Grunt, howl; grunt, howl

Some items of joy in today's Guardian.

First, Madeleine Bunting starts an article with, "It seems churlish to complain". Dead right Maddy, it does and it is.

Secondly, Yana Buhrer Tavanier provides a witty defence of the free movement of people in the wake of Bulgaria's accession to the EU. " … there should not be any worries regarding Bulgarian plumbers. Why? Because they don't exist. I recently bought myself an apartment and the people calling themselves plumbers were anything but".

Third, and most importantly, is Sunny Hundal's launch of the New Generation Network, an attempt at democratising and liberalising the politics of communalism. "We reject the increasingly common sight of extremist groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir being feted by anti-racism organisations and politicians on common causes". Read the manifesto here.

Finally, there is a review of the return of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. Forget the Stones and the Who, who cannot swoon to their amazing rendition of The Sound of Music, thrill to My Pink Half of the Drainpipe, meditate on the profundity of Can Blue Men Sing the Whites? Jollity Farm is the only music I want at my funeral and to all my friends lucky enough to outlive me - you will have to sing along.