YES, I know yesterday was the centenary of Queen Victoria's death, but a lot has already been written about this long-reigning fertile lady, who was a great influence, not only over Britain and her empire, but the world. So I shall write about someone from the bottom drawer of history's filing cabinet: Benedict Arnold (1741-1801), a man about whom little good has been said or written. But, nevertheless, one who had much influence on Anglo-American relations in the 18th century, and his chequered military career has, I believe, had a bearing on those relations to this day.

Benedict Arnold was born into a respected New England family in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, under the star sign Capricorn. Some references give his date of birth as January 25th, which would make him an Aquarian, but Capricorn the goat - some might say a 'Judas goat' - is more likely to have been his sign.

As a strong 14-year-old he ran away from home and volunteered to join the colonial troops fighting in the French and Indian War. Soon disillusioned by the lot of the common soldier, he deserted and returned home; his youth saving him from military punishment.

At 21 he had become a chemist and bookseller in New Haven, and a few years later success in foreign trade earned him a captaincy in the militia.

At the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1775, he volunteered his services to the revolutionaries, and as a colonel took part in the capture of Britain's Fort Ticonderoga. More victories followed, he was promoted brigadier general, and became a favourite of George Washington, commander-in-chief of the rebel forces.

But his fortunes changed, and despite his brilliance as a military commander, his decisive defeat of the British Army at Saratoga, and being twice wounded, he had made enemies among the high command. He was found guilty of violating military regulations and reprimanded, for what might now be described as "misuse of service transport".

Embittered by his unfair treatment, mistrusting the French, enraged by the Franco-American alliance, and needing money to repay wartime expenses, he entered into a traitorous correspondence with the British commander-in-chief, Sir Henry Clinton, and agreed to surrender West Point (then a key stronghold commanding the Hudson River valley) for £20,000. But the plot was foiled when his British go-between, Major John Andr, was caught with Arnold's incriminating documents.

The unfortunate Andr was hanged as a spy. His treachery exposed, Arnold changed sides, was made a brigadier general, and fought for the British until they were beaten and surrendered at Yorktown in 1781. He then left for England with his family.

Hated by Americans and scorned by the British, Arnold spent the rest of his life trying to justify his actions in the revolution. His business ventures failed, and his offers to fight in the Napoleonic wars were refused. Arnold, broken, lonely and unloved, died unmourned a century before our Queen Victoria.

Studying Arnold's life and his leadership in battle, leads me to think how different the outcome of the American Revolution might have been had he fought for the British throughout the war. If he had and we'd won, America might now be part of the British Commonwealth, instead of Britain being almost the 51st State of the Union.

COUNCILLORS bullying local government officers - I don't belieeeve it! But, you can believe this: if something isn't done about having waste bins placed at bus stops, and conveniently sited salvage 'banks' made available for the deposit of recyclable materials, I shall start "bullying" councillors. Our elected representatives express much concern about the environment, but not a lot seems to be happening to stop the blight of litter upon our countryside.

Let's get Britain tidy and keep it that way.