Our Curious Past Black Label

Cardington, England.

On Saturday, October 4th, 1930 the R101 Airship, set off from Cardington England on it's first ever passenger flight. Hopes were high that this craft would help change the face of global travel.

Yet the following morning, this majestic and epic ship would be a smouldering wreck, strewn across a field in France, killing 48 men.

It was a disaster that would put an end to airship production in the UK, but what led to the crash, and could it have been avoided?

Today on Hometown Histories: Europe, we take to the skies for The Hopeful Rise (and the Tragic Fall) of the R101 Airship.

Includes an interview with Airship historian, David Fowler.

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San Gioavanni Rotondo, Italy

Millions flock to the Italian town of San Gioavanni Rotondo each year. They come for two reasons.

Firstly, it's home to the most efficient and advanced medical research hospital in Europe. Yet it's also a magnet for Catholic pilgrims. They come to see the body of Padre Pio who lived and died here, in 1968. This famous Saint who was known for having stigmata - where believers develop spontaneous marks on their bodies, to reflect the wounds of Jesus on the cross.

It is a town of science and faith - and yet the two are not mutually exclusive here...you see, Padre Pio founded, and funded this cutting edge hospital.

Today on Hometown History: Europe we explore the strange and complex life Padre Pio...Priest of the Supernatural

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Istanbul (formerly Constantinople).

Sports fans are passionate, but this energy can sometimes lead to conflict or even all-out violence. This happened on a truly horrific scale in Constantinople, on Tuesday, January 13th, 532 C.E.

The sport was Chariot Racing, and while the fans of the opposing Greens and Blues had clashed before, this revolt was different. After a botched public execution, the fans joined forces against the Emperor Justinian, and the city exploded into chaos.

Five days later, Constantinople would be a burning ruin, and ten percent of the population would be dead in the streets. The events of that day almost brought down the emperor - but what really lead to to riot, and how did a sports crowd almost destroy an Empire?

I'm Peter Laws. Join me and Medieval Historian Eleanour Janega as we explore The Deadliest Sports Event, Ever...

The Nika Riots.

-Help support our show through Patreon: patreon.com/peterlaws
-Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE
-Check out our other podcasts: itsarclightmedia.com

Kelvedon Hatch, UK (Part One)

Surrounded by fields and woodland, it looks like an average, brick bungalow. It isn't. Just a few steps through the doors reveals a huge tunnel leading to an amazing labyrinth of rooms, deep under the hillside.

This is Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker. Built in secrecy and strict military security, you will join Peter Laws as he tours the bunker.

In this special two part episode, explore the twilight world of the cold war and learn how Britain tried to prepare for nuclear war. This episode also features input from author and nuclear historian, Taras Young.

NOTE: This episode contains details about nuclear war that some listeners may find disturbing.

-Help support our show through Patreon: patreon.com/peterlaws
-Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE
-Check out our other podcasts: itsarclightmedia.com

Kelvedon Hatch, UK (Part Two)

Surrounded by fields and woodland, it looks like an average, brick bungalow. It isn't. Just a few steps through the doors reveals a huge tunnel leading to an amazing labyrinth of rooms, deep under the hillside.

This is Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker. Built in secrecy and strict military security, you will join Peter Laws as he tours the bunker.

In this special two part episode, explore the twilight world of the cold war and learn how Britain tried to prepare for nuclear war. This episode also features input from author and nuclear historian, Taras Young.

NOTE: This episode contains details about nuclear war that some listeners may find disturbing.

-Help support our show through Patreon: patreon.com/peterlaws
-Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE
-Check out our other podcasts: itsarclightmedia.com

Locana, Italy, 1877.

Maria Mezzanrosa had a perfectly normal pregnancy and labour...until the midwife screamed at the birth. Her babies were joined from the sixth rib down. They had two full heads and necks, two pairs of arms, but only one shared set of legs. Her husband Giovanni Tocci fainted in shock, but it didn't take him long to see a blessing, instead of a curse. After a mere four weeks later he was taking the tiny boys to Turin to exhibit them for money.

Regardless of the ethics, his business sense was spot on...the brothers were a sensation - and it led to 20 years of relentless touring throughout Europe and across America. It made the family rich.

Observers said the boys were surprisingly happy with their lot...but were they, really?

Join me for an emotional journey, exploring disability, difference, 19th century side shows and cultural change. Because I'm Peter Laws, and today on Hometown History we explore the remarkable life of The Conjoined Tocci Twins, of Locana, Italy.

NOTE: Today's episode explores the fascinating live of two boys with a shared disability. They lived in the 19th century to 20th and so some of the language used at the time may be offensive.

-Help support our show through Patreon: patreon.com/peterlaws
-Find us on all podcasting platforms: https://link.chtbl.com/HHE
-Check out our other podcasts: itsarclightmedia.com