Carry On

Carry On

Independent journalism from Merlows.

93 Published Dispatches
Support Merlows

Help keep independent journalism alive.

Tees, commemorative coins, gift vouchers and supporter memberships. Every order goes straight back into fearless, on-the-ground reporting.

Shop & Support Us
BlitzSpirit 30 Sep 2025 Carry On5 min

Carry the Spirit Forward: Beyond Keep Calm and Prepare

BlitzSpirit: From wartime resolve to modern community resilience – and why we need it now. The air raid siren’s wail. A sound etched into the memories of a generation, a summons to shelter, to shared anxiety, and, remarkably, to neighbourly action. But the ‘Blitz Spirit’ wasn’t just about calmly descending the stairs. It was about […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 25 Sep 2025 Carry On4 min

Beyond the Blue Plaques: Uncovering the Stories in Your Streets

BlitzSpirit: Why local history matters now, and how to join the effort to preserve it. The chipped sandstone of a Victorian terrace, the faint ghost of a shop sign on a brick wall, the oddly-named pub on the corner. They’re all whispers of the past, embedded in the everyday fabric of our towns and cities. […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 20 Sep 2025 Carry On4 min

Faded Memories, Lasting Bonds: Saving Our Family War Stories

BlitzSpirit: Before they vanish, a call to digitise and safeguard precious wartime photographs for future generations. The chipped enamel mug, the faded floral dress, a blurry snapshot of a young man in uniform – these fragments often hold the weight of stories unshared, of lives lived through extraordinary times. Many of us have boxes, albums, […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 15 Sep 2025 Carry On5 min

The Air Raid Wardens: More Than Just Whistles and Blackout Checks

BlitzSpirit: Passing down the stories of ordinary courage during the darkest days. The photograph is faded sepia. A man in a steel helmet, slightly too big, smiles awkwardly at the camera. He’s holding a stirrup pump, looking more like he’s posing for a school play than preparing for war. But this wasn’t a game. This […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 10 Sep 2025 Carry On5 min

Keep Calm and Carry On: The Unexpected History of a Modern Mantra

BlitzSpirit: Beyond the poster, a surprisingly recent story of wartime instruction and modern wellbeing. Imagine the air raid siren wailing, the drone of approaching Heinkels overhead. Now picture, not stoicism, but official government advice delivered straight to your door – instructions on how to deal with the emotional fallout of relentless bombing. This isn’t a […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 5 Sep 2025 Carry On5 min

Carry the Spirit Forward: Building Resilience for Hard Times

BlitzSpirit: Beyond ‘Keep Calm’ – How Wartime Britain Faced Adversity, and What We Can Learn The wireless crackles with static, then the clipped tones of the newsreader. Another raid. Another night bracing for the drone of engines and the whistle of falling bombs. But it wasn’t just about waiting for the all-clear. It was about […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 31 Aug 2025 Carry On5 min

A Pint for Britain: Blood Donation and the Spirit of ’40s Resolve

BlitzSpirit: How giving blood became a symbol of national unity and quiet courage during wartime. The air raid siren’s wail was a brutal punctuation mark across daily life. Yet, alongside the fear and destruction of the Blitz, a different, quieter sound echoed through Britain’s towns and cities: the hushed conversations in church halls, the steady […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 26 Aug 2025 Carry On4 min

Footsteps in the Rubble: Reclaiming Our Towns’ Blitz Histories

BlitzSpirit: Mapping courage and community – and why remembering matters, street by street. The air raid siren’s wail. A shudder in the ground. The orange glow on the horizon. For many, these remain abstract images from black and white newsreels. But walk the streets of nearly any British town or city, and you’ll find they […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 21 Aug 2025 Carry On4 min

The Scarred Heart of England: Remembering Coventry Cathedral’s Resilience

BlitzSpirit: A ruined cathedral, a testament to defiance, a call for peace amidst the rubble. Imagine a November night, cold and slick with rain. The blackout is absolute, the city of Coventry holding its breath. Then, the whine of approaching bombers. For eleven hours, the Luftwaffe rains fire on the historic heart of England, targeting […]

Read Dispatch
BlitzSpirit 16 Aug 2025 Carry On4 min

Beneath the Dust: Remembering London’s Response to the Blitz

BlitzSpirit: Examining how the Imperial War Museum’s galleries reveal the complex story of wartime resilience. The air raid siren wails, a sound etched into the national memory. But standing within the recreated Anderson shelter at the Imperial War Museum London, the feeling hits you differently. It’s not just a sound; it’s the chill of damp […]

Read Dispatch
×
×
Install Merlows Add to your home screen for the full app experience.