On 4 March 1824 John Cadbury opened his first shop selling cocoa, tea and coffee on Bull Street, Birmingham. In 1861 Richard and George Cadbury took over the family business and created the UK’s first totally pure drinking cocoa. In 1871 Cadbury was among the first to introduce bank holidays for its workers, something which … Continue reading “Cadbury 200th birthday”
Category: Anniversaries
150th anniversary of the birth of Ernest Shackleton
15 February marks 150 years since the birth of Ernest Shackleton, the Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who attempted to reach the South Pole. He is most associated with four expeditions exploring Antarctica, particularly the Trans-Antarctic (Endurance) Expedition (1914–16) that he led, which, although unsuccessful, became famous as a tale of remarkable perseverance and survival. Born in County Kildare … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the birth of Ernest Shackleton”
Bagpuss is 50!
Bagpuss, the most magical, saggy, old, cloth cat in the whole wide world, is 50. The children’s show first aired on 12 February 1974. Made by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, Bagpuss lived in a shop that was a home for lost property. Only 13 episodes were ever made, the programme and it has remained … Continue reading “Bagpuss is 50!”
H.E. Bates 50th anniversary
29 January 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of HE Bates. Herbert Ernest Bates (1905-1974) was an English novelist and is widely recognised as one of the finest short story writers of his generation. His first novel The Two Sisters was published in 1926, with a collection of short stories ‘Day’s End, and … Continue reading “H.E. Bates 50th anniversary”
Wilkie Collins – 200th anniversary
Wilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright born in 1824. He was an early pioneer of detective fiction and mystery stories having written over 30 novels, as well as plays and short stories. He is perhaps most well known for two novels, The Woman in White and Moonstone, both of which are considered pioneering … Continue reading “Wilkie Collins – 200th anniversary”
100th anniversary of the death of Gustave Eiffel
27 December 2023 marks the centenary of the passing of Gustave Eiffel, most noted for creating the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Born in Dijon in 1832, he graduated from the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in 1855. Trained as an engineer, he founded and developed a company specialising in metal structural work. The … Continue reading “100th anniversary of the death of Gustave Eiffel”
Dr Who at 60
23 November 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the first episode of Dr Who. Beginning with William Hartnell as the first-ever Time Lord, fourteen actors have gone on to play this iconic role, exploring the universe in the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension(s) In Space), combatting foes, helping people in need and generally just saving … Continue reading “Dr Who at 60”
60th anniversary of the death of CS Lewis
Born in Belfast in November 1898 into the Anglican Church of Ireland, British writer, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian CS (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963) abandoned his faith at school, but was reconverted to Christianity when on the English faculty at Oxford by the devoutly Catholic J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “The Lord of the Rings.” … Continue reading “60th anniversary of the death of CS Lewis”
Jean Cocteau 60th anniversary of his death 11 October
Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau (1889-1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist and critic. One of the foremost creatives of the surrealist, avant-garde, and Dadaist movements, he was one of the most influential figures in early 20th-century art. In 1917, Cocteau met Picasso. They went to Rome and Cocteau worked with … Continue reading “Jean Cocteau 60th anniversary of his death 11 October”
100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Richard Attenborough
29 August 2023 marks the centenary of the birth of Sir Richard Attenborough, English actor, director and producer. He left home when he was 17 to attend London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. His acting roles stretch a remarkable 60 years from 1942 to 2002 – starring in early films such as the sublime ‘A Matter … Continue reading “100th anniversary of the birth of Sir Richard Attenborough”