Location, location, location. What can the Victorians teach us about social housing?

In this issue…As cover shows we look at changing face of social housing. There is a bit of chat of this around. Natalie Bennett of the Greens got in all sorts of twists trying to sound informed about answers last week. Adam Forrest looks at some of the estates bequeathed by Victorian rich fellows for the greater good. They’re being sold off and the people moved on. So what next? It’s a fascinating look.

Letter To My Younger Self is with queen of the shops Mary Portas. Honest about “shades of sexuality” and the influence of her late mother. Open and interesting.

Do you know what Rionnach maoim means? It’s a gaelic phrase which translates as ‘the shadows cast by clouds on moorland on a sunny, windy day’. Boom! Robert Macfarlane, one of the great nature writers of our time, pens an exclusive for The Big Issue. In the Pause section he explains how we can all work to save brilliant words and phrases that otherwise may be lost to the ages.

Staying with great words, we talk to celebrated screenwriter Jimmy McGovern. After hardhitting shows like Hillsborough and Bloody Sunday, he’s now written one with a few romps on the beach.

John Bird this week considers sugar and the problems – and temptations – that sugary treats bring. Meanwhile, Polly Devlin looks at memory, how we lose it and how chicken coops helped her want to train her brain more.

Our featured vendor is Keith Donohoe, who sells in Long Acre in central London. I’m not sure I’ve read a more uplifting piece on the My Pitch page. Go and have a read. It’s first class.

Can I also direct you to the books page where a woman called Anna Lyndsey tells her story. Because of a rare skin condition, she has to spend her life in darkness – all light is blocked out, windows taped, curtained. It is moving account of a difficult life.

There is also actor Stephen Graham talking knocked-off imitation Gucci shoes and emails from the Capone family, massive tongues of moths, Dr Johnson’s memorial in Hidden Britain.