This article is not about the British television show, nor the American one, but about my Grandfather, George Lines, who was an apprentice at Clayton and Shuttleworth – a four year apprenticeship, ending in December 1911. Clayton and Shuttleworth were a Lincoln based engineering company, mainly focussed, before WW1, on agricultural machinery. On the 4th… Continue reading The Apprentice
Birthday wishes from Margaret Webster to Ada Webster.
Ada Webster, born on the 30th November 1861, was my Great Grandmother. She married my Great Grandfather, John Box in 1884. Her sister, Margaret Elizabeth Webster, born 23rd November 1851, wrote to her on the 29th November 1867, to wish her a happy 6th birthday. My sister has the letter. Here is the transcription 42… Continue reading Birthday wishes from Margaret Webster to Ada Webster.
Where is everybody – The Fermi Paradox, Self replicating spacecraft and computer system reliability
In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi asked the question “Where is everybody ?“, by which he meant – given the size of the universe, the diversity of life on earth, occupying every ecological niche, and the fact that the Solar System is a fairly average star system; why do we not see signs of extra… Continue reading Where is everybody – The Fermi Paradox, Self replicating spacecraft and computer system reliability
William John Webster – Anthem for a Doomed Youth
I was in the Weston Library last week, where they had on display, as part of their exhibition of “Treasures of the Bodlian“, the original draft of Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est“. It was another of his great war poems which came to mind when I thought about William John Webster – his “Anthem… Continue reading William John Webster – Anthem for a Doomed Youth
Amazing Love, Demographics and Mass migrations
Amazing Love On the 18th and 19th of February 2017 I will be taking part in the world premiere of Amazing Love, a musical based on the lives of John and Charles Wesley. The musical is written by Jack Godfrey, who also wrote “The Pharaoh’s High Magicians” for the musical Moses, (in which I took… Continue reading Amazing Love, Demographics and Mass migrations
Postcard from Roger – 9th April 1934
My father, Roger Lines, would have been 7 when he wrote this postcard, postmarked Sutton, on the 9th April 1934 (which was a Monday). We are just sitting on the loggia. The rooks are cawing loudly, I wish you could see them. I think we are having the rail way out this afternoon Tudy is… Continue reading Postcard from Roger – 9th April 1934
Michael, Roger and Tim write to Anne Boleyn's Walk.
In this letter my Uncle Michael, my father, Roger and my Uncle Tim (who must have been quite young at the time, write to their mother (my Grandmother) at Anne Boleyn’s Walk. My Uncle Jeremy was with my Grandmother. They could have been writing to, or from Anne Boleyn’s Walk. The letters are on a… Continue reading Michael, Roger and Tim write to Anne Boleyn's Walk.
Auntie Frankie and the Coastguard's Cottage at Birling Gap.
Auntie Frankie was an honorary auntie, who met my Grandmother, Doris Stevens at the time, at boarding school at Port Eynon in about 1914. I have not yet been able to track down the name of the school.She was born Frances Mildred Young, in 1898, in Highgate. Her Father was Thomas Young, born in 1861… Continue reading Auntie Frankie and the Coastguard's Cottage at Birling Gap.
George Lines – new digs in Switzerland
I have an incomplete letter written by my Grandfather, George Lines, probably in late 1913 or early 1914, as he is just about to start work, presumably at the Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik. The house is probably near Winterthur. Chronologically it must come before the letter from Bellagio, and after the letter from Cologne. The… Continue reading George Lines – new digs in Switzerland
Letter from George Lines – Spring Cleaning and Mountain Climbing
This was written by my Grandfather, George Lines, probably shortly after 21st May 1914, probably from Winterthur to his future Mother-in-Law. I have left out some padding. … must write small as I have a suspicion that 3 sheets of this stuff takes more than 2 ½ d stamp. Tell me if this is so.… Continue reading Letter from George Lines – Spring Cleaning and Mountain Climbing