I stumbled across Heather Firbank, Edwardian fashion victim, when I made an appointment to view a dozen feathered hats at the Victoria and Albert Museum?s archive centre in Olympia, west London.? I was researching a book on the women who campaigned to save the birds from ?murderous millinery?, and I wanted to understand why theseRead more
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When I started researching Margaretta Lemon, co-founder of the all-female RSPB, I assumed that she would be in favour of women?s suffrage. Of course she would! Etta Lemon, Mayoress of Reigate and co-founder of the RSPB This was a woman not afraid to swim against the current. As a girl, Etta was notorious for herRead more
I?ve written a book about female activism from the desk of a notorious Edwardian activist, Muriel Matters. Daily, I dismount my bicycle and walk through a small arch, hidden between ‘Playland’ amusement arcade and King Fish & Chips, up 20 weathered stone steps, to emerge on the glorious steep curve of Pelham Crescent, overlooking theRead more
If the rumours are true, production on Downton Abbey – The Movie begins in 2017, for release Christmas 2018.?Yay! But will it be?more of the same slightly nutty soap opera, or will Julian Fellowes?give us something more authentic, as he did with?the Oscar-winning?Gosford Park? My only?gripe?with Downton?was that the servants never did any real work.Read more
Daisy Mason of TV’s Downton Abbey: opinionated, outspoken and ambitious The wheels at Downton Abbey have cranked forward a year. It is now 1925. And mutinous kitchen maid Daisy Mason ??now assistant cook ??is causing trouble, railing against ?the system?, speaking her mind in places she shouldn?t. Is this credible? Visiting ladies’ maids brought withRead more
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