News and Opinion

Through my experiences and reflections, here I draw connections between what I’ve witnessed firsthand and the world today. My aim is to offer an honest and human view, one that gently questions and invites you to see things from a different angle.

Baby in red bucket and nurse and midwife Anne Watts

News and Opinion

Déjà vu – all Over Again

In 1963 I was a 22 year old student midwife, newly out of general nurse training. Each time I held a newborn baby, announcing his or her arrival…

Anne WattsMarch 11, 2026

News and Opinion

VJ Day, 80 years ago today

VJ Day is commemorated every August 15th. This year for the 80th time. August 6th 1945 – the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima leaving 140,000 dead.…

Anne WattsAugust 15, 2025

News and Opinion

Lionesses come in all shapes and sizes

Our world is full of lionesses Not so much in politics, sadly. Football certainly. Let’s hear it for the European champions – England. Israel, Gaza & the West…

Anne WattsJuly 29, 2025

News and Opinion

The fall of Saigon, 30th April 1975

50 years ago today (more or less) An arbitrary date. Sadly wars do not end with the announcement of a ceasefire. It’s more messy than that. But that’s…

Anne WattsApril 30, 2025

News and Opinion

May 8th 1945, Victory in Europe

I was 4 years old on May 8th 1945. I remember my mother's tears turning to joy, so different from anguished tears of women waving their men off…

Anne WattsApril 8, 2025

News and Opinion

The Making of a Save the Children Nurse

Every Remembrance Sunday, like many of you, I watch the ceremony centred on the Cenotaph in London and through the magic of television we see moving ceremonies happening…

Anne WattsApril 7, 2025