About

Although lifeintheshire.org is predominantly a Blog, there is a lot more to it all than just my daily thoughts, rants and snippets of news gleamed from around the world in which I dwell.

There are many twists and turns to take, holes to fall down and ladders to climb just by clicking the links that underline key words in all the posts and pages. It’s very chaotic, but that’s actually a positive in my book.

Although it actually carries the name, Life In The Shire – this is a conglomeration of various stop start Instagram, Facebook, Blogs, Websites, MySpace blah blah blah, all retrospective in approach in many ways but offering content above and beyond that found on the current focus which is the Instagram accounts.

The menu to this page will give you access as I say to a myriad of different content that covers lots of subjects, but as you’ll see it’s mainly split into four main elements:

(Screenshot December 2023)

Day to day life in and around the Cotswolds and beyond – which let’s be honest give me a pretty impressive sized canvas on which to waffle.

(Screenshot December 2023)

This element covers the world of Steam & Vintage Vehicles and equipment. My thoughts on them, my views on events and of course not forgetting our activities with our own 1921 Fowler Steam Roller.

This part is a more personal section. It’ll mainly feature the garden which is an ongoing reconstruction project, but will delve into the house at times and probably feature ‘us’ a little bit.

(Screenshot December 2023)

Now this is a bit random as this will cover my love of music. My connections to music and also my current favourites be they new releases, music festivals or getting out to a gig.

All four of these will constantly split into subsections and take you on that journey I mentioned a few lines above, twisting around each other and connecting together what essentially is, life here in the Shire.

  • It’s All Gone Green
    No, And m not talking about the recent local elections and the results in this neck of the woods. I don’t do politics, full stop. I am of course talking… Read more: It’s All Gone Green
  • Fascinating Forecourt
    This fascinating image popped up on my Facebook feed today, a Wiltshire History page no doubt so this is obviously from that fair county. Any more information greatly appreciated.
  • CCSR : Engine #11
    It’s Fowler time again as we welcome back this rather lovely example of single cylinder Steam Roller from Herefordshire.
  • CCSR : Engine #10
    Another engine joining us this year and another Fowler, this time it’s this rather gorgeous Traction Engine dating from 1903. Stay tuned for more information on this particular engine and… Read more: CCSR : Engine #10
  • Then & Now : Part 3
    Wapping Old Stairs, London dates back to the 16th century. Many believe the stairs were the location of Execution Dock, where pirates, smugglers and mutineers were executed by hanging including… Read more: Then & Now : Part 3
  • The Agent Strikes Back
    Latest edition of ‘2 Promoters, 1 Pod’ has a guest this week which provides a fascinating incite into a booking agents stance when it comes to festival booking. This is… Read more: The Agent Strikes Back
  • CCSR : Engine # 9
    With steam pioneer John Fowler being born just down the road in Devizes, it seems appropriate that some of his ideas and companies workmanship should be featured at Wiltshires finest… Read more: CCSR : Engine # 9
  • Then & Now : Part 2
    Following on from the recent post of an old and new image of Bourton On The Water, today we return with another this time from Castle Combe.
  • CCSR : Engine #8
    Next up for our 2024 Engine list is our second Aveling & Porter Roller which will be joining us at CCSR in May. Dating from 1900, ‘Pride of the Road’… Read more: CCSR : Engine #8
  • The Motor House
    I have to admit that although I grew up in Ebley, until I saw this image I’d totally forgotten about this place …. Now I vaguely remember it alongside the… Read more: The Motor House