Events in History – 13th May

The English Electric Canberra shows off its highly distinctive wing shape
On 13th May 1607, there were riots in Northamptonshire and other areas of the Midlands after the widespread enclosing of common land.
On 13th May 1912, the Royal Flying Corps, one of the forerunners of the RAF, was formed.
On 13th May 1949, our first jet powered [...]

At last – someone talking sense on the Human Rights Act

It makes refreshing change to report someone talking sense on the offensive use of the Human Rights Act. For far too long, criminals have bleated and moaned about their human rights being violated if they suffer the slightest discomfort or inconvenience during the course of their punishment.
Now a West Yorkshire police chief has spoken out [...]

George Stubbs

The latest article in the Greatest Britons series, by Louise Scott, looks at George Stubbs, the artist most famous for his equine paintings.
Early Career
George Stubbs was born in Liverpool on 25th August 1724, the son of a currier and leatherseller.
George showed a natural ability for painting portraits, and was apprenticed, briefly, to a Lancashire painter [...]

Edmund Halley

The latest in the Greatest Britons series by Louise Scott looks at the life of astronomer Edmund Halley.
Early Life
Edmund Halley was born on 8th November 1656 in Haggerston, Shoreditch. His father, also called Edmund, was originally from Derbyshire, and was a soap boiler, at the time when soap use was increasing throughout Europe.
The Great [...]