The school-day definition of noise was "unorganised sound". Another has it as sound "out of place". The word itself may come from the Latin noxia, meaning "harmful things". Music, classics masters, librarians, the Noise Abatement Society and all but the most liberal parents, were united in thinking it was A Bad Thing.

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1. York.

JK Rowling said Robert Galbraith was doing just fine on his own

How JK Rowling laboured to forge her new identity Robert Galbraith for The Cuckoo's Calling

‘Outed’ Harry Potter creator worked for days to sign crime novel under pen name

JK Rowling: the top storyteller of her generation will appear, like a seraph descended from heaven, to meet her public

Book review: The Cuckoo's Calling, By Robert Galbraith (AKA JK Rowling)

Whodunit? Now we all know, but enjoy the intrigue on its own terms

J K Rowling said she felt betrayed about her pseudonym being leaked: 'To say that I am disappointed is an understatement.'

JK Rowling 'angry' and 'disappointed' after law firm leaked Robert Galbraith pseudonym

The literary mole hunt to discover who outed superstar author JK Rowling as the creator of a detective novel written under a nom de plume was in danger of turning into a better whodunnit than the book itself.

The News Matrix: Monday 15 July 2013

Mandela going home, predicts ex-president

The most abandoned book was J K Rowling's The Casual Vacancy

Fifty Shades of Grey and JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy are all too putdownable

Just over 15 per cent abandon a book before 50 pages

Where are all the hippies? Business chief advertises for low-achievers

'Headed for a 2:2 or a third? Finish your joint and come and work for us'

The 100 most powerful women - 1: Angela Merkel

German chancellor Angela Merkel named most powerful woman in the world by Forbes - again

The Queen and JK Rowling only British women to appear in the top 100

Working form home of from your nearest coffee shop?

Turn your home office into a coffee shop (kind of) with website that produces that Starbucks ambience

So many people work “from home” at their local coffee shop now that many independent chains are forced to erect signs gently reminding these Wi-fi hogs to, y’know, buy another cup o’joe now and again.

<p><b>Jasperware, by Wedgwood, circa 1800</b></p>
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AN Wilson on Wedgwood

John Walsh gives a summary of the talks at the Bath Literary festival

Fireworks light up the sky above Olympic Stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics last night in London

Olympic opening ceremony 'most inspiring' 2012 television moment

Danny Boyle's triumphant Olympic opening ceremony has been hailed as one of the most inspiring TV moments of all time second only to the moon landing, according to an audience survey.

Jamie Oliver

Jamie Oliver tops Christmas books charts for third consecutive time with 15-Minute Meals

Jamie Oliver is celebrating a third successive year with the best-selling Christmas book after his 15-Minute Meals title again topped the festive chart.

David Weir celebrates with his son Mason after winning the men’s marathon T54 yesterday

Paralympic champion David Weir awarded freedom of the city of London 

Paralympic champion David Weir has been awarded the freedom of the city of London in recognition of his sporting achievements.

JK Rowling's The Casual Vacancy to get BBC1 drama adaptation

The Harry Potter author's first novel for adults is about a local council election in the fictional town of Pagford

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