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
BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS! Read More »
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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Val’s Book Reviews Trauma, work, love Forest Green by Kate Pullinger Toronto: Penguin Random House Canada (Anchor Canada), 2020 $19.95 / 9780385683067 Reviewed by Valerie Green In her novel Forest Green, author Kate Pullinger has produced a powerful portrayal of a man at various stages of his life from childhood to old age. Her protagonist, Arthur Lunn, is
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February is the month when thousands of people around the world will send or receive sentimental or humorous greetings cards from their sweethearts, friends or family members. So, let’s take a step back in time and examine the history of this unique ‘giving-of-cards’ tradition which apparently all started with a man called Valentine. Some people
A HISTORY OF VALENTINE’S DAY! Read More »
Kung Hei Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Saehae bok mani badeuseyo! Chúc mừng năm mới! Today is the Lunar New Year, the first day of the 2 week Spring Festival. Visit your family (but only on the second day), wear red, avoid taking out the trash (which is akin to washing away your luck
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In January of 1901, the city of Victoria in British Columbia, was contemplating the New Year with optimism. A new year was welcomed by the ringing of bells and the explosion of fireworks. But on January 19th some disturbing news reached the city. The Colonist reported that Her Majesty Queen Victoria, who was highly esteemed
