20th Century
Four Poems
I have visited the 1st World War battlefields several times. I have attended the ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres honouring those lost with no known grave and I have sat weeping in the [more…]
WW I
20th Century
Vote for War……….
The population of Shirehampton village in 1914 is not explicitly documented in available historical records. However, it is noted that in 1901, the parish had a population of 2,570. By 1921, the population had increased [more…]
Cooking
A View From (A Fallen Tree) Close By The Greenhouse; Remembering The Sacrifice
Storm Whatchamacallit had its way with our little village, although I’m happy to say (for more than the one obvious reason) that thanks to its primary direction of travel (from the south west) the damage [more…]
20th Century
The not so special relationship
In February 1944 Winston Churchill first used the term “special relationship”. He was describing the relationship between the USA and the UK. I have long wondered how special this relationship really is. Our initial relationship [more…]
20th Century
TANKFEST 2026 & The Tank Museum, Pt 2
The Tank Museum itself is worth a visit, regardless of whether there’s an event taking place or not. It’s a very large museum and could easily take a full day to explore if you want [more…]
20th Century
Troublesome Afghanistan – 1895 to the Third Afghan War
Drawing the line From 1895 until the Third Afghan War of 1919, Afghanistan experienced a period of relative political stability marked by attempts to consolidate internal control, manage external pressures, and maintain independence amid the [more…]
20th Century
Always Worth Saying’s Railway Review
One tires of the streetcars of Paramaribo, the mineral railways of the Amazon, and even of rural Albania in the 1980s. Railway Review’s roving reportage shall change continents and seek excitement (but not too much) [more…]
20th Century
Great Uncle Wally
Great Uncle Wally introduced me to Guinness. Well, to be fair Mackeson, its slightly sweeter cousin. A stout more adapted to the tastes of your average seven-year-old. Those regular Sunday trips during the late 60s [more…]
20th Century
A View From The Greenhouse…..Fixing The Foundations, To Build Back Better
On Sunday night just passed we were treated to the sight of upwards of 150 tractors, of varying shapes and sizes, convoying around the villages in this part of Cumbria be-decked in Christmas lights. As [more…]