Catch my first ever virtual tour at 4pm London time today (oh and I’m on the BBC again, Radio 5 1.20pm)

Following on from all sorts of big events last week, I’ve been invited by a local history society to do my first 1 hour virtual tour today at 4pm London time. It will be someone filming a streaming video on their phone with myself doing a commentary of sorts.  It’s totally free to view below… Continue reading Catch my first ever virtual tour at 4pm London time today (oh and I’m on the BBC again, Radio 5 1.20pm)

Coronavirus Diary 63 – Speaking out on BBC 3 Counties Radio

Normally I’d write a history or quirky London piece on a Monday morning but today I just can’t.  I’m far too exhausted.   I’ve taken part in a national Charity video, headlined the British news and had getting towards 3,000 messages, comments and inquiries and yesterday morning took up the kind invitation or BBC Presenter… Continue reading Coronavirus Diary 63 – Speaking out on BBC 3 Counties Radio

John “Mad Jack” Mytton – The craziest man in history!

John Mytton is one of those colouful characters that make history, especially British history such an interest affair.  It’s always nice when one comes across someone who was totally nuts and I always look at them with a slight mix of jealousy and admiration and just a little astonishment. Of course history is littered with… Continue reading John “Mad Jack” Mytton – The craziest man in history!

Robin Williams – Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside

The sad news of Robin Williams untimely death this week has brought forth the expected tide of tributes to this man who made millions laugh around the world and rightfully so. He wasn’t ever my favourite comedian, far from it, though I did like Mrs Doubtfire and much of Good Morning Vietnam which sadly I… Continue reading Robin Williams – Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside

The tragic genius of Vincent van Gogh

One of the things I was looking forward to when visiting Paris though was not the over-hyped Mona Lisa but the works of Vincent van Gogh in the Musee D’Orsay in Paris, one of the largest museums of modern art in the world. Van Gogh was a Dutch post-impressionist painter.  His work is nearly always… Continue reading The tragic genius of Vincent van Gogh

Depression is no laughing matter

Last week England were thrashed in the first match of the Ashes Tour in Australia.  Though many players performed below par, one player played particularly below his best.  His name is Jonathan Trott and anyone watching the game could see that he wasn’t enjoying himself.   He was described by Australian star David Warner as being… Continue reading Depression is no laughing matter