Tag Archives: history

The University Years: Making Friends And Nylon Pyjamas #university #bristol

Posted on Apr 7, 2020 by

In 1975 I began my three year odyssey at an undergraduate law student at Bristol University. Those first few days as I settled into university life remain very vivid. Today I recall my first evening in hall and a life … Continue reading →

Posted in Bristol, history, memories, miscellany, university | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

The London Olympics – My Part In Its Downfall: Part Two

Posted on Jun 28, 2019 by

Having won the bid, the initial euphoria diminished somewhat. Beijing still had to host their games and there was sure to be a lot of controversy there. In addition, in typical British ways, as soon as we’d done something successful … Continue reading →

Posted in experiences, history, law, London, miscellany, Olympics | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Thoughts On Notre Dame

Posted on Apr 20, 2019 by

I suspect you need to be in a very small minority to have missed the fire in Notre Dame this week. There has been a lot spoken about it: the bravery and skill of the fire services in their operation … Continue reading →

Posted in history, thought piece | Tagged , , | 60 Comments

Chatsworth: It Works So Why Fix It?

Posted on Oct 15, 2018 by

What does a wet T shirt, the Crystal Palace and a sycophantic peer have in common? Chatsworth It’s one of those very precise stately homes we British do quite well, like queuing and moaning. Built by an extraordinary woman in … Continue reading →

Posted in visits | Tagged , , , , | 44 Comments

Objects Of Curiosity

Posted on Sep 28, 2018 by

Maybe it’s just me but as you wander around a city like London which has a history stretching further than a Galilean fish supper, you are constantly brought up short by things like the above. For those who can’t read … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, miscellany | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments

Hidden History #deptford

Posted on Apr 6, 2018 by

Every Thursday I help out at a shelter. My journey takes me from New Cross Gate station along the A2 towards Greenwich. It’s a tired, tatty piece of south London which is also home to Goldsmiths College. I’m not a … Continue reading →

Posted in history, London, miscellany, thought | Tagged , , , , , , | 30 Comments

History in the here and now

Posted on May 8, 2017 by

Despite it being May, it is cold here, misty too, as Dog and I perambulate around the Park. Once crisp views of the city in a chill winter are hazed to a blur, technicolour leached to monochromes. The radio talked … Continue reading →

Posted in history, miscellany, thought, thought piece, walking | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Nanthology – The Final Journey

Posted on Nov 5, 2015 by

Nanowrimo is a compelling challenge to write 50,000 words during November: that’s an average of 1667 words per day. My plan is to write a set of 30 short stories each 1667 words long instead.  Each story comes from a prompt, a lot from fellow … Continue reading →

Posted in nanowrimo, nanthology | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

‘…history? It’s just one f***ing thing after another’

Posted on Jun 27, 2014 by

That quote is by Rudge in Alan Bennett’s brilliant play, the History Boys. There are several brilliant quotes on the nature of history in it, including: ‘Our perspective on the past alters. Looking back, immediately in front of us is … Continue reading →

Posted in flash fiction, miscellany, writing | Tagged , , , | 19 Comments