South Devon: Visiting Torquay Museum! (31.8.2018)

We often see various statues of Darwin in the museums in London, but we also enjoy visiting Down House in Kent – his former home. Considering how much research and data we have access to in London, Torquay Museum contains objects that really impressed us, and which were presented in a highly beneficial (and educational) manner, particularly for the children. The museum now has purpose-built learning and play areas for younger explorers, whilst the adult visitors can learn from the historical narratives tactfully covering exploration, imperialism and looting. It is a tricky business presenting this type of information, but we can state that the staff of Torquay Museum have created a very progressive atmosphere that favours ongoing learning over dogmatic versions of history.

Alfred Gregory Wyles (1916-1976) – (WWII) War Record 1940-1946 (Military No: 5117194) 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (LightBobs) – Oxford & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Territorial Army)

Military records are precise and concise and convey very little about the reality of war. As a family we do not subscribe to the notion of imperialist war, but we are proud that our grandfather volunteered to join the British Army to fight fascism in the 1940’s. 

Travellers in Cheam 2018

Traveller Update: Sainsburys (Cheam) Locks its gate!

This is to allow the Travellers to leave once circumstances become too difficult for them to stay. Travellers certainly like money just as much as anyone else, and somehow manage to survive without direct access to the British Welfare State, the NHS and regular employment. However, although I fully acknowledge the unfortunate state of affairs that exists between both communities, the Travellers are human-beings and subject to Human Rights legislation. These Travellers must not be deprived of food and water, particularly in the light of the extreme hot weather we have been experiencing recently (with temperatures of 34 degrees celsius). The following photographs are my own, and provided here for educational purposes, as we must learn about one another’s culture.

USSR: The 1944 Football Victory – When the Soviet Red Army Beat Arsenal! (8.7.2018)

This was the 131st Motorized Rifle Regiment, composed of elite (Soviet) NKVD troops. This regiment required very fit young men to guard the communications channels through which Lend-Lease cargo was delivered to the Soviet Union, and to support public order in the capital of Iran; eventually participating in ensuring the security of the meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin in Tehran. Among the soldiers and officers of this regiment, there were many athletes from different sports – including football, volleyball, wrestling, track events and weightlifting. Sports continued in Iran, in particular, the football team of the 131st Regiment held regular matches with Iranian teams. In total, in 1944-1945 there were 34 such meetings, of which our players won 30, drew two, and lost two.

Lenin's Plaque - 1908

Lenin in Tavistock Place (1908) and Great Percy Street (1905) London WC1 (6.4.2018)

We travelled from West Sutton to King’s Cross St Pancreas Station in West Central London, on the hunt for two blue plaques commemorating Lenin’s visits to London in 1905 and 1908. They are affixed to buildings where he stayed (possibly with other Revolutionaries such as Joseph Stalin). My partner Gee used the GPS on her mobile phone and the first plaque we located was in Tavistock Place:

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