20th Century
Postcard From Kiruna
Having been presented with the key to the door, my wilful 21-year-old self used the opportunity to close the lock tightly behind him and allow the trade winds to billow his sails north, all the [more…]
Blog
Arts
The Staffordshire Oatcake: a regional delicacy
When someone mentions the word ‘oatcake’, what is it that you first think of? I’d be rather surprised if many of you will not, like I used to do, immediately think of the commercially produced [more…]
Arts
P’tang yang Kipperbang
This was one of the earliest films shown on Channel 4. It was broadcast on the channel’s 2nd evening on 3rd November 1982 as part of the “First Love” series – please bear with me! [more…]
Fiction
Christmas With Admiral Peabody
Introduction Well everyone, we’re rapidly approaching a new year as the winter months close in. I hope your 2023 has been better than mine. Let’s lighten the mood at least a little. I thought I’d [more…]
Culture
Can You Keep a Secret?
I would like, if I may, to share a secret with you, after all I am sure you can all keep a confidence. As I have mentioned before I have been travelling to Central Europe [more…]
Christianity
The celebration of nine lessons
The celebration of nine lessons and carols was originally devised by the then Bishop of Truro as a means of getting people out of drinking houses and into church on the evening of Christmas Eve. [more…]
Fiction
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
The haggard, ruddy-faced detective sighed heavily as he groped across the table for the tape machine. He hit a button and began speaking in the weary, nicotine-and-vodka drenched tones of a man resigned to keeling [more…]
Christianity
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Painted in about 1470/75, it is in the National Gallery. One of Caroline’s favourite carols: In memory of Caroline Catherine McNicholas 2nd October 1957 – 3rd January 2022 OldTrout
Christianity
Silent Night (Stille-Nacht-Kapelle)
The Silent Night Chapel (Stille-Nacht-Kapelle) is located in the town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg in the Austrian province of Salzburg, and is a monument to the Christmas carol Silent Night and its librettist, Joseph Mohr [more…]