The tiny village of Bowes is a sleepy backwater with grey stone cottages, mansions and the ruins of an imposing Norman castle. But its quiet setting amidst the scenic North Pennines Hills hides a darker history. Bowes became famous for the “schools for scandal” in Victorian times. Its […]
Visit Zierikzee in Zeeland often cited as Holland’s prettiest small city.
Cresswell is a quiet backwater in rural Northumberland, best known for its golden beaches, historic medieval tower and stunning landscape. It’s a place of solitude and peacefulness except for a few hot summer days when it’s invaded by beachcombers, cyclists, dog walkers and holidaymakers from the local caravan […]
Clogs are one of the best known stereotypical images of Holland, seen everywhere from gift shops to window displays and traditional festivals. A few people still wear clogs although the trend today is for a lighter weight version. You can even get slippers designed in the style of […]
Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s most famous inhabitants, renowned for her diary chronicling the tragic story of her family during World War Two. Anne Frank’s family home is also one of the popular tourists attractions in the city due to the poignant story of this young Jewish […]
Photograph – The Chinese community in Limehouse, London Docklands c/o Tower Hamlet Library and Archives. The Chinese have been long overlooked in British history, but a new exhibition called “Chinese and British” at the British Library reveals a rich seem of ‘hidden’ heritage. As a teenager my parents […]
The Holocaust continues to cast a long shadow over Europe’s history after 80 years. Over six million Jews died in some of the most brutal and sustained atrocities ever inflicted on a civilian population. International Holocaust Remembrance Day is an opportunity to recall why it’s crucial to revisit […]
Remembrance Weekend is the time when we commemorate those who served and died during modern wars and conflicts. It’s an important way of honouring the men and women who fought for our freedom, democracy and liberty. This year, I’m focusing on the stories of seven of my family […]
“On a dark night, the ghosts emerge to fright”. That’s what people say about Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire, dubbed England’s “most haunted”. The notorious reputation of the castle has grown over the years with sightings of ghosts, unexplained apparitions and paranormal activity. Earlier this year, I embarked on […]
My fascination with vintage started when my family bought a beautiful 1937 vintage Morris car for trips to the seaside. The car is a Morris 8 Tourer in striking cherry red with a hood which peels back for ‘open top’ drives. At first, the trips just involved short […]