Advent Calendar Day 2: Frankfurt!
The Christmas market opens in Roemerberg square in Frankfurt, Germany (poor things, getting rained on…).
Petition to allow Anglican clergy to bless civil partnerships in church
Provided in the comments to my previous post, “Born This Way” and the Sanctity of (all) Marriage was a link to the following petition: Petition to allow Anglican clergy to bless civil partnerships in church. In December 2011, it became legally possible for civil partnerships to be blessed in houses of worship. Currently, Anglican clergy…
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{not the} Thursday Retrospect
Previous Thursday retrospects can be found below! Some were even published on Thursdays. Travel plans are afoot; Berlin in June/July, Kent in August and (I so hope) Positano (with Ravello and Sorrento, oh my god) in November. Recommendations for Berlin & Positano extremely welcome! It was my birthday! I am now 24, which is older…
In Memoriam: Postman’s Park and George Frederic Watts
Fellow dead Victorian things enthusiasts may well enjoy photographer Ingrid Newton’s latest, absolutely beautiful post on London memorials. I am a big fan of Ingrid’s work, but particularly enjoyed this photograph. Ingrid describes the Postman’s Park memorial to those who have died via acts of self-sacrifice. The designer, as the above image shows, was George…
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Joseph Lunn’s “Rights of Women” [1843]
While Europe’s eye is fixed on mighty things the fate of emperors and the fall of kings While guards of state must each produce his plan and even children lisp the rights of man amid the mighty fuss just let me mention The rights of women merit some attention. Mrs Blandish, Prologue (first played by…
Victorian Scandals & Glittery Skulls
Last night, I stayed up (too) late reading about family scandals, hatred, illegitimacy and death in the supposedly idyllic domestic life of one of my thesis’s subjects. The actress in question is Madge Kendal (1848-1935), an incredibly successful, powerful Victorian actress – and just about one of the biggest hypocrites I’ve ever (literarily) met. The…
Columbia Road Flower Market
The first Columbia Road market was conceived in 1869 as an attempt to wean costermongers from the streets. Today, the Sunday morning flower market in Columbia Road and nearby Ezra Street has become something of an institution. Selling cut flowers, pot plants, herbs, trees and even mature shrubs, the market spills out into back streets…
Stratford-on-Avon PPCs: Zahawi, Johnston, Turner et al (and why you should save your spin for the Bodleian)
My prized collection of spin, hope and lunacy. The John Johnson Collection, the Bodleian Library’s Archive of printed ephemera, are collecting material related to the General Election. If you have received any leaflets/postcards/scratch ‘n’ sniff perfume samples from your PPCs, don’t throw them away! Election ephemera can be sent direct to the relevant librarians –…
[Interview] AMERICAN AMAZON “I wouldn’t want some dumb actor getting credit for my language”
“Not that it is possible to “inflict” cancer on another human being, but I’ve never been able to say “I’d never wish what I’ve been through on anyone.” Emily is the author of American Amazon, and answered my Interview Meme a little while ago. She’s 25, and a brilliant writer, actress & teacher. We met…
when women didn’t have to follow behind with the bucket (1916)
Primogeniture hangs heavy over the female genealogist, which is probably why there aren’t more of us in the field. For length of service, my grandfather (a man of index cards, clan tartans and a handsome volume in purple) takes some beating; for sheer sleuthing, the mother who found two aunts after fifty years demands respect.…
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