After my first trip to the print works Peter began to take me there on a regular basis and I got to know not just the printers and journalists but also the directors. What had begun in the 19th century, as a publishing company, Woodall, Minshall and Thomas, at Caxton Press in Oswestry, and laterContinue reading “Newspaper bosses kept it in the family”
Author Archives: Robin
A Thousand Martyrs Have I Made
by Aphrah Behn A thousand Martyrs have I made, All sacrific’d to my desire; A thousand Beauties have betray’d, That language in resistless Fire. The untarri’d Heart to hand I brought, And fixt the wild and wandring Thought. I never vow’d nor sigh’d in vain But both, thô false, were well receiv’d. The Fair areContinue reading “A Thousand Martyrs Have I Made”
Stereotype – it’s such a cliché
Printing presses were not foremost in my mind when I decided on my future as a reporter. I knew about the principles of printing having once had a John Bull printing outfit. Not, of course, that this childish toy was ever designed to introduce people to the real joys of printing. To learn more thanContinue reading “Stereotype – it’s such a cliché”
The Field Mouse
by Gillian Clarke Summer, and the long grass is a snare drum. The air hums with jets. Down at the end of the meadow, far from the radio’s terrible news, we cut the hay. All afternoon its wave breaks before the tractor blade. Over the hedge our neighbour travels his field, in a cloud ofContinue reading “The Field Mouse”
Timely lesson about trust
My mix of shadowing David Nicholas and spending time under my own command at the Holywell office certainly strengthened my nature when it came to coping for myself in later years. David taught me what to watch for when out and about as a good story could come from the smallest reference. He said youContinue reading “Timely lesson about trust”
The Tyger
by William Blake Tyger! Tyger! burning bright, In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare sieze the fire? And what shoulder, and what art, CouldContinue reading “The Tyger”
Touch of deja vu as memories meld
Have you ever found yourself watching an old film on the television and thinking: “I’ve seen this before but I don’t know when.” Or: “I am sure this film is taken from a book but I don’t remember reading it.” Over the past 20 years more and more films have been resurrected to fill spaceContinue reading “Touch of deja vu as memories meld”
Ode on Solitude
by Alexander Pope Happy the man whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air, In his own ground. Whose heards of milk, whose fields of bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire, Whose trees in summer yield him shade, In winter fire. Blest! who can unconcern’dly find Hours,Continue reading “Ode on Solitude”
Castaways a century apart
The subjects of two tales of boys surviving on a desert island are almost 100 years apart. One tells the story of three boys shipwrecked and cast up on a desert island in the Victorian era. This was written in 1857 by a Scottish author, RM Ballantyne, who wrote almost 100 adventure stories for boys.Continue reading “Castaways a century apart”
The Race Industry
by Benjamin Zephaniah The coconuts have got the jobs. The race industry is a growth industry. We despairing, they careering. We want more peace they want more police. The Uncle Toms are getting paid. The race industry is a growth industry. We say sisters and brothers don’t fear. They will do anything for the Mayor.Continue reading “The Race Industry”
Robin's Nest 