When I began writing novels, I was told that tany book would sell on the strenght of the opening page. You have to get the reader’s attention fast. You need a good hook to grab them. The hook is even more important in Journalism. Every day papers have headlines that shout ‘buy me’ and they … Continue reading
Posted in August 2012 …
The Paty Family of Bristol
Bristol’s Georgian architecture has always been in the shadow of the grand designs of the Wood family of Bath, who wer more developers than architects. Despite all the vandalism by the council over the years, Bristol still has more 18th century buildings than Bath, and they are generally better made, as they were mostly … Continue reading
Confusing Tarts
I thought I knew what the word tart meant until someone learning English asked how the term ‘ tart’ could refer to a pastry filled with somethng sweet like jam, and yet when used as an adjective, referred to something sour. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term tart dates from about 1400, and … Continue reading
Debunking Myths on Bristol Slavery – updated
I have just published a book which fits well with this theme. The Midas of Manumission: Samuel Gist and his Virginian Slaves is a fascinating glimpse of the Transatlantic world. Gist is little known in the UK, but in the states, he left a huge legacy to free and care for his slaves. The book … Continue reading
Slavery & Abolition Sites – Cambridge University
Peter Peckard studied at Oxford, then served in the army before becoming master of Magdalene College, then vice chancellor at Cambridge. The Zong incident, when 133 slaves were thrown overboard by the ship’s captain to claim insurance shocked the nation and like many others, it seems to have stirred this liberal into becoming an active … Continue reading
Slavery & Abolition Sites – Sunderland Bay
This is one of the most touching examples of what was happening in the 18th centuryand the legacy of slavery. Sunderland Point, Morecombe Bay, Lancashire Sunderland was once a busy transhipment port, so many people and goods from many places passed through the area. Sambo or Samboo apparently arrived in Britain 1736 as either … Continue reading
Led Zepellin – Hangman
I heard this today and was suddenly intrigued by it as a piece of history. As Robert Plant explains in this live version, it is an old English folk song that went to the States and became part of Leadbelly’s repertoire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xJ9f3HjmwY The original recording has a banjo weaving through it which makes me wonder … Continue reading
Slavery & Abolition Sites – Worcestershire
Worcester Cathedral Shrine of St Wulfstan, Bishop (c1008-95) Wulfstan, a very active, hardworking Benedictine, seems to have had great powers of persuasion as he is one of the few English clerics not replaced by the Norman invasion. By the 12th century Bristol had an unsavoury reputation for the ancient custom of kidnapping slaves from all … Continue reading
Slavery & Abolition Sites – Cornwall, England
Plymouth Birthplace of Sir John Hawkins (1532-95) the initiator of Britain’s entry into the African slave trade, a brave man who did much for the welfare of sailors. His father had pioneered England’s triangular trade with Guinea and Brazil 30 years earlier. The Pindar Galley called here in December 1706 en route to the Royal … Continue reading
Cuckoo Treatment for A Cuckoo?
I love wild animals, and full points for the various charities that support them, but I do wonder if the Leatherhead Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) have gone a little too far. It doesn’t help that the director of this charity is called Simon Cowell. An injured, parasite infested cuckoo was found in a garden in … Continue reading
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