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The 'Workhouse' system had many faults, but its alternative might have been a greater evil still... My parents, and other family, are buried not far from the the memorial.

Max Miller : ''It's people like you who give me a bad name!'' Or : ''Now there's a funny thing...''

Alas, no pics of Hill's original school, I've been searching for one for several years. I was a young trainee photographer when the building still stood, but unlike the fashion of the time for industrial-wasteland 'back-drops' I was too used to seeing such ugly sights/sites on a daily basis, and...

Aidan, apparently there were two Hill Top Schools, founded by Hill's father, the first being in West Brom' and the latter in Brum. The original 'Hill Top School' was at actually at Hill Top, but not in the same location as the last Hill Top School (demolished a few years ago). It was, more...

I have only just heard this today! A friend, whose medical-student daughter has just returned from doing volunteer medical work in Africa, remarked to her mother that for some reason, malaria was on the increase in Africa, to which her mom replied ''Well, they just won't wear condoms!''

Glynis - I think 'pagans' may have received SOME local tolerance, is all. I fear your assertions may owe more to recent 'revisionism' than to fact. However, the term 'pagan' is too amorphous to contend with. It would be much easier if the debate concerned 'witches' - which of course, is not...

I can't wait to try this out, it sounds superb! Thank you!

Thylacine, many thanks, I enjoyed your Queen Cynethryth piece One wonders if Offa's Romanic choice of coin design might have been influenced by 'finds' discovered during the 'navigation'/excavation of his famous Dyke; much of which was an earlier Roman land-division, which Offa deepened, and...

Thanks Aidan, I thought it was 1968 but the old memory ain't what it was.... shucks! Oh it was a grand time to be young!

One of life's little pleasures ... but, it has to be proper 'left-overs' and not the stuff sold by M&S and others. I love it best when it is slightly crozzled .....Mmmmmm mouth watering at the mere thought of it!

Laura-Jen - what a wonderful discovery for you! Your great grandfather had been through the mill, and back again! Clearly he was a very brave and exceptional man. To think, had you not asked your questions, his deeds might have disappeared forever. I bet there'll be a few more tears when...

Most of the Royal Houses, especially those of Mercia and Northumbria, had married into British Royal families ... usually as an alliance against attack, or for some other political gain. Notwithstanding too, the occasional boy-meets-girl senario. The division between Celt and Anglo-Saxon is...

The short answer is, we won't! At least not until we all of us have an external, and even greater enemy to fight (I'm thinking extra-terrestrial' here) ... and even then it will still be the same! I think we must accept that man is, as man is, and try to achieve a workable compromise, is all.

Does any one know of the last gigs (and dates) of the 'Band of Joy' before the incarnation of Led Zeppelin? Or, did the two run concurrent for awhile? Was it 1968, or 69?

If I may say so Bernard, your wife Enid was a beautiful woman. Regards, Johno

Hi, are you basing it on the Erdington Crest link above? I'm not sure if it's an authentic bowling grip, but you couldn't wish for a better crest for your purposes! Regards, JohnO

Oh it DOES count Jean, I'm still a fan of hers. I envy you!

Glynis, can you recall where the gig was held; and what year? Regards, JohnO

It's just that I'm a bit sqeamish, is all .... do give them a try, they aren't in anyway nasty at all. A little melted butter over them is good too. I do recommend you giving them a try cooked on the beach though, it seems to make them taste even better ... a bit like roasting suds in a...

Hi, They're a little 'meatier' - a bit like scallops, but a tad chewier ... but to be honest, I find most shell-fish to be rather bland. I think they taste more flavoursome when gently roasted. Ideally with a wee drop of Soy sauce, or a pinch of ground black pepper. In the old days I just...