British Culture: Albion Never Dies

Don't be shy, send me a message!Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting 3 local Members of Parliament, and Michael Gove, who has been a member of cabinet for 12 of the last 13 years. He has served 4 of the last 5 Prime Ministers (not Liz Truss). I was able to meet them all at a dinner thanks to parliament being in recess, when politicians return in Autumn to their shires and connect with their constituents. I talk about this, the ensuing lack of UK political news as all the 'great men' are 'out of town'. I then delve into the sillier stories that pack out the main national papers at this time before diving into one of my absolute passions: local newspapers.I mainly draw upon: Keighley News and The Craven Herald.You can e-mail me: AlbionNeverDies@Gmail.comYou can find me on Instagram: @FlemingNeverDies***Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my online shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/British-culture/shopSupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!Every year, on October 21st, the Royal Navy celebrates Admiral Nelson’s most famous victory, near Trafalgar in 1805 when 27 British Royal Naval ships defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 warships. But, what if Nelson had lost? And how can we celebrate this night?I draw upon three books:‘The Rise and Fall of the British Empire’ by Lawrence James ‘Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World’ by Brian Lavery‘HMS Victory’ by Peter GoodwinI also recommend the movie ‘Master and Commander’ (2003), the TV show Hornblower (1998-2003), and the classic clip (on Youtube) of John Noakes cleaning Nelson’s Column for the children’s TV show ‘Blue Peter’. My ‘Recommended Rabbit Hole’: Lord Cochrane.  Just start with Google, see where it takes you, and let me know if you found it as fascinating as I do. This is an annual celebration and commemoration, so this episode is a rerelease from October 21st, last year. You can e-mail me: AlbionNeverDies@Gmail.comYou can find me on Instagram: @FlemingNeverDies***Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my online shop: https://www.redbubble.com/people/British-culture/shopSupport the showSupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!Doctor Who has graced our screens since 23 November 1963. But with such a long history, how can a new entrant to the series possibly catch up? What's happened so far? What's the basic premise? Who are the iconic characters? What's the best 'classic' episode? And who is 'Who'? This episode reveals all. Well, much. Let's not get carried away. Have a jelly baby.You can find Daniel Gaster here:https://www.instagram.com/danielgaster/...and his articles for Pete Brooker's 'From Tailors With Love' blog, here:https://fromtailorswithlove.co.uk/category/daniel-gasterMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616    Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!In 1999's 'The World Is Not Enough' starring Pierce Brosnan as 007, we see a stunning boat chase down the Thames in the opening minutes of the movie. This was the first time we really see London used in a major action piece in a James Bond movie. In this episode, I talk to a number of fellow Bond fans about their favourite moments of this chase, give my own take, and talk about the significant sights.You can watch the chase for yourself on the Official 007 Youtube page:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_iBmG5Y_BUThank you to the contributors, who you can find on Instagram:Donnie over at 'Quantum of History'Daniel Gaster at 'Daniel Gaster' Roland Hulme at 'Roland Hulme'David Zaritsky at 'The Bond Experience'Ken at 'Oceansographer'...and Pete Brooker at 'From Tailors With Love'The first time I took the helm of a Royal Navy ship was actually along much of this route, heading down the Thames from near Tower Bridge, and along past the Millennium Dome (now the O2). Now, when I see the chase, it brings back that very happy (if now distant) memory. I'm looking forward to attending the Q the Music concert on October 15th, and will be meeting up with friends before hand. Let me know if you want to come, all are invited!Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616    Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!My first ever movie review on this channel, 2 years on, time to share my first impressions of the 25th James Bond film from EON Productions. I give my views, and wander down a few little rabbit holes, as is my style. I talk about my personal journey with this film, three of the major talking points (full spoilers, so only listen if you've seen the film), and run through my highlights when watching. No surprise here if you've listened to Episode 118; I put this in the upper-middle of my overall 007 film ranking. Please let me know what you think of this episode; I've never done a film review episode before (despite requests). So, if you like it, I might do more, and if you don't... well, I probably won't. It's all about requests, here!Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have their postcards and other little 'thank you's in the post, randomly drawn from the list, and one has a free mug on the way!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616    Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!In every Bond film there’s a real-life historical event that goes with it. Donnie's podcast researches and presents the history that inspired the stories. Here, he sets out the best *and worst* of the James Bond franchise. One of the 007 films is absolutely (in his view) beyond redemption. Yet there are several others that are "perfect tens". We focus on the extreme ends of the enjoyment spectrum, and find a way of watching 2015's SPECTRE that makes it good for all of us. You can find Donnie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantum_of_history/...and check out his podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/quantum-of-history/id1508174531Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for personal news, a look at 'behind the podcast', and a semi-regular chance of getting a postcard, notebook, or 'Alphabet of Britishness' mug from me: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616  Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!She spoke better Arabic than Lawrence of Arabia, helped draw the borders of modern-day Iraq, and founded the National Museum arguing that historic relics should be kept in the country of origin. Yet Gertrude Bell is a relatively little-known British Imperialist. Perhaps as she was so ‘of her era’, as opposed to the more self-questioning heroes we might focus on now. I talk about my journey over the last few weeks, trying to find out more and more about her. I start with the Encyclopedia Britannica, check the Guardian newspaper, and find most biographies really draw on a single source, ‘Queen of the Desert: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell’ by Georgina Howell. I do check that, and a documentary that accompanied The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. There is also a 2015 movie starring Nicole Kidman, but honestly I found it hard to get into it, as many do.If you are interested in her archeological work, rather than her private life and public politics, it would be hard to do better than the hour-long Youtube video, ‘Lisa Cooper | Encounters with Ancient Splendors: Gertrude Bell’. This is a public lecture, which does show some of her remarkable photography. Meanwhile, BBC North East has shared videos about the influence her family had on her regions, Yorkshire and Cumbria. Throughout this episode, I do try and add in my own experience where I can, having worked in Saudi Arabia and then in Oman. I was able to visit some of the archeological sites out in the desert, and I can quite understand how this could draw someone in as a life-ling interest. I shall share more on that, if requested, so do get in touch.Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for personal news, a look at 'behind the podcast', and a semi-regular chance of getting a postcard, notebook, or 'Alphabet of Britishness' mug from me (Chris just got one): https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!I have mentioned Yorkshire many times, but rarely focused on it. Time to rectify that. Yorkshire is a historic county of England, between the Pennies and the North Sea. It is England’s largest historical county with a history shaped by the Vikings (Danelaw), the War of the Roses (1455 – 1487), and the Industrial Revolution.Famous Yorkshire folk include:Sean Bean, best known as ‘006’ in Goldeneye, and as Sharpe a kind of Napoleonic 007. The original Bernard Cornwell novels have Sharpe as a Londener, but this was reset for the show after casting Bean.Judi Dench, hard to know which is her best-known role, but I shall default to ‘M’ from the 007 films! Her Yorkshire accent only comes out with strong language.Diana Rigg (Mrs. James Bond) who is from Doncaster, just like Jeremy Clarkson, although they sound quite different. Clarkson’s original ‘BBC voice’ was closer to Rigg’s, he later dropped it for his more natural accent. Patrick Stuart (a non-Bond); in the 24th Century no one cares if you have hair (for men anyway)Pete Prostlewaite, Steven Spielberg called him "The best actor in the world"! He’s most famous for Jurassic Park 2 and Inception (he’s the old dude dying who prompts the story)… and of course, Brassed Off (1996) with a young Obi Wan Kenobi.I also talk about a famous Yorkshire ‘anthem’:Ilkla Mooar baht 'at Song Lyrics:Wheear 'ast tha bin sin' ah saw thee, ah saw thee?On Ilkla Mooar baht 'atTha's been a cooartin' Mary JaneTha's bahn' to catch thy deeath o` cowdThen us'll ha' to bury theeThen t'worms'll come an` eyt thee upThen t'ducks'll come an` eyt up t'wormsThen us'll go an` eyt up t'ducksThen us'll all ha' etten theeThat's wheear we get us ooan back Don't worry, I provide a translation from the West Yorkshire dialect. I do attempt to read it in the dialect, please have patience with that! Finally, I wrap up with 8 suggestions for days out in Yorkshire. Steam through stunning countrysideAmble down the Shambles in YorkWalk in the Dales Indulge in a local speciality Follow in Captain Cook’s footsteps Tuck into fish & chips in Whitby Visit one of Britain’s greatest stately homes Have afternoon tea at BettysMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for personal news, a look at 'behind the podcast', and a semi-regular chance of getting a postcard, notebook, or 'Alphabet of Britishness' mug from me: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!All rankings of the 25 007 films are purely personal preference, yet there are some listings that attract more controversy than others. Here, Chris Hunt (aka 'British Bond Addict') and I talk through our most unusual choices, including our views on; 'Thunderball' and  'Diamonds Are Forever' with Sean Connery, 'The Man With the Golden Gun' and 'For Your Eyes Only' with Roger Moore, and 'Quantum of Solace' and 'No Time to Die' with Daniel Craig. Which ones are high and low? Listen to find out.Check out his Instagram profile:www.instagram.com/britishbondaddict...and if you haven't seen it, do check out my 007-minute Youtube video on License to Kill:www.youtube.com/britishcultureMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for personal news, a look at 'behind the podcast', and a semi-regular chance of getting a postcard, notebook, or 'Alphabet of Britishness' mug from me: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!In his 007th appearance on this podcast, Chris Hunt (aka 'British Bond Addict') talks me through his top 6 James Bond films, his bottom 3, and we talk about how our rankings of all 25 differ. Chris is a Brit currently based in the USA, so naturally we find much to talk about in differences between the British and American fandoms, and how experiences in either country can change your (and have changed our) perceptions of the 007 films.Check out his Instagram profile:www.instagram.com/britishbondaddict ...and if you haven't seen it, do check out my 007-minute Youtube video on The Man With the Golden Gun on:www.youtube.com/britishcultureMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for personal news, a look at 'behind the podcast', and a semi-regular chance of getting a postcard, notebook, or 'Alphabet of Britishness' mug from me: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show