Ralph Hardwick

@ptives @CleanAirLondon @BBCNews @ClientEarth @guardian @MayorofLondon

@benonwine On a military exercise across Salisbury Plain.

Who remembers the LONG HOT SUMMER of 1976? 🇬🇧🥵 People still talk about it nearly 50 years later. Were you there? What’s your strongest memory or story from that legendary summer?☀️

@AutoPap I had a Lincoln Navigator many years ago from Ford to use to get around a few tracks.

Driving to Chicago today. It’s one of the most straight roads you’ll ever come across. Cruising in this, which actually I’ve come to enjoy more because it is perfect for America.

@Birdseed501 I wonder what the CAA would have to say? Used to go gliding with the air cadets there 67-75.

G-ARVM - a legendary airframe… (White Waltham, 1977)

@bagshaw2112 A petrolhead too. I remember him turning up at a drag meet at Blackbush many moons ago.

Who remembers this Guy ?? Today is his 81st Birthday A real #memory from my childhood .. #nostalgia

@LBGplc Can you provide the link to do that?

@HardwickRalph Hi. Please send us a private message with more details, and we’ll be happy to help you further. ^Subhiksha

@LloydsBank @LBGplc Is Lloyds Bank Car Insurance being closed down? @FT @CMAgovUK

@CcibChris Watched Vera land at Coningsby when she arrived for the season. Spent time at Waddington with the younger sister and watch the 3 ship formation at Marham.

RAF, Avro Lancaster, 4-engine heavy bombers first saw service with RAF Bomber Command in 1942 2014. Two Lancasters flying together (only airworthy models.) Did 60 air shows in the UK. VERA from Hamilton, Ontario AND, Thumper PA474, owned by RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

@LUDENClassics What’s Franks view?

The Arnage has now covered a few hundred miles since being back on the road, and it's probably fair to say it's impressed everyone who has been in or driven it. Comfortable, luxurious, stylish, and with a few niggles still to sort. Nothing major, air con that isn't quite cold, a rear window that doesn't open and a boot release that doesn't release without the key. If I'm being particular I would like for the driver's seat to go back a bit more, which I don't remember being an issue with the facelift Arnage. Other than that, I don't think it quite has the character of a B-road hooner like the Turbo R does, but perhaps only because the electronics would rather you were a bit more grown up. Also nice to drive a turbo car that actually feels like a turbo car. Boosty. @flyingspares

A farmer dies in April 2026. His son inherits the farm. The farm has been in the family since 1847. The farm consists of: 300 acres of grazing pasture, a farmhouse built in 1892, a barn, a milking parlour, two tractors of varying ages, a Land Rover that runs about 70% of the time, and a herd of 180 Hereford-cross cattle. On paper, the farm is worth approximately £3.2 million. This is because land near him has been bought recently by a London hedge fund looking for carbon credits, which has dragged the comparable value of every field within forty miles upward to a number nobody local can justify. In cash, the farm produces a profit of about £28,000 a year in a good year. In a bad year it loses money. The son also works as a fencing contractor three days a week to keep the operation viable. The inheritance tax bill on a £3.2 million estate, even at the reduced 20% rate, comes to approximately £140,000 after the increased threshold is applied. The son does not have £140,000. The son has never had £140,000. The son has £4,200 in his current account and an overdraft. The son sells 60 acres to a developer to pay the tax. The developer puts solar panels on the 60 acres. The remaining herd cannot be sustained on the reduced land. The herd is sold. The barn becomes a holiday let. A different family eats Brazilian beef this Christmas without knowing why the price went up. The Treasury collects £140,000. The land never produces British food again.

@rafredarrows @RoyalAirForce You may as well not bother.

With the 2026 season getting underway, Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Jackson, has outlined a change that crowds will see to the Red Arrows’ display this year and how the @RoyalAirForce is planning for the team’s future. #RedArrows | #RAF

@FUDdaily @SimonCarGuy Spot on.

Winding down the Red Arrows is part of a broader retreat of the armed forces from public life. The Royal Tournament was once a pillar of British culture, as was the great British airshow. There used to be a dozen RAF station open days, but now there is only one official RAF airshow - at which the F35 makes only a cursory appearance, and most of the line up is classic aircraft in private hands. We have stopped showcasing our military. It plays no real part in boyhood anymore - and then the same pinheaded accountant class wonder why nobody wants to join the forces and any sense of national unity is collapsing. They stopped the Royal Navy's Yeovilton Air Day because of Covid and then never re-started it, and I struggle to think of any military events north of the M62. The BBMF seldom ventures north of Bradford, and the main RAF presence is RIAT which is hundreds of miles away for most people, and costs £70 per adult. The airshow tradition is mainly upheld by small independent events, and though they are excellent, young people don't get the experience of being on an active military base. By the time I was of military age, I'd already been to RAF Valley, Cosford, Leeming, Culdrose, Alconbury, Finningley and Waddington. Because of this, while I never joined the armed forces, I have maintained a lifelong appreciation for the armed forces and take a keen intertest in defence affairs. Politically, we suffer from defence illiteracy, and we're making it worse because defence of the realm is not integrated into public life. cc: @thinkdefence @UKDefJournal

@EE Can you desist from continually sending my number voicemail messages.

@MintyGts @StigSpielberg If that was mine, I’d be telling my insurance company I want a new replacement.

@StigSpielberg I’d say that’s pretty close to being totalled 😞

In Salisbury yesterday. Everyone ok. But rear damage to a 992 is a bad thing!

@andyps1275 @Mr1000CR Saw them last week!

@Mr1000CR There are four in the Isle of Man Motor Museum - the other one is in much better condition!

One of the highlights from the car show last night was spotting this 1969 Fiat 125 'Samantha'. Had a good chat with the owner. Elderly gentleman, who used to PDI them when they were new. Been searching for one ever since, took him 56 years to find this one. Full video out soon 😎

@AutoPap Perfect!

Valet parking at the hotel $60 a night, car park is $35. So I park on the street and get a $20 a day fine to save money. Makes sense right?

@pcgb Has the site crashed?

@jonboy72 Wood wharf to be more precise.

Canary Wharf car spotting

@ShamiKalra Sir, if you please!

Almost every racing legend you can think of is at this dinner this evening. Honoured to be invited by Scott Borchetta

@London_W4 Looks familiar.

Mornin’. Had an horrendous night. Shock kicked in from yesterday’s fun and games I think. Anyway, I’m dressed in soaking wet clothes and boots, but the sun is shining and I’ve just walked to the tidal mill in Woodbridge and greeted by the most perfect sight to put a smile on my face: a lovely couple sitting by the harbour with their Citroen 2cv. All the best people have a 2cv. A lovely chat with them and now it’s time for breakfast and to figure out what to do today. I lost thousands of pounds worth of equipment yesterday which I can’t claim on insurance for. Lovely people have asked about giving money. Incredibly kind, but I don’t feel comfortable being given money for nothing. If you wanted to, then buying one of my books helps me and gives you something lovely in return. Here’s to a relaxing, sunny Friday. Cheers 🥂