A new photo of the topiary ‘Egyptian Temple’ at Biddulph Grange, as it was in the first half of the 1920s. The card is “postally used in 1925”. The temple can be seen in the background.
It’s distant, but clear enough that one can make out the four sphinx at the entrance and see how the topiary work and formation was being done in the early 1920s.
My Tentaclii blog on H.P. Lovecraft is now back, more or less, at the new domain of https://www.jurn.link/tentaclii/
Hopefully it’ll be there to stay, this time.
Hathi now has online, in full-view, a scan of The Natural History of Tutbury. It’s not currently findable via Google Search. Appears to have come online in 2020.
Interesting bird-eye map of Middleport, from The Burslem Port Trust. I just couldn’t figure it out, until I realised it’s not now or the future. It must show Middleport way back when the Trent & Mersey Canal Arm (‘Burslem Port’) was still flooded. Which would put it at the 1940s, and with the map presumably being drawn from the late-1940s RAF pictures of Stoke-on-Trent. The allotments above Rogerson’s Meadow are in ‘full spread’. A large chunk of them were fallow when I lived there. Interesting that the Meadow may once have had a shallow pool in the centre of it (seen on the far left of the picture). It always was a bit damp.
Re-Form Heritage is now calling for Middleport memories and objects, for their refurbished terraces in Harper Street. Especially “those authentic items that would have been in the house – ordinary items small or large”. These can be donated or given on-loan.
My musings on The “Man in the Moon” lyric from the Harley MS. 2253, and a suggested translation for-sense and a version with staging directions, is now in version 3.0 with notes. Wording of the modern English slightly improved, along with the staging directions.
Download: man_in_the_moon_mar_2022.pdf
Some details of another Doctor Fergo show, staged in 1977. Also an Arthur Berry poem/song.
New on Past Track, Reconstruction of the Precinct of Croxden Abbey, circa 1340. Also its surrounding Lands.
Seemingly overlooked in the media reporting of the government’s Spring Statement on the public finances, public loos and nappy changing stations…
“Changing Places Fund – The government previously made £30 million available to Local Authorities in England to install life-enhancing Changing Places toilets in existing buildings. Spring Statement is allocating £25.3 million of the Fund to install over 500 life-enhancing Changing Places toilets, in public places and tourist attractions where users want them the most. This will dramatically increase accessibility for thousands of severely disabled people who need specialised facilities. An additional £6.5 million will be allocated to areas where there is little or no provision.”
There will also be many more coming. Because, as announced a few weeks ago… “All new public buildings must provide Changing Places toilets” by law. Sounds good, and sure to raise a cheer in Stoke-on-Trent.
Choice Latin sayings from Wild Yorkshire‘s 1963 school exercise book…
An eagle doesn’t eat flies.
Seize the wine!
Through adversity to the stars.
He’s wise as far as the beard (i.e. don’t be mislead by appearances)
They did things differently in 1963. These would likely be quietly ‘cancelled’ today before even reaching the classroom, for various reasons.
