Overton’s Window Again
Overton’s Window Trade Unions and Chartism and Trade Unions and a People’s Assembly The concept of Overton’s Window Connotes some sort of casement on fashion: A window of acceptability And unquestioned validity: A sort of Zeitgeist vista on the Zeitgeist. And...
A People’s History Chapter 7
A MISCELLANY OF HISTORY A TEXTUAL WEAVING OF A CABINET OF CURIOSITIES A TEXTUAL SAMPLER Chapter Seven The 1825 Riots These are my memories of what I saw and did, together with others in the Stroudwater Valleys in 1825. I know I am supposed to show remorse but I...
Rev Awdry 80th Anniversary
Rev W. Awdry 1911-97 (Jottings made from a reading of The Thomas the Tank Engine Man Brian Sibley The Story of the Reverend W. Awdry and his Really Useful Engines 1995) In the Beginning was the Word, But there was also a tunnel at Box, Where a young child christened...
Ringo and the Rev in Rodborough
Ringo and the Rev Song to be sung roughly to the tune of Octopus’ Garden It’s strange but true In Rodborough Avenue A big car arrived with Ringo Starr (Big car arrived with Ringo Starr), Church tower and steeple Gazed upon the Beatle As he had a drag...
The Style of the Rev Awdry Books
What is about the Style of the Awdry Books? Here is Brian Sibley in his biography The Thomas the Tank Engine Man: ‘So what is the reason for the success of these books? Is it their text: sharp and tightly written with sly little jokes and rhythmic sounds but,...
Sir Topham Hatt (aka The Fat Controller)
Sir Topham Hatt (aka The Fat Controller) Apparently, Master T. Hatt started his railway career in 1894 at the GWR Works in Swindon as an apprentice. I imagine he was quite slim then. I also imagine that his father probably worked ‘inside’ in the factory and that...