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Ninety years ago, on 14th June 1936, G K Chesterton died at his home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Novelist, short story writer, journalist, essayist, poet, social/literary critic and theologian, he is remembered for his stories about the priest-detective Father Brown. Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in Kensington, London, to an estate agent father and a Swiss-French...

The BBC will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with a programme of American classical music this summer. That is while Donald Trump pursues his multi-million lawsuit against the corporation. But he is not the only thing that is making the BBC uneasy. BBC insiders are also wary of the shifting political...

The number of people injured or even killed by falling into potholes has increased by almost 50 per cent in just the last five years. Motorists, passengers and pedestrians are all at risk. From 270 incidents in 2020, it now stands at 393 in 2024, the last year for which figures are available. In 2024,...

All in the month of May The Great Exhibition that started the V & A Remembering the General Strike of 1926 Happy 70th Birthday, Eurovision Song Contest RHS lifts its ban on gnomes for Chelsea National Biscuit Day – 29th May I’ll take Manhattan ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates...

It was: 400 years ago, on 4th May 1626 that the Dutch explorer Peter Minuit arrived on the east coast of what is now the USA. He negotiated the purchase of Manhattan Island from the Lenape Native Americans for $24 worth of cloth and buttons. (Equal to about $1,150 today.) 300 years ago, on 25th...

Some 175 years ago, from 1st May to 15th October 1851, the Great Exhibition was held in The Crystal Palace, Hyde Park. More than 10,000 exhibitors attended what is regarded as the first World’s Fair. Prince Albert was an enthusiastic promoter of the exhibition, which was described by some as a reaction to the successful...

One hundred years ago, from 4th to 12th May 1926, there was a General Strike in the UK. It was called by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in support of 1.2 million coal miners. The strike lasted nine days, but had little effect in the long term. The aim was to force the Conservative government, led by...

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest, to be held 12th to 16th May in Vienna, will look a bit different as it marks its 70thbirthday. That is because Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain have opted out, as a protest to the inclusion of Israel in the contest, following the war in Gaza. That is...

Did you know that Britain is the country with the highest biscuit consumption in the world? According to industry research, we each eat about 500 biscuits a year. And the great biscuit dunking debate – over which biscuit holds up best when dipped in tea – can spark surprisingly passionate discussion. Biscuits have been part...

‘I’ll take Manhattan’ was a popular song in 1929. ‘First, we take Manhattan’ was a popular song in 1987. But someone else got there first. For way back in May of 1626, ‘taking Manhattan’ was exactly what the Dutch colonist Peter Minuit, of the Dutch West India Company, did. It was 400 years ago this...

All in the month of April Remembering Francis Bacon Remembering the musical genius of Richard D’Oyley Carte What’s orange, sticky and worth preserving?  < National Parks Fortnight – 4th to 18th April International Day for Street Children – 12th April It’s National Pet Month International Jazz Day – 30th April National Gardening Week – 28th...

It was: 400 years ago, on 9th April 1626 that Francis Bacon, philosopher and politician, died. He served as Attorney General of England and Wales (1613-17) and then Lord High Chancellor of England (1617-21). Known as the ‘Father of Empiricism’, as his works influenced the scientific revolution in Europe. 125 years ago, on 3rd April...