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)
Early American furniture
This article is concerned with domestic furniture produced in the American colonies in the 17th century. Most of what survives from this period belongs to the later years of the century, because the pieces put together by the earliest settlers would have been of relatively low quality, required for immediate use and broken up when their useful life was over. However, a considerable amount of furniture, built by talented craftsmen especially during the final quarter of the century, was treasured and passed down through the generations. Some excellent pieces can now be seen in museums and preserved colonial homes.
By John Welford3 years ago in FYI
Chaucer's Tale of Sir Thopas
Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1340-1400) was not only the greatest writer of the Middle English period, but also English Literature’s first humourist of note. It is therefore not surprising that his “Canterbury Tales” should contain a joke at his own expense.
By John Welford3 years ago in Geeks
Kingfisher
A kingfisher at work by a river or canal is an unforgettable sight. A sudden flash of iridescent blue is followed by a small splash and then, almost immediately, its upward flight to a perch where the prey is stunned, turned head first and then swallowed. One can watch a kingfisher all day and never get bored!
By John Welford3 years ago in Earth
Kestrel
The kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) should not be confused with its smaller American cousin (Falco sparverius) or the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). The latter belongs to the family of kites, harriers and eagles, whereas the kestrel, as its botanical name suggests, is a falcon. If you see a smallish bird of prey hovering on the breeze near a British main road, there is a high chance that it is a kestrel, and none that it is a sparrowhawk, which never hovers!
By John Welford3 years ago in Earth
My Acceptance Speech
To the entire population of the planet Zarg. I am deeply honoured and humbled to be invited to become your supreme Deity, and I am delighted to accept. This advancement will look absolutely great on my CV and will no doubt be an obvious talking point at any future job interviews. One quick question – is the post hereditary? If so, I am sure that my son will fill the post admirably when the time comes.
By John Welford3 years ago in Fiction
Mute swan
The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is a spectacular water bird that is seen on rivers, lakes, canals and estuaries in many parts of the world. It is native to Europe and Asia and has been introduced to North America and elsewhere. In the United Kingdom, mute swans are found in the wild virtually everywhere except the upland areas of Scotland, Wales and south-west England. Swans are regularly found in urban parks alongside ducks and geese.
By John Welford3 years ago in Earth
Early Italian furniture
During the early Renaissance period (up to around 1500) wealthy Italians paid little attention to how their homes were furnished. They were far more interested in the works of art and statuary that they had commissioned; after all, if you had paid a considerable sum of money to have a fresco painted across your living room wall you would not then order large pieces of furniture that obscured it!
By John Welford3 years ago in FYI
Frederic, Lord Leighton: a Victorian artist
Frederic Leighton was an artist who was immensely popular during his lifetime but who has fallen out of favour since his death. The modern viewer of his paintings and sculptures, which were mainly on subjects from Greek and Roman mythology, feels little sympathy for their stylised poses and waxen skin tones. However, to the Victorians, immersed as they were in the Classical revival that Leighton did much to create, they were all the rage.
By John Welford3 years ago in Geeks
White-tailed eagle
Most people have heard of the golden eagle, and would probably regard it as the king of Britain’s birds of prey, but less well-known is the even larger white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). With a length of up to 90 centimetres (35 inches) and a wingspan of 240 centimetres (94 inches) it is even larger than the bald eagle of North America. Female birds are larger than males.
By John Welford3 years ago in Petlife
The Gondoliers, a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan
The Gondoliers (1889) was the last comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan to achieve popular success, and strains were already appearing in the relationship between librettist and composer. However, it was most certainly a success, containing some excellent music and a typically Gilbertian plot. Despite Gilbert’s digs at aristocracy and monarchy, the Gondoliers was performer by royal command at Windsor Castle in 1891, the first light entertainment to be performed before Queen Victoria since the death of Prince Albert 20 years previously.
By John Welford3 years ago in Geeks