Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of one of the worst post-war disasters in Britain when on an ordinary October day, a quiet village in South Wales literally had the world fall in on them. The village of Aberfan sat beneath the spoil tips of the Merthyr Vale Colliery. Throughout the 20th century coal had been dumped… Continue reading The Aberfan Disaster Remembered 50 Years On
Category: Life
A close encounter with a Brocken Spectre
Fear not, this isn’t an early Halloween posting though the word ‘Spectre’ is accurate in the spooky image that it relates to. In my last post on climbing Skiddaw, I neglected to mention that I was lucky enough to see a Brocken Spectre. These are rather rare natural occurrences though I am fortunate to have… Continue reading A close encounter with a Brocken Spectre
I climbed Skiddaw – Englands 6th tallest peak
For the week of October 1st -8th, I actually had my first days off from giving tours since February. I was exhausted and quite ill, and a week on, I still am though slightly less on both counts. Longer time readers will remember that I like to escape London to go to the quietest and… Continue reading I climbed Skiddaw – Englands 6th tallest peak
Helping people with loans and not donations
I don’t know about you but I like to help as many people as I can. If possible then I do practical things to help like carry suitcases up the stairs on the London Underground or assisting the elderly or people with disabilities on and off buses. I do that as many people don’t… Continue reading Helping people with loans and not donations
Portmanteaus from Brangelina to Brexit
Admittedly there isn’t much of a journey to along the alphabet from Brangelina to Brexit but these two events, which seem to have defined the summer illustrate just how much we use Portmanteaus from the important things in life to the whimsical. For those who are not sure what exactly is a Portmanteau, it is… Continue reading Portmanteaus from Brangelina to Brexit
The Bank of England issues plastic £5 notes
Tuesday sees the Bank of England issuing the first in the range of plastic bank notes which will begin the process of phasing out paper money forever. The first note to be issued with be the £5 note and will see Sir Winston Churchill on one side of Fivers whilst the Queen will keep her… Continue reading The Bank of England issues plastic £5 notes
A small step for man – A giant leap for my company, Ye Olde England Tours
It is now almost 3 years I started Ye Olde England Tours with the aim of providing a professional, friendly and totally personalised series of tours. Originally there were just 5 tours to choose from and now have 39 (with some new ones about to launch). 250 tours (85 of them in this summer) and… Continue reading A small step for man – A giant leap for my company, Ye Olde England Tours
Happy 50th Birthday Star Trek
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the airing of the first ever Star Trek episode on television, September 8th 1966. Star Trek was and remains one of the most beloved television shows in history and has influenced television and culture generally perhaps more ways than any other. It’s hard to define what it is… Continue reading Happy 50th Birthday Star Trek
3rd September 1939 – Britain Declares War On Germany
Today I was giving a tour of Chartwell House to two nice folk from Colorado, USA. Chartwell House was the home of Prime Minister Winston Churchill and is full of his old belongings from his radio to his cigars. Whilst we were busy enjoying the magnificent house, we came across a room-guide upstairs in the… Continue reading 3rd September 1939 – Britain Declares War On Germany
Saint Christopher – The Patron Saint of Travellers
As many people enjoyed my post last week on the story of the man who tricked The Devil, I thought I would post another similar tale which I myself only learned last week. I was working on a tour and taking some wonderful people around the old Roman city of St. Albans. The city has… Continue reading Saint Christopher – The Patron Saint of Travellers
Stephen Liddell 