ON MONDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 2025, I was driving clockwise on the M25 motorway, having had a long overdue catch-up with a dear good friend of mine and her lovely family in Sussex, England, when I received a call from Caz to say that the singer Jimmy Cliff had left us to meet his maker.
Jimmy Cliff (30 July 1944 – 24 November 2025)
When people speak of famous reggae singers, they are probably most likely to think of the great Bob Marley first. This is understandable because Mr. Marley was a wonderful poet, musician and singer.
However, JC is right up there with Mr. Marley in his own right. In my view, the sign of a great artist, of any genre, is one who transcends over many eras and remains current and relevant. On that basis, JC ticks all the boxes.
Kos 2025
In one video I am playing his version of Johnny Nash’s classic, I can see clearly now, to a Kos video and the next I am playing his, Many Rivers to Cross, to a short video on my agreeing to speak at the Ethnicity Pay Gap Summit 2026 in London.
As with Mr. Marley’s, Mr. Jimmy Cliff’s music is as relevant and current today as it/they were YesterYear.
I HAVE WRITTEN about prostate cancer awareness many times, and each time is not one time too many if it helps educate and save lives.
PROSTATE CANCER is a disease that develops within the prostate gland. It is currently the most common cancer among men in the UK. Although it is a serious condition, survival rates are high: nearly 80% of men diagnosed survive for at least 10 years. It is the second most common cancer overall, following breast cancer. Approximately 55,300 new cases per year and, sadly, there are approximately 12,200 deaths per year.
ONE OF THE CHALLENGES of prostate cancer is that it often presents no symptoms during its early stages. I have heard this from friends who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Sadly, I lost a friend as recently as last year to PC. However, as the condition progresses, indicators may include changes in urination: Specifically, a need to urinate more frequently, especially during the night; sexual function: The onset of erectile dysfunction.
WHILE ANY MAN can develop prostate cancer, three main factors significantly increase the likelihood.
Age: Risk rises as you get older. It is rare in men under 50, and the majority of cases are diagnosed in men aged 50 and above.
Ethnicity: Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men. In the UK, about 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Family History: You are 2.5 times more likely to get prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it, particularly if they were diagnosed under the age of 60.
THERE IS CURRENTLY no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. I know some disagree to it, but, in my view, there should be. One of the arguments against it is that the available tests are not always accurate and can sometimes lead to unnecessary treatment for slow-growing cancers that would not have caused problems. However, the NHS provides the following testing pathway:
PSA Test: Men over 50 can request a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test from their GP, even without symptoms. This measures the level of a specific protein in the blood. A high level can be a sign of cancer, but it can also indicate other common conditions like a urine infection or an enlarged prostate.
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): A doctor may physically examine the prostate gland to check for abnormalities.
MRI Scan: If a PSA test suggests a problem, an MRI scan is often used to create a detailed image of the prostate to see if there is a suspicious growth.
Biopsy: The only way to definitively diagnose cancer is a biopsy, where small samples of tissue are taken from the prostate for analysis. This is usually only done if the MRI scan shows a potential issue.
WHATEVER YOUR VIEW, please ensure that you, a family member or a loved one get checked and have regular checks, if only for peace of mind ✌🏾and longevity 🙏🏾
SCHOOL GOVERNORS play a crucial role in the management and oversight of schools in the UK. I know. I have been a governor of many maintained and non-maintained schools from London to Surrey to Berkshire. It is very rewarding but highly challenging and demanding, especially on one’s time. Plus, it’s voluntary. Yes, one does it for free! However, the return on the free time invested by a school governor is seeing that each child, irrespective of race, religion, belief and or gender etc., receive the best education the school is able to provide with the resources available to it. Here are just some of the key challenges governors face:
1. Budget Constraints
With ongoing budget cuts in education, school governors must make tough decisions about resource allocation. They need to ensure that funds are used efficiently while still supporting quality education and essential programs.
2. Accountability and Compliance
Governors are responsible for ensuring that schools adhere to national standards and regulations. This includes compliance with policies on safeguarding, equality, and special educational needs. Navigating these requirements can be complex and time-consuming.
3. Changing Educational Policies
The education landscape is constantly evolving, with frequent changes in government policies. Staying abreast of these changes and understanding their implications for the school can be a significant challenge for governors.
4. Diverse Stakeholder Interests
Governors must balance the diverse interests of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, and local authorities. Building consensus and addressing differing opinions can be difficult, especially when tough decisions are on the table.
5. Time Commitments
Governance requires a significant time commitment for meetings, training, and school events. Many governors juggle these responsibilities with their professional and personal lives, making it challenging to dedicate adequate time and attention.
6. Recruitment and Retention
Finding and retaining skilled governors is an ongoing challenge. Many schools struggle to attract individuals with the necessary skills and commitment to serve effectively on governing bodies.
7. Crisis Management
Governors may be called upon to navigate crises, whether related to financial difficulties, staffing issues, or unforeseen events like a pandemic. Effective crisis management strategies are essential to maintaining stability in schools.
Conclusion
Despite these challenges, school governors remain integral to the success and well-being of schools in the UK. By addressing these issues proactively and collaboratively, they can continue to provide vital oversight and leadership in education.
TRAINING
We provide training courses – face to face and online – for schools and governors. One of our courses is on seeking to avoid and recognise sexual harassment. To book a course, you can make contact via our numerous platforms.
AFTER READING A FEW CHAPTERS of Kamala Harris’ “107 Days,” yesterday, I read parts of my The Observer (UK Sunday paper) before settling down to do some prep for the coming week. Then I recalled at a recent dinner party, the host mentioning ‘Celebrity Traitors.’ I am not a big TV fan – unless the Mighty Liverpool is playing or the news is on!
ANYWAY, I set aside 10 minutes of my life to watch it, thinking if it’s ok for David Olusoga to be in it then it’s ok for me to invest a fraction of my time watching it. OMG! As one who gets paid for cross-examining people, I find the degree of deviousness and deceitfulness fascinating. Let’s just say the said 10 minutes set aside turned into a lot longer!!!
I ATTENDED an interview of David in Edinburgh and have a ‘to Ryan’ signed copy of one of his books (I already owned others). So I am rooting for him, so that I can boast to have a signed copy of the winner’s book. Not so devious, more selfishness. 😂 Actually, joking aside, it’s all for charity. So good luck to all 👍🏽
ONE OF THE JOYS of doing what I do for a living is having the opportunity and or being able to help advise others on various matters concerning the legal profession. I speak in schools and love the raw, innocent, unfiltered questions raised by our young ones.
YESTERDAY, I had the pleasure of being on a panel alongside the former President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce FKC, FRSA, and Tim Clayton for the University of Nottingham Mooting Society.
IT WAS A PARTICULARLY SPECIAL HONOUR FOR ME because when I studied for my L.LM., I spent 2-3 days a week in Nottingham for 4 months, doing some legal work at a friend’s company before returning to London and subsequently entering chambers as a pupil at Gray’s Inn. Although I was not a student at Nottingham, the university kindly allowed me to use their law library for my reading (I came first in my year with an ‘A,’ so I have a lot to thank it for!).
WHEN I STARTED on my legal journey many moons ago, I had no legal contacts to whom I could turn for advice, let alone someone of the stature a former President of the Law Society. Today, thankfully, a more diverse cohort of students have such access.
I LOOK FORWARD to reading about these aspiring students and their journeys, whichever form they may take, in the future.
Wishing them all the very best in their good years ahead 🙏🏾
Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
UNPRODUCTIVE, without any question of doubt unless planned. I rarely have the luxury of planned lazy days, so unplanned days leave me thinking about what I could or should have done, or what I could or should be doing! 🤔😩
Oceanographic by Ryan Clement
The only consolation, which does not come anywhere close to outweighing the feeling of unproductiveness, is the small sense of some physical restfulness whilst the mind was working overtime, assessing the damage or impact of the unplanned lazy day! 😳
A FRIEND of mine asked me yesterday, how do I choose the music for my videos? After a little – not long – reflection, I told her it was instinctive. I just feel what is right for me, and simply add it.
LIKE MANY OF US, I love music.
I mentioned in a previous blog some of the many big artists and acts I have had the pleasure of seeing live; from MJ to GM to U2 and many more.
The peak of these artists is before my time but I absolutely adore them. Their songs and music fit any era and any moment.
HOWEVER, again, the choice of music depends on the tempo and venue.
FOR EXAMPLE, the choice of music for Vegas at night is and would be different from one chosen for a quiet night in Kos. For the record, I did not experience a quiet night in Vegas, but I am told it happens, especially since Covid, a story to which I shall return (Vegas at night, not Covid! 🤔).
HOWEVER, like when you write ✍🏾, you know instinctively – to use a heterograph – when it’s right!
I HAVE VISITED many SeaWorlds and similar places before. But none compares to Oceanogràfic in Valencia. It was informative and educational, as well as amazing. It was another warm day in Spain’s third largest city, so the feeling of being at or around the sea gave me a sensory cooling effect in this ginormous place, housing tonnes of marine life from all over the globe. 🌍🌎🌏
HOWEVER, WITHOUT QUESTION, the dolphins’ show was a standout for me. 🐬🐬🐬 Intelligent, entertaining and, like all inhabitants, I was assured, they were well looked after. There was a very clear bond between the dolphins and their caregivers. To me, the last showed.
OVERALL, it was a good mix of fun and learning about the ocean’s wonders. If ever you visit Valencia, Oceanogràfic is a must!
32 YEARS AGO, I decided to change my career from being a quantity surveyor to being a barrister. After reading law for 2 years, followed by 1 year at Bar School in London, I was Called to the Bar on the anniversary of today, 29 years ago.
ON THE WHOLE, it has been an enjoyable journey, which I would encourage any budding barrister to embark on. It is tough with extremely long hours and tonnes of reading, but rewarding, especially when one has made a significant difference to someone’s life. A lot has happened since that memorable day at Middle Temple Hall on 10 October 1996. The two people who accompanied me that day – my mother and Sue – are no longer present on this Earth 🌍 physically but are with me, as always, in spirit.
AFTER MANY cases, published articles, books, media appearances, interviews and videos, I enter my 30th year in this profession with, hopefully, all being well, more of the same. Until then…
Ryan Clement 