16th Century
Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes was born in Alcala de Henares on the 29th September 1547, the second son of Rodrigo de Cervantes and Leonor de Cortinas. His father led a precarious and unsettled life as an [more…]
History
20th Century
The ’59 Trail, Part One
In May 1959 The Birmingham Mail introduced my uncle’s latest article as follows: Where will you find the last pioneers in this age when frontiers are shrinking every day? In Canada’s Far North – the [more…]
20th Century
20th Century
West Country Holiday, 1947
1947 In 1947, England was recovering from the devastating impact of World War II, which ended two years prior. The country faced significant economic challenges, including a severe winter in 1947 that caused fuel shortages [more…]
20th Century
G5E4 – Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll – The Start of The Later Years
Welcome pop pickers. Back to Rock ‘n’ Roll, the start of the later period. This is the sort of music that makes you want to tap your feet, dance, and singalong. Thank you to Wiki, [more…]
20th Century
2,4,6,8 Motorway
Back when motoring was fun…. Tom Robinson was singing this song about our road network to us back in the Seventies, when he wasn’t sharing his anthemic “Sing if you’re glad to be gay”. That [more…]
21st Century
Colonialist Le Grand Fromage, Part One
Le Grand Fromage Lands Although elected under the banner of the Socialist Party (which obviously holds pro “European” views), Hollande attempted to govern in the interest of the “Colonial Party known as French Colonial Union”. [more…]
19th Century
The Big Shift: The decline of Western politics
The big shift Of course, this is the Left, but also the Right, of the good old days. The days of gentlemanly conduct and of real sportsmanship during a debate. These were the days when cultivated, curious [more…]
20th Century
Thirsty Birmingham
The Elan Valley is a picturesque haven for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Nestled within the Cambrian Mountains region, this area is often referred to as the last wilderness in Wales due to its unspoilt [more…]