Archive for 2008
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December 2008
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Christmas Lights at Barrow-upon-Soar
A few days before Christmas, I went to the attractive village of Barrow-upon-Soar in Leicestershire to see the switch-on of the Christmas Lights.
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Cricket Society Welcomes Peter Parfitt
Leicestershire Cricket Society welcomed a distinguished former player to a meeting at Grace Road recently, and I was very interested to listen to his talk.
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A Happy Christmas to Everybody
This is the time of year when Christians have one of their most significant and joyful occasions, as they celebrate the birth of their Lord, Jesus Christ.
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Many Opportunities for Christian Tourism
You may know that many of my popular Coach Trips have an element of "Christian Tourism", the phrase often used today for visiting places of Christian significance.
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Illuminating Dress
I went to a fascinating talk recently entitled "Illuminating Dress".
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Derek Tells the Thomas Cook Story
Not long ago I went to a talk given by my friend, the local historian Derek Seaton, on behalf of the Victorian Society.
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Hungry Mice Inspire Silent Night
One of the most popular of all the Christmas carols is "Silent Night".
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Tour of the Newarke Houses Museum
The Community History Network meeting for December took a different form from usual this year.
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Salvation Army Band Lights Up the Winter
My wife Anne and I went to an enjoyable concert recently by a Salvation Army band.
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Working in Dagenham
Dagenham, in the part of Greater London that used to be Essex, is one of the many places where I worked during my early career in cinema management in the mid 60s.
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Day Trip to Weymouth
Weymouth was the destination for a Coach Trip that I went on recen tly as a passenger.
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Ding Dong Merrily at the Regency
I gave my "Ding Dong Merrily on High" talk recently in my capacity as an after dinner speaker.
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Literary London
"Literary London" is a book which all students of London heritage will wish to own.
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Ding Dong Merrily on High
As Christmas is getting near, I recently gave my "Ding Dong Merrily on High" talk.
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A Great Weekend in Yorkshire
Anne, my wife, and I recently spent a great weekend in Yorkshire.
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Haunted Walks in the New Year
The Haunted Walks (or if you like Ghost Walks) which I lead, especially in the historic Old Town of Leicester) are very popular indeed, and I am always getting enquiries about the dates for future ones.
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Cinema Manager Talk at Groby
I gave my "Adventures of the Bearded Cinema Manager" talk recently at Groby, a village a few miles from Leicester.
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Leicestershire Heritage Through Film
I went to an illustrated talk recently entitled "Leicestershire Heritage Through Film".
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Who Are All These Kings?: Edward III
Edward III was King of England for fifty years, one of the longest reigns in our country`s history, during the 13th century.
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World Travel Market
I went to another of the trade shows for people in the tourism industry recently.
November 2008
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Dick Whittington and the Lord Mayor`s Show
I recently found myself in London on the day that the Lord Mayor`s Show was taking place.
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The Unexpected Kings
Those vital committee members who have to find speakers for their societies` meetings may be interested to know that I have a new talk available for groups.
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Did You Miss the London Walks?
Many of you will know that twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, I have a day in London when I lead two different Guided Walks.
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Euro Bus Extra at NEC
I went to Euro Bus Extra recently at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham.
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Christmas Talks and Guided Walks
In the run up to Christmas over the next few weeks, I tend to be busy giving talks and leading Guided Walks in the Leicester area especially for groups on seasonal themes.
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Did You Miss the Thetford Forest Tour?
Well, if you did miss the "Thetford Forest Tour", you missed a great treat.
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Taste of the North East at Hampton Court
I went to the North East Roadshow, which is held annually and organised by Steve Reed, at Hampton Court recently.
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Working in Becontree
Becontree, in the part of Greater London that was once Essex, is one of the places where I worked during my early career in cinema management.
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Basher Talks to Cricket Society
A recent Leicestershire Cricket Society meeting featured a talk by Basharat Hassan.
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Objets d`Art at the NEC
I visited the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently for an excellent exhibition.
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Guided Walks Continue in the New Year
Quite a few people have asked me in the last couple of weeks whether I am continuing with Guided Walks in the New Year, as the current listing on the website only goes up to the end of December.
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Glenfield Youth Go Haunting
I led a private Haunted Walk in Leicester recently for members of Glenfield Youth Club.
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Ghosts and the Supernatural in Leicestershire
I gave a talk recently on "Ghosts and the Supernatural in Leicestershire" for Leicestershire`s County Library Service.
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London: The Executioner`s City
An interesting recent addition to the vast number of books already published about London is "London: The Executioner`s City".
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Weekend in Chesterfield
My wife Anne and I spent a weekend recently in Chesterfield. As we are both busy in different ways, it is quite a rare occurence for us both to be free at the same time.
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Popular Tour Around Vale of Belvoir
I led another of my morning Coach Trips recently, and I am glad to say that it went down as well as ever.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Edward II
Edward II was King of England for twenty years in the early part of the 14th century.
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Hallowe`en Tales at Thurcaston
I gave a talk recently on "Tales for Halloween", in the Leicestershire village of Thurcaston.
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Street Names Talk for Model Engineers
I gave a talk recently on "Street Names of Leicester", for the Leicester Society of Model Engineers.
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The Joy of Colemanballs
"Private Eye" have published their latest selection of sporting bloopers in book form.
October 2008
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Film Show at Claremont
I spent an enjoyable evening at Claremont Methodist Church in the Leicester district of Belgrave recently, watching a collection of short railway films.
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Walks Show Children Development of Belgrave
I led two walks recently for Anstey Latimer Primary School, Anstey being a village just outside Leicester.
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Leicester to Honour Joe Orton
The famous twentieth century playwright Joe Orton is to be honoured in his home city of Leicester.
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A Day in the Wye Valley
I had the pleasure of being a passenger on another Coach Trip run by Woods Coaches of Leicester recently.
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Angela Relates Leicestershire Murders
I went to a talk recently at the Lending Library in Belvoir Street in Leicester.
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"Sacred" Bound for Leicester
The highly - acclaimed exhibition "Sacred" is to visit Leicester in the New Year.
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Jalna Tells of Girls` Education
I went to the Community History Network meeting in Leicester recently.
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Fred Raffle Was a Winner
The Leicestershire Cricket Society held is first meeting of the close season recently, and it was a cracker.
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Working in Chadwell Heath
Chadwell Heath, in the part of Greater London that was formerly Essex, is one of the places where I worked in the early years of my career.
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Morecambe Bay and a Brief Encounter
I went as a passenger recently on a Coach Trip run by Woods Coaches of Leicester.
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Salisbury Trip Was a Great Success
I recently led another of the very popular Coach Trips which I organise from Leicester in my capacity as a Blue Badge Guide. This time it was "Salisbury".
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John Betjeman: City of London Churches
One of the finest London books, a real classic, is now back in print.
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Group Leisure Travel Trade Show
I went to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently, for the Group Leisure Travel Trade Show.
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Guided Walks in the Southend Area
I spent the weekend in Southend recently, and led a couple of Guided Walks while I was there.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Edward I
Edward I was King of England for 35 years in the 13th and 14th centuries.
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Cotswolds and a Steam Railway
I went as a passenger on a very pleasant Coach Trip to the Cotswolds recently.
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Event UK and the National Incentive Show
I went to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently, to attend two trade shows which are useful to me as a Blue Badge Guide.
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London Walks in November
Those of you who look forward to the Guided Walks in London will be pleased to know that it`s only a few weeks until the next ones.
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A Haunted Night for Lutterworth Ladies
The ladies of Lutterworth Townswomens Guild had a haunting experience not long ago.
September 2008
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Thurmaston Ladies Hear About Street Names
I was invited to give a talk near Leicester recently on "The Street Names of Leicester".
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Lots of Talks Available for Groups
You may know that I give talks for groups - Women`s Institutes, Rotary Clubs, Round Tables, U3A, churches, historical societies, Probus - anybody who asks, really!
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£350 million Highcross Opens in Leicester
Yesterday (Thursday 4th September) was a very important day for Leicester, with the opening of the Highcross shopping centre.
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A Day in the Cotswolds and on the Thames
I had a day out recently on another Coach Trip run by Woods Coaches of Leicester.
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Forty Five Years Giving Pleasure to the Public
Today is an important annversary for me, as it is forty five years since I entered the world of entertainment, leisure, tourism and the arts!
August 2008
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Did You Miss the Free Guided Walks?
Once again, over the Bank Holiday weekend, I led the Free Expo Walks in Leicester.
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Welcome Talk for Saga Visitors to Leicester
I gave a talk recently for visitors to Leicester who were on one of Saga`s excellent week long holidays.
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Working in East Ham
East Ham, in the area of East London formerly in Essex, is one of the places where I briefly worked during my long career in cinema management.
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Northants Tour Was a Delight
Recently, I led another of the morning Coach Trips. This time it was "Northamptonshire Delights Tour".
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Welcome to Leicester for Saga Visitors
There was another Saga Holidays week in Leicester recently, and as part of the programme I gave my usual talk of welcome to the city.
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Images of Leicester
A book that will be of great interest to anybody interested in the history of Leicester is "Images of Leicester".
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Brian Relates History of Prefabs
The recent Community History Network meeting in Leicester had the story of prefabs as the subject of the talk.
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Saga Holidaymakers Hear About Leicester
A party of visitors who had booked through Saga Holidays were treated recently to a talk about Leicester and the surrounding countryside.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Simon
Simon de Montfort rarely, if ever, features in lists of Kings of England.
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Beautiful Things at the NEC
Beautiful things were the order of the day when I went to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham recently.
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Saga Visitors Hear About Leicester
I gave my talk to Saga Holidays visitors to Leicester recently, at the John Foster Hall at Leicester University.
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Top European Free Attractions are in UK
A recent survey has shown that, of the top ten free tourist attractions in Europe, four are in the United Kingdom.
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Young Wives Stroll Beside the Water
I led a Guided Walk beside a canal recently for members of the Fleckney Young Wives.
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Saga Visitors Welcomed to Leicester
Saga Holidays have been arranging successful holidays in Leicester over the last few years, and I give a talk to those taking part early in the week.
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Essex Win Lords Cup Final
Congratulations to Essex County Cricket Club, on their victory in the Friends Provident Cup Final at Lords. The veteran Grant Flower was the star this time, with 70 not out.
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Midweek Break in Southend
My wife Anne and I had a well-earned break recently in Southend, my home town. It was only a couple of days, but that`s about as much as we can ever manage.
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University Visitors Shown Leicester
I took a party of visitors to Leicester University on a short walk in Leicester recently.
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Sculpture in University Garden
There is an exhibition of sculpture running at the moment in Leicester University`s beautiful Botanic Garden.
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Shakespeare Country Tour Voted a Hit
I recently took a party from the Leicester area on a Coach Trip entitled "Shakespeare Country Tour ".
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Shakespeare Country Tour Voted a Hit
I recently took a party from the Leicester area on a Coach Trip entitled "Shakespeare Country Tour ".
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St. Albans Festival Pilgrimage
My wife Anne and I had a really good day in St. Albans recently.
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New Talk Available on Living By the Sea
I have a new talk available, which hopefully will be of interest to groups who bring in speakers for their meetings.
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Tour Around Elgar`s England
I recently went as a passenger on another of the Coach Trips run by Woods Coaches of Leicester.
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A Day on the Suffolk Coast
I went on another Coach Trip recently, this time to two delightful towns on the Suffolk coast.
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Free Guided Walks in Leicester
If you have always fancied going on some of the famous Guided Walks around Leicester, but were not quite sure whether they are really your sort of thing, you have an opportunity to sample some free over the Bank Holiday weekend.
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Get Away Show at Milton Keynes
I went to a travel trade show at Milton Keynes not long ago.
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Baptists Shown Faith in Leicester
Places of worship in Leicester were the subject of a private Guided Walk which I led recently.
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Disaster Hits Weston-super-Mare
A huge fire broke out on the Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare on 28th July.
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Everyone Loved the Rutland Tour
I led one of my morning Coach Trips recently - this time it was the Rutland Tour.
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Llangollen and the Railway
I went on another of Woods Coaches trips recently, this time to Llangollen in North Wales.
July 2008
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Working in Dalston
I worked very briefly in Dalston in the early 1960s.
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The Illustrious Earls of Leicester
I gave a debut recently to my new talk "The Illustrious Earls of Leicester".
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Did You Miss the Southend Trip?
A very popular Coach Trip which I organised recently was to Southend, the lovely seaside resort in Essex. This is my home town, so it`s always nice for me to go back when I can.
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In Search of the Knights Templar
An excellent book for anybody interested in our mediaeval history is "In Search of the Knights Templar".
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A Relaxing Day in Norfolk
I went on one of the Coach Trips run by Woods Coaches of Leicester recently.
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Cinema Reminiscences at Royce Institute
I gave a talk recently to members of the Royce Institute in Leicester.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Henry III
Henry III was King of England for a large portion of the 13th century.
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Leicestershire County Show
I attended the Leicestershire County Show recently.
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Cinema Talk at Birstall
I gave a talk recently to the Co-op Retired Employees at their club house at Birstall.
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Donington to Host Grand Prix Races
Excellent news for Leicestershire is that from 2010 the British Grand Prix is to move from Silverstone to Donington Park.
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Stepping Stones to a Haunted Evening
Not long ago, I led a Ghost Walk especially for members of the Leicester group Stepping Stones.
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Weekend in Norfolk
My wife Anne and I had a weekend in Norfolk recently.
June 2008
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Carrog
Carrog is a small village in North Wales.
May 2008
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St. George of England
I gave a talk on St. George`s Day on "St. George of England".
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Darlington
Darlington is a large market town and industrial centre in County Durham, 18 miles from Durham.
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Meet the Players Session at Grace Road
I went to an interesting meeting recently organised by the Leicestershire Cricket Society at Grace Road in Leicester.
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The Joys of SatNav
Not unlike a lot of inventions, SatNav can be an excellent help in getting to a destination, so long as it`s treated as that - a help, rather than something to be relied on and trusted to the exclusion of more traditional methods.
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Having Fun When You Retire
The Adult Education Centre in Leicester was the venue for a talk which I gave recently.
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Bodyworlds 4 at Manchester
I went to Manchester recently to see "Bodyworlds 4".
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A New Talk About St. George
Those who are responsible for finding people to give talks to groups will be interested in a new talk about St. George which is now available.
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Excellent Day Out in Norfolk
I went as a passenger recently on a Coach Trip to the Norfolk coast.
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Everyone Loved the Kent Tour
I recently led another Coach Trip, this time called the Kent Tour.
April 2008
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Working in Baker Street
Many years ago, I worked very briefly in Baker Street in London.
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Norman Tells of His Working Life
The recent Community History Network meeting in Leicester was even more enjoyable than usual.
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Did You Miss the London Walks?
I led my Spring Guided Walks in London recently. If you didn't take part, you missed a couple of treats!
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The Subterranean Railway
An excellent book for anybody interested in the history either of London or of public transport is "The Subterranean Railway", by Christian Wolmar.
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Day Out By Coach in Suffolk
I went on a most enjoyable Coach Trip as a passenger recently. This time it was a Suffolk Villages Tour.
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Antiques for Everyone at NEC
I had the pleasure recently of attending another Antiques for Everyone event.
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Wells-next-the-Sea
Wells-next-the-Sea is a small working harbour town on the North Norfolk coast, 20 miles from Cromer.
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Enjoy the Waterside Walks on Tuesday Evenings
One of the things that I am often asked is "Are you running the Waterside Walks again this year?"
March 2008
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Farming Ladies Explore Lutterworth
I led a Guided Walk recently around the historic Leicestershire market town of Lutterworth.
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Christ in the Centre
As usual, I partook of the big Good Friday event in Leicester City Centre.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Louis
Louis was regarded by many as King of England for a short period in 1216, although he is rarely found in the history books.
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A Haunted Night for Alliance and Leicester
I led a Ghost Walk recently for the Alliance and Leicester.
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Excellent Day Trip to Whitby
I went on another of Woods Coaches trips recently. This time it was to the popular and very historic Yorkshire town of Whitby.
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Free Local Bus Rides All Over England
People in England who are over 60 years old or have a disability are to get free bus travel anywhere in the country, from 1st April.
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Day Trip to Hereford and Worcester
I had a good day recently on a Coach Trip with Woods Coaches of Leicester.
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British Travel Trade Fair 2008
The British Travel Trade Fair for 2008 was held recently, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) at Birmingham.
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This Year's London Walks
Some readers may know that a couple of times a year I go to London and lead Guided Walks there.
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Controversial Talk by David Frith
I attended another meeting of the Leicestershire Cricket Society recently.
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Everyone Loved Staffordshire Borders Tour
Another of my popular morning Coach Trips took place recently.
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Where to Find All These Kings
Included in this Journal is a series of articles entitled "Who Are All These Kings?"
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Day Trip to Skipton
I had a good day recently, as a passenger on one of the excursions run by Woods Coaches of Leicester.
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After Dinner Talk on Leicestershire Folklore
Leicester 41 Club were kind enough to ask me to give a talk to them recently. Having taken this group on a Guided Walk on a previous occasion, I was delighted to do so.
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Working in Kilburn
Many years ago, in fact decades back in the 1960s, I was a young Assistant Manager in the cinema industry. I went on to have a long and successful career in the business.
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Open Day at the Whipper-in
I went over to Oakham recently for an Open Day at the Whipper - in Hotel.
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Free Mystery Tour a Big Hit
The "Free Mystery Tour", which I led again recently, was once again a huge hit.
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A Glimpse of Heaven
"A Glimpse of Heaven" is a very attractive book, as well as a most useful reference book.
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New Look Bosworth Battlefield
A group of guides and others from the tourist industry visited Bosworth Battlefield recently.
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Confex Was Well Worthwhile
I went to an interesting trade show in London recently.
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Who Are All These Kings?: John
John was King of England for a period at the beginning of the 13th century.
February 2008
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Explaining Leicester's Street Names
Members of Leicester Round Table had a fascinating evening recently when I took them on a Guided Walk around Leicester City Centre.
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Interesting Day at Nottingham
I had an interesting day recently at Nottingham, on a familiarisation day organised by the City Council.
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Sweeney Todd Walk Available for Groups
Those groups who like being shown around the ancient City of London, and those who like to see places connected with films, will be pleased to know of a new Guided Walk which is now available.
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Enlightening Day at Lichfield
I spent a most interesting and enlightening day at Lichfield recently.
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History of the WEA
There was another meeting of the Community History Network in Leicester recently.
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Is Your Group Visiting the East Midlands?
If you have a group visiting the East Midlands this Summer (or any other time, for that matter), you might like to consider enhancing your visit by working with a Blue Badge Guide.
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Great Days Out Fair
I had a day out recently in Lancashire, for one of the trade shows that are held to encourage tourism.
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Destinations at Earls Court
I went to London recently to go to one of the major trade shows relating to the travel industry.
January 2008
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Tickets Now Available in City Centre
I am delighted to be able to announce that you can now buy tickets for my Guided Walks and Coach Trips in Leicester City Centre.
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Did You Miss Colchester?
A happy group of people from the Leicester area visited Colchester a couple of days ago.
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The Illustrious Earls of Leicester
Those people who have responsibility for finding speakers for club meetings will be interested to know that I have another talk available.
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A Visit to Moreton-in-Marsh
Once again, I went on a Woods Coaches trip recently, this time to Moreton-in-Marsh.
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National Fine Art and Antiques Fair
I had an interesting day recently at the National Fine Art and Antiques Fair.
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Tate Modern Tops London Attractions Chart
Tate Modern, the amazing art gallery on Bankside beside the River Thames in London, is Number One in the latest list of the capital's visitor attractions in terms of numbers of visitors.
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Hinckley Group Enjoy Haunted Evening
A group from the Hinckley area enjoyed a scary evening recently when I led them on a Ghost Walk around Old Leicester.
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Day Trip to Lincoln
I went on a Coach Trip to Lincoln the other day.
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Roy Wood Honoured by University
Roy Wood has been honoured by the University of Derby.
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Excursions 2008
I spent the day recently at one of the major trade shows for the tourist trade in Britain.
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Excellent Talk by Roy Cavanagh
I went to a meeting of the Leicestershire Cricket Society recently.
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Celebrate Hoskins Centenary
2008 marks the centenary of the birth of W. G. Hoskins.
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Old Belgrave Talk for Mothers Union
I gave a talk recently for members of the Mothers Union at St. Alban's Church in Belgrave.
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Favourite Christmas Carols
"Ding Dong Merrily on High" was the title of a talk which I gave recently for the Groby Village Society.
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Working in Leicester
I came to work in Leicester, where I now live, in 1991.
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A Day Trip to Cheltenham
Cheltenham was the destination for a Coach Trip which I went on as a passenger recently.
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North East Showcase at Kensington Palace
The organisation promoting tourism in the North East of England held another showcase recently, which I was pleased to attend.
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Gardens to Visit 2008
Available now is the excellent glossy annual publication "Gardens to Visit 2008".
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Cynthia Tells of Life in Service
Members of the Community History Network, including myself, had the pleasure of an interesting talk recently.
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A Scary Night in Lutterworth
A group of ladies from the Lutterworth district had a ghostly evening recently when I took them on a Guided Walk around their town on a haunted theme.
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Who Are All These Kings?: Richard I
Richard I, known to posterity as "Coeur de Lion" or "Lionheart", was King of England for ten years at the end of the 12th century.
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Tour of the New Forest
I went on another of Woods Coaches trips recently, this time around the New Forest.
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Tablers Experience Haunted Leicester
Members of Loughborough Round Table had a ghostly experience recently, when I took them on a tour of the ghostliest parts of Leicester.
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Exciting Year for Leicester
The historic city of Leicester is undergoing considerable changes at the moment, involving a great deal of regeneration.
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World Travel Market
The biggest annual trade show for the travel trade is World Travel Market.
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A Weekend in the Lake District
I had a weekend in the Lake District recently.
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Happy New Year
As we start a new year, I would like to wish everybody the very best.