Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT’S A PARTON SHOT AT THE TORIES
Miley Cyrus spent Valentine’s Day munching on frozen yoghurt and Jelly Babies. The single pop star, 28, told her fans: “Say NO WAY to p ***** boys. Say HELL YES to wearing 2 hats & good times.” What about three hats, Miley?
Dolly Parton has become even more perfect. A bill was introduced in her state of Tennessee to erect a statue of her, so she replied with a beautiful letter suggesting: “With all that’s going on in the world, now is not the time to put me on a pedestal.”
She has always embodied the most glorious aspect of country music, articulating the authentic voice of the common person, as in her famous song A Coat of Many Colours. It tells how, as a child, there was no money for a coat, so her mum made one out of rags “and love”.
Maybe she could make one more contribution to what’s “going on in the world” by rewriting that song – about how the nurses had to work without protective equipment through much of last year.
It could start: “The Government has turned us down, there ain’t no mask, there ain’t no gown, The contract’s brand new owner is a Tory Party donor.
“So we stitched a few together with an old torn dustbin liner.
“And the Daily Mirror sports page and a tea towel made in China.
“In a Gown of Many Colours Matt Hancock left for me.”
Vet Peter Wright works at Skeldale Veterinary Centre, the original James Herriot practice in Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Peter appears in This Week on the Farm on Thursdays at 8pm on Channel 5. Q My friend’s rabbit died of bloat recently. What is it and how can I prevent my rabbits getting it? A Bloat is where the stomach fills with gas and very quickly leads to death. It can be caused by a build-up of hair and food but stress or a bad diet is a more likely reason. Bloat can be prevented by feeding rabbits a high-quality commercial food, hay or grass and a variety of vegetables. Any change in diet must be introduced gradually. Grooming is also vital to avoid ingested hair.