As it is the start of July, I thought it time to hold another caption competition. These I know prove popular with readers, including some who do not enter the competition but report that they enjoy seeing the entries. This month’s picture shows Baroness Bottomley, Chancellor of the University of Hull, speaking three years ago at the reception at the House of Lords to mark the 25th anniversary of my appointment to a professorship at Hull. As usual, the reader to provide what in my view is the most apt and witty caption will be the winner. The winner will receive a copy of Baroness Trumpington’s best-selling Coming up Trumps.
July caption competition
The Norton View 
We now turn to page 149 in the holy book of Legislatures. Lord, in your mercy, hear our pray…
“And the cake he brought to the interview was ‘this’ big!”
Lord Norton remains unperturbed by the flash of a paparazzo’s camera at the hall’s window.
Let us pray.
They looked like a dangerous crowd – the Baroness had her suitcase all ready packed for a quick exit
“The Lord be with you”
“And if we were to line all Norton’s publications back to back they would be longer than the Humber Bridge”
B.B. ‘Lord Norton’s wisdom can only be compared to divinity.’ LN smiles adoringly in acceptance.
The Lord is with us and has been for twenty five years.
Baroness Bottomley proposes her own version of Lords reform: Prayers should be read in the Lords by the Peer standing at the left of me.
Lord Norton is next up for ‘Peer’s Got Talent’ as The Amazing Juggling Ginnie gives a final ta-dah with her glasses and a Trebor Mint.
“And now for the next item. What am I offered for this ageing Professor?”
“I am absolutely thrilled to introduce A. Philip Norton, author of my Desert Island Book choice Norton’s Star Atlas“
After presentation in draft and subsequent scrutiny by a committee, Baroness Bottomley could finally introduce Lord Norton.
BB: ‘Only men with Lord Norton’s enormous brain power should contemplate donating to an NHS clinic.’ LN, smiling contented, worships with equal adulation.
“And Lord Norton’s publications occupy this much space on my new bookshelf.”
Baroness Bottomley sings a revamped Janis Joplin song
“Oh Lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz
even though you go divin’ in a big BM,
so you can make make some of amends,
why don’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz”