“This week, for one week only, Stromness will be the centre of Orkney. Some local merchants think it should be the centre of the islands all the time. ” – Islandman
Focus on Stromness – 1949, Part 1
Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen #OnThisDay
On 16th of July 1819 Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen set sail to explore Antarctica for Russian Tsar Alexander I.
Obituary: The Late Dr Winnie Ewing
“She was one of the most generous people one would ever meet, hosting meetings, dinners & other social events. She would send encouragement to local people of all ages setting up new businesses of all kinds. Winnie struck up lasting friendships with people like Marjorie Linklater, also an SNP supporter & women’s rights campaigner from her early years. “
Stromness Skies by Mirran Hall
Images by Mirran Hall of Stromness
Scurvy, Smallpox, Syphilis: 18thC Living Conditions, Part 4
It has been estimated that smallpox was killing as many as 400,000 people per year in Europe by the end of the 18th century. Sadly, the majority of these deaths were children, as it was “chiefly a disease of infancy and early childhood”. However, even if some of the population survive the disease itself, they may well succumb to secondary infections such as bronchopneumonia and streptococcal septicaemia.
Teddy Bear’s Picnic Day
“today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic”
HMS Vanguard #OnThisDay
On 9th of July 1917 HMS Vanguard exploded in Scapa Flow (the result of an internal explosion of faulty cordite), killing 804 men.
Book Review: ‘The Thousand Earths’
” Hackett wakes to a future in which the Sun is a white dwarf, Milkomeda is dying, and the rest of the Universe is beyond visibility, due to accelerated expansion driven by dark energy. “
Explore the Story of Nunalleq, Alaska
The Nunalleq Digital Museum & Catalogue is now online
The Church in Stronsay: Part 5
“Among the business that evening was a report from locum Mr Ireland, who explained his difficulties in travelling throughout the island to fulfil his duties and it was agreed that he should be supplied with a new bicycle!”
