Today, August 4, 2014, must be the most important anniversary any of us have lived through, apart from our own birthdays and key family events. I have looked again at the BBC’s excellent “37 Days”, to try to make sense of that sudden lurch to the biggest catastrophe in human history. (Ironically, the BBC didn’t… Continue reading
Formula E: next big crowd-pulling event to line our city streets?
Tour de France cyclists in The Mall, July 7th, 2014 Elite cycling – the new, hot draw on the street Tour de France is sure to return – but where? Could Formula E be next big mass spectator sport? Have we seen the start of a mass spectator event culture in Britain? The astonishing success of… Continue reading →
Harrogate welcomes the Tour de France, with a nice cup of tea.
Now we know where Harrogate is. The first day of the 2014 Tour de France, which took palace in Yorkshire was an event of Olympic proportions, and enthusiasm. Was there ever a televised road journey with such massive, joyous support? The race started in Leeds and ended in the sedate spa town of Harrogate. The… Continue reading →
Could new clean, green trolleys spark up city centre transport?
Public transport belongs in the heart of the world’s historic towns and cities. But what sort of transport? Underground trains are best. Then, as you move above ground, the cleaner, the better. Trams, gliding elegantly through ancient streets, are one clean public transport solution. But creating a new system in an old city can… Continue reading →
Lashings of ginger beer, please. Famous Five’s holiday home back on track
A South Coast resort has been reconnected to Britain’s rail system, 41 years after the link was severed. In its restored state, running through the picturesque Isle of Purbeck, it’s a line Enid Blyton and her fictional characters would have recognised. Direct steam trains now operate from London several times a year to the resort. Enid Blyton… Continue reading →
Six things you must do in Amsterdam
Six things you must do in Amsterdam More canals than Venice, knockout art by Rembrandt and van Gogh, the mass seduction of flowers, Renaissance architecture, a whole nine streets of independent shops. No wonder Amsterdam is one of our favourite destinations in Europe. GHD draws up his don’t miss list of things to do in the elegant… Continue reading →