Category Archives: history

Posts predominantly history related.

Dr Samuel Johnson, his dictionary and quotes

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

It is 308 years since the birth of Samuel Johnson, who wrote the English language’s most comprehensive dictionary in the 1750s. So this seems as good a time as any to express my utmost contrafibularities (see below) to the man … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, writing | Tagged Blackadder, contrafibularities, Dr Johnson, English Dictionary, Literature, London, Quotes, Samuel Johnson, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese | 1 Comment

Wilton’s Music Hall – Victorian London Comes To Life!

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

If you read my review of The Limehouse Golem earlier this week, you’ll remember how much of the plot revolves around a Victorian era music hall. Music Halls were once widespread around the entire country but eventually became all but … Continue reading →

Posted in Heritage, history, Life, London, Travel | Tagged East End, Limehouse Golem, London, Music, Music Hall, Theatre, Wilton's Music Hall | 2 Comments

The Limehouse Golem – Film Review

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

I haven’t spent much time at the cinema this year, that is mostly because I have been so busy but also due to the proliferation of those dreadful in my opinion comic book movies which rather take over the big … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London, Movies and Films, Popular Culture | Tagged Bill Nighy, Film Review, Jack The Ripper, London, movies, The Limehouse Golem, Victorian | 1 Comment

The Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894.

Posted on September 11, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

As a species we can be a pretty gloomy bunch. Capable of brilliance but just as likely incapable of seeing almost the blinding obvious. These days we are seemingly doomed on a whole host of issues. Climate change, the break … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London | Tagged climate change, horses, Life, London, Pollution, Predictions, Taxi, The Great Horse Manure Crisis of 1894 | 3 Comments

The lost and hidden rivers of London

Posted on September 6, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

It’s easy to see London as one big mega city with just one river, what Londoners fondly call old Father Thames. When the tide of the river rises and falls it is almost as if you can see the city itself … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, London | Tagged Charles Dickens, London, Maps, River Thames, Roman, Sewers, Sloane Square, Waterways | 6 Comments

A walk along the Grand Union Canal

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

It’s been a very warm and sunny Bank Holiday weekend in London and I managed to wangle it so that I didn’t spend every minute of it working. During a few hours of spare time I decided to go on … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Life, Science and Engineering, Travel, Ye Olde England Tours | Tagged Canals, hertfordshire, Star Wars, The Grand Union Canal, Tours, Travel, walks | 2 Comments

The London fences made from stretchers

Posted on August 26, 2017 by Stephen Liddell

Famously many of the iron and steel railings in the U.K. were removed and melted down to help the war effort in WW2. Whether a large city park or a private residence, chances are if there was a traditional style … Continue reading →