Tag Archives: History

Peter Aspden & Bettany Hughes debate luxury & culture at the V&A Museum

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 Thursday 6th September, 3.45pm
 V&A Museum
What does it take to create something of note? 

That is what Frost went to find out.  Arts & culture commentator Peter Aspden and award-winning historian Bettany Hughes were a great match together. The bounced off each other perfectly. Peter noted iconic moments in history – Elvis Presley singing Hound-dog to an actual hound dog, Michael Jackson – and Bettany, just back from a trip to Albania funded by Lord Rothschild,  certainly knows her stuff. Things I found out from her during the debate: it took 18 years to build the pyramids and they were made not by slaves as is popularly thought, but by citizens of Egypt for the gods.

While Peter said we should not be beholden to the past, Bettany said: “we live with the past, it is in everything we think and do”.

It was a lively debate with lots of good questions being asked. Chivas Brothers hosted the event at the beautiful Victoria & Albert museum. Chivas Brothers certainly know about good things taking time. Their whiskey takes 20 odd years to make. I saw one bottle which was thirty years old. They started making whiskey in the 1800s. They are now in the top 3 whiskey makers in the world.

The debate also raised the point that one of the reasons a 21-year-old whiskey is such a luxury is that the moment you drink it 21-years is gone.

If whiskey does not have an age statement then it is three years old, as whiskey has to be at least three years old.

Other things I learnt:

“Did you know that most of us only live for 800 months?” A.C Grayling.

The Taj Mahal took 25 years to build

Alcohol is an Arabic word.

Symposium  means “drinking together”.

What do you think?

Buying a Car?

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1 in 4 used cars* are revealed to have finance owing against them, making it the biggest risk to used car buyers today. Now shoppers can avoid the danger with the help of a new vehicle history check service which includes finance data – carstatuscheck.co.uk.

Following on from the successful launch of the Car Status Check app on iTunes and Google Play, vehicle information experts HPI have now launched the service online, which provides three levels of protection, allowing used car buyers to choose the level of protection they need, at a price to suit them.

To get an instant picture of a vehicle’s past; users simply tap in the vehicle registration number (VRM) at carstatuscheck.co.uk to immediately get basic details, such as vehicle make, model and year of manufacture for free. The user then decides how much information they want to buy on their next used vehicle.

Buyers can purchase the ultimate peace of mind with the Platinum Car Status Check for just £9.99, which provides a full history of the vehicle, including if it has been stolen, declared a write-off by an insurer or has outstanding finance registered against it. In addition to this data, the Platinum check is supported with a Guarantee of £10,000 should any data be inaccurate or incomplete.

For those who want the full picture of a vehicle’s history without the Guarantee, the Gold level check is offered for £7.99, which provides a full history check and includes a finance check as part of the service. “We recognise that more cars than ever are bought on credit. If shoppers buy a car that they later find out is on outstanding finance, they stand to lose both the vehicle and the money they have paid for it,” comments a spokesperson from Car Status Check. “This is because the finance company may be the legal owner and have the right to reclaim it.”

Finally, for used car buyers who need to count every penny, but still want an idea of a vehicle’s history the Silver level Car Status Check is offered for £4.99, which provides vital information, including if a car is currently recorded by the police as being stolen, has been written-off by an insurer or it is at risk of being sold illegally.

All Car Status Check customers receive a report for them to download and keep for reference. This confirms if the car is ‘clear’ or not, and includes a CO2 Certificate giving emission ratings, fuel and Vehicle Excise Duty costs.

The spokesperson concludes, “The Car Status Check provides history check information for people on the move. Consumers are offered a choice on the level of vehicle data they need, with price points to match. Knowing the full history of a vehicle is crucial when buying a car, and with all the information available in just 90 seconds – used car buyers are a just a click away from potentially saving themselves from an expensive mistake.”

Jack The Ripper’s London 2012

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You’ve seen the films, walked the tours and heard the rumours – now, live the experience. Jack the Ripper’s London is a promenade, interactive recreation of a Whitechapel street, above and beyond conventional theatre. Perfect for adults and children (11+) alike, allow our actors to transport you to the streets of London, 1888 in a specially converted tunnel. You will follow the story of the last victim, Mary Kelly, and her turbulent relationship with her boyfriend. From market place to music hall, pub to pavement, meet the vigilantes and police, share a drink with the colourful characters of the East End and maybe…just maybe…follow the footsteps of the illusive and infamous Jack the Ripper.

Contained within an original 19th Century archway below the rumble of London Bridge trains, enjoy the songs of Victorian London and the dances of by-gone Music Halls. All this with just a dash of local knowledge and a morsel of mystery, we invite you to learn, feel and experience Jack the Ripper’s London.

Number 10, Bermondsey Street *To be kept secret* The show begins as a “tour”..

This unique and new arts space is the perfect location to re-visit the smoggy streets of Victorian London. With original exposed brickwork and a licensed bar, this labyrinth of tunnels hides a surprise around every corner. Containing our very own Ten Bells Public House and market street, the lofty tunnels and complex passageways lend themselves to immersing the audience members completely in the world of Jack the Ripper’s London.

Educational Packages

Crow Theatre have designed Jack the Ripper’s London around factual events from 1888; more than telling the story of Jack the Ripper, the piece is an opportunity to bring our cultural heritage to life and experience history. We are offering participation opportunities for local school children and have developed appropriate tasks for school trip groups and younger members of the audience. These stimulate learning and encourage them to engage with the set, the cast and the experience as a whole, discovering secrets of the past to help them complete their worksheets.

Crow Theatre have created a show that crosses generations and will entertain and inform all ages from 11 upwards. Jack the Ripper’s London is an educational tool for schools and youth groups, including National Curriculum subjects to support academic learning, whilst at the same time engaging and inspiring.

Crow Theatre

Based in South London and fully connected to our local community, Crow create interactive theatre events, run workshops and provide affordable tailor-made packages for businesses and community organisations.

As a non-profit organisation, our priority is to encourage the whole community to participate in the Arts and change the way we experience theatre.

Director, Natasha Campbell originally trained as an actress. She started developing her own work locally in South London in 2008 in non-traditional spaces and immersive format, in order to reach new audiences. With her three shows with Crow she has explored how the audience experience theatre and pushed the boundaries of what theatre can be.

She recently completed the Directors Traineeship with StoneCrabs Theatre and is excited about directing Jack the Ripper’s London, as much as she is about developing it with school children.

Supported by Producer Berte Watkins, a young producer at the BAC, Old Vic Tunnels and Wilton’s Music Hall and ex-Hollyoaks actor, Paul Leyshon, Crow Theatre are fast becoming one of South London’s leading modern theatre companies.

www.crowtheatre.co.uk

Book Tickets now only £12

Tickets can be booked in advance at http://www.seetickets.com/ Customers not holding tickets can call on the day to check availability and/or arrive 15 minutes early to purchase from the tour guide.

Performances of Jack The Ripper’s London will take place on:

Thursday 19th July – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Friday 20th July – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Saturday 21st July – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Sunday 22nd July – 12pm/3pm

Wednesday 25th July – 12pm/3pm

Thursday 26th – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Friday 27th July – 12pm/3pm

Saturday 28th July – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Sunday 29th July – 12pm/3pm

Wednesday 1st August – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Thursday 2nd August – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Friday 3rd August – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Saturday 4th August – 12pm/3pm/8pm

Sunday 5th August – 12pm/3pm

Meeting Point; Exit London Bridge Station at Tooley Street exit, turn left and meet outside Number 1 London Bridge, at the stone spike, next to Evans Cycles.

Is China Buying The World? | Book Review

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This short book is more than food for the brain, it is fascinating, a snapshot of history. Touching on a popular subject and often asked question by the global media; Is china buying the world?

Peter Nolan’s well researched short book is full of facts and weighty political and financial debate. Nolan certainly knows his stuff, as well he should; he is Professor of Chinese Development at the University of Cambridge and is one of the leading international experts on China and the global economy.

Did you know?: China accounts for 26 percent of the total foreign holding of US debt. However Britain and Japan hold more US public debt than China. China only holds 12 per cent of total US public debt.

Everyone in business should read this book. It also has lots of fun, fascinating graphs and tables. This book gives a stunning insight into business in China, the UK, US and beyond.

Another point I got from the book is a certain racism against China. I know China has a dodgy history of human rights, but it would seem that the western world is finding it hard for anyone else to take over it’s dominance: perceived or otherwise. A point that Nolan point out is not good for peace or international relations. The book also touches on another subject “Who are We?” and are there any business which are British, or American left?

China is the world’s second biggest economy and its largest exporter. It possesses the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves and has 29 firms in the FT 500 list of the world’s largest companies. ‘China’s Rise’ preoccupies the global media, which carry regular articles suggesting that it is using its financial resources to ‘buy the world’.

Is there any truth to this idea? Or is this just scaremongering by Western commentators who have little interest in a balanced presentation of China’s role in the global political economy?

This book is a must-read. A lot of people are worrying about the ‘awakening giant’ of China, let Peter Nolan allay your fears.

You can buy Is China Buying the World? here.

Britons are prouder of their history, NHS and army than of the Royals.

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While 2012 celebrates the Diamond Jubilee and London hosting the Olympics, it is history that makes people most proud to be British.

A survey commissioned by Channel 4 from Ipsos MORI found that more people (45%) are proud to be British due to the country’s history than they are because of the Royal Family (28%). And more people cite the NHS (37%) and the armed forces (36%) as a source of pride than they do the Royals. British sports teams come in at a lowly 10%. Bringing up the bottom of the table is British business, with only 4%.

Overall, which two or three of the following, would you say makes you most proud to be British?

1. Our history (45%)

2. The NHS (37%)

3. British Army / armed forces (36%)

4. The Royal Family (28%)

5. Our culture and arts (24%)

6. Our system of democracy (22%)

7. Having a free press / media (15%)

8. British sports teams (10%)

9. Our position in the world (5%)

10. British business (4%)

Timed to coincide with, Make Bradford British, a documentary series exploring what it means to be British, the survey also found that a ‘good sense of humour’ (45%) topped the poll when people were asked what are the best characteristics of British people, followed by friendly (34%) and tolerant to all sections of society (30%).

But while being funny may be the best British characteristic, of those surveyed, half (50%) said the worst was drinking too much. Ignorance of other cultures (33%) and complaining too much (23%) were also cited. And a fifth of respondents thought the worst characteristic was being lazy (20%).

Tea topped the poll not only as people’s favourite drink (38%) but also what they thought was the country’s national drink (65%) proving that we are a nation of tea lovers.

While fish and chips is seen as the national dish by four in ten Britons (41%) just one in ten (9%) say it is their favourite food. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding tops the poll as the nation’s favourite dish (33%).

And while 15% enjoy a curry as their meal of choice, only 8% think it’s the national dish.

Make Bradford British continues on Thursday 8 March at 9pm on Channel 4

Kate Middleton: The Making Of A Duchess

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Few people manage to capture the publics attention, but it is fair to say that Catherine Middleton is huge right now. She’s bigger than a movie star, just as famous as Diana, she’s (arguably) more popular than her fiancee Prince William. If you google “Kate Middleton” you get 51,700,000 hits. If you google “Catherine Middleton” you get 8,600,000.

The tale of a commoner (okay, millionaires over privileged daughter) done good is a story usually only read in fairytale. Yet on the 29th Miss Middleton will walk down the aisle and marry into royalty. Yet to call her a millionaire’s daughter doesn’t really scratch the truth of the surface. Her mother was a flight attendant (snobbishly nicknamed “doors to manual” by Williams posh friends), it doesn’t take long to find coalminers in her family history. This is what makes her fresh. The royal family need her to make them relevant again. The Queen and Prince Philip are cousins, he of Greek royalty.

Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton was born on 9 January 1982, she grew up on Bucklebury, Berkshire. Her parents Carole and Michael. She is the eldest and has a sister, Phillipa, and a brother, James. She met Prince William in 2001 when they were both studying at the University of St Andrews. They lived together (and at one point were both seeing other people), they became a couple. There have been two break ups, including one in 2007 that lasted a few months. Kate stayed friends with William and the romance was rekindled. During the break up Kate went out a lot, always looking stunning, and mostly with Williams friends.

It seems naïve that when Kate started dating William she complained about harassment through her lawyer saying “she had done nothing significant to warrant such publicity.” She must have known that you cannot date royalty and come out unscathed. She has had Royal Protection officers since 2006. Kate has done more than her fair share of work on the relationship. She has learned how to shoot, joining a royal deerstalking party in Scotland in 2007, Kate and William had broken up that year and it was a make or break trip. They had broken up because Prince William felt he was too young to get married and because he was too close, and disclosed too much, to ex-girlfriends.

At the Concert for Diana they were just friends but after the shooting party she moved in with William at Clarence House. The home of the Prince of Wales, William’s father. When Kate’s parents were photographed on a stalking trip to Scotland three years later the press went into overdrive. Like Kate they were given shooting lessons. The shooting party was hosted by William and was at his father’s residence, Birkhall. The Middleton’s were all doing their best to fit in and have some royal fun. Kate has said of Prince Charles: “I was quite nervous about meeting William’s father, but he was very, very welcoming, very friendly. It couldn’t have gone easier for me.”

Kate will shortly become Princess or Duchess, she already has her own coat of arms and will be going to Canada for her first Royal tour after her honeymoon. She has come a long way after seeing Prince William playing hockey at her school, from becoming his house mate. She will become the first Queen to have a degree. She hasn’t had any career as such, working at Jigsaw as an accessory buyer and then for her parents. Always on call for William, working her life around his. And now she will become his Queen. Let’s wish her luck, she might need it.

Update: Kate has become Duchess of Cambridge and William Duke of Camdridge. Kate’s dress was designed by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen.

BBC turns back the clock on high street stores {TV}

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High streets across the UK are going back in time this autumn as part of an exciting new BBC Learning Hands On History project and landmark BBC One series.

Across weekends in October, November and December, an empty shop in 11 different towns will be transformed into a Thirties grocer store, giving today’s shoppers the chance to travel back in time and experience living history.

The project, which is set to visit Armagh, Bradford, Chatham, Clacton, Louth, Paisley, Poole, Stockport, Sunderland, Truro and Wolverhampton, will give communities the chance to learn more about their local history in a fun, exciting and hands-on way.

Visitors will be able to touch, hear and even smell what life was like on their local high street around 80 years ago, as well as share their own memories, photographs and mementoes.

With the help of local history groups, museums and archives the BBC Learning team aims to explore the past of other shops in the towns using documents such as posters, ads, bills and letters, all helping to create a high street time line.

Communities can also help create a photographic “Now and Then” archive of their area with the project’s dedicated Flickr group, or download a special guide to researching the history of their high street at the BBC History website.

The shops are part of the new six-part BBC One series Turn Back Time – The High Street, which takes four empty shops back to the 1870s and propels them through 100 years of change.

Turn Back Time will see a group of shopkeeping families from a variety of trades travel back in time where they’ll face the challenge of living and working in six very different eras of British history, from Victorian Britain right through to the Seventies, all recreated in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Turn Back Time starts in November.

And to bring the High Street history strand right up to date, BBC English Regions TV current affairs series Inside Out will be examining how our modern day High Streets are coping with the challenging economic climate across each of its 11 regional programmes. The films will be broadcast on BBC One across England in early December.

Launching the Turn Back Time shops, BBC Learning campaign executive Nina Bell said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring history alive and give everyone a chance to celebrate their high street. And it’s not just about the high streets with pop-up shops – BBC Learning is working with local history partners right across the UK to develop engaging, hands-on events to bring the history of their local area to life and encourage Britain to fall in love with its high streets again. You can find all the details on our website at bbc.co.uk/history/handsonhistory.”