What’s the weather like today?
Weather forecasts in the UK are often wrong, due to the ever-changing nature of the jet streams and ocean currents around our […]
Read MoreMonth: October 2018
Maximum punishment for crime
The last death penalties carried out in the UK were in 1964, when convicted murderers Peter Allen and Gwynne Evans were hanged. […]
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Sir Alastair Cook
Sir Alastair Cook, CBE (1984-) was born in Gloucestershire. He retired from Test cricket with England in 2018, with a brilliant record […]
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Father’s Day
Father’s Day is on the third Sunday of June, so, unlike Christmas Day for example, it is not on the same date […]
Read MoreFather’s Day is on the third Sunday of June, so, unlike Christmas Day for example, it is not on the same date every year. It is not a public holiday and as it is on a Sunday, people do not take time off work to celebrate it.
It is a day to honour your father or step-father, perhaps with a thoughtful treat, outing or visit. Handmade Father’s Day gifts are often made by children in schools and nurseries, or in voluntary clubs such as the Girlguiding and Scouting movements. On the day, families may make a special effort to go out to restaurants or to family leisure attractions.
(Top image: pxhere.com)
Driving Licences
UK driving licences were first introduced in 1903 and anyone over 17 could apply for one, at a cost of 5/- (five shillings) […]
Read MoreUK driving licences were first introduced in 1903 and anyone over 17 could apply for one, at a cost of 5/- (five shillings) per year. Driving tests did not come into the picture until 1934.
Today’s driving licences must be renewed every 10 years and when the driver reaches the age of 70. Thereafter, it must be renewed every three years. When renewing, you have the chance to change the photo on your licence to a more recent one. The fees for a new or replacement licence can be viewed on the Government website here.
When learning to drive, the first step is to apply for a provisional licence. This enables the holder to have lessons. The Highway Code must be learned and, when ready, the theory test is booked. If that is passed, the driving test can be booked. The driving part of the test takes about 40 minutes and various manoeuvres must be carried out, as directed by the examiner, as well as following an unknown route as directed by a sat-nav device.
Many people do not pass these tests the first time, but they can always book again…
(Top image: Phil Champion at geograph.org.uk / CC BY-NC 2.0)
Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral in Devon is an awe-inspiring example of Gothic architecture in the ‘English decorated’ style. The solid-looking towers on either side […]
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The BBC Proms
The BBC Proms is a music festival which takes place every year from mid-July to early September, mainly at the Royal Albert […]
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The National Health Service (NHS)
The National Health Service (NHS) was set up in the UK after the Second World War, in 1948. We pay for it […]
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The Turner Prize
Every year since 1984, four different artists (who are either British-born or working mainly in Britain) are shortlisted and their work exhibited […]
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Mary, Queen of Scots
Mary, Queen of Scots (Mary Stuart, 1542-87) had a most unfortunate, tragic life. She became Queen of Scotland just six days after […]
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Blumlein’s stereo sound
Alan Dower Blumlein (1903-1942) was born in London and became a pioneer in the field of sound technology. He carried out work […]
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Sir Humphrey Davy
Sir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) was an extremely talented chemist, poet and inventor. Born in Cornwall and employed in Bristol at the Pneumatic […]
Read MoreSir Humphrey Davy (1778-1829) was an extremely talented chemist, poet and inventor. Born in Cornwall and employed in Bristol at the Pneumatic Institution, he first became known for his experiments with nitrous oxide, or ‘laughing gas’, by breathing it in himself. His friends tried it, too! Later, it would start to be used as an anaesthetic in dentistry.
Davy then moved to London in 1801 and succeeded in isolating the elements of sodium, potassium, magnesium, chlorine and iodine, among others, using the newly discovered process of electrolysis. He was also admired as a lecturer and was Professor of Chemistry from 1802 to 1812 at the Royal Institution. His presentation style was very popular as he was a charismatic speaker and used visual aids to great effect. His desire to communicate was also shown in his lifelong devotion to writing poetry, uncommon for a scientist.
In 1816, he invented a miner’s safety lamp which reduced the danger of explosions caused by naked flames in coal mines. This lamp is known as the ‘Davy lamp’.
(Top image: Wellcome Collection at Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0)