The year is maturing, with tight green blackberries appearing along the lane, wasps on the prowl, and swallows fattening themselves up ahead of their journeys back south.… Read more “The HistWriter August 2022”
Tag: History
Shadows and Street Corners
Storytelling from Wexford’s past in this intimate courtyard space, tucked against the ancient town wall by St John’s Gate. Sinister tales of haunted people: haunted by the… Read more “Shadows and Street Corners”
The HistWriter May 2021
This month in ‘The HistWriter Newsletter’: my ‘Neighbours from the Bronze Age’ and ‘The Irish Bookshop Show’ produced by writers and readers in Wexford. I also feature… Read more “The HistWriter May 2021”
Peace Walls: a short story written in 2012
When I wrote Peace Walls in 2012 I did not foresee peace in Northern Ireland unravelling and hoped that time would bring healing. Free to read on… Read more “Peace Walls: a short story written in 2012”
At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month:
We shall remember them. ‘Hinky-Dinky Parlay-Voo’ is a free to read short story about the call-up, the media frenzy, and the popular songs of the day –… Read more “At the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month:”
Haunted by Workhouses
#HeartOfCruelty #Histwriter #Birmingham Wherever I had a job in the NHS – in London or the West Midlands – there was almost always an old workhouse, often… Read more “Haunted by Workhouses”
April Fools
An amusing post from the OUP for 1st April: ‘This April Fool’s day, learn from the experts’
Birmingham: The Great Working City
The heroine of my Victorian novel set in Birmingham has been out job-hunting recently. I have been her guide, with the help of an 1839 map, an… Read more “Birmingham: The Great Working City”
‘The Birmingham Rat’: Freeth’s cheese and workhouse dripping
If we understand attitudes to the poor in 19th century England it sheds light on our attitudes to the poor today. Being richer has not made us… Read more “‘The Birmingham Rat’: Freeth’s cheese and workhouse dripping”
Happy Birthday to the British Newspaper Archive!
See more (and more) on the British Newspaper Archive website…