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Hello, I'm Sam Holmes, and welcome to Spectator Out Loud.

Every week, a few of our favourite writers read their pieces from the latest issue.

This week we'll hear from Michael Simmons and some of the most ridiculous COVID finds,

C.J. Farrington on the light and darkness of Russian culture,

and Aidan Hartley on the return of the Buffalo.

First up, Michael Simmons.

A fine mess. While Boris Johnson and Kier Stormer await the police's judgment, there has been no end to the fines issued to others

caught by their lockdown rules. At last count, some 136,000 fixed penalty notices had been issued in

Britain. Durham Police, a fairly easygoing force by COVID standards, have handed out just

190. Is it a bit mean to fine someone for having had a glass of wine or a beer at work?

Perhaps. But no more so than the fine still being issued under the lockdown rules that

Johnson and Stormer both voted through.

A student in Leeds was fined £10,000 for organising a snowball fight.

A beggar was fined £4 £4 for having his cap out at King's Cross Station.

A homeless man was arrested at Liverpool Street Station for being outside without a reasonable excuse.

Staff at a London chip shop were told to attend a business meeting during the second lockdown when work meetings were allowed.

They all received a fine because the police decided the meeting could have been held online.

A Devon landlord held a Christmas gathering for staff on the same day as the Downing Street Christmas bash

and received a £4,000 fine.

...