ACTION. Reaction. Thus Newton’s third law of thermodynamics is applied to demonstrations. First, Minnesota comes to London. Black Lives Matter and their sympathisers march in defiance of distancing rules. Statues are defaced and in the case of the Cenotaph, desecrated. The police, no doubt for operational reasons (like let’s not spark a riot!) thought it wiser to let this go while promising hell-fire and brimstone for the perpetrators. A week on and the young black man who tried to set fire to one of the Cenotaph flags has yet to be identified. Curious, as the photo I saw on BBC news shows his face quite clearly in all its malevolent glory.

Fast forward a week and Andrew Banks, 28, a Spurs fan from Stansted, Essex, was not so lucky in his attempt to counter-demonstrate. Having consumed 16 pints, surprisingly, he found himself caught short in Parliament Square. Where better to relieve himself than on the walls of parliament itself right next to the memorial to PC Keith Palmer who confronted knife attacker Khalid Masood four years ago. Banks’ pre-Raphaelite rear view was transmitted across the world. Shaven headed, baseball capped, white socked and trainered, he was the embodiment of the modern young oaf who thinks England can only be supported by inserting a third syllable into his moronic chanting. And while I complete the stereotype (woke trolls, don’t waste your time online) he’s probably an incel too. “Incel” stands for involuntarily celibate; those who want a girlfriend but can’t quite attract one. His urinating image gives a hint as to why. Apparently his father saw the photo and “persuaded” him to hand himself in. If only more demonstrators on both sides had such father figures. Banks is now doing 14 days in chokey for outraging public decency. That’ll teach him to take the p*ss.

When it comes to demonstrations, public decency is not often a consideration despite outrageous and indecent slogans on banners and placards. But there’s always that fine line when it comes to freedom of expression.

Meanwhile debate continues to rage over statues, with Baden-Powell in Poole threatened with removal but, after public outcry, merely boarded up, as was Churchill. Emma Soames had it spot on when she said on the radio, “My grandfather did have feet of clay, but the people who put up the statue thought on balance his goodness outweighed the bad.” When I was a cub and subsequently a scout we were rather more interested in the “good” offered by Baden-Powell in founding a movement which channelled boys’ enthusiasms into useful service.

Not much chance now for those who want a lasting memorial to Eastleigh/ Southampton boy, Benny Hill; all that blackface comedy, not to mention the leering sexual innuendo. His supporters will have to battle the permanently offended.

Thankfully, most of us have cooler heads and just get on with helping our fellow man. On Tuesday our Royal Patron at Enham, HRH The Duchess of Gloucester, followed the Queen’s lead in embracing technology during lockdown. She initiated a conference call to be briefed on how we were coping. Such support means a lot to all involved, especially those on the front line.

The Grange festival is streaming operas online. It’s not quite the same as picnicking in the glorious grounds at Northington, but very welcome, as are artistic director, Michael Chance’s weekly curated Spotify playlists with something for everyone.

These are the finer things in life. Last weekend Rick Stein, one of Winchester’s flagship restaurants, reopened for takeaway only and apparently did a roaring trade. We’re on the up and up. Let’s not get distracted by too much navel gazing.