A brief look at some of my recent work at James and Sons, including photos, and a regular photo gallery.
One of the things I have been doing recently at James and Sons is describing an imaging a large collection of old newspapers and magazines. This post looks at that process.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The condition has to be assessed – even if the item is very old one cannot expect imperfections to be overlooked. In the oldest stuff (1850s-1870s in this context) there are rarely any adverts, so it is purely about general content. From the tail-end of the Victorian era onwards ads play a much bigger role, and while genuinely interesting content should be noted it is often the ads that are the main selling point. Once the descriptions have been typed in the image gallery then has to back them up. I have some sample images to show to end this section.
We start with three full page ads from different lots.With this one there were few ads because it was wartime, but there was an abundance of very interesting general content, themed on looking to the future.A full page ad from another lot.This item had some incredible advertisements.The 1962 Chevrolet got not just an advert, but a multipage advertising feature – one full page and two double page spreads.There were three double page spreads advertising Ford products in various parts of the magazine.This was a double page plus a mini booklet.The feature article was beautifully presented.This was just the start of a superb historical feature.
PHOTOGRAPHS
I end with one of my regular galleries…
Not a perfect V – the two birds on the bottom left are out of true – but not that far off.This was hovering high overhead as I headed on to the footpath along the east bank of the Great Ouse on my way home from today’s WNAG committee meeting.
A photo gallery featuring many birds and insects, including three species of butterfly.
Here is my latest gallery (late yesterday and today) featuring among other things three different species of Butterfly…
A painted lady on a buddleia head overlooking the upper Purfleet.A woodland brown on a leaf that still has its green colourA red admiral on a leaf that has gone redA red admiral with a background of greenery.A curious looking bug on the exposed underside of a green leaf.
A look at a series of books I have just discovered, by Steve Higgs. Also an autumnal photo gallery featuring animals, plants and fungi.
I have recently found a highly readable series of detective novels by Steve Higgs (I have read a number of them, and will be on the lookout for more). This post looks at this series.
THE BASIC STORY
A long retired detective superintendent, Albert Smith, sets out on a round Britain trip with the intention of learning how to cook all his favourite foods. His constant companion is a former police dog, who has allegedly been disposed of because of his bad attitude, but another hypothesis emerges as the series progresses: he has been got rid of because he makes his handlers look bad.
Smith’s visits are invariably interrupted by crimes which he and his dog then help to investigate. As the series progresses it becomes clear that the crimes are all linked, and in the some of the later volumes we see things from the side of the perpetrator, moving the books on from simple whodunnits to questions of will he get away with it? Smith’s three children are all themselves serving police officers, and they reluctantly come to see that he is on to something, and discreetly provide him with assistance.
I highly recommend these books.
PHOTOGRAPHS
My usual sign off…
A riot of autumn colour in Kettlewell Lane Park this morning.An unusual sight this late in the year – a red admiral.
I am a little short on inspiration right now, so just to keep the blog active I am producing a gallery of my latest hobby photos. To view photos at large size just click on one.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Here we are…
The grey colouring says that this is technically still a cygnet, but it is pretty much the same size as its parents.One smallish leaf, three larvae. The larvae on the left and right probably belong to the same species, but the one in the middle is clearly different.This looks quite similar to a squirrel, but its movements were bouncier than any squirrel I have ever seen, and where a squirrel would have a bushy tail pretty much as long as the rest of its body this creature just has a tiny tuft of tail. One fully developed insect (the reverse video ladybird – black with red spots rather than the usual way round) and one larva sharing a leaf.
A look back at the last day of the 2026 English cricket season, headlined by an ODI series decider between England and Sri Lanka. Also a large photo gallery.
Yesterday saw the last knockings of the 2026 English cricket season, including the third and final ODI of a series between the England and Sri Lankan men’s sides, which this post looks back at.
THE PRELIMINARIES
Sri Lanka had levelled the series by winning the second match back on Thursday. Also in that match Jos Buttler had picked up an injury while batting and retired hurt, and he was absent from this match, his place as keeper being taken by Jordan Cox. England had a slightly less deep batting order than sometimes, but the presence of Gus Atkinson, with an international century to his name, at number nine is hardly indicative of a long tail. England won the toss and although the pitch was fairly green they opted to bat first, having realized that the layer of grass had been left in place because it was a fundamentally very dry surface and needed the presence of the grass to keep it together…
THE ENGLAND INNINGS
Ben Duckett floundered to a five ball duck, finally being beaten all ends up and bowled by a superb ball from Madushanka (it was also a poor shot by Duckett but that should not detract from a fine piece of bowling). Joe Root was never in great form either, but he hung around for a time in support of Tom Banton who was batting magnificently. Harry Brook came in at number four, and now England had in form batters together at the crease. Banton reached his first international hundred. Brook fell at 218, having scored a fluent 77, which brought Jordan Cox to the crease. Banton was fourth out at 242, having scored 126 from 105 balls. Will Jacks and Jamie Overton each provided useful support to Cox who batted brilliantly. Asitha Fernando ended the innings on a personal high, bowling Cox for 76 (52) and then Dawson for a first ball duck with the last two balls of the innings, but the damage was well and truly done by then, with England posting 355-7 from their 50 overs.
THE SRI LANKA INNINGS
Sri Lanka never looked like getting anywhere near the huge total they had been set. Kusal Mendis, century maker in the second match of the series, produced a fluent 35, but once he was out to the last ball of the ninth over to make it 53-3 no one did a great deal. The run out of Rathnayake by Archer, which caused a deal of confusion because Cox had actually dislodged a bail before the ball arrived, stood because Archer’s throw actually removed a stump from the ground. That was 77-4, and with Charith Asalanka and Dunith Wellalage following in short order it was soon 82-6. Sachindu Colombage and Janith Liyanage also one after the other, 104-6 becoming 106-8. None of Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando or Dilshan Madushanka, the three remaining Sri Lankan batters, have any batting pedigree whatsoever, and imagining that they might some score 250 between the three of them would have been fanciful to say the least. Malinga actually did reach double figures, a feat beyond the other two, who managed 8 between them. The match ended when Eshan Malinga swept at Will Jacks and Joe Root, soon to be named as England’s ODI player of the season, pouched a sharp catch at leg slip. The margin was 232 runs. Scorecard here.
Shortly before that Somerset and Surrey had shaken hands on a draw at Taunton, with Surrey five down in their second innings and almost 200 adrift. Somerset had built a first innings of 309 – 731 against 422, and had hoped that Leach and Vaughan could spin through Surrey’s second innings, but a couple of interruptions put paid to that. Tom Abell had scored 307 for Somerset, beaten among Somerset natives only by a 310 from Harold Gimblett many decades ago, although overseas stars Justin Langer and Viv Richards have also recorded higher scores for the county.
A look at how Warwickshire became county champions for the ninth time in their history and a large photo gallery.
The last round of county championship fixtures for the 2o26 season is going on. Although some matches will be going in to tomorrow we know where the county championship is going, and this post looks back at how that happened.
WARWICKSHIRE WITH THE STRONGEST FINISH
Going into the penultimate round of fixtures there were three teams seemingly duking it out for the title, Warwiwckshire, Nottinghamshire and Somerset. Both Nottinghamshire and Somerset slipped up in that round while Warwickshire won to take a 12 point lead into the final round.
In the final round Nottinghamshire faced Yorkshire, Somerset entertained Surrey and Warwickshire were at home to Leicestershire. It was obvious by the afternoon of day one (Thursday) that Warwickshire were faring better than the other two, and by the time day two ended Nottinghamshire’s challenge was also officially over, but Somerset were still theoretically in contention, though they would need to win and for Warwickshire to lose, and Warwickshire were in almost complete control of their match, having built a first innings advantage of 247 and already claimed three Leicestershire second innings wickets before the end of day two.
This morning belonged to Warwickshire, and by lunch time Leicestershire were eight down, a long way in arrears, and the title was as good as secure. Tom Scriven, the Leicestershire number nine, fought his way to 49, comfortably their highest individual score of the match, but then Ethan Bamber bowled him to claim his fifth scalp of the innings and ninth of the match and give Warwickshire the match by an innings and 79 runs and with it the county championship for the ninth time in their history. It was an appropriate way for the championship to be officially settled since Bamber, released by Middlesex in a ‘Decca Records’ like move by someone who questioned his temperament, has been superb as the spearhead of a very impressive Warwickshire bowling unit this season.
Just moments ago Yorkshire completed a one wicket win over Nottinghamshire. At Taunton the match is still ongoing, and Tom Abell for Somerset has reached a new career best of 228 not out, with Somerset now 174 ahead on first innings, which brings a win for them in to the picture should Surrey collapse in their second innings.
PHOTOGRAPHS
My usual sign off (reminder – click on an image to view it at larger size)…
A look back at yesterday’s Metro Bank One Day Cup final between Middlesex and Leicestershire and a photo gallery.
Yesterday saw the final of the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Trent Bridge. The two sides contesting the trophy were Middlesex and Leicestershire. This post looks back at a splendid match.
THE MIDDLESEX INNINGS
Leicestershire began well, reducing Middlesex to 71-5, with all five batters falling to catches by wicket keeper Ben Cox. At that juncture Harry Duke, once of Yorkshire, joined Ryan Higgins, in his second spell at Middlesex after a few years at Gloucestershire in the middle. The pair added 135 together before Duke fell to a catch by Stevie Eskinazi off Ian Holland. Tom Helm managed seven before being pinned LBW by Rehan Ahmed, the first and as it turned out only batter to be out other than caught in the entire innings. This was Ahmed’s second scalp, the first coming when Luke Hollman edged a googly through to Cox, one of the five early dismissals referred to above. Higgins completed an excellent century, and was then immediately out, caught by Nick Kelly off Holland to make it 224-8. That was Holland’s fourth scalp, and not long later he made it a five-for when he had Toby Roland-Jones caught by Ben Green. Holland incidentally is one of the few USians to be involved in high level professional cricket (Tara Norris in the women’s game is another). GThe innings ended at 231 when number 11 Naavya Sharma, unlikely to be moving up the order any time soon, gave Eskinazi a catch off Ahmed for the leg spinner’s third scalp of the innings. Ian Holland had 10-1-36-5, Rehan Ahmed 9.5.-1-55-3 and Tom Scriven 9-0-39-2. While not a huge total 231 was lot better than had seemed likely at 71-5, and it was clear that Leicestershire would need their wits about them to succeed in the chase.
THE LEICESTERSHIRE INNINGS
Leicestershire needed 232 to win, Middlesex needed 10 wickets, since there was no way Leicestershire would be short of the target if they batted for 50 overs. This innings soon boiled down to a contest between the Middlesex bowlers and Nick Kelly, who played a superb innings but did not get anything like sufficient support from the rest of the order. Veteran medium pacer Toby Roland-Jones bowled his full 10 over allocation early in the innings and captured 3-27. At 175-6 with Ben Green, who has a List A 150 to his name providing Kelly with staunch support Leicestershire were still in contention. It was at that point that Tom Helm, who would surely have played for England but for a miserable history of injuries, made his considerable presence felt. First he had Green caught by Josh de Caires to make it 175-7, and then after Nick Kelly and Tom Scriven had advanced the score by a further 13 he virtually settled the issue by having Nick Kelly caught by fellow centurion Higgins for 103. That left Leicestershire needing 44 to win and only bowlers to get them (Scriven is a capable lower order batter when he has someone to support but it would have been asking a lot for him to mastermind this chase on a tough pitch). Ajaz Patel got to 7, including one four, before he became the third victim of an immaculate display of death bowling by Helm, going to a catch by Zafar Gohar. Three balls later, with the score at 200, Scriven was last out, caught by Surrey reject and now Middlesex skipper Ben Geddes off Sharma for 10. Middlesex had won by 31 runs, and the difference had been that Higgins (whose 100, 0-41 from eight overs of medium pace and two catches got him Player of the Match) had real support from Harry Duke, whereas Leicestershire’s centurion, Kelly, was playing a lone hand – the next highest score of the innings was 16 by Rishi Patel, while the most balls negotiated by anyone save Kelly (107) was the 25 faced by Ben Green. Scorecard here.
A look at the T20I series that has been going on between the England and Sri Lanka men’s teams and a photo gallery.
The England and Sri Lanka men’s sides have been playing a T20I series. The third and final match is in progress as I type, and it is an indication of the way things are going that I am already calling it a 3-0 series sweep for England, even with 14 overs left in the match.
MATCH ONE ON TUESDAY
Sri Lanka won the toss and inserted England. That was the only thing that went right for them all evening. England piled up 254 from their 20 overs, Harry Brook helping himself to a century. Faced with a total like that Sri Lanka were unlikely to get anywhere close, and in the end the margin was 119 runs. Sonny Baker distinguished himself by taking 3-12 from his four overs.
MATCH TWO ON THURSDAY
England won the toss and put Sri Lanka in. There were moments when Sri Lanka looked capable of posting a respectable total, but the second half of their innings was a sad tale, going from a relative high of 84-1 at half distance to an inadequate 145-9 at the end of the 20th over. England knocked off this target with almost eight overs to spare to settle the series with a match to spare.
MATCH THREE TODAY
England won the toss and again chose to bat, and it was deja vu. Sri Lanka reached 83-3 at the high water mark of their innings, but once again floundered badly in the closing stages. On this occasion they were all out for 124 with seven balls left unused. Wanindu Hasaranga suffered a bizarre dismissal, dislodging a bail with the toe end of his bat while facing Jofra Archer. Kamindu Mendis played the best innings for Sri Lanka, but it ended horribly when he ignored the fact that Old Trafford is wider than it is long and took on a pull against Archer, succeeding only in sending the ball directly to Jacks, carefully positioned a good few yards in from the boundary for this precise eventuality. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler are enjoying themselves at the moment, and already, with over 12 overs still available, England need less than 30 more to win. The hapless Madushanka has just given away five wides to move England past 100. It was his fourth separate infraction of the over to boot. With 23 now needed I suspect that the usual mid-innings drinks break will be superfluous. The previous sentence was prophetic – England reached the target in just 9.4 overs to seal the 3-0 sweep.
A look back at Heritage Open Day (Sunday), with plenty of photographs.
Sunday was this year’s Heritage Open Day. King’s Lynn’s official brochure for the day featured a total of 64 sites. This post looks back at the day as it unfolded for me. I end this introduction with a picture of the map from the brochure:
The map from the official brochure for Heritage Open Day in King’s Lynn.
GETTING STARTED
I set off from home at 9:30AM, going by way of Bawsey Drain since my first definite target was the Tuesday Market Place, where I could pick up my brochure and look at the classic car display there. Along the way I passed True’s Yard, and went in (no pictures as they have a no photography policy) and passed the outside of St Nicholas Chapel…
A BUS RIDE
Just as I was thinking about moving on from the classic cars I spotted an old London Transport Routemaster bus picking up passengers, and as it was raining lightly and I could do with being under cover I decided to board it.
STARTING TO EXPLORE SITES
I began my explorations on King Street with one place that was well known to me and one that was new to me…
An Austin Seven – known to bridge fans as the make of car driven by Abbot Hugo Yorke-Smith of the Monastery of St Titus!This building of Norman origin is one I know well and always enjoy visiting.This picture marks the start of my perusal of Chequer House, previously unknown to me.
THORESBY COLLEGE AND THE RIVERSIDE
I reacquainted myself with Thoresby College on my way to the riverside , where I took the opportunity to go down on to the pontoon jetty to hear about the Baden Powell, an old cockling boat that has been extensively renovated in recent years and now runs trips from the town to The Wash, where at the right time of year seals can be observed.
I considered a second bus ride, but this one was going to North Runcton, so I decided against it in the end.These last pictures are from Hanse House.
LUNCH AND A COUPLE OF OUTLIERS
I lunched at Roasta Food Court, on my way to the old library, which I was keen to see again, and I then reacquainted myself with the Red Mount Chapel…
BACK TO THE TOWN CENTRE AND STEWARDING
By this point I was thinking in terms of being ready for my stewarding, at The Secret Garden, Hampton Court, from 2PM to 4PM, but I made one more call, at Sommerfeld & Thomas, a long neglected warehouse which is currently being renovated, and spent some time in the environs of the Saturday Market Place. By this time the weather had long since cleared up, and for the two hours I was stewarding it was genuinely hot. I had some interesting history to tell folks as part of my stewarding, and The Secret Garden proved a popular port of call – about 350 people had visited before I started stewarding, and that was increased by over 200 in the two hours I was there. I had enjoyed my day, but it was also tiring.
A shot of part of the Guildhall of the Holy Trinity aka King’s Lynn Town Hall.Medieval musicThis instrument, similar in size to a violin save for the much deeper bowl (it also has only three strings rather than four) is carved from a single piece of wood.A rather better known stringed instrument.Sommerfeld and ThomasThe real star of The Secret Garden – 600 years ago when it was built these arches faced directly on to the river and were completely open, enabling direct transfer of goods from boats to the mercantile premises that Hampton Court then consisted of. By about the year 1700 the line of the river had changed too much for these to serve their original function, and the transition to private residences was underway. This arcade frontage is the only one of its kind anywhere in England.
A look at goings on in the test match at Edgbaston, and a photo gallery in two parts – A St Nicholas special and a general gallery.
It is now tea on day three of the third and final test match of a series between the England and Pakistan men’s teams. This post looks at what has happened so far.
DAY ONE
England, 2-0 up in the series, were unchanged, while Pakistan had a number of changes. England won the toss and opted to bowl first. The only Pakistan batter to fare well in the first innings was Saud Shakeel, who got in to the 40s before he was dismissed. Pakistan managed a mere 133 all out. England were going well in response by the close.
DAY TWO
I did not get to witness any of this day’s play due to work commitments. England took a first innings lead of 320 and Pakistan two wickets down in their second innings by the close.
TODAY
I had another commitment which caused me to miss the first session of today’s play, which was Pakistan’s best batting session of the series. They continued to bat well in the afternoon session, but a superb catch by Lawrence off Atkinson sent Shan Masood back for 95. Babar Azam was also dismissed this session, caught by Jordan Cox, keeping wicket in place of the injured Jamie Smith for 76. These two dismissals mean that as yet there has not been an individual century in this series. Saud Shakeel and new wicket keeper Ghazi Ghori batted through to tea at 297-5, 23 short of making England batting again. At the moment it looks very likely that England are still going to win, but bigger turnarounds have happened – Headingley 1981, when England were 92 short of making Australia bat with just three second innings wickets standing and ended up winning by 18 runs being one such.
THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
Warwickshire, Somerset and Nottinghamshire all won their games. With two rounds of matches to play Somerset are four points clear of Nottinghamshire, with Warwickshire a point further back, and everyone else well behind this trio.
PHOTOGRAPHS
On Wednesday morning St Nicholas Chapel was open as I walked past, and I went in. Before my main gallery I have a…
ST NICHOLAS SPECIAL
I start with a composite picture juxtaposing the organ with an information board about that instrument:
On the left of this picture is a front on shot of the organ at St Nicholas Chapel, on the right an information board about said organ.
The rest of the gallery…
GENERAL PHOTOS
Now for my usual sign off…
This butterfly is a new one for me. The tail segment sticking out beyond the wings is an unusual feature, and the white wings with black borders are new to me as well (four pics).
