A box full of Pandoras
Malaya. Sorry. Malaysia. I trip over the word because it is, for me, unfamiliar. I do not think of it…
History
The taming of Bucephalus
Bucephalus. Alexander the Great’s favourite steed. The most famous horse in history. Its name means ‘spirited and mettlesome’. (What does…
Why the war in Ukraine will turn us all into refugees.
Yesterday, my family joined about twenty other people – all Ukrainians or Russian emigres opposed to Putin’s regime – on…
The boredom of uncle John
John was married to Betty. Betty had come over to England during WWII with the American armed forces and John…
We don’t burn old boys
Bonfire Night is, for me, the most exciting of nights. Bigger than Christmas Eve or Halloween or Easter or any…
The bird in the Bear – how I miss the Cold War
The photo was taken by a foreign correspondent on patrol with the RAF. (I was at university with his son,…
Hot metal and cold facts
Goodwood Revival. The words either bring a look of consternation to people’s faces or else they break out in smiles…
Mazey Day
This coming Saturday it will be Mazey Day in Penzance. I have not been to Penzance for three years, and…
The History Man
I recognised Jeffery the moment he walked through the door, even though I hadn’t seen him for forty-four years. He…
Ari O.
Woody Allen once said that if he was reincarnated, he would like to come back as Warren Beatty’s finger tips….