British Culture: Albion Never Dies

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

Don't be shy, send me a message!President of the British James Bond Fan Club www.007gb.co.uk gives me an insight into why he set up the club, what it involved, and why he has such a love of the long-running franchise. We naturally talk about the joys of 1974's 'The Man With the Golden Gun' starring Roger Moore, as we both have a love for that film and have visited key locations. You can check out Philip Dewhurst's Instagram account here:www.instagram.com/upintheair.phil/ ...and the official 007GB Instagram account:www.instagram.com/007gbclub/These really are worth checking out, as the club raises money for UNICEF, the charity favoured by the late Sir Roger Moore KBE. ...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/britishculture 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 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!I am delighted to be joined this episode by a *far* more experienced podcaster! Joe Darlington has run 'Being James Bond' since November 2006. He has done detailed rankings on the 007 films on a range of media, most notably, his Youtube channel. Recently, however, he shared a ranking that caused controversy, so I talk to him all about that, about his favourite Bond experiences, and - as in the title - why 1974's 'The Man With the Golden Gun' starring Roger Moore is clearly THE BEST James Bond adventure. Some things are just objective facts.... from a certain point of view.You can find 'Being James Bond' on iTunes, Youtube, Instagram, and a whole host of other social media. If you haven't already, so check him out, and he even wrote a book of the same name!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, for personal news and a look at 'behind the podcast': https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616   Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!This hard-hitting episode looks into the Daily Mail allegations that the Prime Minister of the UK is wearing suits "too small". Rory Tingle wrote:"Why doesn't Rishi Sunak buy suits that fit? Men's fashion expert is 'baffled' by the 5ft6in Prime Minister's attempt to look trendy with his ankle-skimming tailoring (and says the Noughties want their trousers back!)......In a forensic analysis of Mr Sunak's fashion choices for his 460,000 Twitter followers, Mr Guy said: 'Baffling to me how the wealthiest UK prime minister in history could live just steps away from Savile Row, the single greatest concentration of skilled bespoke tailors, and end up paying $2k for a MTM suit with sleeves and trousers 2-4' too short.'The fashion expert dismissed claims from his followers that Mr Sunak was trying to mask his short stature, or opting for children's sizes to 'dodge VAT'. The PM has never been known to skimp on fashion, having previously been seen wearing £3,500 suits from Bloomsbury tailor Henry Herbert, £490 Prada shoes and a £795 Reiss jacket. He continued: 'Lots of conspiracy theories on why Sunak wears such short trousers and sleeves, but my theory is simple... 'Sunak is a vaguely trend-aware guy, but just a little behind the times. He wears Palm Angels slides, Common Projects sneakers, slim-fit chinos, etc.'I don't think he has a grand theory for how short sleeves and pants make him look taller.'He's simply accustomed to wearing trendy things and so, he wears early 2000s menswear trends.'It is not unusual to see wealthy guys wear such shrunken suits. In fact, this is the dominant silhouette if you visit the downtown district of any major city... ...Mr Guy, who has written for Esquire and the Financial Times, later suggested Mr Sunak had been eclipsed in the fashion stakes by US President Joe Biden, whose 'ready to wear' suits fitted better despite probably being far cheaper."Well, so says the Daily Mail. What do you think?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  (one is coming soon).Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!9 months after moving into an unfurnished flat, and slowly furnishing it, and I've been served my 'no fault' eviction notice. It has been sold, and the new owner wants to move in, so I'm out. However, I may be in with a chance of another little flat close by, so fingers crossed that all can work out. Life's full of little challenges. This podcast mainly focuses on my love of local news stories, drawing particularly from:The Gibraltar Chronicle, founded 1801, this edition 23/03/2023The Whitby Gazette, founded 1854, this edition 15/06/2023The Craven Herald & Pioneer, founded 1853, this edition 27/07/2023I genuinely have a passion for local news, as these really do touch of people's lives and they give such an insight into people's real experiences. I read out articles that caught my eye, and give my own little observations. I'd hesitate to call this a 'filler' episode, but I do hope that you enjoy the levity of it. Support the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!From Donald Campbell's 1960s land and water speed records ~ referenced in 2002's 'Die Another Day' ~ to how you could get involved with high speed racing, Instagram's 'British Bond Addict' gives us his unique perspective on motorsport. Why him? Because he's a no stranger to a racing podium himself, that's why!Chris last appeared on "T... is for Thunderbirds"!Check out his account here: https://www.instagram.com/britishbondaddict/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