Mr Blenkinsop is quoted as saying, ‘The changes pave the way for schools to teach creationism’.

Why is creationism trotted out every time there’s any hint of religion playing a part in education. If every child, from tomorrow, was taught that the world came about as a result of creation and not a cosmic event, what would the result be? The origins of the world play a very small part in a child’s education. Any religious education would have very little impact on maths classes or PE. Religious education should, I’d hope, still involve an understanding of different world religions, French and German would still be the same languages, English would still require the reading of classic books and an understanding of grammar.

What should worry us more is that children are being taught that the world came into existence by some kind of cosmic event with no thought given to other theories. Even world class research scientists wouldn’t discount the possibility that there is something more behind the dawning of our universe than just a collision of particles.

See more videos in this series from God: New Evidence

This week BBC4 have been marking the anniversary of Live Aid with a couple of programmes that show how the concert was put together. It may have been one of the largest concerts ever put on but it was pulled together by Bob Geldof, Harvey Goldsmith and Midge Ure with bluff, smokescreen and an inability to accept the word ‘no’. If you can access the BBC’s iPlayer it’s worth taking a look at the Live Aid programmes broadcast this week – be warned, you usually only get one week to access them.

The concert was claimed to have raised between £40 and £50 million for famine relief. Consider this was back in the 80′s and you’ll start to realise what an amazing feat it was.

This was largely down to two events. One was Bob Geldof charging into the BBC commentary box because he was sure the TV wasn’t making enough appeals. He just sat down, looked at the camera and said, ‘send me your money’. He’s been misquoted a bit as he was reported to have dropped an expletive into the appeal, but looking back at the television footage it’s clear that he didn’t. He swore at the BBC commentator who wouldn’t give the phone number out before reading the appeal address.

Then there was David Bowie – even a huge star back then – he cut his set short to be able to show the following film.

You’ve got to feel sorry for the Who, who were the next band on stage.

The acts that appeared realised pretty early on that performing could make a real difference to their careers. While everyone was pretty good, two bands stand out for special mention. U2, who were a new(ish) band and Queen, who had been huge but had kind of started a downward slide. Both bands managed to command the huge crowd in their own unique ways.

It was a fascinating time to go and see the planes as the weekend was marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. When the Allies battled the German Luftwaffe for supremacy in the skies above Britain. In memory seven Spitfires, a Hurricane and a Lancaster bomber all made an appearance, the eight fighters flying together at the end of the display. There was also a mock dogfight with some German fighters making an appearance. You can see some highlights in the video below.

As a side note, there’s a really interesting website that’s been set up to mark the anniversary. Releasing stories in real time, there are tweets from characters that could have been around at the time and a daily blog updating the story of the battle. See 1940chronicle.com

Of course, what isn’t so easy to judge from this video is the difference in noise levels between the propeller driven aircraft and the modern jets. The Eurofighter with afterburners turned on managed to set off the alarms of cars parked at the side of the airstrip.

Bible translation in Mozambique from Wycliffe International on Vimeo.

But, I’ve now seen the launch video and have to admit that I’m more than a little underwhelmed. This should be a fantastic event with icons that really make Britain stand out in the eyes of the world. I’m not convinced by the video that these characters do that, in this country or anywhere else.

Anyway, that’s my opinion, you should make up your own mind. Wenlock and Mandeville are below, enjoy.

Today though it’s just the M40 that’s making a noise as all flights have been grounded because of the volcanic ash that’s floating around in the atmosphere.

If you want to know the affect that volcanic ash in the atmosphere can have on aircraft, the following YouTube video from Air Crash Investigation should be able to help. Don’t worry, nobody dies!

Although this is making things here nice and peaceful, you could spare a thought for those people supposed to be here at the weekend as part of the Engage orientation. Unfortunately, Stephanie Angus, who is organising things, was supposed to be flying in from Belfast.

Interestingly, this is a common question from English speaking nations. I’ve yet to hear an English speaker ask why we don’t teach everyone French or Spanish.

Anyway, Eddie took a stab at answering the question on film. Worth a watch if you have 90 seconds.