Val’s Book Reviews A naval labour of love Dutchy’s Diaries: Life as a Canadian Naval Officer in His Own Words, 1916-1929 by John Crispo Inglis “Dutchy” Edwards, edited by Helen Edwards [Victoria]: Helen Edwards, 2020 $29.50 / 9780969728252 Helen Edwards, a well-known heritage professional researcher in Victoria, has achieved a work of immense importance to naval
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“The First of April, some do say, Is set apart for All Fools’ Day. But why the people call it so, Nor I, nor they themselves do know. But on this day are people sent On purpose for pure merriment.” I wonder how many people still consider April 1st as being ‘open season’ to
Saint Brigid of Kildare or Brigid of Ireland (Irish: Naomh Bríd; Latin: Brigida; c. 451 – 525) is the patroness saint of Ireland, and one of its three national saints along with Patrick and Columba. According to medieval Irish histories of the saints, St. Brigid was born at Fochart (or Fothairt), near Dundalk in Co Louth. She became an abbess who founded several convents of nuns, most notably that of Kildare, which was one of the
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No one can deny that the Irish are full of charm and a whole lot of blarney, But St. Patrick himself, for whom March 17th is celebrated each year, was also something of an enigma. Contrary to popular belief, he was in fact neither Irish nor Catholic! Hard to believe, I know. Some say he
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Today Broadmead is an upper-class treed neighbourhood of fine homes and manicured lawns – but of course it wasn’t always that way. Broadmead’s history comprises a varied mix of hard work, horses, religion, burial grounds, famous battles, brewers, and war veterans, with an Emily Carr vision thrown in for good measure. Back in the 1880s
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Val’s Book Reviews Under Russian occupation My Long List of Impossible Things by Michelle Barker Toronto: Annick Press, 2020 $12.95 / 9781773213644 Reviewed by Valerie Green This book is possibly one of the best Second World War books out there right now for Young Adults and is especially pertinent in view of current world events. My
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Although the needle arts had been practiced in Ireland for centuries, it was not until the middle of the eighteenth century that Irish lace began to enter the world stage. In the mid 1700’s, Irish lace was promoted by Irish aristocrats such as Lady Arabella Denny, the famous philanthropist, who used social and political connections to
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On January 5, 1907, a woman called Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts, was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London, England. At the time, King Edward VII was reported to have said that “. . . after my mother (Queen Victoria), she was the most remarkable woman in the kingdom.” So who was this woman? She
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During the past two years of living in a pandemic, I have often been reminded of a quote by Sir Winston Churchill which states: “I feel devoutly thankful to have been born fond of writing.” This is so true and I would respectively add to that “fond of reading too.” Over the past few
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Val’s Book Reviews Return of the sea otter Sea Otters: A Survival Story by Isabelle Groc with forewords by Dame Judi Dench & David F. Mills Victoria: Orca Books, 2020 $24.95 / 9781459817371 Reviewed by Valerie Green Sea Otters: A Survival story by Isabelle Groc is a delightful wildlife book for all ages. Author Isabelle Groc has
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