Many people know of the city of Nottingham for its folklore of Robin Hood, Little John and the rest of the Merry Men who lived in Sherwood Forest stealing from the rich to give to the poor whilst evading the tyrannical Sheriff. What you might not know is that the city of Nottingham which sits… Continue reading The underground city beneath Nottingham
Category: history
Posts predominantly history related.
My new book cover – Secret Gardens of the City of London
I thought today as I’m having a relatively easy day (I hope) to unveil the cover for my forthcoming Secret Gardens of the City of London. This is the Kindle formatted cover which ends up being very similar if not identical to the one on iBooks and many other electronic retailers. A paperback cover is… Continue reading My new book cover – Secret Gardens of the City of London
The Abercorn Arms
If you remember on Monday I wrote on my walk to the home of the esteemed Edward Adrian Wilsonwho died at Antartica with Captain Scott. One of the reasons his house was located where it was at all was because it stood and still stands almost opposite was when I was growing up The Abercorn… Continue reading The Abercorn Arms
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
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
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
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
The ruined church of St John the Evangelist in Stanmore
With the never ending lock-down being met with never ending warm weather, I decided to go and join up the dots of my new Stanmore tour which I actually worked out dreamt up whilst writing my blog posts on the area in the last few weeks. For a spot of quirky history and some good… Continue reading The ruined church of St John the Evangelist in Stanmore
The 900 year old Swan Upping ceremony is cancelled
It is an historic Royal ceremony that has taken place annually for the last 900 years but the Coronavirus means that for only the second time, this ancient practice of counting the swans on the River Thames has been cancelled for the year. The Swan Upping census lasts for five days and was due to… Continue reading The 900 year old Swan Upping ceremony is cancelled
Stephen Liddell 