Enid in Love…

The simple art of the classic beauty is delightfully portrayed in this early picture of Enid Stamp Taylor.

Thought to have been taken when Enid was in her late teens, it shows the deep sentimentality and loving way that she displayed throughout her short life.

Tragedy beset Enid’s life; losing her younger brother at the age of only 9 years, then others members of her family. It is truly remarkable that we can now look back on this lovely lady’s life some One Hundred Years on, and appreciate the talent and effort that she gave to the early British Film and Stage.

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Agnes Stamp Taylor…

This enchanting portrait taken by Ismay of Harrogate defines the gentleness and inner warmth of Agnes Stamp Taylor.

Agnes is mother to Enid Stamp Taylor and in this rare snapshot the likeness is uncanny… just study her profile for a few moments…

The date of the picture is uncertain, but would likely have been produced soon after Agnes’s marriage to George Stamp Taylor in 1901. A truly elegant picture.

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The Kings Head in Bayswater…

The Kings Head in Bayswater West London was featured in my radio play ‘The Shriving of Miss Esme Stamp’. It is sited opposite Charles Hepworth’s photo studio in the 1920’s, and in one scene inside The Kings Head… Esme and Charles indulge themselves in a sensual meal of game and champagne… much to the disgust of Esme’s over-protective mother…

We have all enjoyed the fantastic hospitality of this wonderful London Pub throughout the years… Adrian, Anya, Michelle, Dave, Steve, Robert, Shannon, Marilyn, and of course myself – such a great offering of wines, beers, spirits and food!

We have our favourite corner, just below the black and white framed photographs showing The Pub’s own on-site brewery way back in the 1900’s, and one day perhaps, we may see you there too… Just sitting beside us.

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Notes from My Father’s Diary…

February 1951.  A typical BBC television studio when in broadcast consists of five cameras in use: a close-up and long range on the performer, a superimposing camera for the scenery, and cameras for titles and announcer. The sound system is completely independent and uses three microphones.  The Producers sit high above the studio in a control room, and it is interesting to note that gauze is used over the ceiling-hung studio lamps to provide a flat even lighting to the stage below.

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Interesting People from The Past…

This is Louise Brooks, an actress, dancer, and movie star, born in 1902.

Louise died in 1985, but in her varied career she had been a dancer, a model, a showgirl, and of course, an American movie star in both silent and sound films. She was renown for her cute bobbed haircut!

Louise was born Mary Louise Brooks in Cherryvale, Kansas, and died at the age of 78, in Rochester, New York, in 1985.

 Her nick-name used by her many friends and admirers was ‘Lulu’.

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Interesting People from The Past…

Anna Pavlova was a Russian ballet-dancer born in St. Petersburg, and made her debut there at the Imperial Opera House. Later she became the foremost ballet-dancer in Europe and her London debut came in 1909. Afterwards, she toured America. She appeared many times with Diaghileff’s Ballet Company, and most notably in Le Cygne (The Swan). Sadly, she died in 1931.

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Fun Day in The Park…

 Success for the thousands of locals who turned out for Dunstable Town Council’s Fun Day in The Park on Saturday, and despite the cold wet weather, and in the shadow of The famous Grove Theatre, a hundred or more side-shows were there to be enjoyed. Forthcoming attractions at The Grove Theatre include: Bradley Walsh, Hi-De-Hi! Westcoast, Jimmy Greaves, and many, many more!

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Notes from My Father’s Diary…

May 1953. Seaside Gardens. Seaside conditions in the British Isles normally provide less extreme temperatures than do inland regions, but at the same time the winds are more violent and the air is salt-laden. The first thing to do in making a seaside garden is to consider the question of shelter, and this having been provided, the garden will grow practically any type of plant according to the natural soil of the district.

Before planting any trees or shrubs the condition of the soil should be taken into account. The ordinary rules for soil preparation will apply; that is, heavy soils should be lightened and light soils should be made more retentive of moisture by the addition of strawy manure, leaf mould, ect. The worst problem will be where the soil is practically pure, sea-washed sand. Here the sand must be prevented from blowing about by the eastablishment of grasses, the erection of fences, and by pegging down tree branches over the surface. Scotch roses, willows, common privat, broom, and tamarisk, with violas and sea pinks (thrift), will constitute the first planting, whilst trees that can be planted almost at once include Corsican vines, maritime pines and sitka spruce. Other trees and shrubs suitable for coastal regions are: dogwood, alder, blackthorn sycamore,, hollies, sea buckthorn, whitebeam, certain Veronicas, hawthorn, Lycium barbarum, and Rosa rugosa.

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Interesting People from The Past…

Sir Harry Lauder… He began his working life as a Mill Boy in a flax spinning mill, and subsequently became a coal miner. He made his stage debut at Arbroath and his first London appearance at Gatti’s, thus making his name in variety. He was knighted in 1919. Sadly, he died in 1950 at the good age of 80 years.

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Interesting People from The Past…

Edgar Wallace was a novelist and journalist, and despite being born of unknown parents, and poorly educated, he became the most prolific writer of his day. After freelancing, he served in South Africa as a war correspondent, and following his return to London he became a reporter, then a writer of feature articles, racing tips, short stories, detective novels and plays. Amongst his works were The Four Just Men, Sanders of the River, The Fellowship of the Frog, The Squeaker, On the Spot, and there were many, many more.  

He was born in 1875 and died in 1932.

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