I loved reading this. It was essentially for research purposes, but the characters that created and worked for the Hudson's Bay Company are so interesting it immediately became a page turner. Fascinating. Stephen Bown writes informatively and engagingly. He is never pedantic. The maps were helpful and it was good to be able to marry… Continue reading The Company – Review
As I gaze upon this naked page My brain is filled with anguish and sorrow, As the actor feels upon the stage I speak in words that I can only borrow.
I’ve chosen these more or less at random from the Miscellany section of “History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland – 1847".* The miscellany is sub-titled “Comprising the addresses of Clergy, Gentry, Partners in firms, and others not arranged under the Classifications of Professions and Trades.” I assume this means they were regarded as the "great… Continue reading Some Whitehaven Citizens in 1847
A Cumbrian Merry Neet [A Merry Night Dance] For my fact checking I’ve been re-reading “Jollie’s Sketch of Cumberland Manners and Customs.”* First published in 1811, it has some interesting info about Cumbrian Merry Neets. These were dances organised by an individual specifically to raise money – ‘to put a pound or two in his… Continue reading A Merry Neet
I’m standing looking at Katherine Mansfield’s birthplace in Tinakori Road in Wellington. https://www.katherinemansfield.com/ I go in and buy some cards for my daughter in law and have a look around. I really cannot say there is anything materially inspiring, but the walls hold her story which makes the place special to me. I am, so to speak,… Continue reading Musings on a visit to Katherine Mansfield’s childhood home in Wellington, New Zealand
From Lorna's Command Centre 