What are you scared of? It’s only a clown. Fears, phobias and the new Halloween frights
Issue 1177
In this weeks issue…Do you know what coulrophobia is? Course you do. It’s fear of clowns. This is a recognised thing. As Halloween approaches, Steven MacKenzie investigates this and other new phobias and fears. Such fears are necessary he hears, as bears and sabre tooth tigers are no longer trying to get into the cave. But clowns? Seriously? Also, take our phobia quiz. Here’s a taster. What’s papaphobia? Go on, answer – without googling…
During the week, Gary Neville, Manchester United’s great former fullback, told a number of homeless people they could squat in a building he and Ryan Giggs own before development work begins in January. It was an uncommonly evenhanded and decent response and it prompted a lot of conversation. Adam Forrest investigates the reality of opening Britain’s huge volume of empty and under-used buildings to those most in need. George Clarke and Nick Knowles have much to say, and we launch The Big Issue Fill ‘Em Up campaign.
Our Letter To My Younger Self is with 50 Cent, the former drug dealing, multiple gun shot victim, multimillion record selling hip hop mogul. Funny, moving, some great insight on Eminem and incredibly honest about his late grandmother – “the love of my life”.
Another smart hustler, from a different time and place, was Octavia Hill. John Bird pays tribute to the Victorian housing reformer who changed so much in society for those with so little.
In a cracking op ed, Damian Barr looks at modern feminism and the new Star Wars movie. Feel the force…
Our featured vendor Jeff Knight sells in central Bristol. He fled violence in Jamaica 15 years ago, spent three years sleeping rough and he is now such a local celebrity, that I hear local press are getting ready to feature his story next week.
Also this week celebrated sports writer Donald McRae details the incredible life of gay boxer Emile Griffith, actor Matthew Baynton talks Horrible Histories and Shakespeare, and I urge you to read singer Paul Heaton’s Peccadillo. It is quite something.
We also carry a fine 24-page finance special – for the sort of folk not always inclined to pick up the finance pages.