lWHENEVER the conversation turns to issues of national identity, someone will reach into the cliches cupboard and, yank out Samuel Johnson's oft-quoted claim that patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

Of course, those who are even only remotely familiar with the father of the English dictionary will also know that the good doctor was, like so many lesser souls, not entirely consistent in such observations.

Throughout the World Cup period, there has been much nervous, self-conscious debate about patriotism, and whether its expression via a football game is a good or bad thing. Personally, I apply the JK Rowling law to this question. If the Harry Potter phenomenon encouraged children to start reading books again, then perhaps something as trivial as a football game will lead people to discovering more about their country's heritage.

l ABOUT a thousand knives have been handed in to West Mercia police as part of a national amnesty.

Of course, there was a time when it was possible to own a blade with a completely clear conscience.

Like many boys of my age in the 1950s, I carried a deadly looking sheath knife that was worn on a belt. This was common practice in those days - lads needed such implements for cutting baling twine, carving 'I love Maureen Gardner' in to a rotten tree and also for fighting any Commanches on the trail.

Now, such weapons are associated with crime. The loss of innocence continues unabated.