Stir up Sunday has been and gone and our puddings should be maturing nicely. Three weeks to go until we are celebrating Christmas day. In the meantime, we at British Local History are focusing on the abdication of Edward VIII on December 11th 1936. And the Clifton Suspension Bridge which spans the Avon Gorge in Bristol. It was completed in 1864 although the idea for the bridge began in 1753. A competition was held to choose who would design the bridge and this was won by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
The abdication of Edward VIII is believed by many to have changed the course of history. A bachelor in his early forties, Edward fell in love with an American woman, Wallis Warfield Simpson. She was twice married and awaiting her second divorce. Edward submitted his abdication on December the 10th, 1936 and this was endorsed by Parliament the next day. In his speech which was broadcast on the radio worldwide he said
“I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be some time before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to his majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.”
He then went to live in France and married Wallis Simpson on Paris on June 3rd 1937.
We hope you have enjoyed some of the topics we have covered over the past year at British local History. A big “Thank you” for your contributions and articles you have shared with our visitors. We think we have covered a variety of historical anniversaries from cheese rolling in Gloucester to Cowes Week and sailing on the Isle of Wight.
We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and don’t forget to go to http://www.britishlocalhistory.co.uk/community/local-history-wiki-article-Christmas-Memories-and-Stories.aspx
And upload your favourite Christmas memories. From all at British Local History, here’s to a peaceful and historical New Year. |