Charis’ Column

Monday, November 25, 2019
Column CM73
“Black by Day and Red by Night” (Part #3)

Still today, on a hill above Dudley you can find the ruins of Dudley Castle – the home of the Barons of Dudley. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1750. In the former castle park, you can find Dudley …

Sunday, November 24, 2019
Column CM72
“Black by Day and Red by Night” (Part #2)

One of the people from the Black Country who came to some fame was metallurgist Dudd Dudley. Dudley was an illegitimate son of the Baron of Dudley and was interested from a very early age in the processing of iron.…

Friday, November 22, 2019
Column CM71
“Black by Day and Red by Night” (Part #1)

Wolverhampton is part of a region in the West of Birmingham which is known in England as “Black Country.” It is not quite clear where the name comes from but it dates to around 1840. It might be it has …

Thursday, November 21, 2019
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Grand Slam – Day II

Lisa Ashton and Mikuru Suzuki are not the first women to take part in the Grand Slam. Before them, Anastasia Dobromyslova, Francis Hoenselaar, Stacy Bromberg and Tricia Wright stood on the stage in Wolverhampton. Not at the same stage of course as the Civic …

Thursday, November 21, 2019
Column CM69
I am back!  (Grand Slam #1)

Really, I am back at Wolverhampton.

This year I was not sure it would happen. All this Brexit drama had complicated my decision to attend. A no-deal Brexit on October 31 (which Boris Johnson intended) may have created a chaotic England during …

Thursday, August 1, 2019
Column CM67
“Let Us Entertain You”

Jesters and clowns – or as one would put it today, comedians and entertainers – have always been important during Blackpool’s summer season. Everybody who is or was anybody performed over the years in the Winter Gardens, the Grand Theatre or other establishments in Blackpool. …

Thursday, August 1, 2019
Column CM66
At the Beach

On the fourth day of the tournament the sun was shining from a blue sky and it was very warm…

As did a lot of tourists, I walked to the beach which is to be sure one of Blackpool’s main attractions from the beginning. Some say …

Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Column CM65
Along the Piers

Compared to Sunday, Monday was a rather relaxed day and I did what many people do in Blackpool – I walked along the promenade looking at the beach and the piers.

The English word “pier” doesn’t mean the same as the German word – which is …

Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Column CM64
Darting entertainment

On the second day of the World Matchplay I had no time to have another look at the entertainment facilities of a typical British seaside resort. On a day with two darts sessions my only contact with fresh air would be on the way to and the …

Monday, July 29, 2019
Column CM63
Not beach weather…

The first day of the World Matchplay started mostly wet – the day before it had rained cats and dogs.

When I looked out of the window during breakfast, I saw mainly stretched umbrellas. So I was appropriately equipped when I ventured to go outside. But …