Archive for August, 2015
Is it time for some facts about those migrants?
August 7th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
One of the hottest topics in the British media at the moment is the issue of migrants into Europe and especially the numbers at Calais seeking entry to the UK. The debate is an emotional one and it’s useful to have some relevant facts
Posted in British current affairs, World current affairs | Comments (0)
A review of the film “The Judge”
August 6th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Want to see a character-driven film as a change from all those action-packed movies? I recommend “The Judge” which I have reviewed here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
When are we going to act on climate change?
August 5th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Although understandably, we worry about economic austerity and Islamic extremism, the greatest threat to humankind is climate change. So, this week, I attended London’s City Lit college for a one-day course entitled “Climate Change: Past, Present And Future” run by Wendy Hartnell, formerly policy adviser at Department of Energy & Climate Change. Interestingly we met […]
Posted in Environment | Comments (3)
Henry V and the Battle of Agincourt
August 4th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
This week I attended a one-day course at the City Lit college in central London on “Henry V And The Battle Of Agincourt”. Our lecturer was Vanessa King of the Mary Ward Centre who ran a course I attended last Autumn on “The Danish Conquest Of England”. Henry V (1386-1422) is one of the most […]
Posted in History | Comments (1)
What did King Henry V say to his troops before the Battle of Agincourt?
August 4th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
One version is contained in the famous speech in Shakespeare’s play: “This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, […]
Posted in History | Comments (0)
How long did the Hundred Years War last?
August 4th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
This was the long-running war between the English and the French in the 14th & 15th centuries. As I learned on a course this week, actually the war lasted 116 years (1337-1453) – more information here. You see, most of what we think we know of history is very much an approximation of what actually […]
Posted in History | Comments (0)
Why do we study history?
August 4th, 2015 by Roger Darlington
This is a question I asked myself again this week when I attended a one-day course at the City Lit college in central London on “Henry V And The Battle Of Agincourt”. One answer to the question is: to illuminate our understanding of the present because we are writing the first draft of history now. […]
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A review of the new comedy film “Hot Pursuit”
August 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
Don’t rush to see this movie at the cinema, but you might to catch it on DVD, streaming, or television. It tries to be different. You can read my review here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
A review of “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”
August 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
The “Mission: Impossible” film franchise has now been running almost two decades and produced five movies. I’ve seen them all and reviewed the latest one here.
Posted in Cultural issues | Comments (0)
What do these three political campaigns have in common?
August 1st, 2015 by Roger Darlington
1) In the American race to select a Republican candidate for the presidential election next year, 69 year old Donald Trump is currently leading the field of 17 runners. 2) In the American race to select a Democratic candidate for the presidential election next year, 73 year old Bernie Sanders is drawing exceptional support even though […]
Posted in American current affairs, British current affairs | Comments (1)