Today in History

[Daisy]

Gem - we take our libraries so much for granted these days - and so many of us don't even use them - it's hard to understand what a huge contribution they made back in those days.

[Gemini]

Daisy, from conversations we have had, all of us on the Friends group of which I am secretary found libraries a really important part of our lives over many years.
I will write about this elsewhere as not everyone read this section!

[Daisy]

Good habits, formed in childhood.

[Nana]

I loved the smell of the library & books when I went in there when I was little. That love of books smell has carried on to this day.

[Gemini]

1839

Indian tea was auctioned in Britain for the first time. Previously, only China tea had been available, at great expense. After the introduction of Indian tea, prices fell and tea became so affordable that it was soon the national drink.

[Daisy]

What would we do without our National Cuppa!

[Gemini]

1993

British Airways was forced into an embarrassing climb-down in relation to a campaign of 'dirty tricks' it had launched against rival airline Virgin Atlantic. BA was forced to pay damages to both Virgin Atlantic and its boss Richard Branson.

[Gemini]

1895

The National Trust was founded by three Victorian philanthropists - Miss Octavia Hill, Sir Robert Hunter and Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley. Octavia Hill was concerned about the poor availability of open spaces for poor people. She campaigned against development on existing suburban woodlands, and helped to save London's Hampstead Heath and Parliament Hill Fields from being built on.
The National Trust is now the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom, and one of the largest UK charities by both income and assets. Its aim is to preserve places of historic interest or natural beauty for the enjoyment of the British public.
Its stately homes are well know, but the National Trust also owns vast tracts of countryside and coastal areas.

[Daisy]

When you see aerial views of London you can clearly see how much greenery - parks, trees and open spaces, there is in there. Long may they last.

[Gemini]

1867

Crowds flocked onto the frozen surface of the lake in London’s Regent's Park during a severe frost. The ice broke, and 40 people died.

[Daisy]

I some very cold winters there were fairs on the frozen Thames, even selling hot chestnuts,

[Clover]

Oh dear Gem.That’s a lot of lives lost. I remember sliding on frozen ponds,shallow ones I think,when I was young.

[Gemini]

1769

One of the worst riots in theatre history occurred at the Haymarket Theatre, London. Crowds had packed out the venue to see a conjuror who claimed he would get himself into a quart tavern bottle. The conjuror never arrived, and the crowd erupted.

Oh dear!!

[Gemini]

2013

A piece of music that was composed by waiting for bird droppings to fall onto giant sheets of manuscript paper received its premiere at the Tate Liverpool art gallery. Artist Kerry Morrison said that the music represented the role that birds play in the environment.

[Daisy]

Gem, I'm all for creativity and invention, but that's one I'd pass on.