutely amazing innings by these two today. Just great to watch.

[Sky Sports Cricket @SkyCricket]

"He's England's greatest ever batter!" 🙌

Harry Brook and Joe Root react to their record-breaking partnership 😍

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Confused about the ‘two-child benefit cap’ and what it really means. This is a quick, simple video briefing to clear up some of the misinformation out there - taking you through Child Benefit rules, two-child limit for Universal Credit & the benefits cap.

Feel free to share

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

Good luck to all of the election teams working up and down the country. Nearly at the finish line!

Make sure you go out and vote!
#GeneralElection2024

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

What a game that was and what a save at the end by the Turkey keeper 👏 #AUTTUR #EURO2024

[AEA @AEA_Elections]

We'd like to clarify that if a postal voter doesn’t receive their ballot pack, the law prevents a Returning Officer offering any alternative ways for them to vote.

However, the RO can issue a replacement pack up until 5pm on polling day.

An emergency proxy cannot be granted.

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

What an innings, amazing stuff 👏

[Cricinfo @cricinfo]

💯 Fastest County Championship double ton
💥 A record-breaking 21 sixes
🔝 Highest score at No. 8 or lower
🤯 43 runs off a single over

An innings for the ages by Leicestershire's Louis Kimber 🙌

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

I can’t believe this wasn’t given as a penalty and didn’t even appear to have been checked by VAR! How more clear cut can you get! #SCOHUN #EURo2024

[BBC Sport @BBCSport]

"It's a terrible challenge. That for me is a clear penalty."

@alanshearer can't believe Scotland were not awarded a penalty for this challenge on Stuart Armstrong 🗣

#SCOHUN #Euro2024

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Thousands of British Sikhs have marched in central London to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Amritsar massacre

Read more from Sky's @amritsmannz ⬇️

https://t.co/EPu3Hu0TmB

[Martin Lewis @MartinSLewis]

Alert. This Wed 5pm is the latest you can apply for a postal vote for the general election. https://t.co/vDnKnfUWZY

Eng, Wales, Scot only, the deadline has passed in N. Ireland

[North Yorkshire Council @northyorksc]

Don't forget to make sure that you're registered to vote ahead of the General Election on 4 July.

You have until Tuesday, 18 June, to register to vote and until 5pm on Wednesday, 19 June, to apply for a postal vote. #generalelection2024

See https://t.co/53rGTlz9GA

[Palbinder Mann @PalbinderMann]

@TeleFootball @JBurtTelegraph The tournament hasn’t even started and the media are already scapegoating players. What a disgraceful article.