Tag: Surrey

One of the first known images of the Major Oak, according to the RSPB

UK: Robin Hood’s “Major Oak” Dies in Sherwood Forest! (26.8.2026)

If this is the case, then ironically the building was soon “removed” for some reason or other (to be fair, according the maps, there were many places termed “lodges” and they seem common). In recent years, this area was a multi-storey car-park (not far from a cinema and the town centre) but has just been developed into expensive flats. The “Rectory” used to located nearby – but that disappeared decades ago (and was flats for disabled and vulnerable people for awhile). I have spoken to numerous local historians who have no idea as to “why” Sutton is associated with Robin Hood. I came to live here in the early 1990s – and the idea serves as a flowing undercurrent of identity in the area that is never questioned. I have no knowledge as to why this is. Obviously, there may well be a historical connection that nobody remembers today. Be that as it may, surely the English notion of “Socialism” (the redistribution of wealth) has its bases not in (the far later) Marx (who was exiled to 19th century England) – but in Robin Hood’s idea of “robbing from the rich to give to the poor”. Whatever the case, an old tree in Sherwood Forest has finally died after 1200-years of life. Robin Hood and his men are supposed to have met and/or hidden under its branches.

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Portrait of William of Ockham by Peter Paul Rubens 1617

UK: William of Ockham (1287-1347-49?) – Origin of “Occam’s Razor”! (22.8.2026)

The Church and the State would have us believe that out of this quagmire of human ignorance and darkness – rays of light emerged. I can say that William of Ockham did write copious numbers of texts on all kinds of academic and theological topics, including politics, biographies, and philosophy. Part of the delay in the examination of his work by the Vatican in the 1320s was caused by its sheer volume. And it would seem that after his “Excommunication” – the nature of his work became ever-more defiant and questioning of Church authority. I think his conflict with the Church solidified his method of the efficient use of knowledge as a means of critiquing Church dogma and theology. Indeed, William appears to become nearly “Protestant” in his argument with Avignon. He may not have coined the term “Occam’s Razor” (why would a humble monk do such a strange thing?) – but he certainly earned the right to be considered a strong candidate for its modern inception due to the nature of the hostility he had to contend with. Although I am always suspicious of bourgeois sources (due to their a priori anti-Socialist position) – I believe we can trust the two I have included below. As always – think for yourself.

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Surrey Mobile Church

Surrey: Mobile-Temporary Church! (30.5.2026)

Sometimes, however, these mobile structures are retained as they are considered reasonably humble and simple. As the font is very heavy – usually made of solid stone – it resides outside the Church structure. The font may well be too-heavy for the interior wooden structure. Churches, of course, do not have to conform to the (European) Medieval design – as can be seen in Ethiopia, Turkey, and elsewhere. Many early Churches were simple gathering points for isolated monastics to come together (out of their solitary meditation cells – quite often in the desert)) and communally worship. In-short, a Church is a focal-point whereby those in the material realm can commune with the unseen spiritual realm. Early Christianity was very similar to Buddhism – but its theology changed when a certain faction gained Roman State support (termed the “Catholics” or “Universalists”) which then set about destroying its own past – and any Christian sect which advocated worldly transcendence – or disagreed with the /church attaining worldly power and wealth.

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Lenin Leads the Way!

Surrey: Mobile Workmen’s Home! (29.5.2026)

This seems to be an early caravan – although much larger – affixed upon an army carriage dating back to WWI (although the Beatles were playing on the interior radio when we visited). I thought it might have travelled on rails – and think it could travel on a number of different surfaces (the wheels look rail-based – but I might be wrong). Basically, workmen tasked with building or clearing, etc, in remote areas – could live in these types of devices for extended periods – between shifts. This was when labour Unions ruled the roost and this type of relative luxury was demanded! I suspect for many workers this temporary accommodation might be better than the places they actually lived in! It reminded me of the carriage Lenin spoke from when he declared the end of capitalist exploitation in 1917! A left-leaning Labour government improved the lives of millions in 1948!

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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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