Delville Wood, Northern France, where the Footballers' Battalion fought in 1916.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
WWI research trip
I'm just back from France. I was there to do some research on a book I am writing with George Myerson about the Footballers' Battalion in WWI.
I had never been to that part of France. I've passed through it on trains to Paris, but never stopped. I'm glad I did this time. Not just for the book, but for my understanding a bit more about WWI.
The thing that struck me most was, yes, that millions of men hurling millions of bombs at each other for years in the mud is about as dark a passage in the history of mankind there could be. But that the thousands of cemetries and monuments, all perfectly looked after 100 years on, represent the best side of mankind: that the French and others keep the hundreds of thousands of graves in such perfect condition.
I had never been to that part of France. I've passed through it on trains to Paris, but never stopped. I'm glad I did this time. Not just for the book, but for my understanding a bit more about WWI.
The thing that struck me most was, yes, that millions of men hurling millions of bombs at each other for years in the mud is about as dark a passage in the history of mankind there could be. But that the thousands of cemetries and monuments, all perfectly looked after 100 years on, represent the best side of mankind: that the French and others keep the hundreds of thousands of graves in such perfect condition.
This is the monument recently put up to remember the Footballers' Battalion.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Friday, 4 February 2011
Rugby at Carrow Road
I'm in Norwich. I'm staying in a hotel that is part of Norwich City's stadium. And I'm watching the rugby. Wales v England.
Tomorrow I am doing some work with Norfolk Libraries. I have worked in Norfolk for a few years, helping with their Canaries Reading Stars scheme. I love it that they keep having me back. They are passionate about books and passionate about football. Like me.
It's a big day for libraries tomorrow. There are events all over the UK to help stop libraries being shut down. Authors and readers and librarians and lots of others will be doing things to get libraries in the headlines. If you have a chance, please go to a library and support them.
On the trains from London today - and later, after the match, I was/will be editing Over the Line, my WWI book. It's going well...
Tomorrow I am doing some work with Norfolk Libraries. I have worked in Norfolk for a few years, helping with their Canaries Reading Stars scheme. I love it that they keep having me back. They are passionate about books and passionate about football. Like me.
It's a big day for libraries tomorrow. There are events all over the UK to help stop libraries being shut down. Authors and readers and librarians and lots of others will be doing things to get libraries in the headlines. If you have a chance, please go to a library and support them.
On the trains from London today - and later, after the match, I was/will be editing Over the Line, my WWI book. It's going well...
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