All our fathers: Exclusive short story by Colum McCann

For Father’s Day, read an incredible short story from Irish literary giant Colum McCann – ONLY in The Big Issue. We also carry a great piece from publishing heavyweight veteran James Brown, who writes about what he’s not keen on his son finding out about his past.

Also this week:

• In 1979, 42 per cent of people in the UK lived in social housing. Today that figure is eight per cent – with a waiting list of around 1.4 million. Adrian Lobb looks at new documentary, Dispossession: The Great Social Housing Swindle, and reports on how we got to this point.
• The Magna Carta is granted; the decline of the Mayan civilisation; Sir Isaac Newton discovers the laws of gravity – these are a few of the notable moments in history that have happened during the life of a famous wedge of giant sequoia, which crowns the main hall at the Natural History Museum. Martin Bridge explains more about the fascinating field of dendrochronology.
• In Letter To My Younger Self, we have guitar hero Hank Marvin. He reflects on moving from The Shadows and into the light.

And, as always, much more…