5 Bin there, done that

Society is complicated, and no more so than in our bins. While England moves towards a seven-bin system, one council – North Somerset – is trialling a four-compartment bin. The compartments are for papers, glass, plastic bottles and general waste. The bin will be a big threewheeler, requiring a provisional driving licence.

Gie’s pizza

Italians are being told they didn’t invent pizza, following Scots being telt they didn’t invent haggis, pies, Worcestershire sauce etc. Professor Alberto Grandi, of Parma University, says Americans invented pizza as we know it – ken, with toppings an a’ that. Certainly, there’s no record of Neapolitans adding pineapple to the controversial dish.

Weeded in

Horticultural wars continued: Gardeners’ World presenter Rachel de Thame claims killing weeds is “old-fashioned”. Chelsea Flower Show is also “putting nature first”, with weeds rebranded “resilient plants”. Lawns should be left uncut. If it cuts down the motorised racket, this column is all for it.

Blind alley

Roads make you fear no-one is in control. Tailgaters, slowcoaches, cyclists, confusing signage conspire to make driving displeasurable. One recent development brought new danger to which authorities turn a blind eye: the blinding headlight. The RAC says old drivers are no longer going out after dark. Time to make our roads a duller place.

Fine wine

Pairing food and wine is often mere whimsy, says Prof Charles Spence of Oxford Uni, who contends it’s fine to serve some reds with fish. This column was once served red wine with halibut on a Norwegian ship. Or was it red wine with the dessert? Don’t remember. Wine is fine with anything when it’s free.