Eddie Waring's "Dark Satanic Mills End" was at Hilton Park, LeighEmbed from Getty ImagesI've a memory of Eddie Waring, the BBC's rugby league commentator between 1949 and 1981, referring to the "Dark Satanic Mills End" at one ground. I thought it was Leigh's and, having found the picture above, I think I was right. The photo was published in Picture Post in 1949, and the caption on Getty Images says: A group of young supporters accompany Rugby League players Bill Kingdon and Cec Ryan across allotments to the Kirkhall Lane rugby ground in Leigh, Lancashire. In the background is the Parsonage Pit. In 1947 Leigh Rugby League Club started playing ... (more) |
Write a guest post for Liberal EnglandI love publishing guest posts here on Liberal England. Why not try writing one yourself? It could be on where the Liberal Democrats should go from here, on politics more generally or... anything really. Why not an article about a local campaign or quirky piece of history? Please drop me an email if you'd like to discuss your idea first. I'd hate you to spend time on a piece I really wouldn't want to publish. Here are the last 10 Liberal England guest posts:Understanding the views and worries of the city of Oxford Lib Dem - William LaneLocal councillors changing ... (more) |
north easterlyIt started fresh: its playful fingers bringing light relief from days of searing heat and nights of tropical oppression; and then turned gradually cool, a friendly face (but false), relentless, like the wife you've wronged ...who's next inexorably chill, that morning on a damp hillside whose thin sun promises but does not burn the mist which penetrates your bones Then sharply roused it veers and backs, now half a gale itself with Baltic louring at its shoulder, scouring every crevice of your shelter, scraping grit across fresh wounds on skin chafed raw ...until the vagaries have gone; until true north ... (more) |
Four ways you can help Liberal Democrat VoiceLiberal Democrat Voice is only a success because of the interest and support from our readers. For many people just lurking and reading the site is all they want to do – and that's fine, we're grateful for people taking the time to read the site. You can though help us continue to produce interesting content for a growing audience. Here are four simple ways: 1. Let us have your tips for stories. Perhaps there's something outrageous going on in your local council? Or you're an expert in a particular area and have spotted a story other people have missed? ... (more) |
The Joy of Six 1560"Every week I read of people seeking planning permission for children's homes whose backgrounds are in real estate, building, motor dealerships, pubs, caravan parks and light engineering. The one thing they don't have is experience in the care of children and young people." Illegal children's homes are thriving because profit has broken the care system. argues Martin Barrow. Russell Brandom says Mark Zuckerberg's AI manifesto shows exactly why people don't like AI: "Even as Zuckerberg tries to paint a picture of the wonderful future abundant superintelligence will bring, he keeps reminding us of all the ways it's likely to go ... (more) |
Enough is enough: Women and girls deserve betterWe are sick and tired of being told by those in power that tackling violence against women and girls is a priority, while women and girls continue to be failed by the very systems that are supposed to protect them. The case of Simon Levy is yet another devastating reminder of what can happen when warning signs are missed, information is not properly acted upon, and agencies responsible for protecting the public fail to learn from previous mistakes. This cannot continue to be treated as a series of isolated incidents. For years, women have been told that lessons are being ... (more) |
When Fiction intrudes on real lifeI've already blogged a few times here about Ianto's memorial wall, a place in Cardiff Bay where devotees have posted momentos concerning a fictional character from the Torchwood TV series. The posts are here, here, here, and here. Now there is another example of how seriously people take their entertainment. Metro News reports that Harry Potter fans have proven there's clearly power in numbers, as their joint outrage forced the diversion of a multi-million-pound energy project. The paper says that plans for a £430million Greenlink interconnector to carry solar and wind power to Ireland from the UK sparked fury from ... (more) |
James Fox is interviewed about his acting career in 1968Another post that suggests I should have called this blog Twentieth Century Boy. Click on the photo of James Fox here to be taken to an interview with him on the British Film Institute site. There you will see it billed like this: Happy and relaxed dialogue with the then 28-year-old actor, covering his rise to fame and plans for the future. After his role in The Servant (1963), James Fox was in demand. This interview, filmed four years later, has the young star in affable mood, freely admitting his lack of planning, love of California and thoughts about his ... (more) |
A successful visitI recently arranged for Sunniside History Society members to visit Ravensworth Castle in Gateshead. The trip took place on Saturday. The Castle was a stately home designed by John Nash (who designed Buckingham Palace when the Prince Regent was around) but it was partially demolished in the late 1930s and then more substantially in the 1950s. Fragments survive including the stable block and (more) |
Brazilian footballer falls down hole celebrating goal that was then disallowedThe judges are unanimous. Our Headline of the Day Award goes to the Guardian. (more) |