Hello, and welcome to my History Blog!

Yes, 'fraid so. Another damned rambling local history blog, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

You're right: This is a local history blog covering the West Midlands UK area (except when it isn't); containing the odd obsevation between clenched teeth (except when it doesn't); and with no compunction whatsoever about leaving the question of its significance to others.

Declare the credentials time: I hold an MA (History); PG Dip. in European Humanities; a BA(Hons); and Dip.Eur. Hum. (Diploma of European Humanities). That foregoing plethora of optional additional letters after my name were obtained after many many years of study with The Open University, the greatest place to learn on the planet.

By the way, the foregoing is the only time my qualifications will ever be mentioned in this place. Promise.

I also have a book available that I put together some years ago, but its on a vanity imprint so it doesn't really count. This is particularly true amongst my fellow historians who are a snarly bunch at the best of times. Should you wish to tip my total royalties over the £5 barrier however, please feel free to order a copy. No, it's not about local history.

Another book is in preperation. Don't worry, I'll crow about that loud enough when the time comes.

This blog does not contain academic history: The places to find that are books, universities, lectures, and tutors. It also (by and large) doesn't cover local history nostalgia. This is not because I think there is anything wrong with local nostalgia, but I feel that it is serviced quite well enough by others elsewhere.

What you will find here is a collection of posts and comments on historical subjects that I personally think are interesting, and I hope that you will too. 

Comments are very welcome from anyone but they will be vetted before publication. Sorry, but that's the way it has to be with web comments nowadays. It's a jungle out there.

Why bother? Well, I can't fit all this stuff on Twitter, and as for Facebook... Best not mentioned really.

More to the point, Stephen Fry said of History that it 'whinnys, and quivers, and vibrates in all of us'. That's good enough for me.

Welcome to my record of whinnys received: Thank you for visiting.