British Culture: Albion Never Dies

Don't be shy, send me a message!Why does an imposing James Bond henchmen wear a school turban? This is the podcast episode that will answer this question, which you may never have asked, but are surely now desperate to have an answer to! 40 years ago, Del Singh was involved "in a very un-orthodox way" with the 007 franchise. This interview with him is so great, so fun, so lively, it cannot be constrained to a single podcast episode. In this first of two parts, Del explains how he became involved with the filming of 'Octopussy' (1983), after receiving a phone call out of the blue from EON Productions - the dream for any Bond fan! He talks about his time with Roger Moore and Kabir Bedi, who played the imposing Gobinda, and even Del's input into the latter character's wardrobe. Del even comments on the best (and worst) place for a movie crew to buy a turban.Del talked to Roger Moore about his take on Sean Connery's 007, and observed how Moore dealt with this question differently in sessions with journalists. What did Moore claim he could do as Bond that Connery could not? The answer comes at minute 26. We also hear what Moore said his favourite film was (answer at minute 27), and, hear of Roger Moore's experiences filming 'The Wild Geese' (1978) with Richard Burton and Richard Harris. The spectacular train stunts in Octopussy were filmed at the Nene Valley Railways near Peterborough, where Del hails from, back before CGI could be used for such scenes, so we also hear Del's memories of watching these incredible stunts done on location, and the immense risks involved: Del says, "they really do earn their money"!  Out of curiosity, do you know how long a turban is? 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   Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!For  (I think) the first time in my adult life, I have stayed within the UK's borders for 365 consecutive days. Of course, I lived in England as a child. I have also visited. But, for the majority of my adult life, I have been primarily been based overseas. Even when I was a student in the UK, I would spend a few months of the year away, visiting family. So, this is the story of how and why I returned, what other influences colour my perception of the world, and I touch on my new life in my 'home country', which can now seem very alien at times. This is a very personal story, so, I do hope you enjoy it. 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 Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!What is the UK, Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland... and also the Scottish islands such as the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, and the Orkney Islands? What are those other British islands, like the Channel Islands, The Isle of Wight, and the Isle of Man? That’s what this episode is all about. I refer to the speech given by John of Gaunt in Shakespeare’s Richard II:"This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle,This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,This other Eden, demi-paradise,This fortress built by Nature for herself,Against infection and the hand of war,This happy breed of men, this little world,This precious stone set in the silver sea,Which serves it in the office of a wall,Or as a moat defensive to a house,Against the envy of less happier lands "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=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!Roland Hulme is a published author who has previously joined me discussing 'The Saint' [Episode 104], 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' [Episode 98], and his experience as 'A Brit in New York' [Episode 30]. I am truly delighted to have him in the podcast again, and hope you enjoy the little clips from 1985's 'A View to a Kill' which we use to illustrate our discussion at the start, and then at around 15 minutes into the episode. We discuss  story structure, archetypes and cliché, and why, as a novelist, he loves a good story structure. Check out his Youtube channel, Instagram, and his books on Amazon. 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=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!To prepare for this podcast, I have read the Hobbit more than 30 times (once every year), I have read the Lord of the Rings twice cover to cover, and the Silmarillion at least twice. I listened to the 13-hour BBC Radio adaptation and watched the Peter Jackson films, theatrical and extended, and all the DVD bonus extras. I also watched the ‘70s animated version and a couple of documentaries on the life of Tolkien, a People’s Profile one on Youtube and a television documentary from 1996 narrated by Judi Dench... and of course, I lived as a child in Worcestershire, the inspiration for ‘the Shire’ and the real life location of Bag-End in Dormston, which was a farm belonging to Tolkein’s aunt where he stayed in 1923. It is about 15 minutes from Stratford-Upon-Avon, where Shakespeare was born. All that, just for this podcast episode. I hope you enjoy it. Message me anytime on InstagramE-mail me at: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my videos at: https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have received their postcards and other little 'thank you's, randomly drawn from the list, and two have won extra special monthly prizes!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!Special thanks to Caine, and a mystery writer, whose identity is revealed in the episode, and who wrote this poem:Thomas, a fan of Bond so bold, With knowledge of British tales untold,Set out to educate and teach, His passion for culture within him to reach,He spoke of knights and of lords so grand,Of misty moors and rolling green land,Of scones and tea, and royal charm, And all the history that kept Britain warm,His words were met with doubt and with fear,But Thomas pressed on, year after year, With courage and wit, and a twinkle in eye,He showed the world what Britain’s culture was highAnd though some may still not understand, Thomas’ efforts will always stand, A testament to his love and his zeal,For educating the world, a true culture connoisseur real. I love it! I also talk about Tim Berners-Lee, Time Lords, the TARDIS, and very briefly, the Thames River in London. More coming up this month.  Message me anytime on InstagramE-mail me at: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my videos at: https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have received their postcards and other little 'thank you's, randomly drawn from the list, and two have won extra special monthly prizes!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!The 20th letter in the 'Alphabet of Britishness', is here! I am joined by Thunderbirds super-fan Chris; known to many on Instagram as @BritishBondAddict!He previously joined me on:Episode #10: "The 7 Pillars of Britishness: An Interview with Instagram's "British Bond Addict"Episode #14: "British Bond Addict talking about Bond, James Bond"Episode #41: "'L' is for... 'London' with 'British Bond Addict' & 'From Tailors With Love' (Pete Brooker)"Episode #63: "Back in Britain #4 | A visit to London meeting "From Tailors With Love", Daniel Gaster, and "British Bond Addict""I am absolutely delighted to have him back again. We discuss 'Thunderbirds', 'Joe 90', Stingray', and a host of other Supermarionation TV shows. If you have a 't' suggestion for this month, or indeed any forthcoming letter of the alphabet (Chris messaged me about this one a long while back), please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.Message me anytime on InstagramE-mail me at: AlbionNeverDies@gmail.comCheck out my videos at: https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSeveral subscribers have received their postcards and other little 'thank you's, randomly drawn from the list, and two have won extra special monthly prizes!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!What is it like to work for a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons? This week, I talk to an insider to find out. Thank you, once again to this week's guest for making this such a special episode. I ask her what led her to work at the Palace of Westminster, how it felt to enter the ‘Mother of all Parliaments’ for the first time. We discuss the day-to-day routine and what ultimately led her to move on and work in East Asia. Personally, I am very glad she did. We first met as we worked for the same company in Mainland China!Due to votes from 29 listeners on Instagram, I also chat at the end about the special screening of Octopussy I attended last weekend (sorry, the 1 person who voted 'no').  I also explain why Episode 106 talked about British satire without even mentioning Monty Python once. I (almost) always respond to requests. 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 received their postcards and other little 'thank you's, randomly drawn from the list, and two have won extra special monthly prizes!Subscribe to my newsletter: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!I have been asked to cover British humour and comedy many, many times by listeners. Finally, I have given in with covering 'satire' with the 'Alphabet of Britishness'. What is 'satire'? According to Dieter Declercq, author of 'Satire, Comedy and Mental Health: Coping with the Limits of Critique' (published by the company I work for):"Satire is a genre with the purpose to critique and entertain. In other words, when we classify a form of creative expression as satire, we frame it as setting out to critique some social wrongness as well as offering aesthetic pleasures associated with entertainment. These moral and aesthetic purposes interact in satire, although neither is wholly instrumental to the other – and they ultimately also pull in different directions, which makes the genre ambiguous.”In this episode, I first ruminate on satire that I have personally seen in other countries, for example, Turkish satire and the role played by penguins during the Gezi Park protests (9 years ago), thanks to CNNTurk. I coment on Turkish humour generally, and the tale of Nasreddin Hoca and the bump in the night. I also recollect Turkish Cypriot satire, which led to a leading newspaper changing its name from 'Avrupa' to 'Afrika', a move that had very significant satirical connections. Finally, I comment on Cantonese satire, especially humourists based in Hong Kong using Winnie the Pooh, leading to a ban on images of the classic character on the Mainland of China. After all this, I finally start delving into the history of British satire, from Hogarth's 'Gin Lane' images to the rise of first Punch Magazine (including '1066 and all that'), then Private Eye magazine, and the 1980s BBC TV show 'Yes Minister'. My final recoomendation is the TV satirical quiz show 'Have I Got News For You'. 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=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show

Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to so many, for so many great suggestions! I list the *main* ones below that I talk about:Shires (and The Shire)StonehengeSecurity ServiceStoicismStiff Upper LipSavage! Just kidding; the title ‘Sir’Sarcasm and Satire Sausage RollsScones Seaside SandringhamSPECTRESky Aside from online resources, such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica and Wikipedia, I drew inspiration and  information from 10 books: ‘The Lord of the Rings’ by J.R.R. Tolkien'A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain’ by Marc Morris‘Operation Mincemeat’ by Ben MacIntyre‘For Your Eyes Only: Ian Fleming + James Bond’ also by Ben MacIntyre'Post-War' by Tony Judt ‘Ian Fleming’s Commandos: The Story of 30 Assault Unit in WWII’ by Nicholas Rankin‘Ian Fleming and SOE’s Operation Postmaster: The Untold Top Secret Story’ by Brian Lett‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ by Ian Fleming ‘Yes Minister: The Diaries of a Cabinet Minister by the Rt Hon. James Hacker MP: Volume Two’ Edited by Jonathan Lynn and Anthony Jay‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ by Ian Fleming I also recommend Simon Schama’s television documentary ‘A History of Britain’, more for the early episodes than the later ones. They are available to watch online for free on the BBC iPlayer. I also draw on information on the official SIS and Royal Family websites, along with the 'Sandwich & Food to Go' magazine'. 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=5165536616Psst! The Folium Diary has something it wants to tell you - please come a little closer...YOU can change the world - you do it every day. Let's change it for the better, together.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show