Tag: education

Originally opened in 1920, Croydon Airport played a pivotal role in advancing aviation in the aftermath of World War 1.

UK: Croydon Aerodrome Open as Museum! (11.6.2026)

As far as I am aware, this place was originally called the “Croydon Aerodrome” – and only later became an “Airport”. As it is located just outside Sutton (in Purley Way) – I have seen it described as “Sutton Airport”. I also have a dim memory that the area was used in WWI by the Royal Flying Corps – and possibly a place for launching Airships and/or Balloons – although this information is missing in this article (although I have linked the museum above). The single comment left below states that the museum has been open since 2000 – but this is news to me and I live near this area. I thought it served as a hotel and perhaps part of it still does. I know that the UK’s last Hangman – Albert Pierrepoint – used Croydon Airport when travelling around London gaols plying his deadly trade (probably in 1953). It was very rare for ordinary working-class people to use air travel prior to the 1970s (the Beatles did in the 1960s onward – as they were mega-rich and famous by then) – but Albert Pierrepoint’s travel was paid for him by the Home Office – his employer.

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Jazz Fusion in the Confederacy

CSA: Jazz – An Interesting Assessment of “Black Freedom” in the Post-Confederate Period! (4.6.2026)

He had come from the British colony of the West Indies – and was surprised to observe how cognitively undeveloped the slave population was in America. In the West Indies the British had established “Re-Education Camps” which all former-slaves had to be held within. They were daily taught how to read and write, how to count, and how to civilly interact with one another (and other people). They were taught cleanliness and hygiene, etc. This included medical understanding and religious practice (Protestant Christianity). When each individual successfully passed all the sets tests and examinations – they were declared a “Free Citizen” and released into general society. Another way of gaining this status was to join the British Army and serve in Africa for the UK government. Men who survived 20-years gained British Citizenship and the right to settle in England as an Englishman – a great honour. Jefferson Davis wanted a phased reduction and abolition of slavery once the sovereign status of each State had been decided. He certainly had no intention of extending or preserving the institution – but you can see from the above quote that the North preserved slavery well into the 20th century – but gave it a thin-veneer of a faux “freedom”. Just as Davis promised the Native Americans their own country – he promised all Black men who supported the Confederacy “Freedom” and “Citizenship”. Because the North did not bother to transition the former slave populations – America is today riddled with all kinds of sociological ills. As matters stand, a “forced” assimilation does not seem to be working.

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Surrey: WWII Anderson Shelter – Rural Life Living Museum! (29.5.2026)

The fact that thousands of working-class people in London took to the Tube tunnels for safety demonstrates just how few people possessed these shelters. My mother’s family – which lived in Lewisham – did possess one of these “Anderson Shelters” – and it saved their lives when Hitler’s bombers finally came! During September, 1941, Hitler targetted the working-class areas of London with the intention of either wiping-out the working-class (and preventing them joining the British Armed Forces) or scaring them so much that they would not volunteer to fight Hitler. Hitler destroyed large parts of Lewisham – which included my mother’s family home. They had took cover in the shelter and as my grandfather was piling-up the sand-bags around the door – when the bombs fell that destotyed their house and street!

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Field-Stripping Devices is an Important Skill!

Surrey: Gee & Kai-Lin Field Strip & Assemble a Wooden Stool! (29.5.2026)

Anyway, we visited the “Rural Life Living Museum” (ob May 28th, 2026) – not far from the log-cabin area we were staying at in Tilford (a bourgeois cesspit of wealth). We have visited similar places not far from Sutton, and also in Oxford, Devon, and Cornwall. Many Moons ago, I visited places like this in the Lake District and in Scotland. They are essentially centres of education for school-children – and for adults to reminisce. My childhood (pre-Star Wars) was a very different reality to that which exists today. The working-class pre-1977 were very localised in mentality – with the middle-class attending university and developing a world-wide appreciation. This difference in education always benefits the middle-class who understand more and are able to use this knowledge to keep the workers in their place. Stll, it was a good day out and I will have to author a number of posts to cover it all.

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The Spinning Jenny - Weaving machine

Surrey: Visiting Farnham Museum! (27.5.2026)

These former workers adopted the mannerisms, culture, and dress of their social betters (the “aristocracy”) and were even able to “purchase” an education for their children. This new bourgeoisie (the “Merchants”) were even able to stand for election in Parliament. After purchasing weapons and raising armies – the bourgeoisie eventually seized control of the means of production (following the English Civil Wars). They now comprise one of the most conservative strands in UK society – and certainly maintain this air of elitism in Farnham. A local book-dealer even tried to sell me Das Kapital Vols I, II, & III (printed in the USSR in hardback) for £100 – claiming they were “rare”. In fact, a full set is usually four volumes and I often find them on the bottom shelves of old book-shops – usually attracting dust – as no one cares for their content. I do collect them and usually spend around £5 per copy. Imagine that – a bookseller in Farnham attempted to reduce Marx’s critique of capitalism to yet another vehicle of that capitalism! But that is the way capitalism works and is exactly how Farnham has attracted its wealth and conservativism. Florence Nightingale gets a mention – Gee trained as a Midwife at St Thomas Hospital (London) – which maintains a Museum recording the life of Florence Nightingale. Indeed, Gee is designated as a “Florence Nightingale Midwife”.

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Dressing to Impress!

Surrey: Visiting “Jane Austen’s House”! (26.5.2026)

Indeed, Jane was only 42-years old when she died (despite never marrying or having children of her own) – but she lived through the heady days of French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, and the Battle of Waterloo. Despite the political class of Britain opposing the French Revolution (and opposing all the Socialist developments that arose from it) – many middle-class, literate British individuals found the times to be inspiring. Although I do not know for certain with regards Jane Austen – she was one of those literate British women who trailblazed in a man’s world via her written works (Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility, etc) – which are still best sellers today. Many of her works are performed as plays, and have been adapted for TV and the big screen. Whatever the case, on Tuesday May 26th, we headed out up the road to a nearby place called “Chawton” – where one of the houses owned by the Austen family is located.

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