10 JULY 2004, page 55

Their Final Bylines

FRANK KEATING T his midsummer, alas, two scribbler friends wrote The End' on their final pieces. Well, admired acquaintances really, I suppose, because I worked only a few times......

Q. We Have A House In Spain And The Parents

of one of our daughter's schoolfriends asked if they could rent it for two weeks. We said, well, we don't rent it; what we will do is lend it to you and ask you to give a cheque......

Q. There I Was In The Cathedral, Pleased As Punch

to see my friend enthroned as Bishop of Blackburn. Why, you may ask, was there a group of four people, me included, seated, as compared with the 994 standing throughout the......

Q. How Does One Politely See Off New People Who

have moved in nearby and want to be friends? The wife has already uttered the dreaded phrase 'Get your diary out.' It seems arrogant and unfriendly to say 'Our list is full',......