Many risks remain unobserved in plain sight though on occasion can be perceived by the more perceptive individual. This was perhaps the case in respect of the physical layout of an intensive care unit in an acute hospital. The link had become apparent only after the development of a model to simulate the risk of… Continue reading Risks and Bricks
Shakespeare in Silver Street
Perhaps it is better said that it is worthwhile to read books and especially rewarding to discover treasures among them. An example of this is the book entitled ‘The Lodger’ by Charles Nicoll whose starting point was the serendipitous discovery of a part of a court record involving William Shakespeare. The record related to a… Continue reading Shakespeare in Silver Street
Marie Curie and I
It was one of those ‘archaic’ experiments in the Natural Philosophy laboratory at Glasgow University. It had been included in the belief that it provided the student with a better appreciation of the basics of radioactivity. As I recall the experiment involved a radioactive source and a gold leaf electroscope. When a charge was placed… Continue reading Marie Curie and I
New Atlantis
There are those who have read ‘New Atlantis’ by Francis Bacon and those who have not. For those who have read the manuscript this summary will not be a revelation. For those who have not it can only be hoped that the summary does a jot of justice to the main work. The narrative of… Continue reading New Atlantis
Star-spangled banner
Most of the time we have relatively little interest in the origins of our national anthem and even less in that of other nations – except perhaps when they may have better tunes. The national anthem of America – the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ has, however, some strands of mutual interest for both the Americans and the… Continue reading Star-spangled banner
A memorable doorway
A Link with JRR Tolkien It was always a pleasant drive along the Fosse Way to reach Stow-on-the Wold after passing through Moreton-on-the-Marsh. There were always art galleries to visit and of these the Fosse Gallery overlooking the main square was especially of interest. A rather unique feature in the town, however, was a north… Continue reading A memorable doorway
Enfidaville
It was one of those holiday excursions where the venues visited rose up in surprise to greet the traveller. It was Tunisia in 2008 in a then settled and tranquil country while institutions in the Western world were experiencing the financial storm of a generation. It had been an early rise as the coach picked… Continue reading Enfidaville
Tommy Brown and U-559
In times of conflict it can be the contribution of apparently insignificant individuals that can make a major contribution to their outcome. The example of a certain Tommy Brown in World War II is an excellent example of such a contradiction. Tommy Brown had actually joined the British Navy in 1941 aged 15 years –… Continue reading Tommy Brown and U-559
Sarehole Mill
This is an item about Sarehole Mill – a locality frequented by JRR Tolkein in his childhood.