June 2020 – Page 2 – Stephen Liddell

Coronavirus Diary 50 – Of Woodlice and men

I remember reading Of Mice And Men At School, it was in the 80’s when it was politically incorrect to be taught Shakespeare which had lasted centuries and so we read significant work from the early 20th century which now too is seen to have its problems. Maybe it is time for someone to write… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 50 – Of Woodlice and men

Visiting the home of Edward Adrian Wilson – a forgotten hero who died with Captain Scott of the Antarctic.

Every now and then I write a post not quite realising the scope it will take on, perhaps once or twice a year I investigate something and it gives me something to reflect on all year and this is what happened this time. There is a house on Stanmore Hill that I’ve always liked and… Continue reading Visiting the home of Edward Adrian Wilson – a forgotten hero who died with Captain Scott of the Antarctic.

The Gilt of Cain

I wrote on Monday on one of my favourite Secret Gardens in the City of London, Fen Court. It would be a beautiful little space in any case but is extra special due to its connections with the Abolition of Slavery. One of the works of art has elements of a poem by Lemn Sissay… Continue reading The Gilt of Cain

Coronavirus Diary 49 – A thing of beauty

Traditionally gardens are meant to be a thing of beauty but when I started working on mine, there was nothing beautiful about it. Now there is a lawn and a patio and a little though empty raised bed for herbs and vegetables but on my nighty patrol with the watering can to keep the lawn… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 49 – A thing of beauty

Great British Political Insults

There’s not much that signifies the downward trend of society these days than the eloquence of politicians. Of course in Parliament there are all manner of procedures and protocols that go back centuries such as not being able to call someone a liar. These combined with the education system meant that politicians could literally speak… Continue reading Great British Political Insults

Coronavirus Diary 48 – A bit of this, a bit of that.

I’m continuing my self-isolation which is probably a good thing as typically for my luck, the streets and neighbouring villages around where I live have the highest Covid mortality rate in the whole-country per head of population. With the electrician gone I have spent the last few days tidying up which largely involves turning walls… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 48 – A bit of this, a bit of that.

Fen Court Garden and the Abolition of Slavery

With all that is in the news recently I thought it would be an opportune moment to write about Fen Court which is one of my favourite spaces in London. It’s in the old Roman city and is the site of the former churchyard of St Gabriel Fenchurch which was around by at least 1108AD… Continue reading Fen Court Garden and the Abolition of Slavery

Coronavirus Diary 45 – Paint me like one of your French girls

Every day since I took delivery of my little front garden bench, I have had an early morning cup of tea there. The road is always quiet and I share my time between watching the sun rising higher in the sky and watching the birds, bees and butterflies fleeting around my vista. These days the… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 45 – Paint me like one of your French girls

Visiting the grave of W.S Gilbert – the very model of a modern Major-General

One of the main things I waned to find on my walk I wrote about on Monday was the grave of W S Gilbert. I’m used to finding obscure graves amongst hundreds thousands in cemeteries a mile or more in length so finding this couldn’t have been easier. W. S Gilbert was one half of… Continue reading Visiting the grave of W.S Gilbert – the very model of a modern Major-General