The Guards Chapel

On a Sunday morning in June 1944 the Guards Chapel was hit by a flying bomb during Matins. The whole building was destroyed, except the apse, and 121 people died.

Venetian Souvenirs

Poor, poor Venice; the footfall of overweight tourists is making it sink ever lower in the lagoon and the Adriatic is rising, not problems that will be solved here.

St Patrick in Soho

In London in the 18th century there was a concerted effort by rich Catholics and the Catholic Church to alleviate the poverty and misery of their less fortunate countrymen. The Benevolent Society of St Patrick (1783) and the older Irish Charitable Society (1704) are manifestations of this, (There’s a Welcome on the Mat), another is… Continue reading St Patrick in Soho

Anyone for Tennyson?

As far as I know there are no plans to tax poetry, if so it will hit me hard as anthologies will doubtless attract the top rate.

Norman Conquest

Whatever the UK electorate decides about staying in or leaving the EU, many of us in the British Isles feel a sense of identity with the Normans. Our genes, our language, our architecture, our laws can to a large extent be traced back to Norman roots.

Two Favourites

There is an annual cycle of events that’s peculiarly British. I’m thinking of the Birthday Parade (don’t call it Trooping the Colour), the Grand National, Wimbledon, the Chelsea Flower Show; events that the nation takes to its heart. One such tradition ceased in 2010.

Published
Categorised as Literature

A Shell House and Some Up-Dates

Barmeath has a shell house built in the woods in the 19th century as a destination for walks and picnics, I was surprised to come upon a 20th century one in the centre of London.

There’s a Welcome on the Mat

Camden Square in north London has beautiful architecture and is a designated conservation area. Behind the elegant facade of one house in this elegant garden square lies tragedy. Amy Winehouse died here in 2011. However, another facade hides a very different story.

Published
Categorised as Charities

Errata

Oh to be able to call this post Erratum. Looking back on old posts they are littered with spelling and grammar mistakes and inconsistencies. Yesterday provided at least one especially goofy example.