Gone, But Not Forgotten...

No, this isn't about people; it is about sporting venues.  I know it happens, and I know it's often done in the name of "progress", but I'm not really sure I agree with that statement.  The same as in the US, so many British stadia have in recent years been destroyed, some to make way for ugly and/or dull replacements, and  some to make way for housing or industrial parks.  Others are still sitting there, just waiting to be redeveloped.

This is the first in a series, focusing on different sports.  Going back only 40 years - to 1974 - here is a list of speedway stadia that are no more.

Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom...

Back to a bit of culture today.  Also known as the British Poet Laureate, this is an honorary position appointed by the reigning monarch.  The main responsibility of the Poet Laureate is to write verse for occasions of national significance.  In mediaeval times, the post was known as the versificator regis (King's poet),  Here is a list of all British Poet Laureates.

A Bit o' Fun...

With the sun shining here today, it seemed like a good time to post some "happy" stuff!  So, I decided to go back a few years to the glory days of British entertainment - the Music Hall.  I make no apology for my nostalgic tendencies...

Do What?

It's been a while since we explored some of the quirkier aspects of the English language, so today seems like a good time to return to the subject.  It's okay, I won't be setting any more quizzes quite yet!  These are just some things you might hear from Britons...

Forty-Eight Years Ago Today...

Aberfan is a small village in Glamorgan, four miles south of Merthyr Tydfil.  In the shadow of Mynydd Merthyr, a ridge of high ground between two valleys, it is a typical Welsh town, with narrow streets lined by small, unremarkable terraced houses.  From the early part of the 20th Century, the aforementioned Mynydd Merthyr was used to store debris from the local coal mines,  In 1966, tragic series of events led to the sleepy little village becoming known worldwide...

The Second City...

With only the capital city of London being more populous, Birmingham is often referred to as "The Second City".  During mediaeval times, Birmingham was a small market town. The industrial revolution brought international prominence as a manufacturing centre, and despite widespread damage during WWII, that has never changed.

A Bit of Glam Rock (Part One)....

Not a term that will be familiar to a lot of Americans, "Glam Rock" was a music genre that seemed to epitomise the British rock scene of the early 1970's.   Encompassing a number of styles, including heavy metal, art rock, doo-wop, and the psychedelic sounds of the 60's, the acts were known for their outlandish appearance and clothes.  While the fashions may have not lasted, the music certainly has.

The Senghenydd Disaster...

Tuesday, 14th October, 1913, is a day that will remain one of the worst days in British mining history.  Today is the 101st anniversary of a massive explosion which devastated a small Welsh town, and claimed the lives of over four hundred miners.

Some Random Photos...

Last week, I posted some photos of famous graves I have visited over the years.  Today, I will share a few other pics I have taken on trips back to England.  You may be able to detect that photography is something of a hobby of mine!

Thinking of You, Kirsty...

Kirsty MacColl would have been 55 years old today.  It is so tragic that the beautiful and talented singer/songwriter was taken from us before she reached even her 42nd birthday.  I am still very angry about what happened, as well as being heartbroken.  If you know Kirsty's story, I'm sure you feel the same.

Resting in Peace (Part One)...

I have mentioned that one of my hobbies is tramping around cemeteries, and in particular, seeking out graves of the famous.  Of course, most of my visits in recent years have been in the US, but whenever I go back across the pond, I do try to take in what I can.  Here is the first in a series of posts detailing some of the cemeteries and graves I have visited.

Not a Lot of People Know That...

Here is a little collection of strange facts about Britain that most of you probably didn't know.  Don't worry, there are plenty more where they came from.

Scottish Castles...

There are many wonderful old castles scattered around the British Isles, and Scotland is certainly no exception.  However, they are often a little different to those found in England and Wales.  It's not that they are any less imposing, but many of them look more like stately homes and palaces than they do castles.  Here are a few of them.

This Sporting Life (Part Two - Answers)...

Okay, I know many of you approached me about last week's quiz, but it doesn't appear that anyone could come up with the answers.  So here are the sports, and what each term means.  Some of the descriptions are somewhat simplified, so as not to confuse you more!