Right at the end of what is officially the most depressing month of the year comes a shaft of unadulterated sunshine.

A former police officer today admitted tipping off a suspect about a potential raid.

Sir John Rose will step down as the chief executive of Rolls-Royce in March next year, after 14 years at the helm of one of Britain's most successful engineering groups. The company announced yesterday that Sir John will be succeeded by John Rishton, a non-executive director, who is currently the chief executive of Dutch retail group Royal Ahold.

Sometimes Parliament – "this sacred place" as Tom Watson called it – looks less than transcendental. In yesterday's emergency debate, for instance, it looked like a turtle on its back flapping its fins.

Cor blimey! Cockney rhyming slang may have originated as a cryptolect to confound outsiders, occasionally including the law. If so, it failed, as most of it is widely understood far beyond Bow Bells.

Could there be anything nicer than ripe English berries? Whether served as they come – perhaps with the smallest sprinkle of sugar and a good dollop of thick Jersey cream – puréed with a simple sugar syrup to make a refreshing cordial or added to prosecco or cava and served as an aperitif, they are perfect to eat right now.

A policewoman has been charged after being accused of tipping off a person about a potential raid by officers, it was disclosed today.

These three dishes are simply the things that I feel like eating at this very moment, a combination of strong and delicate flavours. The gazpacho is sharp with an intense taste of summer herbs, while slow-cooked shoulder of lamb is smoky and powerful. And to finish this summer feast, peaches and soft summer fruit – gentle and delicate in flavour.

By the time you read this, I'll be sat in a field with my partner and son, Krishan, celebrating his third birthday in Cornwall. We decided to head to the coast for a bit of rest and relaxation after our second festival of 2010.