Arms and the Man

Arma virumque cano  (of arms and the man I sing) as Virgil puts it so succinctly in the Aeneid. A reader tells me a schoolboy hazarded this translation: “I sing of arms, men and dogs, sir”. I cannot sing but I do want to flaunt my Arms. The late Sir Iain Moncreiffe in Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully… Continue reading Arms and the Man

Thank You, Plum

September was a good month for Wodehousians. On the 20th we assembled in Westminster Abbey for Evensong and then, in a state of Grace but not Monaco, the Duke of Kent presented a memorial to PGW to the Dean, who dedicated it.

Having a Rest

I have decided to take a break from writing for a while. I need a rest.

The Men Who Built Downing Street

Many Prime Ministers have left their stamp on Downing Street, starting with Walpole who hired William Kent. The next significant intervention was by Robert Jenkinson. Who?

Vibrant Vallotton

Before I take you inside No 10, I must remind you of a post in May: Les Nabis.

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Categorised as Art

News from Downing Street

An unexpected invitation to Downing Street yesterday. A few privileged people working there could ask friends and family and show them round.

Wagner Postscript

A friend who came to the Wagner Prom earlier this week has made some comments which I’d like to share.

LRRP – pronounced lurp

In the late 1970s I was a Trooper in the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). One summer I was sent to a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) school in the Black Forest.

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Categorised as Family