Kingdoms of West Africa

Before arriving in West Africa, I knew almost nothing about its history or its kingdoms. I’d…

The Valleys

“The miner in the Rhondda, the coolie in Pekin / Men across the world who reap…

Mines and Stones – The Hidden Derbyshire

As you know, I live near Derbyshire and I’m more than happy to wax lyrical about…

Ripon: Cathedrals and Unicorns

Most tourists to the UK visit the same places; London, Oxford, Canterbury, the Lake District, and,…

Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

I’ve always been interested in history. But history on my own terms, about topics I can…

More Than Coal – An Overview Of South Yorkshire

See, South Yorkshire has a reputation. It’s not necessarily a *bad* reputation (we’re not dealing with…

Underground, Overground, Wombling Free …

As you may know, one of my ‘aims’ is to visit every county, unitary authority blah…

Newark & Southwell: Of Apples And Kings

“You scruffy man; next time I see you I hope you’re wearing socks.” If I’d ever…

Pendle Hill – Religion, Witchcraft, and Meteorology

Part of the Pennine range of Northern England, and geologically part of the same branch as…

Snip Snip Snip – the Cragg Vale Coiners

“I heard the coiners took the scissor to the Union Jack, with a snipper and a…

Don’t You Know There’s A War On?

As already noted, Haworth is most famous for the Brontës. However, on my visit there, they…

The Rise and Fall of Ashfield District

This is my walk to work every morning. Bentinck Banks and Portland Park, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. This area…