Blogs
The Royal Yacht Britannia… the end of a royal line?
The Royal Yacht Britannia; such an iconic symbol. The Queen even shed a tear publicly when the vessel was retired in 1997. In some ways, therefore, it’s no surprise that the recent sad passing of Prince Phillip has prompted discussions for a new royal yacht. He was the Duke of Edinburgh; and she now sits…
Read MoreA store should be like a song of which one never tires – Harry Gordon Selfridge
The title is a quote from a man whose vision, innovation, and creativity has delighted worldly and wealthy shoppers for generations. Harry Gordon Selfridge arrived in the UK from Chicago, noted its failings on the shopping front, and spotted an opportunity. And being the man of vision and means that he was, he set to…
Read MoreMalcolm Campbell – Man meets machine for the MPH battle
Malcolm Campbell was a determined man, no two ways about it. He demanded much of himself, his machines, and his mechanics. On Wikipedia he’s described as a British racing motorist and a motoring journalist, but in reality he was a lot more than that. And through his ever evolving iterations of Blue Bird (the vehi…
Read MoreCecil Beaton: A photographer with an eye for character
Cecil Beaton stamped his sardonic personality across society’s magazine pages for decades. But it was how he spread his innovative style across a breadth of subject matter that proved he was more than ‘just’ an iconic fashion photographer. Born in Hampstead, in January, 1904, Beaton’s childhood was suffused with middle-classdom and he was encouraged to…
Read MoreChristian Dior
21st January is the anniversary of the birth of one of the most iconic names in fashion; Christian Dior. Even if you’re not a fashionista you will have heard his name connected to stylish clothing, perfume, and accessories. And not without good reason. For though in recent times the name has become fully entrenched as…
Read MoreLeaping Lords and Turkeys Walking
A guest blog from Barbara Lee Hesselgrave It is the season! Plum puddings and Christmas cake, holly and mistletoe, candles and caroling, an abundance of red and green, the sparkle of silver and gold–our seasonal festivities are upon us once again. All this eating, buying and drinking; our brief but highly sanctioned non-stop pursuit of…
Read MoreFrom Saint Nicholas to Santa… It’s been quite a journey
Children may well be asking if Father Christmas will be dressed in PPE this year, despite the fact that his work isn’t face-to-face. But the prospect of his visit is still a very much needed pick-me-up for parents and kids alike. And with the thought of that joy ahead, we wondered just how this whole…
Read MoreTurning to history to dig deep for resilience
30th November is the anniversary of the birth of Winston Churchill, a man whose modus operandi is still greatly esteemed by world leaders today. In the current circumstances of a raging pandemic, influential people across the globe have quoted him in many a speech and interview; such is the way his time on this planet…
Read MorePearls – The Prestige Never Dulls
When Queen Elizabeth sat for the artist who painted what became the renown Armada portrait series, she offered us a veritable treasure trove of information – a timeless commemoration of the Tudor Queen’s success in defeating the Spanish armada. Her hand on the globe, the imperial crown in the background, stiffly seated in a fantastically…
Read MoreAgincourt; hell hath no fury like an Englishman scorned?
The 25th of October this year is the 605th anniversary of the Battle of Agincourt; a battle that has developed almost mythical status, what with the various versions that abound. But putting discrepancies aside, it does have all the ingredients for a blockbuster storyline, doesn’t it? Young and ambitious king; in a foreign land; troop…
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