S.P. Oldham's Blog, page 2
April 10, 2025
A Research Question - Victorian Apothecaries and the Sale of Contraception
Hi, me again! Hope you are all well.
Does anyone out there happen to have knowledge of the purchase of contraceptives from apothecaries in the late 1800’s, in the UK? Or just knowledge about apothecaries of that era in general? If so, I have one or two very specific questions I would love to ask of you, if I may. Google just doesn’t seem to be quite up to it!
Thank you. I hope to be back here soon with more writing news.
S P
January 25, 2025
Updates and News from Me
Hello everyone, how is your January going? I have had such a lot going on in the background that, sadly, I have not had as much time to keep up to date with my online commitments as I would like. I have also struggled to find the time to write, though I have finally got back on track with a book I started two years ago!
I am still doing Silly Sunday Zombie Limericks, and I intend to keep going with them for as long as I am able. I enjoy writing them and I like to think that people enjoy reading them, too. They are just a bit of daft fun, which we all need, now and then.
Because of so many demands on the personal front, I am putting Guest Interviews on hold for a while. Ditto newsletters, unless there is something important, exciting or special I want to share.
Just thought I would keep you up to date. To those of you who continue to support me, thank you. It means the world.
S P Oldham
December 30, 2024
Happy New Year for 2025
Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Not necessarily prosperous in the materialistic sense, though most of us could do with some extra cash these days. I mean ‘prosperous’ in all the areas of your life that you want to grow, evolve, improve or change for the better. I think it is important to make that clarification.
Speaking for us, we know that the year ahead promises changes and challenges for us as a family that we would rather not be facing. At least we have fair warning, and can anticipate some of those changes. We will get through it. As for the rest, the things that none of us can see coming, let’s just hope that they are good, or at the very least they leave us stronger for having faced them.
I wish the same for all of you. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. I will keep writing because it is who and what I am, even though most of the ‘reading world’ so to speak, don’t even know who I am!
If you’re still with me, thank you with all my heart.
Happy New Year!
S P Oldham
December 1, 2024
Save Llancaich Fawr!
Llancaiach Fawr at Risk of Closure
Caerphilly council is proposing to ‘mothball’ stunning Tudor mansion Llancaiach Fawr, in an effort to save money. There are a lot of voices raised against this, and against the imminent closure of Blackwood Miner’s Institute in Blackwood.
The manor house is such a community hub, offering a wide variety of events, workshops, ghost tours etc… as well as meals in their lovely restaurants, the Lounge and the Conservatory. Apart from anything else, it seems to me that rather than saving money, they will be cutting off a means of bringing money in, not to mention the loss of jobs when those currently employed there lose their positions.
That this is even being contemplated is unbelievable to me. Llancaiach Fawr is always so popular, you have to get in quick if you want to take part in their events. Especially at Christmas, when the house is even more beautiful than ever. I understand the need to budget, money is tight and so on, but to close down such an historically important venue that brings money in makes no sense to me. All of which also applies to Blackwood Miner’s Institute. I have enjoyed several shows there. My little granddaughter has seen shows and pantomimes there. The thought of losing it makes me very sad.
It is worth noting that the same council also proposed stopping a meal delivery service, which delivers meals to some of the most vulnerable people in the community, again in a bid to save money. Why does it always seem to be the case that the most needy are the first to suffer? Thankfully, this proposal has recently been reversed.
The word ‘mothballing’ bothers me here. I have a feeling that once mothballed, these places will remain closed permanently, being sold off to some rich developer or private buyer or something.
Something similar happened years ago now, to a building called Insole Court in Radyr, Cardiff. That wonderful place was saved by the community and is now a thriving hub, with all kinds of amazing things going on there, including a community garden, which I personally think is fabulous. If they saved Insole Court, then they can save Llancaiach Fawr and Blackwood Miner’s Institute too.
I will watch carefully, with fingers crossed, to see what happens regarding this important and beautiful buildings. I hope that when I report back, it will be with good news. Surely, there are other ways the council could cut back, without causing such upset and damage to the communities involved, and without depriving necessary causes such as schools, medical facilities and so on. I hope so.
https://blackwoodminersinstitute.com
Llancaiach Fawr by S P Oldham
November 30, 2024
November 22, 2024
TikTok!
I am giving tiktok a go. Why not? If you’re on there, say hi, follow me! Thanks! Stay safe and well everyone.
Image from Unsplash via Squarespace. A hand holding a cellphone depicting the tiktok logo.
October 31, 2024
Give Me a Monster
Enjoy your free Halloween read here: https://www.spoldhamauthor.com/portfo...
Thoughts and comments welcome. Happy Halloween, stay safe out there.
October 30, 2024
Elementary Undead - Alice B. Sullivan
Pre-order now for only 99c!
For fans of The Walking Dead, 28 Weeks Later, and the gripping, critically acclaimed video game and television series The Last of Us comes a white-knuckle story of survival in the face of unfathomable horror… Elementary Undead. When classmates and teachers suddenly develop a ravenous appetite for human flesh, thirteen-year-old Karly Weiss soon realizes fighting her favorite meant-to-be fictional monster isn't as easy as the movies make it seem. She and her ragtag group of friends will have to find a way to survive the zombie-infested halls of Renn Elementary until this nightmare ends. If it ever will. https://bookgoodies.com/a/B0DK2NH9D1
September 4, 2024
Competition Winners September 2024
Thanks to everyone who entered my recent competition. I realised, far too late, that there was a problem with the link, so if you tried to enter but couldn't I can only apologise. I will make it up to you by running another competition very soon.
The winners this time are:
Marc Ahearne
Ian Mabberley
Lauren
Paul Lodge
Michael Daly
I really enjoyed reading your witty, dark and creative responses. I will be in touch very soon to arrange sending you your codes.
Thanks again everyone.
S P Oldham
August 8, 2024
Don’t miss the Monster Giveaway on Written Undead!
Written Undead’s Monster Giveaway!
“Before the end of the month we will be starting a festival of giveaways for members of the Written Undead. There will be loads of authors, and not just the featured authors that you know so well.”
Want to be part of this? Join us on Facebook and get commenting. Then cross your fingers and hope to win. That’s all you need do to be in with a chance.
Good luck!
