John Welford
Bio
I am a retired librarian, having spent most of my career in academic and industrial libraries.
I write on a number of subjects and also write stories as a member of the "Hinckley Scribblers".
Stories (501/0)
A lengthy lunch in Moscow
For five weeks during the summer of 1977 I was in Moscow, working at the British Embassy (see photo) to set up a library within the Cultural Section. This proved to be a fascinating time, not least for the string of distinguished visitors who came and went. I once made a cup of tea for the architect Sir Hugh Casson and on another occasion shook hands with the Foreign Secretary at that time, who was David Owen.
By John Welford3 years ago in Journal
A Nip of Firewater
At first, the business went well. Jake and Melanie had been introduced by a mutual friend, some twenty years ago, and decided not only to become friends but to go into partnership in a commercial sense as well. When the opportunity came along to rent a small shop in a row of similar premises on the edge of town they jumped at the chance and opened for business, as a general hardware store, shortly afterwards.
By John Welford3 years ago in Fiction
Claudius, Emperor of Rome
On the face of it, Claudius was one of the least suitable men to become Roman emperor, but on most counts he was far from being one of the worst. He had a special role in the history of Britain, as it was during his reign that the Roman Empire extended to Britain, and there are several aspects of Rome’s 400-year rule that have had an important influence down to the present day.
By John Welford3 years ago in FYI
Green woodpecker
The green woodpecker (Picus viridis) is easily the largest of the three species of woodpecker that breed in the United Kingdom. They are not always easy to see, partly because of their green colouring but also because they have a habit of moving out of sight when they become aware of people in the vicinity.
By John Welford3 years ago in Petlife
Red Stains as the Sun Sets
It had been a beautiful late autumn day, but the sun was now setting fast and throwing a livid red glow across the thin clouds near the horizon. This was the view that Albert was privileged to enjoy from his clifftop home whenever the weather conditions allowed. I envied him that at least.
By John Welford3 years ago in Fiction
My Journey to Burnside Farm
Normally I prepare for my holidays well in advance, but on this occasion I did not. It was to be a week’s walking break in the Highlands of Scotland, staying at a farm that offered bed and breakfast and a packet of sandwiches for my daily roaming over the fells.
By John Welford3 years ago in Fiction
A Piece of Cake
The final one-hour exam paper of my Philosophy degree course was due the next day. Traditionally the examiners sprung a surprise for this paper, for which it was impossible to prepare in advance. The idea was to see just how flexible and logical one’s mind was in tackling a philosophical concept. One year there had been just one line on the question paper, which was: “Is this a question?” One student got full marks by writing: “Yes, if this is an answer”, then going to sleep for the rest of the hour.
By John Welford3 years ago in Education
Epicureanism versus Stoicism
Epicureanism and Stoicism were two philosophical schools of the Hellenistic period that were active at the same time. Although their founders, Epicurus (see image above) and Zeno, were contemporaries who settled in Athens within a few years of each other, the doctrines of Epicureanism were fixed once and for all by their founder, whereas those of Stoicism had a long development.
By John Welford3 years ago in Motivation
Elizabethan oak furniture
A considerable amount of oak furniture has survived from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603), partly because of the material in question and partly because much of it was made for the great houses built by men who achieved fame and fortune in that era. Where the houses have survived, so have many of the pieces that furnished them.
By John Welford3 years ago in FYI