Nov. 14 Prince Charles' Birthday, 1940 Anniversary of Bombing of Coventry, THANKFUL Sale

 Happy Birthday to Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall!

Born November 14, 1948

And also on November 14th...

 The nave at Coventry Cathedral, before and after November 14, 1940...

The 70th anniversary of the Nazi blitz on the town of Coventry, England was marked today. A horrible day during World War II for the family of my husband, living in Birmingham, England 20 miles away. Along with his younger sister, he was not evacuated to Wales for safety with his 2 older sisters. His oldest brother was serving in the Coldstream Guards.

The bombing was remembered as horrific and John often wonders how his parents coped with the terrors of war  and just trying to feed the family between times spent in the bomb shelter at the end of the garden.  Coventry was a strategic site for the bombers because of it's heavy industrial plants and rail interchanges. Over 1200 people were killed and most of the city was destroyed. John's father and brother who was on a short leave had walked to the bridge over the railroad bridge close to their home and watched the planes dropping their payloads and the subsequent explosions and fireballs.

As they stood there watching, John's father Sam thought he hear Annie his wife calling him so they left the railroad bridge and started quickly home. A few minutes later the railroad bridge went up in an explosion as it, too was bombed. Annie hadn't called, but if they had stayed they would have gone up in the explosion. 

story at the BBC of the anniversary of the Coventry bombing Nov. 14, 1940

Thousands were killed, much of the city was destroyed....
I can't imagine what living through it was like... but the BBC has an interesting webpage with recordings and accounts of what it was like...

BBC: What was it like living through the Coventry Blitz Timeline

From World War II era, this is a handmade silk... parachute silk, probably, embroidered RAF tea cozy from Time Was Antiques .

For more info, click on the photo.

And... our THANKFUL 15% Off coupon code sale
ON NOW!

 

Teacup Thursday, Scottish Themes For Burns Night

January 25th, or around that date, is celebrated in many parts of the United Kingdom as the birthday of Robert Burns, the famous poet, and all things Scottish.

This Shelley China, England teacup has a thistle theme...perfect for drinking a cup of tea in honor of the Scottish post. The cup and saucer is in the Cambrodge shape and was made between 1955 and when the pottery closed in 1966. I love the thistle pattern! 

And here is a hand made vintage plaid tea cozy to go with it...albeit in a clashing red...with a white heather and purple thistles scottish motif:

Burns Night is celebrated with Scottish themed dinners, recitations, toasts. A wee dram is expected to be raised in his honor! Neeps and tatties for sure...who knows...haggis, anyone? And why not a Burns theme tea party?

A famous Robert Burns quote can also apply to the tea table:

 We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne.
-Robert Burns

To see more of the Shelley teacup or tea cozy at Time Was Antiques, click on the photos.