Answer to the quiz

The answer to the quiz is it is a kit bag fastener. Servicemen had a kit bag with their possessions kept in it. To keep them safe it was threaded through eyelets at the top of the bag and then locked. The song associated with the kit bag in the First World War was Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag. If you would like to hear the song go to U Tube and type in Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag which was popular during 1914-1918 conflict.

A puzzle for you

I wonder if any viewer can identify the object illustrated. The younger generation probably will not. I will give you a clue. With the centenary this year of the First World War there was a song written about the object it is associated with. The song became very popular with both sides in the conflict.

Some interesting pictures

The Wheathampstead Local History Society recently held an exhibition in the village hall depicting the changing face of the high street over the past 100 years. There were very many pictures of local village life in past times. The picture of the motor car is a Lanchester 28 horse power travelling through Wheathampstead. I hope you can just about read the history of it but the flash from the camera obscures part of it. One picture is of fairy cakes with the letters spelling out "Wheathampstead." The mayor of the city of St Albans, Annie Brewster, who lives near the village, opened the proceedings seen here with some old chap, who is he? Might be a cyclist! PS: What an attractive mayor!

An old-fashoned steam engine

ay A very wet and miserable January day gave me a chance to look back at previous pictures from my blog. This one is a steam engine which, among other uses, was used on compacting newly laid road surfaces. Various other models were used, with cables attached to pull ploughs across fields instead of using a horse and plough. Another use was to thrash the corn at harvest time. Being of an advanced age I remember them well.

 

 

Children's art

In the village of Wheathampstead stands The Swan public house, a listed building, which means strict rules apply with regard to structural alterations. Unfortunately in 2013 a fire broke out engolfing the roof, which necessitated the public house closing until restoration work can commence. To enclose the building a hoarding was erected, which looked rather drab, so with the help of a resident artist the children of the village painted these murals which depict well-known people who have lived locally. See if you can look them up on wikipedia and read their history.

 

 

A village church

On a beautiful crisp January morning I cycled past the village church in the village of Kimpton which is just a few miles from where I live, so I thought you would like to see a picture of the church and perhaps swap your books and have a cup of coffee at the same time!

St Albans Abbey

Having just visited the city of St Albans which the Romans occupied over 2,000 years ago, the Roman name of which is Verulamium, I thought you might like to see a picture of St Albans Abbey, which is a magnifient building and looking at it from the perspective of the 21st century with modern building methods and mechanical machinery it leaves one in wonder how the craftsmen in those days managed to contruct the building. Have a prosperous 2014.