(1893-1944) Robert Nichols was an English poet and playwright often referred to as one of the First World War ‘war poets’. He was born on the Isle of Wight in East Mount, Shanklin, and was baptised in the village at St Saviour on the Cliff. Nichols’ poem ‘The Burial in Flanders’ is celebrated as one… Continue reading Robert Nichols

(1920’s) ‘Bill Stickers’, ‘Sister Agatha’, ‘Red Biddy/ White Biddy’ and ‘Kate O’Brien the Nark’ were pseudonyms used by a group of young women who came together to form what was known as ‘Ferguson’s Gang’ in 1927. Some of the group were lesbians or bisexual. They were activists protecting rural England who objected to the spread… Continue reading The Ferguson Gang

(1900 – 1993)   Marion Barbara Carstairs was known as ‘Joe’, she had numerous female lovers, which were said to include Oscar Wilde’s niece, Dolly Wilde, as well as Hollywood stars Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. Joe Carstairs was the UK’s most successful female motorboat racer during the 1920s and her boats were made on… Continue reading Joe ‘Marion’ Carstairs