'U' is for... 'Underground', 'Umbrella', and 'Upper-Class' [Episode 166]

In this episode, I am delighted to interview Pete Brooker (From Tailors With Love) about his work about the forthcoming memoir of Timothy Everest MBE.Boy Wanted on Savile Row is a revealing memoir that charts the evolution of British tailoring over the past four decades, starting in the 1980s, when Timothy Everest MBE studied under the rebel of Savile Row, Tommy Nutter, and rubbed shoulders with the likes of Steve Strange and Boy George among the New Romantics club scene.Branching out on his own in the ‘90s, Everest initially styled bands and pop stars, such as George Michael, before he became the spearhead of the ‘Cool Britannia’ generation and the face of the New Bespoke Movement. His many bespoke clients included Tom Cruise, David Beckham, Mick Jagger and Jay-Z, to name a few. Eventually he would turn his hand to tailoring for films, such as the James Bond and Mission Impossible franchises, and would create some truly iconic suits.Featuring a wealth of celebrity anecdotes, both hilarious and tragic, Boy Wanted on Savile Row leads the reader through a landscape of bespoke British tailoring that would change the way we view and buy our clothes forever.The book is available for pre-order on Amazon, now.You can find Pete on Instagram and Youtube: @FromTailorsWithLoveMessage me anytime on Instagram, @FlemingNeverDies, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

Thank you to Instagram's @Izi_Ready_GoesBond for suggesting this topic! In this episode, I cover:H.G. WellsThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeAldous Huxley Arthur C Clarke Gerry Anderson Dr WhoStar WarsThe Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Dirk GentlyThe Quatermass Experiment The Tomorrow People Blake's 7I also read from 'The Fixed Period' by Anthony Trollope, a sci-fi novel I learned about only this week! Host: Thomas Felix Creighton Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

Chris Morales, @thatonebondguy on Instagram and Youtube gives me his unique take on the James Bond continuation novel, ‘On HIS Majesty’s Secret Service’ by Charlie Higson - who previously wrote the ‘Young Bond’ book series which are a prequel to the original Ian Fleming series.We also talk about Chris’ Anglophilia: The Stormbreaker Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, the Kingsman series, coming to James Bond, the books, films, biographies of Ian Fleming, and now the continuation 007 novels. There are some spoilers for the book ahead, natural for a review. Do check out his podcast, ‘That One Bond Cast’!Also, I forgot to mention it, but do check out my short video review of the book which includes my own footage of the coronation of King Charles!Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

Happy Year of the Dragon, which in Mandarin is 'long' so it's going to be a looong year as a Chinese friend pointed out to me this week.In this episode, I (briefly) talk about my grandfather's time in Hong Kong as child, and the First Chinese Man in Britain (longer ago than I thought). I talk about the Opium Wars, drawing on two books I recommended previously and that I have reviewed on my Youtube channel, 'The Rise and Fall of the British Empire' by Lawrence James and 'Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World' by Niall Furgusson. I also recommend the Youtube channel 'Electric Shadows Cinema'. I also, also talk about the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997, and how those events eventually made it into a 007 film. Talking of James Bond, I also talk about three British-Chinese alumni of the long-running film franchise, plus our first Chinese members of the House of Lords and House of Commons.If you're wondering about the music at the top and tail of the episode, I recorded the street sounds on my way to work in Shenzhen one day.If you have an idea for the Alphabet of Britishness, please do not hesitate to message me. What could 'V', 'W', 'X', 'Y' or 'Z' stand for? Not much time left now, so message me about any of these.Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

Thank you very much to Kyle Barbeau (Instagram's Easy Smiles and Expensive Watches) and David Nix (via e-mail) for suggesting these three topics! I spend 10 minutes on each one, roughly.1-10: UndergroundLondon has the oldest underground train system in the world, but how does it compare to modern Chinese cities such as Shenzhen? I share my experiences.10-20: UmbrellaWhat is the most famous umbrella in movie history? Not the one I thought of, apparently. In fact, it doesn't even get into most online lists of famous umbrellas!20-30: Upper-ClassLots of nonsense is talked about the British class system, hopefully my own nonsense is at the very least entertaining. If you have an idea for the Alphabet of Britishness, please do not hesitate to message me. What could 'V', 'W', 'X', 'Y' or 'Z' stand for? Not much time left now, so message me about any of these.Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

The British Empire is scarcely taught in schools in modern Britain, yet many of us Brits have personal connections to it. Learning about our individual heritage can connect us to a wider national and global story. Here, I talk about my own interest, my travels to places once ruled by the UK, and the five books that helped inform me on the reality of Empire. I give the recommendations from around the ten-minute mark, with readings and reviews. Each have their own strengths, and weaknesses. If you read any one them, I hope you find it informative and enjoyable. 'The Rise and Fall of the British Empire' by Lawrence James'Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World' by Niall Ferguson'Pax Britannica' by Jan Morris'The Great Game' by Peter Hopkirk'Empire of the Seas: How the Navy forged the modern world' by Brian LaveryMessage me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616 Support the Show.

What is Britishness? Well, there's no doubt Shakespeare is a British institution, and much of the UK's theater industry seems to rest heavily on these 500 year old plays. Never mind the tourist industry in Stratford-upon-Avon! Actors from Timothy Dalton (007) to Patrick Stuart (Jean-Luc Picard), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Diana Rigg (Mrs. James Bond) and Judi Dench (M) have passed through the Royal Shakespeare Company. But, in this one, I give my own personal view on the topic. Many find the language inaccessible, so what's the best way to access it? Listen to this episode to find out!Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

This week, just a 10-minute update explaining what's transpired with me over the last week. In short, expect more next week; especially as I've been longing to cover Shakespeare for a while now. I may also get moving again with the Alphabet of Britishness, but that depends on you all really. Anyone up for 'V is for Victoria'?Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.

007 visits many beautiful locations as part of his service to Queen (now King) and country, but which are the best? I talk about my own experiences in Hong Kong, Istanbul, and London, with an additional special mention for San Francisco.Thank you to Sam the Instagram @britishbondfan for suggesting this topic, and for all those who joined the discussion on my Instagram stories, post, and private chats. This episode is for all of you. I do requests!Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616 Support the Show.

Friends, Romans, and podcast listeners! Lend me your ears for about 27 and a bit minutes! Listener Sam (https://www.instagram.com/britishbondfan), asked me to look into Pre-Roman and Pre-Christian Britain, and I kind of allowed this little rabbit hole to go wherever. I am very keen on written texts when it comes to history, archeology, less so (sorry Indiana Jones). I hope you all enjoy the highways and byways this took me down.I read from a 1908 translation of 'De Bello Gallico' (original by Julius Caeser aka The Roman Geezer), and also 'Anglo-Saxon England' by Sir Frank Stenton, part of the 'Oxford History of England' series. I hope you enjoy the former with my comments interluded, and the later without.Message me anytime on Instagram, or e-mail: [email protected] out my https://www.youtube.com/britishcultureCheck out my Red Bubble shopSubscribe to my newsletter for update e-mails, random postcards, and stickers: https://youtube.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b3afdae99897eebbf8ca022c8&id=5165536616Support the Show.