We know that nowadays you can take a degree in just about anything, but the latest one being offered is a Degree in Undertaking. It will cover such things as embalming and burials at sea. We can remember the day when degrees such as this would have been called apprenticeships.

If it hadn't been so serious I could have laughed. There was Gordon Brown banging on about how Mugabe had 'stolen the election' and how it wasn't a good thing for democracy, blah, blah. Excuse me, but at least the people in Zimbabwe were given a vote to choose their leader. I don't seem to recall the people of Britain being afforded the same courtesy. We inherited Brown as Blair's successor. Where's the democracy in that?

When it came to a vote on deciding whether or not to approve 245 houses at Hiveacres Road, Tweedmouth, five or your elected representatives decided to abstain. Why? They have been put their to express the views of the electorate not to sit on the fence. Councillors who abstain should be told to explain why - both to the council and to those people who put them there. Abstention is a cop out and should not be tolerated.

This is an important day for those both for and against wind farms in our area. For the councillors who have to make the decision, well they're caught in between a rock and a hard place because no matter what they eventually agree to do, it won't suit everyone. We don't envy them their task, but can't help but wondering if there will be a full turn-out of the committee or if some might have to call in sick. Don't want to be cynical, but....

So the Chancellor, representing a government that welcomes 24-hour licensing laws, has slapped hefty price increases on alcohol in a bid to halt binge drinking. Fat chance. If he thinks that will solve the problem of youngsters getting totally bladdered at weekends he is living in cloud cuckooland. The people it will affect are those in the licensing and brewing trade and the moderate drinkers who go out for a few pints without bothering anybody. We are already one of the highest taxed countries in the world and yet what do we have to show for it? The government's answer to any problem seems to be to tax it. If they want to stop youngsters, including children, drinking to excess then education is the way forward, not taxation.

What a shameful day for democracy. The British people have been denied a referendum on Europe - and the Lib Dems have a lot to answer for. Their leader, 'Calamity' Clegg ordered his troops to do what they do best - sit on the fence. In other words, abstain. Abstention is not helpful to government, local or otherwise. We have elected our MPs to take decisions, not sit on the fence. After all their promises about wanting us to have our say the Lib Dems have ensured that the electorate have been gagged over the Treaty. Well done those who stood up against Mr Clegg's edict. The others aren't worthy of words.

It's a bit ironic, but if you don't fancy paying £95 for the annual parking ticket, get yourself down to Castle Morpeth where they are charging £90. For that you can also park in Berwick.

Undoubtedly Prince Harry will be embarrassed (justifiably) at the totally over the top coverage of his return home. I cannot understand why he was allowed to join the Army in the first place if he is deemed suitable for only certain tours of duty. This is a luxury not afforded other young men and women and he is no more precious than any mother's son or daughter. Of course there are many other trouble spots he could be sent to that are less high profile. I hope that he gets to continue with his chosen career. It is clear that he loves the Army life and it could well be the making of him. Pictures of him knocking back the booze night after night did little for the public perception of him being a waste of space.