Author Archives: Philip Strange

About Philip Strange

After more than 30 years as an experimental scientist, I decided to have a complete change and moved to the West Country. I now write about science for several magazines and web sites and blog at http://philipstrange.wordpress.com/.

She laments, sir,….. her husband goes this morning a-birding

Posted on 17 August 2013 by Philip Strange

The book stall consisted of at least six large tables covered with all kinds and all sizes of books. Judging from the number of people milling around the stall, there was quality here although the prices (50p for paperbacks and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alastair Fitter, birds, book stall, burton bradstock, church fete, Cirl Bunting, climate change, conservation, flowers, Guest posts, nature books, Richard Fitter | Comments Off on She laments, sir,….. her husband goes this morning a-birding

City bees – the ultimate urban idyll or a middle class guilt trip?

Posted on 22 July 2013 by Philip Strange

Beekeeping in a busy city centre? It doesn’t sound right to me, but there’s a growing trend to put beehives on the vacant roofs of city centre shops and museums. I recently had a chance to find out what’s behind … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, city bees, Exeter, farmers' markets, Fortnum and Mason, Guest posts, honeybees, Palais Garnier, Princesshay, Steven Poole | Comments Off on City bees – the ultimate urban idyll or a middle class guilt trip?

From Raleigh’s pipe to tidal power

Posted on 9 July 2013 by Philip Strange

Dittisham and the River Dart A few miles before it meets the sea, the River Dart enjoys several wide meanders through beautiful South Devon countryside. Near the village of Dittisham, however, mariners must be aware of a dangerous obstacle, the … Continue reading →

Posted in devon, Dittisham, Dr Sarah Wollaston, Guest posts, marine renewable energy, river dart, tidal power, Totnes, transition town totnes, TRESOC, turbine | Comments Off on From Raleigh’s pipe to tidal power

From legal highs to legal supplies?

Posted on 25 June 2013 by Philip Strange

“Within five minutes I was tripping my balls off, trying to call friends for help, but I couldn’t use my phone. My heart rate was going up and I started to panic. …. I found myself in the street. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 25I-NBOMe, ACMD, drugs, Guest posts, legal highs, Les Iversen, LSD, NBOMe, New Zealand, Psychoactive Substances Bill, recreational drugs | Comments Off on From legal highs to legal supplies?

The curious case of the barbecue and the toilet seat.

Posted on 7 June 2013 by Philip Strange

The prospect of a weekend with some warmer weather sends us Brits in to a frenzy of outdoor eating. So, in this spirit, and ignoring the light rain, I went searching for our barbecue and found it under a pile … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily Mail, Fun, Guest posts, hygeine, misleading, poor journalism, Pseudoscience | Comments Off on The curious case of the barbecue and the toilet seat.

Alfred Russel Wallace – the forgotten man of evolution?

Posted on 29 May 2013 by Philip Strange

Following on from Sylvia McLain’s recent post on Richard Dawkins, here is more on evolution. My piece concerns Alfred Russel Wallace, who was intimately involved in the early thinking on this topic. The timing of the two pieces is entirely … Continue reading →

Posted in alfred russel wallace, Bill Bailey, centenary, Charles Darwin, dorset, evolution, Guest posts, natural selection, wallace 100 | Comments Off on Alfred Russel Wallace – the forgotten man of evolution?

Seen in Devon

Posted on 14 May 2013 by Philip Strange

On a recent family walk near Beesands in South Devon (in the fog if you look carefully), we spotted this sign on land behind the beach.  Perhaps we were all in a silly mood but it made us smile and … Continue reading →

Posted in adders, beesands, devon, Fun, Guest posts | Comments Off on Seen in Devon

The March of the Beekeepers

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Philip Strange

In Parliament Square in London today a diverse group of beekeepers and environmentalists are gathering; some will be wearing beekeeping suits, some will be dressed as bees, some will be carrying fruit or vegetables and you may even spot Winnie-the-Pooh … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, bumblebees, Guest posts, honeybees, March of the Beekeepers, neonicotinoids | Comments Off on The March of the Beekeepers

Street Science in Paris

Posted on 18 April 2013 by Philip Strange

I recently returned from a week’s holiday in Paris. It’s a beautiful place for just walking and looking and while we were there, spring finally arrived. On our last day, we were invited to a rehearsal of the Orchestre Philharmonique … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Guest posts, l'oreal-UNESCO, Paris, Street Science, Women in science | Comments Off on Street Science in Paris

Bad Pharma, Good Pharma, Bad Pharma

Posted on 25 March 2013 by Philip Strange

I was surprised and saddened to hear the news that the pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca were closing their R and D facility at Alderley Park in the North West of the country.  This is an iconic research site, set among lakes … Continue reading →

Posted in AstraZeneca, ben goldacre, clinical trials, drugs, Guest posts, pharmaceutical industry, Science policy | Comments Off on Bad Pharma, Good Pharma, Bad Pharma