Paul Rance
@paulrance.bsky.social
Writer, lover of books, music, art, classic films, sci-fi, nature, animals, history, most sports. Humanitarian. Luton Town fan.
Websites: https://www.paulrance.com
https://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com
And YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@paulrance59
Websites: https://www.paulrance.com
https://www.booksmusicfilmstv.com
And YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@paulrance59
I liked the fact that Charlemagne was probably one of my great-great grandfathers (x plenty). But the excitement faded when I realised most Europeans with European ancestry are also probably his great-grandchildren (x plenty).
Extract from my book, Made in Luton.
Extract from my book, Made in Luton.
November 27, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I liked the fact that Charlemagne was probably one of my great-great grandfathers (x plenty). But the excitement faded when I realised most Europeans with European ancestry are also probably his great-grandchildren (x plenty).
Extract from my book, Made in Luton.
Extract from my book, Made in Luton.
A few of the notable events of the early 1960s in my book (the assassination of JFK is mentioned elsewhere), Made in Luton. Growing up in the '60s and '70s in Luton and Bedfordshire, mentions of James Hanratty were many, as was the Great Train Robbery - and in Bedford Hanratty was executed in 1962.
November 26, 2025 at 12:16 PM
A few of the notable events of the early 1960s in my book (the assassination of JFK is mentioned elsewhere), Made in Luton. Growing up in the '60s and '70s in Luton and Bedfordshire, mentions of James Hanratty were many, as was the Great Train Robbery - and in Bedford Hanratty was executed in 1962.
As I wrote in Made in Luton👇I don't remember growing up in Luton in the 1960s and 1970s and it being a rough town. Though, no doubt, this was horrific. Unfortunately, there are some who think a couple of bad eggs like Robinson and Tate are typical Lutonians.
November 25, 2025 at 10:16 AM
As I wrote in Made in Luton👇I don't remember growing up in Luton in the 1960s and 1970s and it being a rough town. Though, no doubt, this was horrific. Unfortunately, there are some who think a couple of bad eggs like Robinson and Tate are typical Lutonians.
Memories of the old Wembley in 1978 (from my book, Made in Luton - available from Amazon, Waterstones, et al). England v Brazil and the FA Vase final featuring Barton Rovers and Newcastle Blue Star. Barton was the first Bedfordshire team I saw play at Wembley. 10 years later was a happier occasion.
November 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Memories of the old Wembley in 1978 (from my book, Made in Luton - available from Amazon, Waterstones, et al). England v Brazil and the FA Vase final featuring Barton Rovers and Newcastle Blue Star. Barton was the first Bedfordshire team I saw play at Wembley. 10 years later was a happier occasion.
November 20, 2025 at 2:08 PM
1960s TV Series The Prisoner Summary, Episode List, Number Twos. www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/The...
November 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
1960s TV Series The Prisoner Summary, Episode List, Number Twos. www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/SciFiFan/The...
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 AM
A review of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy by my late friend, Dorothy Koenigsberger. www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/Books/Philip...
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
A review of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy by my late friend, Dorothy Koenigsberger. www.booksmusicfilmstv.com/Books/Philip...
5 Historical Places to Visit in Cambridgeshire by Paul Rance paulrance.com/Cambridgeshi...
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 AM
5 Historical Places to Visit in Cambridgeshire by Paul Rance paulrance.com/Cambridgeshi...
Made in Luton Page on paulrance.com; Extracts from Paul Rance's book, Made in Luton paulrance.com/MadeinLuton....
October 31, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Made in Luton Page on paulrance.com; Extracts from Paul Rance's book, Made in Luton paulrance.com/MadeinLuton....
A clip from the BBC sport website. Shane Lowry has had quite a day. A sibling has had a child and his putt retains the Ryder Cup for Europe in New York. Rather fitting, as he and Rory suffered so much from the MAGAs yesterday.
September 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A clip from the BBC sport website. Shane Lowry has had quite a day. A sibling has had a child and his putt retains the Ryder Cup for Europe in New York. Rather fitting, as he and Rory suffered so much from the MAGAs yesterday.
Humans are so plain by comparison. The keel-billed toucan. c2.staticflickr.com/8/7419/16201...
September 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Humans are so plain by comparison. The keel-billed toucan. c2.staticflickr.com/8/7419/16201...
Jimmy Greaves giving a plug to Bovril - as seen on the back of the Luton v Nottingham Forest 1959 FA Cup final programme.
September 18, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Jimmy Greaves giving a plug to Bovril - as seen on the back of the Luton v Nottingham Forest 1959 FA Cup final programme.
If you've never seen the Luton v Nottingham Forest FA Cup final programme before, I select some of the highlights in this YouTube video. #LTFC #NFFC www.youtube.com/shorts/LXF6R...
September 17, 2025 at 10:33 AM
If you've never seen the Luton v Nottingham Forest FA Cup final programme before, I select some of the highlights in this YouTube video. #LTFC #NFFC www.youtube.com/shorts/LXF6R...
A beetle using the hairs on my arms as ropes. Filmed with a Canon SX620 HS. Cropped and then magnified.
August 30, 2025 at 5:14 PM
A beetle using the hairs on my arms as ropes. Filmed with a Canon SX620 HS. Cropped and then magnified.
The highlight of 50 Years of Shoot! was an easy choice if you're a Luton fan...
August 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
The highlight of 50 Years of Shoot! was an easy choice if you're a Luton fan...
A very colourful Shaun the Sheep in Peterborough's Queensgate Shopping Centre.
August 9, 2025 at 9:34 PM
A very colourful Shaun the Sheep in Peterborough's Queensgate Shopping Centre.
Paddington wouldn't let me have a bite of his marmalade sandwich...
August 9, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Paddington wouldn't let me have a bite of his marmalade sandwich...
An interesting day in Peterborough today, with plenty of Lutonians and Canadians in the city.
August 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
An interesting day in Peterborough today, with plenty of Lutonians and Canadians in the city.
Good to see a bug hotel in Crowland, Lincolnshire. Only saw one ant checking it out, but word will get round around I'm sure.
July 24, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Good to see a bug hotel in Crowland, Lincolnshire. Only saw one ant checking it out, but word will get round around I'm sure.
Good luck to the Lionesses against France tonight in the Women's Euros. My article on pioneers of women's football, the Lost Lionesses and their manager Harry Batt, is in July's Best of British magazine.
July 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Good luck to the Lionesses against France tonight in the Women's Euros. My article on pioneers of women's football, the Lost Lionesses and their manager Harry Batt, is in July's Best of British magazine.
Good to hear, Roger. I've still this artefact. 6 tracks in all.
June 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Good to hear, Roger. I've still this artefact. 6 tracks in all.
Coming up. Get your country yokel's hat on and prepare to dance like Peter Gabriel when he was in his curious Genesis phase.
June 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Coming up. Get your country yokel's hat on and prepare to dance like Peter Gabriel when he was in his curious Genesis phase.
I've written a few little books about football, mainly Luton Town, then a neighbour gives me a 500 word plus book he's written about a Fulham and Stockport County legend, Frank Newton. It will appeal to lovers of olde football, of which I am one. www.amazon.co.uk/Footballer-A...
June 6, 2025 at 7:28 PM
I've written a few little books about football, mainly Luton Town, then a neighbour gives me a 500 word plus book he's written about a Fulham and Stockport County legend, Frank Newton. It will appeal to lovers of olde football, of which I am one. www.amazon.co.uk/Footballer-A...