Category: Random History

A Bath, Some Militia, And An Ode To Japan Blacking

As we enter the year 2020, everything in the news is far too depressing to dwell upon. I am therefore taking refuge in the news of the past - if for no other reason, than to confirm that things were just as depressing in the past. Today I am returning 200 years to the 3 … Continue reading A Bath, Some Militia, And An Ode To Japan Blacking

Random History : Mr and Mrs Kirby Get The Job

HALIFAX BOARD OF GUARDIANS - Yesterday, an ordinary meeting of the Halifax Board of Guardians was held, presided over by Mr John Taylor, the chairman. The minutes and reports of the various committees were approved; and the number of paupers in the home was stated to be 391. The treasurer's account showed a balance in … Continue reading Random History : Mr and Mrs Kirby Get The Job

Tramcar Obscenities

YORKSHIRE EVENING POST 17 MAY 1919 People today just don't know how to behave. There is no discipline. Fighting, swearing, misbehaving on a Corporation tramcar - we didn't act like that when I was young.

The Good Old Days

1936 - the good, honest, old days when you could buy a "good honest radio" for £7-10. In these dishonest modern days you can buy one from Amazon and have change out of £4.

Random History : 13 February 1961

Today, our random number generated time machine is a rocket. 58 years ago today, the papers were full of the latest Soviet achievements in space. There is evidence that the spaceship - Venera 1 - did manage to fly past Venus, but sadly all communications were lost within a week of the launch, so we … Continue reading Random History : 13 February 1961

Random History : Giving Way To The Enjoyment Of The Conservative Ball

This week, our random-number-driven time machine takes us back to the year 1893 and to Huddersfield, where someone has been giving way to the enjoyment of the Conservative Ball. It resulted in ten bob fine plus expenses! Serves him right is all I can say. OBSTRUCTING A POLICE OFFICER AT THE CONSERVATIVE BALL : Joseph Crow … Continue reading Random History : Giving Way To The Enjoyment Of The Conservative Ball

A Telephone Call Interrupts A Night At Huddersfield’s Microscopical Soiree

My random-driven time machine sends me off to a meeting of the Huddersfield Literary And Scientific Society in 1879, but whilst I am looking at a wood spider through a microscope, a telephone call teaches me a lesson about history.

Random History : The Highly Gratified Poor

Today, our random time machine takes us back to 1873 and up the valley to Heptonstall. Ah, the good old days when Victorian values were paramount and if you gave someone from the poorhouse an orange they would be "highly gratified". "TREAT TO THE POOR - On New Year's Day (through the kindness and liberality … Continue reading Random History : The Highly Gratified Poor

A Mesmeric Tea Party

If you were in Bradford on New Year's Day in 1881 you could have entertained yourself by going to the Mechanic's Institute to a "Mesmeric Tea Party", courtesy of Professor Kershaw, Electrician, of Southport.