Monthly Archives: August 2021

A place with no privacy

Posted on 10th August 2021 by Ian

When did our ideas of privacy develop? Was it with the emergence of an urban society where the sheer size of the population made anonymity possible? Was it with the growth of affluence, affording people the opportunity to close the … Continue reading →

Posted in The stuff of daily life | 2 Comments

Flights of fancy

Posted on 9th August 2021 by Ian

Being hard-nosed was a necessary prerequisite of rural life. In a farming community, there was no space for sentimentality.  Livestock were reared to earn money, fields were for grazing or growing crops. Idealism did not pay bills and people with … Continue reading →

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Fighting for yourself

Posted on 8th August 2021 by Ian

Fought in July 1645, the Battle of Langport was a significant victory for Cromwell’s New Model Army in its campaign against Royalist forces. The army of the Royalist general Goring was routed and driven back to Bridgwater.   Sir Richard Bulstrode, … Continue reading →

Posted in Out and about | Leave a comment

Unreliable records

Posted on 7th August 2021 by Ian

Uncle Dick died in 1971. A raconteur and humorist, he is remembered for many moments of laughter. Born in 1894, he married Auntie Annie in 1915. Sexton at the local church, he was caretaker at the local school on weekdays. … Continue reading →

Posted in This sceptred isle | Leave a comment

Scratch prizes

Posted on 6th August 2021 by Ian

A Porsche SUV with a personalised number plate was parked outside the convenience store. The driver was at the checkout telling the assistant what she wanted. Her requests were for a variety of different National Lottery scratch cards. Finally, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Unreliable memories | Leave a comment