Tag Archives: history

Occupied City

In a recent episode of the All Consumed podcast, I sang high praises about Steve McQueen’s new feature-length film, Occupied City. Follow this link to hear those thoughts: Now that the film out and being screened, I thought I’d take … Continue reading

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Poon’s Wontoneria (All Consumed)

Neil and Chris experience a moment of wonton abandon at the wonderful Poon’s Wontoneria on Charlotte Street. Reveling in the moment, they chat about two individual trips recently taken to Shrewsbury – and how much they both loved this historic … Continue reading

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Orange Buffalo (All Consumed)

Finally a new episode after nearly a year. Was it worth the wait? Hosts Neil Davey and Chris Osburn reckon so. Chris is glad to chat about a few recent trips he’s taken while Neil just seems content to enjoy … Continue reading

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Online Ninja Experience at Odawara Castle, Japan

What’s that lurking in the shadows? It’s Odawara Castle’s enigmatic ninjas ready to reveal their secrets to you in a new online tour. A couple of weekends ago, I attended an online virtual tour of the Ninja Hall at Odawara … Continue reading

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London Art Openings | Leonardo da Vinci at the Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

A spectacular new exhibition salutes the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci, the original Renaissance Man. Judith Schrut pays a visit. This year marks 500 years since the death of Leonardo da Vinci, the extraordinary Italian artist, architect and anatomist, … Continue reading

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Mandela: The Official Exhibition, 26 Leake Street, Waterloo

Mandela: The Official Exhibition premieres today (Friday 8 February) at 26 Leake Street next to Waterloo Station. The show invites visitors on a personal journey through the life and times of one of the world’s most recognised and admired activists and political leaders and celebrating his legacy. Continue reading

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Coastal Highways to Pirates Past (Hertz Together)

Ahoy ye landlubbers! If you’re searching for high seas adventure (without such a high cost to enjoy it or even having to venture too far into the sea) allow this seadog to suggest a road trip along the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States. Continue reading

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Discussing Fact and Fiction with Historian Kevin Duffus | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 38

Another tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog, Episode 28 of tikichris Talks finds me in conversation with research historian, author and documentary filmmaker Kevin Duffus. Kevin is perhaps best known as an expert on Blackbeard and for his deeply researched attempts to separate fact from fiction as it pertains to the story of this legendary pirate. Continue reading

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Blackbeard’s Wake | Weighing Anchor

Hey folks. I’m weighing anchor and sailing on to cover other topics, but I hope you enjoyed reading about my Blackbeard-based tour of the Carolina and Georgia coast and that you had a chance to listen to my two related podcast episodes. Continue reading

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Savannah, Georgia | Blackbeard’s Wake

Direct links between Blackbeard and Savannah are scarce, tenuous and not well documented. However, it’s as swashbuckling a city as ever you’ll come by. Plus, when initially planning my trip, I had hoped to shove off from to explore Georgia island that bears the pirate’s name. Continue reading

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Discussing Fact and Fiction with Historian Kevin Duffus | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 38

Another tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog, Episode 28 of tikichris Talks finds me in conversation with research historian, author and documentary filmmaker Kevin Duffus. Continue reading

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Ocracoke Historian Philip Howard | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 37

Episode 37 of tikichris Talks is a tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog. It features an interview with Ocracoke Island historian, Philip Howard. Philip is the eighth-generation descendant of William Howard – the fourth and last colonial owner of Ocracoke who before that allegedly served as quartermaster for the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Continue reading

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Charleston, South Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

I learned about Blackbeard’s blockade and all sorts of local lore during a guided tour with captivating storyteller Eric Lavender of Charleston Pirate Tours. As informative and insightful as he was hilarious in his deadpan delivery, roaming around some the city’s most historic and beautiful streets with Eric in his full pirate garb was a great way to spend a morning – and an activity I’d recommend to anyone visiting Charleston. Continue reading

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Ocracoke Historian Philip Howard | Blackbeard’s Wake | #TCTalks Episode 37

Episode 37 of tikichris Talks is a tie in with the Blackbeard’s Wake miniseries on my blog. It features an interview with Ocracoke Island historian, Philip Howard. Philip is the eighth-generation descendant of William Howard – the fourth and last colonial owner of Ocracoke who before that allegedly served as quartermaster for the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Continue reading

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Ocracoke, North Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

From Greenville, I made for the Outer Banks, specifically to the island of Ocracoke, where Blackbeard’s legacy seemed to hang in the air like Spanish moss on a live oak. Continue reading

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Greenville, North Carolina | Blackbeard’s Wake

As much as I savoured reacquainting myself with such a tasty town, I was primarily there to take a peek into the East Carolina University lab where artefacts from Blackbeard’s sunken flagship are being preserved and studied for a more accurate record of North Carolina’s coastal heritage. Continue reading

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In Blackbeard’s Wake

Ahoy, y’all! I’m back in London and starting to sift through the notes from my latest road trip. This one was along the US Atlantic coast of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia on the trail of fact and fiction pertaining to one of the world’s most notorious pirates: Blackbeard. Continue reading

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James Cook: The Voyages | #TCTalks Episode 24

For Episode 24 of tikichris Talks I visit the British Library to interview Laura Walker and William Frame, co-curators of James Cook: The Voyages. Running until 28 August, the exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of the ship Endeavour setting off from Plymouth with Captain James Cook in command for the first of three world-changing voyages. Continue reading

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James Cook: The Voyages | #TCTalks Episode 24

For Episode 24 of tikichris Talks I visit the British Library to interview Laura Walker and William Frame, co-curators of James Cook: The Voyages. Running until 28 August, the exhibition marks the 250th anniversary of the ship Endeavour setting off from Plymouth with Captain James Cook in command for the first of three world-changing voyages. Continue reading

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Review | Born in the USA: Taylor Mac at the Barbican Centre

Live knitters, brass musicians and backing singers stage left. Harp, strings and temperance choir, stage right. The legendary Taylor Mac, aka the gender fluid pronoun ‘judy’, in a multi-coloured explosion of glitter and tinsel, spectacularly centre stage. Continue reading

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The Postal Museum to Open Early 2017

Slated to open early 2017 at the site of the Mount Pleasant sorting office in Clerkenwell, The Postal Museum will aim to bring 500 years of communications history “through the eyes of one of its most iconic services” while offering visitors a chance to experience Mail Rail with rides through disused miniature tunnels of the world’s first driverless electric railway. Continue reading

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Visit Hawaii … for the History! (OneTravel)

Granted the Hawaiian Islands are home to some of the world’s most stunning landscapes with plenty of world-class beaches and all sorts of opportunities to lounge around mindlessly by a pool in the sun with a frilly drink at hand. … Continue reading

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Theatre Review: Richard III at Nottingham Playhouse

With only a week left in Nottingham before it moves on to York, here’s my review of the Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal’s joint presentation of Shakespeare’s tragic story of a conniving and paranoid king, Richard III. Continue reading

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Richard III, Robin Hood and Me: An East Midlands Mini-Break

Last week, I headed up to Leicester and Nottingham for an overnight press trip. I had a blast letting loose my inner armchair historian around Leicester and getting to live out some childhood fantasies in Nottingham and nearby Sherwood Forest. Here are some highlights from my East Midlands mini-break. Continue reading

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Jack the Ripper’s London Today (CheapOair)

This year marks the 125th anniversary of the notorious Jack the Ripper murders in the East London area of Whitechapel. The first of the Ripper’s victims, Mary Ann Nichols, was found in the streets near London Hospitality in April of 1888. The identity of person who murdered her and four – or possibly five – other women still remains a mystery, but the case continues to horrify and fascinate as much as it did back over a century ago. Continue reading

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A Brief History of the City of London (OneTravel)

A Brief History of the City of London  One Travel, Feb 02, 2012 Today, the City of London is a global powerhouse at the heart of the UK’s economy, but the City’s important role throughout the history of London and … Continue reading

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History of the City of London (OneTravel)

History of the City of London OneTravel, Jan 26, 2012 Its storied past of wealth coupled with destruction has made the City a unique area to explore, where iconic modern high rise office towers, such as Norman Foster’s Gherkin mingle … Continue reading

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The Golden Boy of Pye Corner (CheapOair)

The Golden Boy of Pye Corner CheapOair, January 5, 2012 The Golden Boy of Pye Corner is a gold, life-size statue of a small boy. The effigy is located in the central London area known as the “City of London” … Continue reading

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The Golden Boy of Pye Corner (London Hotels Blog)

The Golden Boy of Pye Corner Chris Osburn London Hotels Blog February 19, 2009 The Golden Boy of Pye Corner is a life-size gold statue of a small boy. The effigy is located in the City of London between St … Continue reading

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