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I do a lot of talks for Sovereign Education, speaking to groups of 6th form students on A level study days. But a couple of weeks ago I agreed to step in and speak for Lancaster Royal Grammar School’s History Society. They meet at lunchtime and there are members from the whole school community from…

A busy start to the new year has meant that I haven’t had time to write any posts for the blog. I’ve been preparing my MA course for Lancaster, as well as the seminars for the Civil War course on which I’m teaching. Then there’s the marking – having finished one pile last week, another…

You might have noticed that there hasn’t been a post for a couple of weeks. Normally, I write a bunch of posts and then schedule them to come out over a few weeks. It’s easier that way, because I can set aside a chunk of time and write posts in bulk rather than having to…

At the beginning of October, I took part in Lancashire County Library Service’s Fun Palaces event at Longridge Library, singing Tudor ballads for an hour to anyone and everyone.  It was good fun, as I hope you can see from the videos below. I sang several songs, or at least, edited highlights of them.  There…

Just before the summer holidays, my son took part in his school summer concert.  One of his contributions was a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Starman’, which he accompanied on the piano.  He taught himself to play in just a couple of months, so here is a ‘proud mum’ moment.  Quite an achievement.

Up at Lancaster, I was asked if I could pop something quirky in my office that represents my research.  My son made me a lego ballad singer!

Although I’ve been an Honorary Researcher at Lancaster University for a few years, I’ve never done any teaching with them until this term.  Between now and Christmas I am teaching on the first year Reform, Rebellion and Reason course as well as the second year Making History Course. What’s more, I’ve got my very own…

At the very end of October, I was very excited to discover what I think is my first ever citation in someone else’s book.  My own book, Singing the News, didn’t come out in time to make the note, so the reference is to my PhD thesis, but I’m still feeling very proud of myself. …

During the summer, we spent a week on the Isle of Wight.  Our visit to Carisbrook Castle was livened up by the sound of music floating through the grounds.  It was provided by Blast from the Past, Chris Green and Sophie Matthews, who advertised one of their performances with a rather self-deprecating call of ‘Come…

During the summer, we went to the Isle of Wight on holiday.  This time, we visited Carisbrooke Castle, where Charles I was imprisoned after the Civil War.  It was, perhaps, the perfect time for me to visit, since I spent several days earlier in the summer running a summer school for Edge Hill University on…