England The First - Brushwood

In 1638, Samuel Lincoln, an Englishman seeking a new beginning amid England’s religious and political tensions, settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Over successive generations, Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, on Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. He was the second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln and would go on to become the 16th President of the United States.
In 1668, Isaac Newton invented the first reflecting telescope, using a concave primary mirror to gather light and a flat diagonal secondary mirror to direct the image to the eyepiece. The design eliminated chromatic aberration and produced clearer images, marking a major advance in telescope technology and helping to drive the Scientific Revolution.
In 1727, Edward Scarlett, working in London, introduced the first modern spectacle frames with rigid sidepieces that rested over the ears, replacing earlier ribbon-tied or nose-balanced styles and allowing for hands-free use. He also popularized the term “optician,” and his design remains the standard for eyeglasses today.
In 1743, Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston in the Massachusetts Bay Colony to English-born soap and candlemaker Josiah Franklin, was the driving force behind the founding of the American Philosophical Society, the oldest learned society in the United States, supported by other Philadelphia scholars and citizens. A scientist, diplomat, philosopher, and inventor, Franklin outlined the society’s purpose to “promote useful knowledge” in his pamphlet A Proposal for Promoting Useful Knowledge.
In 1752, optician James Ayscough, based in London, introduced spectacles with double-hinged sidepieces for improved comfort and pioneered blue- and green-tinted lenses to reduce glare and eye strain. These early tinted lenses, among the first sold commercially, paved the way for modern sunglasses and enhanced everyday eyewear comfort beyond simple vision correction, setting the stage for later protective and stylish lenses.
In 1754, Thomas Chippendale, often called "the Shakespeare of English furniture design," rose to prominence with the publication of The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director, the first comprehensive furniture design book by a craftsman. Known for his elegant fusion of Gothic, Rococo, and Chinese styles, Chippendale’s work spread across Europe, allowing craftsmen to study and replicate his designs. His book helped shape generations of furniture makers and secured his lasting legacy in the history of decorative arts.
In 1760, William Hamley, a Cornish businessman, founded Hamleys, one of the world’s most famous toy shops. Beginning as a small store called “Noah’s Ark” in High Holborn, London, he built a reputation for quality toys and clever marketing, creating a business that has grown into a global icon of childhood and play. Today, Hamleys is still operating, with its iconic seven‑floor flagship store on Regent Street and over 90 international franchise locations. It is recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest toy shop.
In 1790, prison reformer John Howard left a legacy felt all over the world. He became the first private citizen to have a statue erected in St. Paul’s Cathedral. English theologian John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, paid tribute to Howard as “one of the greatest men in Europe.” His work influenced countries as far afield as Germany, America, and Russia.
In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles, an English statesman and East India Company official, founded modern Singapore by negotiating a treaty with local rulers that laid the foundation for its growth as a major trading port. He was born at sea near Jamaica to English parents: his father, Benjamin Raffles, was from Yorkshire, and his mother, Anne Raffles (née Hassel), was also English. Raffles later held administrative roles in Java and Bencoolen (Sumatra). Raffles Place in Singapore is named in his honor, reflecting his lasting influence on the city’s development.
In 1822, Huntley & Palmers was founded in Reading, Berkshire, and became one of the world’s first global biscuit brands after George Palmer joined in 1841. The company pioneered metal‑tin packaging to export biscuits worldwide, operated what was once the world’s largest biscuit factory, and employed thousands, helping to shape Reading’s economy and the global biscuit trade. The factory was so influential that Reading was nicknamed “Biscuit Town,” and the site included its own internal railway system with sidings and locomotives connected to the main rail network.
In the early 1880s, physician Joseph Mortimer Granville invented the first electromechanical vibrator, which he called “Granville’s hammer.” Designed for therapeutic use, it was intended to relieve muscle and nerve pain, primarily in men. Although later rumors linked the device to the treatment of “female hysteria,” Granville denied such applications and stated he had never used it on women. In the early 20th century, vibrators were redesigned as handheld electric models and marketed as household massagers, promoted for general health benefits rather than medical treatment.
In 1807, the Slave Trade Act was passed as the result of the tireless efforts of William Wilberforce, born in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, and Thomas Clarkson, born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, whose anti-slavery campaigns played a crucial role. Clarkson gathered evidence, mobilized public opinion, and helped push for the legislation, while Wilberforce championed the abolition of the slave trade in Parliament, leading to its ban throughout the British Empire. Their activism also laid the groundwork for the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, which abolished slavery in most British colonies shortly after Wilberforce’s death.
In 1808, John Heathcoat invented the bobbin-net lace machine (also known as “the English Net”), revolutionizing lace-making. He built a factory in Tiverton, England, which included housing and a school for workers’ children. At his death, a unique tribute was held: two miles of black cloth were laid from his house to his burial church, as featured on BBC’s Flog It.
In 1810, Peter Durand, born in Hoxton, London, received a patent for preserving food in tin or other metal containers, a development that greatly advanced long-term food storage. While he may not have been the original inventor of the tin can, his patent played a crucial role in commercializing the idea, transforming the food industry and enabling safer transportation of supplies, especially during wars and famines.
In 1812, John Blenkinsop, born in Felling, County Durham, created the first commercially successful rack-and-pinion railway system, using a cogwheel and toothed rail to power the locomotive Salamanca on the Middleton Railway. This system made early steam locomotives practical for hauling heavy loads, representing a significant advance in railway technology.
In 1813, William Hedley, born in Newburn, Newcastle, built Puffing Billy for use at Wylam Colliery, one of the earliest commercially useful adhesion locomotives. Designed to haul coal on wooden rails using wheel-to-rail friction for traction, Hedley’s locomotive proved practical and reliable. Puffing Billy ran for over 40 years and is now preserved at London’s Science Museum.
In the 19th century, bandy emerged as a winter team sport in England, particularly in the Fens, where frozen rivers and canals provided natural ice. Played on a large ice field using a ball instead of a puck, it was initially referred to as “hockey on the ice.” The first recorded games date from the winters of 1813–1814, and the first formal rules were codified in 1882 by members of the Bury Fen Bandy Club. The sport later spread to Russia, Sweden, Finland, and other European countries, where it continues to be played today.
In 1818, George William Manby, born in Denver, Norfolk, invented the first portable fire extinguisher. His design used a copper vessel holding 3 gallons of pearl ash solution, which was expelled by compressed air pressure, pioneering the concept of effective, portable fire suppression.
In 1820, Thomas Hancock invented the Masticator, an early rubber recycling machine that revolutionized the British rubber industry. This innovation enabled the production of waterproof fabrics for coats and outerwear, significantly advancing the manufacturing and functionality of rubber goods in England.
In 1924, William Howard Livens created a small domestic dishwasher in the UK, featuring a hand-cranked spray mechanism, hot water, and wire racks for holding dishes. While not the first dishwasher ever, his design was one of the earliest to combine features that resemble modern domestic dishwashers.
In 1832, Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, was born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson in Daresbury, Cheshire. His grandfather, also named Charles Dodgson, was born in Howden, Yorkshire. The Dodgson surname is of Old English origin, meaning “son of Dodge,” with “Dodge” deriving from a medieval personal name or nickname.
In 1832, John Heathcoat, best known for inventing the bobbin‑net machine that transformed lace-making, patented a steam-powered plough designed to improve the efficiency of land cultivation. This plough was later demonstrated in 1837 to a delegation from the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, highlighting the potential of mechanized ploughing on challenging marshy terrain. Heathcoat’s achievements in both textile machinery and agricultural engineering illustrate his remarkable versatility and inventive spirit during the Industrial Revolution.
In 1833, Thomas Harrison designed the Grosvenor Bridge in Chester, featuring a 200-foot span that made it the longest single-arched masonry bridge of its time. Celebrated as “the largest and finest stone arch in Europe,” it symbolized British engineering ambition. James Trubshaw, an English civil engineer, was responsible for constructing the bridge and overcame skepticism by presenting detailed models and methods to the Institution of Civil Engineers, ensuring the project’s success and lasting legacy.
1837, Alfred Bird developed the egg-free custard powder that became Bird’s Custard, created so his wife, allergic to eggs, could enjoy custard. He first sold it from his chemist’s shop in Birmingham, launching the product commercially — a brand that remains today. Around 1843, he also invented an early form of baking powder, providing a chemical leavening agent that simplified and standardized baking, and establishing him as a key figure in 19th-century culinary science.
In 1837, Worcestershire sauce, commonly called Worcester sauce, was invented by English pharmacists John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins in Worcester, England. Since then, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce has become a global staple, exported to over 130 countries and widely used in homes, restaurants, and bars. The sauce is still made in Worcester at the Lea & Perrins factory, producing both ready-mixed bottles for domestic use and concentrated versions for international export.
In the 1840s, the first pre-printed railway ticket, the Edmondson ticket, was introduced by Thomas Edmondson in England. Small, rectangular cards with standard sizes, printed destinations, and numbered tear-off portions made ticketing more efficient and reliable than handwritten tickets. His system helped staff track sales, reduce errors, and prevent fraud, transforming the passenger experience. It was quickly adopted across Britain and later worldwide, influencing modern ticketing.
In 1847, Joseph Fry developed a method of mixing cocoa powder with sugar and cocoa butter, enabling the production of a solid chocolate bar. In 1853, his Fry’s Cream Stick became the world’s first fondant-filled chocolate bar. This innovation paved the way for Fry’s Chocolate Cream in 1866, the first widely mass-produced chocolate bar, which is now recognized as the world’s oldest chocolate bar brand.
In 1850, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, from Somersby, Lincolnshire, was appointed Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria, succeeding William Wordsworth, and was later raised to the peerage as Baron Tennyson in 1884. His poetry — including Ulysses, Break, Break, Break, In Memoriam A.H.H., and The Charge of the Light Brigade — remains widely read. The famous line “‘Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all” comes from In Memoriam.
In the 1850s, John Fowler pioneered the use of steam power in farming, developing steam-driven systems for ploughing and land drainage. His innovations lowered costs, made it possible to cultivate previously unusable land, and were later adopted internationally.
In 1851, Sir Joseph Paxton designed the original Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition. Combining his skills as an architect, gardener, and landscape designer, he also created its famous gardens featuring exotic plants, including the hardy Musa basjoo banana. Paxton’s work had a lasting influence on horticulture and botany during the era.
In 1853, John Berkley served as Chief Resident Engineer for the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIPR), which built India’s first commercial passenger railway. He oversaw the line on which the first passenger train ran from Bombay (Bori Bunder) to Thane. Berkley later designed the engineering works for the formidable Bhor Ghat and Thal Ghat inclines across the Western Ghats. He died in 1862 and was memorialized thereafter.
In 1853, Kenyon Produce was founded in Rotherham by Charles Kenyon, initially producing jams, pickles, and confectionery. Over time, the business evolved into snack manufacturing. The initials “KP” in KP Snacks come from Kenyon Produce. Today, KP Snacks — now part of the German snack‑food group Intersnack — is headquartered in Slough and produces many beloved British snack brands (KP Nuts, Hula Hoops, McCoy’s, Tyrrells, Nik Naks, Space Raiders, Butterkist, and more).
A mid-19th century physician, Charles Hunter refined and popularized the hypodermic syringe, showing that injected medicines acted systemically rather than only locally. He coined the term “hypodermic” and promoted the technique, improving syringe design and safety, despite earlier work by Francis Rynd, Alexander Wood, and Charles Pravaz. Hunter demonstrated that narcotics injected under the skin could relieve pain throughout the body, not just at the injection site as Wood believed. A London medical committee investigated and supported his findings, confirming his key contribution to modern injection methods.
In 1856, John Saxby, born in Brighton, invented the interlocking system of points and signals, significantly improving rail safety by preventing trains from being routed into one another. His invention played a key role in the development of safe and efficient rail travel.
In 1871, Charles Alcock introduced the Football Association Challenge Cup (commonly known as the FA Cup), establishing the first national football cup competition in England—and the world. The inaugural final was held in 1872 between Wanderers and the Royal Engineers, with Wanderers winning 1–0. The FA Cup went on to become one of the most prestigious domestic football tournaments globally.
By 1876, Titus Salt had founded Saltaire, a spinning and weaving mill that also became a self-contained community for workers. The village integrated houses, a park, a school, a library, recreation facilities, and outdoor sports amenities, setting a pioneering example of industrial philanthropy. His mill specialized in wool from the alpaca, and the village was designed by local Yorkshire architects Henry Lockwood and William Mason.
In 1880, Walter Camp established the first official rules of American football, earning him the title “Father of American Football.” His contributions shaped the structure and strategy of the game, laying the foundation for its modern development. Camp’s ancestor, Nicholas Camp, an English colonist from Nazeing, Essex, arrived in New England in 1630.
In 1884, John Henry Holmes patented an innovative “quick-break” light switch that significantly improved the safety and reliability of electric lighting. His design used a rapid snap-action mechanism to quickly separate the electrical contacts, reducing arcing and extending the lifespan of the switch. While not the first light switch ever made, Holmes’s invention laid the foundation for the modern wall switch and greatly simplified the control of electric lighting in homes and buildings.
In 1884, Thomas Parker built one of Britain’s first practical electric cars in Wolverhampton, powered by a rechargeable lead-acid battery and an electric motor. Although not mass-produced, Parker’s vehicle demonstrated key advancements in electric propulsion and marked an important milestone in the early development of electric transportation.
In 1885, Frederick Humpherson’s Beaufort Pedestal Closet received a Certificate of Merit from the Sanitary Institute of Great Britain for its innovation and improvements in flushing efficiency. The design featured a flush-down system using water from a high-mounted tank to effectively clear waste through the plumbing. Its pedestal design, with a long pipe supporting the bowl, enhanced stability and installation. This recognition marked a key advancement in modern toilet technology.
In 1865, Octavia Hill emerged as a prominent social reformer, recognized for her pioneering work in social housing and urban improvement. During the 1860s, she managed housing for the poor in London, promoting clean, safe homes and fostering community responsibility. She co-founded the Charity Organization Society in 1865 and later became a founding member of the National Trust in 1895. Hill believed that good housing was essential to social progress and human dignity, and her efforts helped shape the modern concept of social housing, leaving a lasting impact on UK housing policy.
In 1885, John Waddington founded Waddingtons, a board and card game company that went on to produce some of the world’s most iconic games, including Cluedo, invented by fellow Englishman Anthony Ernest Pratt, and Subbuteo, created by Englishman Peter Adolph. Waddingtons later acquired the rights to Subbuteo in 1970.
In 1887, Raleigh was founded in Nottingham by Sir Frank Bowden and grew into one of the world’s best-known bicycle makers. By the 1920s it produced 100,000 cycles annually, along with hub gears and motorcycle gearboxes, and briefly made motorcycles (and a three-wheeled car). In 1969, it launched the iconic Raleigh Chopper — designed by fellow Englishman Alan Oakley — selling around 1.5 million units. This was followed in 1976 by the Raleigh Grifter, a dual road/off-road bike with mudguards, a 3-speed hub, and heavy-tread tyres, built six years before the rise of off-road BMX bikes. Raleigh remains a key English cycling brand.
In 1892, Sir Francis Galton developed the first fingerprint classification system, introducing categories such as arch, loop, and whorl. His statistical analysis demonstrated the uniqueness of fingerprints, establishing a foundation for biometric identification in forensic and legal systems.
In 1894, physicist Sir Oliver Lodge demonstrated wireless transmission using an improved coherer, an early radio-wave detector with automatic resetting and signal recording. He later patented “syntonic” tuning (a variable tuner) in 1898 and an early moving-coil loudspeaker, both foundational for modern radio and audio devices. Lodge also developed an experimental spark ignition system, later used commercially by Lodge Plugs Ltd, founded by his sons. These were important technical advances in demonstrating radio principles, though they remained primarily experimental.
In 1894, Edward Leader Williams completed the Manchester Ship Canal, the first navigable ship canal to reach an inland city. The canal allowed ships to travel from the Irish Sea to Manchester, boosting industrial growth. Notable features include the Barton Swing Aqueduct—the only one of its kind in the world—and several swing bridges for road traffic. Though traffic has decreased, the canal remains operational today.
Around 1895, Nottingham grocer Frederick Gibson Garton created HP Sauce, a tangy blend of tomatoes, malt vinegar, and spices. First used with meat dishes, it soon became popular with the full English breakfast. The name “HP” is widely believed to refer to the Houses of Parliament, supported by stories of early use in parliamentary dining rooms and its popularity among politicians. The label has long shown the Palace of Westminster, including the Elizabeth Tower (home to Big Ben), and although updated over the years—such as during scaffolding—the Houses of Parliament have remained the central motif.
In 1897, William Harbutt invented Plasticine, a non-drying, malleable clay designed for sculpting and art education. Its ability to stay soft and workable made it ideal for creating detailed models. Plasticine quickly gained popularity with children and toy manufacturers, leading to widespread commercialization.
In the early 1900s, Dan Albone designed the Ivel tractor, one of the first lightweight and versatile gasoline-powered tractors in Britain. In 1904, he founded the Ivel Agricultural Motor Company in Bedfordshire, helping to modernize British farming and revolutionize agricultural machinery.
In 1901, Hubert Cecil Booth invented the first suction-based vacuum cleaner, using a horse-drawn, petrol-powered unit that operated from outside the house. His design greatly improved cleaning efficiency and later led to an electric-powered model run from a motorized van as part of his British Vacuum Cleaner Company (BVCC). Though large, these machines paved the way for modern industrial and household vacuum cleaners.
In 1904, Waitrose was founded by Wallace Wyndham Waite, Arthur Rose, and David Taylor; Taylor left the business in 1906, while Waite and Rose continued and formally adopted the name “Waitrose” in 1908. Their first shop was at 263 Acton Hill, and the company was based in London. Later, Rose withdrew from the firm after a period of ill health, and Waitrose was eventually acquired by the John Lewis Partnership in 1937.
In 1904, Thomas Parker received two gold medals from the Smoke Abatement Society for his contributions to reducing air pollution. He invented the Kyrle fire grate, which improved coal combustion and reduced smoke by promoting better air circulation. He also developed Coalite, his first smokeless fuel, which burned cleanly and produced little harmful smoke.
In 1906, William Rose, a tobacconist from Gainsborough, invented the world’s first tobacco-wrapping machine. His company, Rose Brothers (Gainsborough) Ltd, adapted the technology to mechanically wrap confectionery and bakery products. Recognizing the firm’s pioneering machine capable of wrapping differently shaped sweets, Cadbury named their popular Roses chocolates after the company in 1938.
In 1915, Edith Smith became the first policewoman in Great Britain granted full powers of arrest. A former midwife from Lincolnshire, she patrolled the streets of Grantham from 1915 to 1917, working seven days a week. Her duties focused on managing prostitution and maintaining order in a town where thousands of soldiers trained before heading to the front during World War I.
In 1922, Branston Pickle was first produced in Branston, Staffordshire, by English grocers Edmund Crosse and Thomas Blackwell, founders of Crosse & Blackwell. Made from diced carrots, swede, cauliflower, and gherkins in a sweet-and-sour sauce, it quickly became popular. Production later moved to London and, in 2004, to Bury St Edmunds. Over the decades, it has become a staple of British cuisine, especially in Ploughman’s lunches and cheese-and-pickle sandwiches.
In 1929, Wilfred Handley created Domestos, producing disinfectant and sterilizing chemicals from his garden shed and sourcing sodium hypochlorite from local chemical industries. Launching his venture as the Hygienic Disinfection Service, he initially sold the product door-to-door with the help of his wife, Ive. Handley formed a private company in 1936 and soon opened his first factory. The business was sold to the English-Dutch company Unilever in 1961, and Domestos has since grown into a global brand, becoming a leading product in nearly every market where it is sold.
In the late 1920s and 1930s, Douglas Rayner Hartree worked out a practical way to model how electrons move around atoms, which became the basis for modern computational chemistry. Russian physicist Vladimir Fock later improved his method, making it more accurate. Hartree also built one of the first scientific machines using Meccano parts in the 1930s, showing that machines could help solve complex math problems before electronic computers existed.
In 1949, Maurice Wilkes led the development of the Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator (EDSAC), which ran its first program at the University of Cambridge. As the first practical stored-program computer, it used mercury delay line memory and revolutionized early computing. Wilkes co-authored a 1951 book on program libraries, won the Turing Award in 1967, and received the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award in 1968.
In 1953, Chad Varah, a vicar from Barton-upon-Humber, founded The Samaritans, creating the world’s first suicide prevention helpline. On November 2, he answered the very first call, describing himself as “a man willing to listen, with a base and an emergency telephone.” His vision established a lasting legacy of non-judgmental support for people in emotional crisis. By 2020, more than 20,000 volunteers—including 1,000 trained prison listeners—offered help, and The Samaritans now respond to over 10,000 calls daily, operating 24/7 via a free service.
In 1977, Stanley Race, industrialist and glass manufacturer, made history by dropping an empty jar into the UK’s first glass recycling bank on 6 June in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. This simple act sparked a nationwide movement, making glass recycling easy and accessible, with lasting environmental benefits. Race’s symbolic deposit helped change public attitudes and paved the way for future recycling initiatives in the UK.
In 1982, Rod Temperton, a songwriter and keyboard player in the disco-funk band Heatwave, wrote the title track for Michael Jackson’s 1982 album Thriller, including the spoken-word section performed by Vincent Price. He also penned “Baby Be Mine” and “The Lady in My Life” for Thriller, and earlier hits like “Rock with You” and “Off the Wall” for Jackson’s 1979 album Off the Wall.
In 1982, Peter Auty, a choirboy born in Richmond, North Yorkshire, was the first to sing “Walking in the Air” for the iconic animated TV film The Snowman, written by Raymond Briggs. Although Welsh choirboy Aled Jones later recorded the song as a chart single, it was Peter’s voice that featured in the original film. By the time the song was released as a single three years later, Peter’s voice had broken, so Aled recorded the track instead.
In 1983, Jenny Pitman, born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, became the first woman to train a Grand National winner with Corbiere, later winning again with Royal Athlete in 1995. She is also an author, writing novels and autobiographies about racing and life.
In 1993, Nigel Short became the first English player to reach a World Chess Championship final, having earlier become the world’s youngest International Master at 14 and the youngest Grandmaster at 19. He ultimately lost 7½–12½ to Garry Kasparov and was later awarded an MBE for his contributions to chess.
During a 1993 exhibition game, Nigel Short indirectly provoked Garry Kasparov by playing a line derived from Henry Bird’s 1.f4. Forced into an unorthodox King’s Gambit, Kasparov lost and stormed off stage. Bird, a 19th-century English chess master, also originated Bird’s Defence in the Ruy Lopez.
In 2020, Arc Vector electric motorcycles made their first sale: a custom-built £90,000 machine delivered to a buyer in New York. On The Motorbike Show, host Henry Cole described the Vector as “the most advanced electric motorcycle in the world.” Each bike was hand-built to order, showcasing cutting-edge English engineering. Unfortunately, Arc later collapsed after delivering only 11 motorcycles, with CEO Mark Truman citing the challenges of an exclusive, high-cost niche market and US distribution issues.
In a previous episode of The Motorbike Show with host Henry Cole, the focus was on Triumph, established in 1885, which was stated as the world’s oldest surviving motorcycle manufacturer. Though it began as a car maker, Triumph rose to prominence with motorcycle models like the Triumph Model H, used by dispatch riders in World War I. The Model H was shown on the show, where the owner described it as the most reliable bike he had ever ridden. The 1962 Triumph TR6 was also shown, which gained iconic status as the motorbike ridden by Steve McQueen in The Great Escape.
In 2022, Black Sheep Brewery launched Respire, its first carbon-neutral cask beer, marking the brewery’s initial formal step into sustainable brewing. The beer’s full carbon footprint was measured and offset through certified international carbon credits, while tree planting and environmental initiatives in the Yorkshire Dales were supported via the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. Founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston, a member of the brewing family behind T&R Theakston (established in 1827 by Robert Theakston), Black Sheep was created to break away from large brewery ownership and revive traditional, independent brewing in Masham, North Yorkshire.
In March 2025, during a visit to Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, the King agreed to grant the BAE Systems shipyard and its surrounding dock area the honorary title of the Royal Port of Barrow, recognising the town’s unique role as the home of the UK’s nuclear-powered submarine construction and its longstanding contribution to national security.
In April 13th, 2025, Anthony Wills — English founder of the Kilchoman Whisky Distillery on the Isle of Islay — appeared on the BBC’s Politics Live to discuss Trump’s trade tariffs, noting that 15% of Kilchoman’s sales go to America. Founded on the western Scottish island and now recognized as a world-class whisky producer, Kilchoman grew from Wills’s bold vision; as he remarked in an interview on the WhiskyCorner website, “Initially I think they thought I was a mad English man coming to Islay to build a distillery and it would fall flat on its face.”
On 19 May 2025, on The One Show, guest English actor Ian McShane commented on an item, expressing his appreciation for the Chelsea Flower Show by calling it “very English” in a very contented way and shortly repeating the phrase. During the same episode, he also mentioned the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, saying, “They all hate the UK; they hate England.”
In June 2025, Rebecca Beveridge of New Lodge Vineyard in Northampton noted that their wines are increasingly recognised as premium products rather than curiosities, as both New Lodge in Earls Barton and Stonyfield Vineyard in Blisworth were added to the East Midlands Wine Trail. Highlighting the industry’s growing reputation, she remarked that “English sparkling wine is regularly ranked by critics as second only to Champagne, with Cava from Spain and Prosecco from Italy rated behind us.”
In August 2025, Dr Pauline Manfield died, aged 95. She was one of the first female consultants in UK paediatrics and played a key role in establishing the paediatric department at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield.
In September 2025, the White Hart Hotel in Lincoln marked its historic Tank Room—the site where the first plans for an armoured fighting vehicle were drawn up in 1915—with a commemorative plaque and the granting of World Origin Site status. A replica First World War tank was brought in for the unveiling ceremony, symbolising the creation of the original prototype, Little Willie, which was built later that year by Fosters of Lincoln.
In September 2025, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the architect behind the Eden Project, Plymouth’s landmark Shipbuilding Hall, and London’s award-winning glass-and-steel Waterloo International terminal, died aged 85, leaving a legacy defined by some of the most innovative public buildings of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
In October 2025, the Lincolnshire Great Exhibition, hosted by Dame Andrea Jenkyns, the first-ever Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire and Reform MP, at the Lincolnshire Showground, featured displays of military defence drones, agricultural robots, and a variety of food. More than 100 exhibitors, delegates, and guests attended, with the exhibition aiming to promote investment in the county’s industry and economy.

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