Walk into almost any traditional British pub, and you’ll likely spot one quietly humming in the corner: the fruit machine. For decades, slot machines have been as much a part of pub culture as sticky carpets, hand-pulled ales, and the low murmur of local gossip. But their journey from mechanical curiosities to everyday pub fixtures… Continue reading A History Of Slot Machines In Bars & How They Became A UK Pub Staple
Enhancing Vocabulary and Comprehension with Children’s Periodicals
You might think children’s periodicals are just distractions, but they actually serve as powerful tools for vocabulary enhancement and comprehension. These publications engage young minds with enthralling stories and diverse topics, making learning both enjoyable and effective. As your child interacts with the content, they’re not just passively absorbing information; they’re actively expanding their language… Continue reading Enhancing Vocabulary and Comprehension with Children’s Periodicals
A History of Bradford on Avon
By Tim Lambert Early Bradford on Avon Bradford means broad ford. Avon is from Afon, the Celtic word for river. The Celts were the original inhabitants of what is now England, but the Anglo-Saxons invaded Eastern England in the 5th century, and they gradually pushed westwards. Bradford on Avon was first mentioned in the year… Continue reading A History of Bradford on Avon
Herbert Rowse Armstrong
By Tim Lambert Herbert Armstrong was the only British solicitor to be hanged for murder. He was born in Devon, England on 13 May 1869. He qualified as a solicitor in 1895 and he moved to the small town of Hay-on-Wye in Herefordshire in 1906. In 1907 he married a woman named Katherine and they… Continue reading Herbert Rowse Armstrong
A History of St Neots
Early St Neots The name St Neots is derived from St Neot, a Cornish hermit who lived in the 9th century. In 974, monks brought his bones to St Neot. They built a priory (a small monastery), called St Neots Priory. A small village grew up by the priory and was named after it. At… Continue reading A History of St Neots
A History of Calne
By Tim Lambert Early Calne Calne is a market town in Winchester. Its name is derived from the Celtic words Col-aun, meaning “meeting of the waters”. Calne was first mentioned in a document about 955. In 978, a council of powerful men called the Witan met in Calne. However, the upper floor of the hall they… Continue reading A History of Calne
A History of Huntingdon
By Tim Lambert Early Huntingdon Huntingdon began as an Anglo-Saxon and Danish settlement. Its name was probably Huntandun, which means the hill (dun) belonging to Hunta. By the 10th century, it was a small town. There has been a church in Huntingdon since 973 but All Saints Church was largely rebuilt in the early 17th… Continue reading A History of Huntingdon
A History of Melksham
By Tim Lambert Early Melksham The town of Melksham in Wiltshire began as a Saxon village. Its name was probably once meolc ham, which means milk settlement. There must have been a dairy farm there. At the time of the Domesday Book, Melksham probably had a population of about 850. By the standards of the… Continue reading A History of Melksham
Weather Related History Facts
By Tim Lambert 15 July is St Swithun’s Day. St Swithun was Bishop of Winchester in the 9th century. He asked to be buried outside the cathedral so people could walk over his grave and raindrops could fall on it. However, on 15 July 971, his body was reburied in the cathedral. According to legend… Continue reading Weather Related History Facts
Learning History Through Storytelling: A Look at Children’s Historical Fiction That Makes the Past Accessible
Alt text: Two children sitting on floor reading book together Image link: https://www.canva.com/photos/MAEbqHoFzrI/ History is often presented to children as a sequence of dates, rulers, and wars. While factual accuracy matters, this approach alone can leave young readers disengaged and disconnected from the human experiences that shaped the past. Children’s historical fiction offers a more… Continue reading Learning History Through Storytelling: A Look at Children’s Historical Fiction That Makes the Past Accessible