The historic churches of the City of London contain many unusual and interesting furnishings and fittings. Among the most intriguing are the sword rests. You don’t really find Sword Rests in the rest of the country, perhaps because bringing a sword into a church may seem rather incongruous but in the City, the Lord Mayor… Continue reading Sword Rests in the City of London.
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The Devils Bridge in Spooky Lane, Hertfordshire
Not far from me out in the Hertfordshire countryside is a sunken Roman road, now sided by old trees with tentacle-like roots that top the high brick and flint walls as if they are climbing out of the road. Along the old holloway is a hidden bridge known by locals as the “Devil’s Bridge on… Continue reading The Devils Bridge in Spooky Lane, Hertfordshire
Jeffery Hudson – Lord Minimus – The shortest man in England
Last week I went to visit a dear friend in the lovely market town of Oakham and had the opportunity to visit the outside of a house that once belonged to another very special person. The smallest man in the smallest county in England, Jeffery Hudson. However though he was physically tiny, he lived a… Continue reading Jeffery Hudson – Lord Minimus – The shortest man in England
The Royal Oak Pub – Winchester
Having met with an Excluded friend, we decided to go for a drink and I knew just the perfect place. The Royal Oak is in part over 1,000 years old with parts of it dating back since 1002 AD. There are lots of old alleys and pubs in Winchester so you don’t have to look… Continue reading The Royal Oak Pub – Winchester
Paying respects to King Harold II of 1066 fame… a family member
As beautiful as Waltham Abbey Church is and it’s impressively large gardens and ruins outside it; for myself at least it is not the main reason to have always wanted to visit the place. For Waltham Abbey is said to be the final resting place of the final crowned Anglo-Saxon king (see my post for… Continue reading Paying respects to King Harold II of 1066 fame… a family member
Gog and Magog – The Guardians of the City of London
This week saw the annual parade for the Lord Mayor of London which celebrated the 693rd incumbent . Every year as part of one of the oldest civic parades in the world you might catch a glimpse of two fearsome looking but generally kindly looking wicket giants. They are the traditional guardians of the City… Continue reading Gog and Magog – The Guardians of the City of London
The old General Lying-In hospital in Lambeth
Do you remember last Monday I wrote about the Leake Street tunnel of street art? Well there is a good reason why the street carries that name and that is because it is just round the corner from the old General Lying-In hospital which was created at the behest of Dr John Leake. The… Continue reading The old General Lying-In hospital in Lambeth
That time the Duke of Edinburgh gate-crashed my walking-tour
With the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh last week it reminded me of when I met him. I remember at least two occassions though saw him in a non-speaking capacity at other times. One time was when I had to sing Run Rabbit, Run Rabbit in Maori to the Queen on Commonwealth… Continue reading That time the Duke of Edinburgh gate-crashed my walking-tour
Coronavirus Diary 73 – I got my vaccine!
Wednesday the 3rd of March was a big day for me for several reasons, I had another #1 book, The Budget was held in Parliament (more on that next time) and most eagerly awaited of all it was the day the day I was to get my Coronavirus Vaccine. As someone who spends so much… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 73 – I got my vaccine!
£xcluded Voices – True Stories of social injustice during COVID-19
As almost everyone reading this will know. I’m of of 3 million in the UK who has gone through the entirety of the Coronavirus epidemic with not a single penny of help even though in my case, it is both illegal for me to work and I’m recommended to stay at home alone (shielding) due… Continue reading £xcluded Voices – True Stories of social injustice during COVID-19
Stephen Liddell 