Everything Else

Updates, my family, genealogy, history, tales of the canals, recipes, France, jigsaws, and more.

Everything Else

Bernard Noel Asprey, Brewood

The story of Bernard Noel Asprey, a WW1 soldier from the canalside vilage of Brewood.

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Samuel Barlow of Glascote

Samuel Barlow and his family, the well known boat buiders and coal carriers of Glascote.

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Update from Portugal, July 2024

I'm spending a few days staying with friends in the Eastern Algarve and meeting up with my estate agent in Portugal.

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Update, June 2024

There are several personal developments to tell you about in my June update from our house by the canal.

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My favourite villages and small towns in France

Where should I buy a house in France? A department by department guide to the most appealing villages in France.

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Pte William Arnold Adie

Pte William Arnold Adie was killed in action during WW1.

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Lance Corporal Enoch Wright of Kettlebrook

The story Lance Corporal Enoch Wright of Kettlebrook who died in England during WW1.

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Lifeboat Helen Smitton's False Alarm

On Friday 6th April 1917 the St Abbs lifeboat Helen Smitton attended a distress call.

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Pte H Jupp of Glascote Heath

Private H Jupp from Glascote Heath served in the 2nd Royal Warwick Regiment and was wounded during WW1.

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Pte Robert Wood of Amington

The story of Pte Robert Wood, a coal miner from Amington who served in WW1, was captured by the Germans, and was later a canal worker.

Paid-members only

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Vegan Haggis

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360° tour of Cole Hill Chapel Tamworth

A visit to Cole Hill Chapel, Victoria Road, Tamworth, to photograph their graves and memorials.

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Chippendale Place, Tamworth

Two of the four properties in Chippendale Place have been up for sale recently, so I thought it would be interesting to share how I started to put together a house history.

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Update, May 2024

An email update to let you all know how things are going here, with news on Canalside Homes, Mike's progress, teasmades, and graveyards!

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360° tour of Glascote's canalside Cemetery

Today I created a 360° tour of my local cemetery at Glascote. It is right beside the canal, and some true canal folk are buried here.

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George Thomas French of Glascote - a WW1 veteran

The life and wartime experiences of George Thomas French of Glascote, with articles from the Tamworth Herald and my own genealogical research.

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George Hawkins – a true story from the Caen Hill flight

The story of George Hawkins from the Caen Hill flight. Murder, accident, or suicide? What do you think?

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Update, April 2024

From today I am back to providing weekly lists of canalside homes for sale!

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Murder on the Llangollen Canal

This story of Thomas Newbrook of Whixall, his employer Elijah Bowers Forester, and Elijah's brother-in-law, William Powell, takes place at Round Thorn Bridge on the Llangollen Canal.

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The History of the Aire and Calder Navigation

A potted history of the Aire and Calder Navigation with a special focus on the companies and individuals working on the canal in 1918.

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Update, March 2024

This week fate came calling and I went all in on my 360° tours and photos.

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360° tour of Tiller Girl, holiday narrowboat

Today I did some 360° photography for Tiller Girl, a gorgeous, cosy narrowboat, which owner Melanie lets out for holidays and short breaks.

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Stan Boxall, Red Devil, Airborne Division

My mother met Stan Boxall at the Eagle Social and Cycling Club in Charlton, and they were together from about 1942 to 1944.

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Emma Mary Nicholls (1925–1998)

Emma Mary Nicholls, was a friend of my mother and father's during WW2. She was always known as Nick.

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Herbert Charles Johns, 1878-1955

Private Herbert Charles Johns, 1878-1955, M2/048349, Army Service Corps.