A few days ago after 9 years or so of waiting, the Raffles OWO Hotel opened in Whitehall to a great fanfare of a no-expense party with royalty and other high-status people. Obviously it will come as no surprise to you to learn that I too was there, yes about 9 hours after the party… Continue reading My sneak-peak inside the Raffles OWO Hotel
Tag: Churchill
Echo Chamber Politics – What’s wrong with being offended?
I don’t know how it is where you live but over here, everyone who is anyone conducts interviews or media broadcasts in front of bookshelves. One or two come over as very poor excuses for a bookshelf especially for a politician. Others have those floor to ceiling type bookcases. I’m not sure why everyone has… Continue reading Echo Chamber Politics – What’s wrong with being offended?
VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
The 8th May 1945 was V.E. Day or Victory in Europe Day over the Axis Powers of Germany and Italy and for much of the world, an end to WW2. Many Western European nations have an annual WW2 national holiday based on Victory or Liberation Day. The U.K. never has as ironically Churchill did not… Continue reading VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
100 years ago Aviators Alcock and Brown made their pioneering trans-Atlantic flight
Today, millions of people cross the Atlantic every year thanks to commercial air travel, but it’s easy to forget that it had never been done less than a century ago. Glasgow born Arthur Brown was shot down over Germany during World War One, surviving only to be captured by the Germans and imprisoned. (Read about… Continue reading 100 years ago Aviators Alcock and Brown made their pioneering trans-Atlantic flight
Winston Churchill style icon? Siren Suits – the precursor to Onesies.
It was only 2 or 3 years ago where much of the world, or at least those perhaps lacking in sartorial elegance, was obsessed with an item of clothing known as a Onesie. Usually made for people who want a comfortable, cosy evening on the sofa or perhaps for those not going out on a… Continue reading Winston Churchill style icon? Siren Suits – the precursor to Onesies.
The history of 10 Downing Street and a peek behind its famous black door.
A few weeks ago I posted about a ‘fake’ Number 10 Downing Street and so I thought it would be timely to write about the actual Number 10 Downing Street especially as having written about historic and political situations for 6 years that not having yet done so is something of an aberration. After all,… Continue reading The history of 10 Downing Street and a peek behind its famous black door.
London VE Day Photos from 8th May 1945
Today is VE Day and I wasn’t going to post anything in particular but a quick search came across countless incredible photos and so I thought, why not! VE Day is a public holiday in several European countries such as France though incredibly not in the UK as though the 8th May 1945 saw the… Continue reading London VE Day Photos from 8th May 1945
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
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
20 of the greatest speeches of all time
I’ve always been interested in speeches and it always seems interesting how easy it is to pick out those that are naturally gifted orators with those who merely give it their best shot. Last night much if the U.K wS watching a parliamentary debate that was rounded off by the latest in a long line… Continue reading 20 of the greatest speeches of all time
Stephen Liddell 