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All in the month of June Climbing Annapurna Kitchener and that poster from the First World War The ground-breaking marriage of Martin Luther Mini is named the best-ever British car People who can’t see should not drive! Our polluted water systems ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates in the month...

It was: 500 years ago, on 13th June 1525, that German Protestant Reformer Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, a nun whom he had helped to escape from a convent. 250 years ago, on 14th June 1775, that the Second Continental Congress established the Continental Army. Later it became the United States Army. On 15th...

It was 75 years ago, on 3rd June 1950, that the first successful ascent of Annapurna in the Himalayas was made. It was a French expedition – and the first successful ascent of any mountain over 8000 metres. Annapurna is the tenth highest mountain in the world. It was the first time in a century...

Some 175 years ago, on 24th June 1850, Herbert Kitchener, the 1st Earl Kitchener, was born. This Irish-born British Army officer and politician became Secretary of War during the First World War, when he appeared on an iconic poster asking people to join the army. Kitchener already had a fearsome reputation, having been responsible for...

Five hundred years ago, on 13th June 1525, German Protestant Reformer Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, a nun whom he had helped to escape from a convent. Little is normally written about this phase of his life, but a great deal about him as a theologian and world-changing reformer in the Christian world, which...

What is your favourite British car?  Think of the Land Rover, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bentley and Rolls Royce. Then think of the Mini. That is what a group of judges for the Auto Express did recently, and they chose the Mini. Their verdict?  “Put simply, we reckon no other British- built vehicle better represents the...

So says a coroner, following a spate of four deaths caused by drivers who, in one case, could barely see his own steering wheel. Dr James Adeley, the senior coroner for Lancashire, has said that letting motorists self-certify their fitness to drive is the ‘laxest system in Europe’, and is highly ineffective. And, until it...

Raw sewage continues to pour into our rivers and lakes. Water pollution is up by a third, with some 2,487 incidents recorded in the last year alone. Last year, although firms were given an Environment Agency (EA) target of 40 per cent reduction in pollution incidents, instead such incidents rose by 30 per cent more....

All in the month of May Remembering VE Day – 80 years on The Venerable Bede – the father of English history who gave us ‘computer’ The Siege of Mafeking – defying the larger army The RHS Chelsea Flower Show – world’s greatest flower show Danger on rural roads The astonishing scale of Britain’s illegal...

It was: 1700 years ago, 20th May to August 325 that the First Council of Nicaea was held in what is now Iznik, Turkey.  It was the first ecumenical council of the Christian Church. 1300 years ago, on 26th May 725 that the Venerable Bede died. This English Benedictine monk, historian, linguist, translator and teacher...

80 years ago, on 8th May 1945, VE Day took place – marking Victory in Europe at the end of World War 2. It was celebrated as a public holiday, and came exactly a week after German radio announced the death in action of Adolf Hitler. In reality, Hitler had committed suicide on 30th April....

1300 years ago, on 26th May 725, the Venerable Bede died. This English Benedictine monk, historian, linguist and teacher is known as “the father of English history.” He helped to popularise the idea of dating years from the birth of Christ (Anno Domini – AD). Bede was certainly born into a well-to-do family, but we...