But there is some good news
Dr Biswell has been awarded the Portico Prize, which is awarded biennially for a book about Manchester or the north-west of England more generally — for the Burgess book, of course. What is particularly nice about this is that it is the only prize Burgess himself ever won, so it has a certain fearful symmetry. Burgess, being Burgess, made pointed remarks about the smallness of the actual cheque when he turned up to collect it. Dr Biswell, of course, had better manners.
November 12th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
Wonderful, wonderful and none of us are surprised!!!
November 12th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Hurrah! All congrats to the good Dr B, well worthy of accolade of course. And let us hope that he surpasses the other AB before long.
November 12th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
Splendid news! Congratulations to Dr Biswell!
November 12th, 2006 at 5:56 pm
Any potential fearful symmetry aside, prizes are a very good thing. Congratulations doctor!
November 12th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
Congrats from this side of the pond. Do have a party - the fearful symmetry calls for plenty of booze!
November 12th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
When Andreas M hopes that Dr B will surpass Burgess, I only hope he is talking about QUALITY. When it comes to Quantity the Great Logothete surpasses just about everyone except St John Chrysostom and the Encyclopedia Britannica.
November 13th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Happy news! To be celebrated on BOTH sides of the Pennines and south of the Watford Gap to boot.
November 14th, 2006 at 3:28 am
Excellent! Prizes are good for the soul.