Arts
The Marisco Tavern
One or two Puffins may well be of a vintage where the adage “you’ll never forget where you were when it was announced that JF Kennedy was shot” rings true. SWMBO and I are fortunate [more…]
Arts
Going Postal
Requiem for a Puffin
I never knowingly crossed comments with Roger Ackroyd and Old Trout was just before my time, or others that have died in between for that matter; but Roger’s death has got my creative juices flowing. [more…]
20th Century
Nostalgia Album, Paris
This week’s first picture is of the unmistakable Eiffel tower. In 1952, without a phone mast, the landmark was 984 ft high with a viewing area 906 ft from the ground. We shall assume my [more…]
20th Century
My Leg Ends of Pop Music – Part Two – The Darkness
After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop. These are those groups or artists [more…]
Arts
Always Worth Saying’s Question Time Review
Question Time 29th September 2022 The Panel: Paul Scully (Conservative) Bridget Phillipson (Labour) Karan Bilimoria (Businessman) Anne McElvoy (The Economist) Richard Bacon (Broadcaster) Venue: Manchester Keep calm and carry on. Bigly triggered by the show [more…]
20th Century
The British Army Against Illiteracy, 1948
In August 1948 my uncle, John Alldridge, reported from Germany on the steps that the British Army was taking to combat high levels of illiteracy in the ranks – Jerry F The young soldier stood [more…]
Economics
Own Two Feet Party, Part 8.5
Introduction This is an additional article as I had no idea what to write when starting this series, and it held me up months. The article draws mainly on Peter Hitchens – A Brief History [more…]
15th Century
The Amazing Life (And Death) of Xpoual (Es-po-al) De Colon
There is no definitive date for the birth of Xpoual de Colon. It is believed he was born between August 26th and October 31st in 1451 in Genoa, although there are also claims that he [more…]
20th Century
Nostalgia Album, Orléans
In the old photo above we observe Orléans cathedral at the end of a wide cobbled street with a row of cars parked on the right hand side. Not its real name (Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Croix [more…]