Category Archives: This sceptred isle

“We believe in constitutional action in normal times; we believe in revolutionary action in exceptional times. These are exceptional times.” The words of James Connolly are at the head of a poster pasted on various street electricity boxes. Revolutionary action? … Continue reading →

Why was it necessary for the media to carry stories of the will of the Duke of Edinburgh being sealed for ninety years? As much as there was no public interest to be served in the details of the will … Continue reading →

Enthusiasts for the writing of C.J. Sansom will be familiar with the tales of  Matthew Shardlake, a barrister in Tudor times pursuing cases against the background of violent conspiracies, royal intrigues and religious extremism. The tales bring encounters between Shardlake … Continue reading →

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 →

Writing of Roger Luxton’s “rude songs” yesterday, I pondered where the Bratton Clovelly farmer might have heard the songs that he passed on to Sabine Baring Gould and which were revised because they were considered unsuitable for publication. Did Roger … Continue reading →