The Coincidence of Novembers

As it’s Sunday let’s start with an extract from a Sermon given by Patrick Nairne at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, on 30th October 1983.

Woolton Pie

When Margaret Thatcher, as she then was, made Irwin Bellow a Life Peer in 1979 he wanted, unsurprisingly, to be known as Lord Bellow. This was not allowed by the College of Arms which, I suppose, means Garter as he might be mistaken for Lord Bellew.

Sir James Cassels

Who was Sir James Cassels? He was born in 1877, the only son of an assistant clerk at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court. James learned shorthand at school but was destined for greater things than life as a clerk.

Published
Categorised as History

Irish Church Monuments

You may recall Homan Potterton’s first novel, Knockfane, published last year. This is his first book, published in 1975 when he was a young Assistant Keeper at the National Gallery in London.

A Mystery is Solved

Nero Wolfe solves cases from his brownstone on the south side of West 35th Street in Manhattan. I have got my own Nero Wolfe who solves problems from her home in Queensland, Australia. Brenda is related to me on the Hill side of the family through her husband and she is a a wizard at… Continue reading A Mystery is Solved

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Categorised as Local

Uncle George Remembers IX

“It was not long after this episode (being knighted by George VI) that my wife and I became aware that we lacked just one thing to make our lives complete – a dog, a faithful hound.