Roy Stannard's Blog

When you think you know it all, ask the next question

modern parable

  • Boys don’t cry but Jesus wept

    Jesus Wept – John 11:35 The Bible verse “Jesus wept” is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 11, verse 35. It is the shortest verse in the Bible but carries profound significance. Sunday school – If we were asked to learn a verse I always chose this one. Plumpton Men’s wellness conference – vulnerability… Read more

  • The Whole Nine Yards Ep 216 16.3.25 Notes on History with Roy Stannard on Mid Sussex Radio 103.8FM

    The Whole Nine Yards Episode 216                                                                                               With Roy Stannard On Mid Sussex Radio 103.8FM Sunday 16th March 2025 3-5pm http://www.midsussexradio.co.uk/listen Notes on History Every song tells a story. This week we looking at the historical contexts and inspiration for some well known songs. Tracks where music met the moments that shaped our world. Every song… Read more

  • Fair Trade in Football?

    Football has become about big money and small characters. Even the ball itself has become a metaphor for big business and exploitation. Major brands like Nike, Adidas, Reebok, Mitre (UK) have recently discovered a conscience in these matters because links with child labour are not a great platform for sales in the hothouse supersales arena… Read more

  • Walter Tull. Why have you never heard of him?

    The 25th March marks a lonely anniversary. There should be parades, bunting, crowds. But there will not be a single Reveille. On that day ninety-three years ago an authentic hero died in the Second Battle of the Somme. A Boys Own hero, a sporting legend who had played for Spurs, a leader of men who… Read more

  • A letter to the six year old me

    I was a cute kid, light brown hair with bright, wide open eyes, curious about everything, trusting about a lot more. I was a first born so for the first four years of my life I was a prince, the centre of attention and the focus of everything – except that for the first five… Read more

  • England’s Dreaming

    I was working in London. I dismissed the delegates early so that they could repair to the hotel bar in order to watch the game. The feeling of anticipation mixed with a layer of fear (Germany..penalties..average age of their team 4 years younger than ours) was palpable. Read more

  • Are we God’s weakness?

    It’s liberating not to be an expert. Great to admit that there’s a million things that I simply don’t know. All I’m sure about is that I’m still curious. For example, I don’t know for sure if the Earth is warming up or that the Poles are thawing at a faster rate than the oceans… Read more

  • Selfless – a psychological tripwire by Roy Stannard

    Colm was a generous man. He had been brought up to believe that the more he gave, the more he would be rewarded later in life or in the life after. As a child he had shared his toys with his friends at school, unselfishly. He had lent his things to people he hardly knew… Read more