Posts Tagged ‘British history’
CLOSER LOOK: The history-making vehicles that inspired an impressive set of 50ps…
This year, we’re celebrating 120 years of thrilling competition and daredevil feats with the NEW Isle of Man History of Motor Racing 50p Set.
We travelled to The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu where we met Patrick Collins – Curator: Vehicles and Research – who gave us a closer look at the history-making vehicles that inspired these impressive 50ps…
Watch our video below:
The Isle of Man Motor Racing 50p Set
Available exclusively from The Westminster Collection, this new 50p Set celebrates FIVE Motor Racing FIRSTS with each design featuring an iconic vehicle from history.
1904 – The FIRST Motor Race
The first motor race held on the Isle of Man decided Britain’s representatives for the Gordon Bennett Cup, marking the dawn of competitive Manx Motor Racing. Walter Thomas Clifford triumphed, covering the gruelling 255-mile course in 7 hours and 26 minutes in his Napier.
1907 – The FIRST Isle of Man TT Race
Fast forward to 1907, and we arrive at the birth of an iconic event – The first TT (Tourist Trophy) Race which was won by Rem Fowler on a Norton. This world-famous motorcycle race is synonymous with the Isle of Man and has been celebrated on a series of Isle of Man £2 Coins too!
1923 – The FIRST TT Sidecar Race
1923 was a landmark year for Manx Motorsports. First, the TT Sidecar Race was introduced – adding an extra layer of excitement to the race. The first Sidecar race was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Denney, who rode a Douglas to victory.
1923 – The FIRST Manx Grand Prix
1923 also marked the inaugural Manx Grand Prix. Known as the amateur’s alternative to the TT, the first Grand Prix was won by Len Randles on his 500cc Sunbeam.
1963 – The FIRST Manx Rally
Rounding out this extraordinary set is the coin celebrating the first Manx Rally in 1963. This landmark event was won by Reg McBride and Don Barrow in a Ford Anglia Allardette.
Available Exclusively from The Westminster Collection
You can view the Complete Isle of Man Motor Racing 50p Range on The Westminster Collection website. Prices start from JUST £37.50 and I’ve already seen SELL OUTS.
The inspiration behind The Great British Pubs £2 Collection 🍻
“The pub sign says: you are still in England. Come in here and – however far from home you are, however, outlandish our name – you will find the comforts of your local town or village.”
Sebastian Faulks, ‘Icons of England’. Edited by Bill Bryson, 2010
Following the special release of The Great British Pubs Collection, we wanted to delve into the history behind the iconic pub signs featured on the coins themselves.
It turns out the concept of a pub sign has been around for over 1,000 years! Spawning from the Roman custom of hanging vines outside to let thirsty travellers know they would soon have refreshment – combined with the Roman’s arrival in England, and the lack of grape vines to drape across the pub entrance, an evergreen bush was used as an alternative. So, pubs named The Bush or The Holly Bush owe their name to this ancient custom. The very first sign that there was a pub nearby…
The pub sign as we know it today was actually a royal decree. In 1393 King Richard ordered, ‘That whoever shall brew ale in the town, with the purpose of selling it, shall hang out a sign otherwise he shall forfeit his ale.’ As a result, many ale houses began to display signs. But with many still being unable to read it was necessary to use painted pictures so the establishment could be clearly identified.
So, keep reading below to explore the origins of each pub featured on the brand new £2 coin collection.
The Red Lion
The Red Lion is probably one of the most common names for a pub. It originates from the time of James VI of Scotland and I of England, uniting the Scottish and English crowns in 1603.
To emphasise the newfound union between the crowns of Scotland and England, James decreed that the heraldic red lion of Scotland should be displayed on all buildings of importance – which included pubs.
The Ship Inn
As a maritime nation, there is a rich tradition of seafaring and trade that has resulted in many pubs having a name related to ships.
In some cases, the ships depicted on these signs were specific, such as Victory, Vice-Admiral Nelson’s flagship.
The Royal Oak
Another popular pub name is The Royal Oak. Originating after the Battle of Worcester in 1651, fought during the English Civil War.
Charles II’s Royalist Army was defeated during this battle by Cromwell’s Parliamentarians. Charles then had to flee for his life, seeking refuge in the form of a great oak tree near Boscobel House in Shropshire – with hopes that he would not be spotted by Cromwell’s men.
His plan succeeded and having evaded capture, Charles II went on to be restored to the throne. As a result of this dramatic tale of cunning escape, the tree became known as the Royal Oak and pubs across the country were named in tribute.
The White Hart
As mentioned at the beginning of this blog, it was the 1393 decree of Richard II that made pub signs compulsory. The White Hart was Richard’s personal badge and so many pubs chose to adopt the name at the time.
There’s even a Grade II listed sign for The White Hart in Bletchingley, Surrey – dating back to the 18th century. It is shown in the image below.
The Rose and Crown
Rooted in a key event of British history, The Rose and Crown celebrates the end of the War of the Roses 1455-1487. A series of civil wars for the throne of England between two competing royal families: the House of York and the House of Lancaster.
The result was the uniting of the red rose of Lancaster and the white rose of York when Henry Tudor married Elizabeth of York. Hence the literal phrasing of the rose and crown together, united.
Where you can get your set today
The Great British pub is at the heart of the community. As you’ve read, this has been the case for generations, so celebrate this integral part of Britain’s culture with The Great British Pubs £2 Coin Collection!
These coins are not just a tribute to the historic artwork above pub entrances, but also a celebration of the stories and memories created within their walls.
Click here to secure yours today >>>
Operation Colour Scheme. The Fire Service’s Top Secret D-Day Mission.
2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On 6th June 1944, the Allied Forces launched one of its biggest military operations – they came by land, sea and air and would eventually bring about the liberation of Europe and the end of World War II.
But as D-Day was being planned, more and more equipment was stockpiled in the South of England and needed to be protected, and that’s why the National Fire Service Commanders were tasked with a top secret mission of their own – Operation Colour Scheme.
Operation Colour Scheme: Protecting the Overlord Invasion’s Infrastructure
Operation Colour Scheme, a little-known but vital aspect of the Fire Service’s activity in World War II, involved moving 11,000 firemen and women and over 1,200 fire fighting vehicles to the South of England to protect resources being stored in rural areas.
In 1943, the German bombing offensive was at a lower level and so it was decided that fire fighting resources could be moved from areas in the North and the Midlands to areas in the South to cover sites that now required a higher level of protection, including:
- Logistical supply sites
- Harbours linked to the D-Day invasion – most notably coastal areas of East Sussex and an armada of ships in the lower reaches of the Thames
- Ammunition dumps
- Petrol pipe lines
The Colour Scheme – and what each colour meant
And to aid planning, England and Wales were split into 12 regions – with each region given a colour to represent the level of risk each region faced:
War Relics Forum
- Regions shaded Purple and Blue needed to be reinforced to above their maximum strength – the Purple regions were most impacted
- Regions shaded Green needed to be reinforced up to their maximum strength
- Regions shaded Brown were areas from which resources could be drawn from to provide for Purple, Blue and Green regions
The crucial role of the Fire Service during World War II
The war years proved to be the busiest for our Fire Brigades with fire fighters on the front line protecting communities during Air Raids and as part of Operation Colour Scheme.
Fire fighters were issued with one basic uniform; a steel helmet, rubber boots, trousers and waterproof leggings – although shortages saw some stuck with just Post Office uniforms!
The first air raid on London took place on 7th September 1940 and this would mark the start of The Blitz – where London endured bombings for 57 nights in a row. Most of the air raids took place at night, meaning fire fighters spent long hours extinguishing fire or dealing with explosions.
New York Times Paris Bureau Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In the first 22 nights of air raids, fire fighters had fought nearly 10,000 fires – and for many, this was their first experience of fire fighting…
And by 1943, over 70,000 women had enrolled in the National Fire Service, many becoming fire watches and drivers and managing the communications network.
Britain’s Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill honoured these great efforts and once said that the fire service “were a grand lot and their work must never be forgotten”.
The BRAND NEW History of the Fire Brigade 50p Collection
Issued to mark 200 years since the establishment of Britain’s first Municipal Fire Service, The History of the Fire Brigade 50p Collection shares the story of two centuries of heroic service.
Included in the set is the 1934 London Fire Brigade 50p Coin which depicts a World War II Fire Engine – a Dennis Chassis with an extendable ladder – in front of a background representing the city during The Blitz.
Each coin has been officially authorised by Buckingham Palace and King Charles III to pay tribute to the unsung heroes who have battled flames and saved lives for centuries.
A variety of specifications are available to order today from The Westminster Collection. Click here to view the COMPLETE range >>