Book Reviews
IAIN ROBERTSON Thanks to being cloistered away over the past few months, it seems that our nation has become increasingly book savvy and Iain Robertson has reviewed some of...
Welsh Witterings: Farewell to Laura Ashley – a Piece of Welsh History
The home and fashion retailer Laura Ashley collapsed into administration a few months ago after its attempts to raise capital to fund a restructure of the business failed,...
Five exclusive live readings of “The Little Prince” to cheer up dreamers throughout the world
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny From 29 June to 3 July 2020 Michael Morpugo in collaboration with the “Institut Français du Royaume-Uni” and the “Antoine de Saint...
Harry’s Ramblings. Soap Cameos
by Harry Pope Our future King, sipping what looks like whisky, in a television pub? Really, did we actually see that happen. Yup, it was in December 2000 when...
Taxi Noir: A Brief Perambulation around Fleet Street
People think that because I drive my taxi around London all day I know all the best places to go, or know all the history. I don’t. I haven’t...
Harry’s Ramblings, Sherlock Holmes came to Eastbourne
by Harry Pope I had no idea of the number of famous people who have lived in Eastbourne, but there were a lot of them. Sherlock Holmes lived here....
When I met Vera Lynn, The Forces’ Sweetheart.
It was sad news to hear about the death of Dame Vera Lynn at 103. She was a real Lady who brought a lot of happiness into the world....
Four acts have new singles out on May 29th
Nuala – Artemisia This Friday sees the release of “Artemisia” by NUALA, the second song to be released from her self-titled debut album. The album, produced by John Reynolds,...
Audi endured racing success for more than two decades
IAIN ROBERTSON The pandemic has upset the plans of many companies and events, not the least in the field of motorsport, which Iain Robertson suggests has been decimated by...
NGS Reopen Their Open Gardens!
Ann Evans brings great news for garden lovers! The great news for everyone who loves gardens and gardening, is that the National Garden Scheme’s open gardens are...
In Crime Honoured Tradition
In Crime HonouredTradition The CWA Daggers Awards 2020 Longlists are published. Ann Evans tells us who is in the running. If you love your crime stories, then you...
Coping with Coronavirus 22. Edwardian Parlour Games.
In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, people were a lot more trusting. Guests would arrive, armed with an introductory letter, or introduced by family or friends of their hosts,...
MALTA DIARY: Elaborate and extensive catacombs in Malta and a Punic tomb recently discovered probably dating back to 500 BC
ALBERT FENECH e/mail – Facebook: My Blog: The Carthaginians ruled Malta before they were ousted by the Romans in about 250 BC...
Can you trust our government with its future EV plans?
IAIN ROBERTSON Within what seemed like minutes of winning last year’s General Election, states Iain Robertson, the UK government was promising that 2035 would be the ‘termination’ date for...
Quid pro quo is a 40 years old quad pro quattro for Audi
IAIN ROBERTSON It is astonishing, explains Iain Robertson, how an invented word can become 4×4 synonymous with a German motorcar brand that also formulated a non-translatable expression, ‘Vorsprung durch...
A Trio of Cathedrals
Photos by Rob Tysall, Tysall’s Photography. Ann Evans tells us about her home city of Coventry and its three cathedrals. Most people are aware that the City...
Karl’s Chronicles 31; Tunisia, Small Land, Big On Diversity
Tunisia seemed to epitomise the bargain holiday destination for all-inclusive deals, those guaranteeing, sun, sand and long lazy days working up a King Midas tan, slipping casually back and...
Jean Cocteau and the French Riviera, an ever-lasting love story – Meanderings through France n° 216
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric Mouren Although Jean Cocteau died 57 years ago he still is a source of inspiration for present artists and beloved by many...
Dream trip with Robert Louis Stevenson in the French Cevennes
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny It all began with a broken heart in 1878. That autumn 28 years old Scottish author R. L. Stevenson decided to go...
NGS REAFFIRMS ITS SUPPORT FOR NURSING AND HEALTH CHARITIES
Ann Evans reports on the National Garden Scheme’s support for nursing and health charities in this time of crisis. In a new campaign led by Britain’s most famous...
Dream trip to Bomarzo, a fantastic Italian garden – World Meanderings (n°82)
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny This incredible garden was created in the middle of the 16th century for Prince Vicino Orsini, It’s located in a...
Mumbai Memoir 122- The duality of a city like Mumbai!
When tourists visit any world-famous city, they are taken to the historical corners of the town or to the famous tourist spots by the tour guides. The visitors innocently...
Trevor’s Wildlife Week. Bird Rescued hanging above Moat Pond East Grinstead.
Off duty Rescuer Daryl Farmer was about to go to the Gym at East Grinstead yesterday (Sunday 8th March 2020) when he heard about a rescue at Moat Pond...
The “Invalides”, a witness of French history since 1670 – Meanderings through France n° 211
ByAnnick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny We all know the “Invalides” museum for being the place where Napoléon’s tomb is, but this huge place has much more to...
Steve’s Sojourns. Strictly Come Dancing!
Strictly Come Dancing favourite, Anton Du Beke and his dancing partner and former Strictly star Erin Boag will join Emerald Waterways for an eight-day Dancing Down The Rhône river...
Karl’s Chronicles Article 22 Sao Tome & Principe: After Chocolate
In the first of this two-part article, we explored the Portuguese arrival to Sao Tome & Principe and the import of both coffee and cacao from South America, chiefly...
Harry’s Ramblings. Lecturing accuracy
I have recently lectured on the P&O ship Oceana, giving seven talks over a 14 day period. The first four talks had already been previously written and presented, the...
Being a cruise ship lecturer
by Harry Pope It’s a great life, lecturing on cruise ships on a topic that is close to my heart – entertainment. I speak about the great British comics...
A city-break in Paris side by side with Napoleon
By Annick Dournes & Frédéric de Poligny When Napoleon took power as France First Consul in 1799 he already knew that he wanted Paris to become the most beautiful...
Malta Diary Maltese blood in the US Washington White House? Could well be! Maltese diaspora rootin’ ‘n tootin’ for Pete Buttigieg
ALBERT FENECH e/mail – Facebook: My Blog: Most of the world has now heard of Pete Buttigieg, the Democrat striving to win...
Charles Rennie Mackintosh house to be extended.
Photos courtesy of 78 Derngate and Rob Tysall Changes coming to the famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh house, 78 Derngate, Ann Evans reports. Following on from...
Karl’s Chronicles. Article 20 Ghana: House of Three Colours
A plump lizard lay just behind a python, all coiled up like rope down at the harbour. In front walked a contented crocodile, tail in the air with a...
78 Derngate
Photos by Rob Tysall, Tysall’s Photography Tucked away in Northampton is a gem of a house that is totally unique. Ann Evans goes along to visit 78 Derngate. ...
Malta Diary The British Royal Navy and its impact on the Maltese Language HMS DEE and HMS DON still part of today’s Maltese tongue after almost 145 years
ALBERT FENECH e/mail – Facebook: My Blog: The French Mediterranean Fleet on its way to the Battle of the Nile toward the...
63rd BFI London Film Festival Review
By Dr Ricky Ghosh Dastidar The 63rd BFI London Film Festival took place recently, featuring a total of 233 screenings. This comprised 28 World Premieres, 12 International Premieres and 32 European Premieres. Many of the world’s most...
Bouncing Bomb Speaker
by Harry Pope The year was 1963, I was a 16 year old still at school with a part time job in a local hotel as barman, waiter, and...
A Rather Unusual Telephone Box
Photos by Rob Tysall, Tysall’s Photography It sounds bizarre but Ann Evans went along to Stratford-upon-Avon to see the unveiling of a telephone box! The work of...
Walking in the foot path of Salvador Dali, the Spanish Master of Surrealism – World Meanderings (n°77)
By Frederic de Poligny What could be the future of Catalonia, Cadaquès, Figueras and Putbol will forever stay as the Salvador Dali’s country. These three places are...
Jane’s Favourite Article of 2019. Minis, Marvelettes & Mary Quant
My Favourite 2019 Article. An exhibition to honour sustainable fashion Hot-pants and minis, panty hose and PVC… this was the swinging sixties and the age of Mary Quant when...
LOOKING BACK – AND AHEAD TO CRUFTS
Photos by Rob Tysall, Tysall’s Photography Ann Evans looks back to her favourite article of the year. As 2019 draws to a close, it’s fascinating to look back...