To the Stars with Jocelyn
Space Astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell was born in Belfast in 1943 which makes her a contemporary of mine and a much admired one. She was a living role model to use in the promotion of equal…
Impressions of Kesteven
If Oxford is the city of dreaming-spires then this part of Lincolnshire is its rural equivalent. Elegant church spires of great height, stretch gracefully up into the sky, their tops disappearing into oblivion. It seems…
Stamford
Stamford is a wonderfully attractive place that allows no encroachment from the modern world. There is no Tesco Express, no Weatherspoons, no Superdrug, no Co-op, no Costa Coffee. All the architecture is Medieval or Tudor…
The River Aln, Northumberland
The River Aln passes by Church Hill that was once part of the village of Alnmouth. You may be able to make out a cross on the top that marks the place where the village…
The Ferry Hut
The Ferry hut can be found on the left bank of the River Aln in the village of Alnmouth, Northumberland. It is the smallest heritage centre in the North-East of England and probably in the…
Hamnet and Judith
It was a beautiful morning on Saturday 7th May when a large crowd gathered in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon to celebrate the recent planting of two saplings in memory of Hamnet and…
Shakespeare’s Day 2022
Today is Shakespeare's birthday and, after two years of restrictions due to Covid-19, the people of Stratford-upon-Avon are celebrating in fine style throughout the weekend. The statue of Shakespeare that was gifted to Stratford by…
Lake Windermere in March
When visiting the Lake district at this time of year four words spring to mind and they are water, wood, walls and wool. Here are four collages of photos, one for each word: There's nothing…
A Face Reappears in Stratford After 400 Years
new carving to represent Anne Hathaway by Corin Johnson It is not often in these times that a new stone effigy appears on the outer wall of a medieval church and very rarely in any…
December in Stratford
Have you heard of pace-eggers, soulers, tipteerers, wren-boys, galoshins or guisers? These are all old words from around the country for mummers. Mummers are groups of amateur actors who have performed seasonal plays across the…