by David West | Feb 20, 2026 | News
On the 20th of February, 1472, Orkney and Shetland were pawned by Norway to Scotland. My first job after Oxford was with Foster Wheeler, who had the contract for building the Sullem Voe Oil Terminal in Shetland. It wasn’t a project I worked on, but I had many friends...
by David West | Feb 19, 2026 | News
On the 19th of February, 1594, Sigismund III was crowned King of Sweden. Sigismund III of Sweden, also known as Sigismund III Vasa (1566–1632), was one of the most complex and consequential monarchs of early modern Europe. He reigned as King of Poland and Grand Duke...
by David West | Feb 18, 2026 | News
On the 18th of February, 1930, Elm Farm Ollie became the first cow to fly in an aeroplane. I have been crazy about flying for much of my life and held a pilot’s license, but transporting a cow in a small plane? I think I’d have left that to someone else. Elm Farm...
by David West | Feb 17, 2026 | News
On the 17th of February, 1801, a tie in the Electoral College between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson was resolved when Jefferson was elected President of the United States and Burr Vice President. Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was one of the most influential figures...
by David West | Feb 16, 2026 | News
The Battle of Torrington was fought on the 16th of February, 1646. I recall that Admiral Sir John Byng was Viscount Torrington, but Torrington was a land battle in Devon. It was one of the last major engagements of the First English Civil War and marked the effective...
