Nick Serpell 〓〓
@hendsow.bsky.social
Former BBC Obituary Editor. Professional Genealogist. Royal Commentator for @listentotimesradio.bsky.social. Author of Hellfire Awaits-150 Years of Redruth RFC
Remembering the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat lost on 19 December 1981 while attempting to save life at sea. Brave men all
December 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Remembering the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat lost on 19 December 1981 while attempting to save life at sea. Brave men all
The suffragette Emily Davison was fatally injured on 4 Jun 1913 after running in front of the King’s horse during the Derby. Analysis of the newsreel film of the event suggests she was trying to pin a WSPU flag to the horse’s reins. She died 4 days later. The horse was uninjured.
June 4, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The suffragette Emily Davison was fatally injured on 4 Jun 1913 after running in front of the King’s horse during the Derby. Analysis of the newsreel film of the event suggests she was trying to pin a WSPU flag to the horse’s reins. She died 4 days later. The horse was uninjured.
This day in 1794 saw the Fourth Battle of Ushant, later dubbed ‘The Glorious First of June’. A British fleet under Admiral Lord Howe defeated a French fleet, forcing it to return to port, allowing the British to continue the blockade of the French revolutionary regime.
June 1, 2025 at 6:11 AM
This day in 1794 saw the Fourth Battle of Ushant, later dubbed ‘The Glorious First of June’. A British fleet under Admiral Lord Howe defeated a French fleet, forcing it to return to port, allowing the British to continue the blockade of the French revolutionary regime.
The Battle of Ramillies was fought on 23 May 1706 between an Anglo-Dutch army, commanded by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and the French-Spanish-Bavarian forces of Louis XIV. Marlborough’s superior leadership saw his forces victorious.
May 23, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The Battle of Ramillies was fought on 23 May 1706 between an Anglo-Dutch army, commanded by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and the French-Spanish-Bavarian forces of Louis XIV. Marlborough’s superior leadership saw his forces victorious.
Mary Anning, palaeontologist, was born this day in Lyme Regis in 1799. Her fossil discoveries along the Jurassic Coast, changed the way scientists saw prehistoric life. However, as a woman and a non-Anglican, she was shut out by the scientific establishment of the day.
May 21, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Mary Anning, palaeontologist, was born this day in Lyme Regis in 1799. Her fossil discoveries along the Jurassic Coast, changed the way scientists saw prehistoric life. However, as a woman and a non-Anglican, she was shut out by the scientific establishment of the day.
On the night of 16th May 1943 RAF Lancasters from 617 squadron attacked German dams in what was officially termed Operation Chastise but become known as the Dambusters raid
May 16, 2025 at 7:45 AM
On the night of 16th May 1943 RAF Lancasters from 617 squadron attacked German dams in what was officially termed Operation Chastise but become known as the Dambusters raid
Daphne du Maurier was born on 13 May 1907.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”
May 13, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Daphne du Maurier was born on 13 May 1907.
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”
“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again”
HMS Victory was launched at Chatham on May 7 1765. She is the world’s oldest warship still in commission. Her most famous action was as Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar
May 7, 2025 at 7:19 AM
HMS Victory was launched at Chatham on May 7 1765. She is the world’s oldest warship still in commission. Her most famous action was as Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar
Richard Trevithick, mining engineer and true father of the railways, was born at Tregajorran near Redruth on 13 Apr 1771.
April 13, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Richard Trevithick, mining engineer and true father of the railways, was born at Tregajorran near Redruth on 13 Apr 1771.
Lovely to see bilingual signs in Breizh. Would love to see the same in Kernow.
April 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Lovely to see bilingual signs in Breizh. Would love to see the same in Kernow.
On 18 Mar 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon struck Pollard's Rock on Seven Stones reef, between the Cornish mainland and the Isles of Scilly. The crude oil that spilled from the wreck caused an environmental disaster.
March 18, 2025 at 7:31 AM
On 18 Mar 1967 the tanker Torrey Canyon struck Pollard's Rock on Seven Stones reef, between the Cornish mainland and the Isles of Scilly. The crude oil that spilled from the wreck caused an environmental disaster.
The Wealth of Nations was appeared on the 9 Mar 1776. Written by the philosopher and economist, Adam Smith it has never been out of print. This quote has never been more true
“There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.”
“There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.”
March 9, 2025 at 7:14 AM
The Wealth of Nations was appeared on the 9 Mar 1776. Written by the philosopher and economist, Adam Smith it has never been out of print. This quote has never been more true
“There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.”
“There is no art which one government sooner learns of another than that of draining money from the pockets of the people.”
Gool Peran Lowen. Happy St Piran’s Day.
March 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Gool Peran Lowen. Happy St Piran’s Day.
Roberta Flack RIP
February 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Roberta Flack RIP
Nancy Astor made her maiden speech on 24 Feb 1919 after becoming the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons.
February 24, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Nancy Astor made her maiden speech on 24 Feb 1919 after becoming the first female MP to take her seat in the House of Commons.
On 21 Feb 1804 the world's first ever railway journey ran 9 miles from the ironworks at Penydarren to the Merthyr-Cardiff Canal, South Wales. The locomotive was designed and built by the Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick making him the true father of the railways.
February 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
On 21 Feb 1804 the world's first ever railway journey ran 9 miles from the ironworks at Penydarren to the Merthyr-Cardiff Canal, South Wales. The locomotive was designed and built by the Cornish engineer Richard Trevithick making him the true father of the railways.
One of the most famous fixtures in rugby, Redruth v Camborne on Boxing Day. First played in 1877 with a continuous run going back to 1928. Redruth have won 72 of these games, Camborne 26. Blow away your hangover at Redruth’s Recreation Ground on Thursday.
December 24, 2024 at 9:25 AM
One of the most famous fixtures in rugby, Redruth v Camborne on Boxing Day. First played in 1877 with a continuous run going back to 1928. Redruth have won 72 of these games, Camborne 26. Blow away your hangover at Redruth’s Recreation Ground on Thursday.
‘They were truly the bravest eight men I've ever seen, who were also totally dedicated to upholding the highest standards of the RNLI.’' Lt Cdr Russell Smith USN. Sea King pilot
"Penlee lifeboat, Falmouth Coastguard over' 19th December 1981
December 18, 2024 at 5:35 PM
‘They were truly the bravest eight men I've ever seen, who were also totally dedicated to upholding the highest standards of the RNLI.’' Lt Cdr Russell Smith USN. Sea King pilot
"Penlee lifeboat, Falmouth Coastguard over' 19th December 1981
The Cornish scientist, Humphry Davy, was born in Penzance on 17 Dec 1778. He invented the miner’s safety lamp, and was the first to isolate many elements including sodium, potassium, calcium and barium. He was also an accomplished poet who was friends with Wordsworth & Coleridge
December 17, 2024 at 8:59 AM
The Cornish scientist, Humphry Davy, was born in Penzance on 17 Dec 1778. He invented the miner’s safety lamp, and was the first to isolate many elements including sodium, potassium, calcium and barium. He was also an accomplished poet who was friends with Wordsworth & Coleridge