18th Century
History
19th Century
The Silver Pit
Some of you may remember that some time ago I wrote an article about my family tree research and how I’d discovered many interesting things about my family history. One thing I learned was that [more…]
Arts
Bottoms Up!
To these gloomy pandemic-filled days, I’d like to bring a little cheer. For months I have, of course, not ‘read the comments’ posted by this assortment of scoundrel and rapscallion Fraterculae. Without having viewed such [more…]
20th Century
19th Century
The Sharps Model 1874 and Reloading the 45-90 Black Powder Cartridge
Introduction One of my favourite scenes in one of my all-time favourite Westerns is when Josie Wales (played by Clint Eastwood) chased by Union Redlegs casually waits for them to reach mid-river on a hand-hauled [more…]
20th Century
A Massacre of the Innocents
Introduction On Saturday 10 June, 1944, while heading north towards Normandy to help counter the Allied D-Day invasion, German troops of the Der Führer Regiment of the SS Panzer Division Das Reich, committed an unthinkable [more…]
19th Century
Sit Down At Your Computer
QWERTY – Why? Sit down at your computer (or typewriter) and type a few lines. You can work out your speed and efficiency fairly easily – you have a rough knowledge of where the keys [more…]
19th Century
Can lost production ever be recovered?
It’s easy to blame Covid-19 virus for the nation’s woes and, up to a point, that’s understandable. People who focus exclusively on the nation’s health tend to pay less attention to the economic damage wrought [more…]
20th Century
Dad’s Virus
Music fades. Captain Mainwaring is in his chair at the Church Hall office. Frowns as he looks at the important-looking document in front of him. Sgt Wilson sidles in… Sgt Wilson: “Good evening, sir. [more…]