Duncan Hill

I had a bit of time to spare before seeing Dad today, and accidentally bought some books. I did manage not to buy about a dozen more though.

Sir James Sexton, "the dockers' MP", born this day 1856. David Lloyd George wrote the foreword to his autobiography. "the life story of a brave man, who has served his country and his generation well... the rich life of a poor man... the coronets and rich rewards have been grasped by other hands, but he has earned his right to the crown of wild olive, the garland of a faithful life, usefully and honourably spent in the service of his fellows" #TGWU #Liverpool #StHelens #OTD #OnThisDay

The very idea of giving Mandelson the job as ambassador shows you just how poor Starmer's judgement is. Everything after that is just gravy.

No, Mr Pasty Seller, it is not "awesome" that my contactless payment went through.

Watching Rocketman, which I've not seen before. A few weepy moments. Mum loved Elton John and we saw him together at the Cornwall Coliseum in 1985 (close to my 16th birthday). And Border Song is so perfect.

John Grigg, biographer of David Lloyd George, born this day 1924. Sadly he never lived to complete his multi-volume study of LlG. #OTD #OnThisDay

J. Hugh Edwards, Congregational minister, Liberal MP for Mid-Glamorgan (1910-18), Neath (1918-22), and Accrington (1923-29), biographer of David Lloyd George (three times), editor of 'Young Wales', 'Welsh Review', and 'Wales: a National Magazine', supporter of Cymru Fydd, born this day 1869. #OTD #OnThisDay

Now watching... Susan Hill's "The Small Hand". The description on Wikipedia makes it sound like Rudyard Kipling's "They". https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10846772/

Bentley Brinkerhoff Gilbert, historian and biographer of David Lloyd George died this day 2008, his 84th birthday. Wrote extensively on the origins of the British welfare state. #OTD #OnThisDay Obituary from Perspectives on History. https://www.historians.org/perspectives-article/bentley-brinkerhoff-gilbert-1924-2008-september-2009/

Sharp's Brewery closing down. #Cornwall #Beer #DoomBar https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/doom-bar-maker-sharps-brewery-10835018

R. J. Cruikshank, journalist and author, born this day 1898. Associated with the Liberal papers the Daily News and the News Chronicle for many years. Governor of the Old Vic, sponsor of the London Philharmonic, delegate to the subcommission on freedom of information of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations. #OTD #OnThisDay

Lloyd George at the Fleet Street Festival of Words, with Damian Collins and Richard Rhys O'Brien . 12 May 2026, 5pm

https://lloydgeorgesociety.org.uk/2026/04/14/llg-society-event-lloyd-george-at-the-fleet-street-festival-of-words/

"But I walked home through the rain crying..." 12 April 1908 #OTD #OnThisDay
https://ramblingducky.blogspot.com/2026/04/but-i-walked-home-through-rain-crying.html

10 April 1890, the Carnarvon Boroughs by-election sees David Lloyd George returned to Parliament for the first time. For a time it looked like he might lose, but then a bundle of Liberal votes was found to have been counted as Conservative. #OTD #OnThisDay

I never got into Whitechapel when it was on telly originally, but I caught a couple of repeats recently and have now watched them all on iplayer. Really enjoyed it, one of Phil Davis's best performances, great to see Angela Pleasence, and such a shame it didn't continue.

His father knew Lloyd George.
The poet Edward Thomas died this day 1917 in the Battle of Arras. #OTD #OnThisDay
https://lloydgeorgesociety.org.uk/2026/04/09/his-father-knew-lloyd-george/

7 April 1917 - the wedding at Bath Abbey of Major Richard Lloyd George and Roberta McAlpine. #OTD #OnThisDay #Bath https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-primeminister-at-bath-1917-online

David Low, cartoonist, born this day 1891. Low said "He must have been poison to the old school tie brigade ... an outsider, bright, energetic, irrepressible, ruthless, mastering with ease the House of Commons procedure, applying all the Celtic tricks in the bag, with a talent for intrigue that only occasionally got away from him. I always had the greatest difficulty in making Lloyd George sinister ... he would spring off the drawing-board a lovable cherubic little chap" #OTD #OnThisDay

Something about these Bigfoot hunters reminds me of Kipling's lines, it seems they have heard the "everlasting Whisper":

"Something hidden. Go and find it. Go and look behind the Ranges -
"Something lost behind the Ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go!"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg58ydn4jpo

Southern Water sent me a letter saying they will replace my meter, and I don't need to be in when they do because it is outside. But my meter is inside. Morons.

£7 for a pint of Harvey's! Jesus.

No Labour candidate for Lewes in the East Sussex county council election. Have they given up?