History – Page 14 – Boadicea's Chariot

Even Boney had ’em

People dressed as members of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's Old Guard

Moles, I mean.

Welcome , Marvin, to our world!

Sing along to the tune of Walzing Matilda

Boadicea’s Chariot, Boadicea’s Chariot
Cyberspace’s answer to Baden Powell’s brigade!
We’ve got cubs and we’ve got brownies
And growed-up scouts – and girl-guides too.
We are the stuff of which glory is made!

Once upon a time we chatted oop at t’Big House
And some of us left, some were booted right out!
But we followed the Bear
(Does he do it? Yes, of course he does!) –
We’re cherished and we know it and we all proudly shout:

That was the satire that was

I can still hear Millicent Martin belting out the intro, almost fitting her take on the week’s news into the theme tune (just like JW!).

50 years later we say goodbye to one of its leading
(Foot)lights, David Frost. RIP.

Historical legitimacy

Not content with upstaging Kerry’s French kiss (‘our oldest ally’) – Obama gave us Brits a hug (‘our closest ally’) – the Prez entered even deeper archival waters with a reference to the USA as ‘the oldest constitutional democracy’.

Well! Where to start? If he had said ‘written’ it would be easier to swallow – since our well-informed schoolboy is aware that the UK’s constitution ain’t – at least not in one convenient volume; and nor was the constitution of any of the other oft-quoted candidates for the honour – like Ancient Greece, Iceland or the Isle of Man. We of course prefer the term ‘parliamentary’ to make our claim to being first, ignoring inter alia the three just mentioned.

But why, you may ask, did Obama make the claim at all? Backside is of the opinion that the White House speech-writers cannot resist any opportunity to reasssure the citizenry that Uncle Sam might make warm noises about his friends abroad but they’d better not forget who really brought power to the people first. In the beginning was Uncle Sam. The word was with Uncle Sam and the word was Uncle Sam. Amen.

All’s fair in love and war

As every schoolboy knows (Hugh Blair, no relation), Britain has had a special relationship with Uncle Sam. Until today – when John Kerry referred to France as the USA’s ‘oldest ally’. (Pause for thought.)

Just a minute. “President Charles de Gaulle pulled France out of NATO’s integrated military command in 1966, saying it undermined France’s sovereignty.” (Wiki) And Nicollula changed that – presumably for good, solid, French reasons.

So we got jilted for refusing to obey Obama. No doubt there’ll be more reprisals against us for our presumption.

The power of the people

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during a debate on Syria in the House of Commons, central London. Just occasionally the Great British Public’s voice is heard above the political and diplomatic babble. We don’t want to fire another shot from the hip at another Arab despot whose behaviour we can’t stomach. We don’t accept the ‘findings of the security community’ as justification for intervening in somebody else’s war. We don’t do gun-boats any more or buy into the ‘judgement calls’ of an over-zealous Cabinet. We think the grand ole US of A can please its bloody self, kill some putative terrorists and regret its actions later – or not. We are separated by more than a common language from their culture, their obsession with Israel and their lack of perspective on most important issues.

PS I am reminded by WordPress that this is my 400th post popped through the Chariot letterbox. Sorry.

Third Man

It’s like a tourist visiting London and not going to Buckingham Palace.
Like going to Blackpool and avoiding the pleasure beach.
It’s like passing a discarded trampoline without having a jump on it.
It’s like seeing a ball in the street and not doing a spot of keepie-uppie with it.
It’s like espying a skip and not having a nosy in it.
So why, oh, why would you go to the moon and not have a walk on it?

On July 1969 the lunar module of Apollo 11, allegedly, landed on the moon. Continue reading “Third Man”

Peer without peer (or pier)

It’s fragrant Archer day in the meeja. Hisself is singing the praises of the resort formerly known as Bombay (hardly his eponymous Weston with its new pier), while ‘er indoors is singing his.

Married for 47 years: Mary and Jeffrey Archer

What is he up to this time with this shameless relaunch? Does he think that we have memories as selective as his? Does she still need to justify playing Tammy Wynette to his Walter Mitty?

Or will we have to swallow another round of grease-laden wisdom from his unctuous pen?

Here ‘s the stuff: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/celebritytravel/10261973/Jeffrey-Archers-Mumbai-My-Kind-of-Town.html and http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2401204/Most-men-need-wife-pump-ego-Jeffrey-needed-puncture-A-fascinating-insight-famously-colourful-marriage-MARY-ARCHER.html

Blast from the past, the second

When Warner and Rogers left the pavilion separately this morning to bat at the Oval, a commentator was reminded of the days of the Gentlemen and Players, who disappeared (allegedly) from English cricket 50 years ago.

So I found this piece from Wisden which tells the tale.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/573224.html

PS as I write, Warner is out for 6. Is he an amateur?

Blast from the past

Seated one day at the keyboard, I was weary and ill at ease, and my fingers wandered idly over the noisy keys……..(sorry Adelaide)……. when suddenly I noticed a tweet about the fourth Ashes test from (fanfare) Phil Slocombe! I was transported back to the darkest days of MyT when the inimitable Qum Slo Feel (dubbed in honour of his long-sufferíng Chinese spouse resident with him in southern Spain) held forth on things sporting and topical. Had he re-emerged to cast his pearls before us once more?

No. The tweeting Mr Slocombe is a former cricketer for Somerset. A rose by any other name….. But I wonder if his namesake ever sold his house down on the Costas and returned to Chendu? Did Ron, his mate at McLaren, ever heed his advice? Did the judiciary of Chester ever appoint a better JP? Ah, the memories….